In the Horseman's Den

            “I want you to get that meddlesome constable Crane out of the way. He’s been asking too
many questions. Get rid of him.” The Black Witch ordered her slave. The Horseman bowed and
went to do her bidding.

***

            This was the one the witch wanted him to kill? This coward? Surely he couldn’t be much
of a threat to her? Focusing on him the Horseman used his sensing abilities that stood in place of
his eyesight and scanned the boy’s life force. What he found rocked him back on his heels. Oh
my. Glowing brightly with goodness, shadowed with grief, a brilliant, analytical mind, and there
hidden away, a streak of stubborn braveness. Intriguing. Very Intriguing. It would be a pity to kill
such a fascinating, rare creature. But then, the Black Witch had never specified that he had to
kill Crane. Only ‘get him out of the way’. Imprisoning him would achieve that easily. Bending
down he picked up Crane’s limp form and tossed him in the saddle. (The boy had fainted when
he’d claimed the magistrate’s head.) Wheeling Daredevil around he raced home with his prizes.
Soon, just a few more heads, and he would be free of the Black Witch.

            He raced Daredevil through the forest. They entered the Tree and Daredevil took his
leave, heading off to his own domain. The boy remained unconscious through out. The inside of
the tree resembled a giant cavern made of woven vines. From those ‘walls’ anything he desired
could be formed. Thus he had them form chains and bound the boy in place. It wasn’t really
necessary, the boy wouldn’t be able to escape anyway, but it made the boy seem more vulnerable,
something the Horseman had always found intoxicating. Damnwishwished he could see the boy,
chained, arms spread, to his wall. But soon enough. Soon enough.