Lucy Wickshire 131 Chapter seventeen 1

In a small forest, off the west side of the kingdom of Isne, sits a small cottage shielded from eyes by thick green forest. It looked aged and falling apart. But wails and screams could be heard from within it. Inside, sat a man with grey beards, shaped like little goat horns and well trimmed white hair. He seemed to enjoy the sound coming from his basement. He sipped on his tea and ate his last piece of bread before sitting a while to let his lunch settle. When he had relaxed a bit, he made his way down towards the screaming.

His basement was a replica of a torture chamber. He took time to clean his tools and have them shinning. He was no torture expert. He was just a teacher and a student as well. He studied the human body and their relations to spirit weapons.

He used to ignore the screams of those who were brought to his basement, now he loved it when they screamed. He had other rooms laid out in his basement and was expecting the arrival of more 'human samples', as he called it. He chose this location well. Most people in the town outside knew of him and they send those family members they wished disappear to him. With that, he received a lot of people to experiment on.

The man screaming in one of the cells was a new addition. He claimed to be a lord travelling from the capital. This was the one he wished to use today. He opened the cell and inside was the scruffy man tied standing to a wheel bed.

"I've heard of you, Professor Lorgh. You are making a mistake! I know you don't bother about who a person is, but you do not want to use a member of the royal family as a lab rat!" the man protested.

Lorgh ignored him and went for his knives. He laid them out with care and utmost attention.

"Today, we will test the relationship between the star swords and the human body. You see, the star swords have always fascinated me. Martial artist alone can use it. They claim to be able to draw out their elemental roots through the sword and release it's power. One must only use the star sword that is equal to their elements. Wind martial artists will use wind star swords...." Lorgh explained, moving to the man, tied standing.

"Don't do this. When the royal family finds you, you will be killed." the man begged.

"Shh.. We must first understand the basis for the experiment. You see, the element on the star swords are inscribed by inscriptionists on meteor metal. I have studied the basis for the inscriptions; that work, only strongest minds can do. Our first action is to open your brain. We will use the metal thread, an equipment I made myself and connect you to the roots. This will be our control test." Lorgh went on explaining as he unscrewed the wheel bed, thereby slowly lowering it and the man on it, from a vertical to a horizontal position.

When the man saw him take up his saw, he started screaming. As if on cue, a loud banging from upstairs caused him to stop. He dropped the saw and went upstairs. He opened the door to find a familiar middle aged bald man that brings him the 'human samples'.

"Marty, your timing is bad. I was about to start my work." Lorgh said.

"Lorgh, you know that other one I delivered last time... you haven't killed him yet, right?" Marty asked nervously.

"You know not to ask of them the moment they are in my hands." Lorgh's expression darkened.

"That man is the king's nephew. They are looking for him. You need to release him." Marty said and Lorgh frowned.

"No. He is already at a point of no return. Is that why you came? Did you at least bring my human samples?" Lorgh dismissed it with a frown.

"This is no joke Lorgh. They know it is you who has him...." Marty had not finished speaking when he heard movement from the forest.

"They are here!... goodbye Lorgh." he said and took off into the trees. Lorgh looked at his running form and wondered if he would make a good human sample. His thoughts wondered about Marty's physique and if he should take a bow and arrow and hunt down Marty? He thought a little more about Marty's bone structure and fantasized about opening him up for his work. By the time he returned from his thoughts, he was surrounded by soldiers. They were trying to tie him up when he returned from his calculations. He tried to struggle, but they were stronger.

"Let go of me! My work..." he started to say when he felt someone spit on his face. He looked up and found it was his human sample.

"Why did you leave the lab? The work is not complete. Return. I will be there soon." he said as he struggled.

"You mad man, I will hang you in the highest point in the capital! You and all those that help you. Everyone that sent their family members, I consider them people that have helped you. Anyone that has talked to you will hang with you that day! Take him!" the man said angrily. The soldiers took away a shouting Lorgh, who was worried about his work.

Chapter end