20 Thorne
“When it comes to war, never forget the power of imprisonment.” - Wu Zhao Zetain, author of The Art of Sentient War
Mother’s manacle cords drag me through the ground before spitting me out into a darkened prison on the outskirts of Fort Derringer.
That was two weeks ago.
I’ve been in this same cell ever since.
Thank you, Mom.
Once again, I scan my overly-familiar surroundings. A small window-hole affords the only light. There’s no visible way in or out.
Nearby, a small square of dirt floor transforms into filaments. Those threads part, revealing a small metal tray that holds a large bowl of slop and a small jug of water. Stuff like this shows up at regular intervals. Based on the food and shifting sunlight, I figure that I’ve been here for seventeen days.
My appetite is n
