That morning the guards brought roasted meat for breakfast. They knew he would not eat it. Lord Ahriman must have instructed them to do so just to spite him.
He sure knew how to reopen old wounds.
Ashes blamed himself for ever allowing them to find out about his weakness. He was not going to let them win though.
Katie was almost starving and gulped on her piece. Ashes was sure he would puke everything if he tried to eat it.
A few moments later, Ahriman walked in.
" Oh my good boy Ashes. Why are you not having this fine piece of mouth watering delicacy? " he asked in fake sympathy.
" You need all the food you can get for your recovery, you know? " He wore a warm smile.
Ashes returned his smile. He made up his mind to make him taste defeat in his own game.
" You are right. I need to utilize all the resources available if I am to recover "
With that he took a piece into his mouth and began feeding on it.
He was not keeping a straight face or grimacing as he ate it. He took his time savouring the taste with a smile on his face as if it was the best meal he has ever had in his life.
He did all that while holding his breath of course.
He realized that without the smell roasted meat was still as delicious as it had been in his childhood.
The facade of friendliness on Ahriman's face was washed off. He stared at Ashes in rage. He was not happy at how fast he lost the upper hand.
" I am here to inform you that you will need to resume fighting in the cage tomorrow "
Ashes could almost see smoke coming from his nostrils. Ahriman was akin to a fire spitting dragon whenever he was enraged.
" For goodness sake can't you see that he is injured " Katie shot up to his defense.
" The ribs you broke are yet to heal my lord " she pressed on " Or do you perhaps deliberately want him to lose so that you get an excuse of visiting him tonight. Are you that desperate to sleep with your prisoners despite all the concubines that you have "
The last lines hit a nerve. Ahriman clenched his fists. He wanted to punch Katie on the face but he managed to control his anger.
" I appreciate your concern but fortunately I had already thought of that " he grinned from ear to ear.
A stranger accompanied him whom he termed as the healer.
The healer walked to where Ashes lay and held his right hand.
At the touch Ashes felt a surge of new energy rush through his body. It was cold, warm, hot and chilly at the same time. The intoxicating feeling was sensational.
The pain on his body vanished. He felt his broken ribs get repaired. ' What in fvcks name is this? '
His body felt even stronger than before.
' Is this some kind of sorcery? '
The thought almost brought tears to his eyes.
Many people had real power out there while all he knew was how to control a sword. What was the use of learning combat if someone could kill him with just a snap of their finger.
" How do you feel? "
It was Ahriman.
" Still in pain as before if not worse "
Ahriman grew impatient. He got hold of his chin and pressed it.
" Don't you dare lie to me boy. You have been healed. You will have to fight in the cage tomorrow and losing is not an option otherwise…" he pointed at Katie " you will have her head for supper "
Ashes was tired of the constant threats. He could not take it anymore.
" Remember that once you kill her you will have no more leverage over me. What makes you think I will remain under your command after that? "
Ashes might have as well been doing a stand up comedy because Ahriman roared in laughter. This time it actually sounded a bit more genuine than forced.
" Even if I kill her I would go in search of your lost sister and bring her here to threaten you. I could also go ahead and kill the other sister and still find something else to use against you. Whatever it takes even if I have to raise your decayed father's bones I will do it but you will never be free from me "
" What if I decide to kill myself tonight? "
" Trust me you won't. You will be fighting in the cage tomorrow. "
Ahriman and his guards walked out leaving Ashes and Katie to themselves once again.
Ashes did not have any more strength or the will left in him to be angry.
He felt like a helpless animal in a slaughterhouse.
Life was meaningless when you knew that you would spend the entirety of it as a slave.
Ahriman made it clear that he did not have any intention of ever letting him go.
It was pointless to keep on fighting.
" You heard him brother. He will go to any length just to keep you fighting in the cage. It's pointless trying to keep us alive by fighting in the cage.
What we need to do now is look for a way to free ourselves even if it costs our lives "
Ashes agreed with her.
For as long as he kept fighting for them in the cage many lives would be in danger.
The only solution to that was ceasing to be valuable to Ahriman.
Ashes was not aware that he had more masters besides Ahriman and that the latter was not even his real master but simply a puppet.