"Thank you, dear Haeftin.", Mezmoriia said, as she took what he was carrying. She read over Krunn's message, then nodded and gave Haeftin a friendly smile - he was such a helpful person, and so willing to please. It was quite charming.<br/><br/>Mezmoriia unlatched the case with almost reverential care. A variety of objects were contained inside - some metalic sharp, others complex and mechanical, none pleasant. It was clear that great care was taken with them. Mezmoriia allowed Nadya to catch a glimpse into the case as she opened it - just enough to get a sense of its contents without giving away details.<br/><br/>The first object she removed was a hollow ceramic cone, unadorned save a small knob near the top. With it came an unusual scissorlike contraption. Mezmoriia twisted the knob slightly, then squeezed the device over it. Sparks flew out with each squeeze, and she continued until one caught the vapors coming from the cone and lit them. Some adjustment of the knob yielded a hot, steady flame. Mezmoriia leaned a leather-handled dagger against the cone, the blade immersed in the center of the flame, borrowing its heat.<br/><br/>She then withdrew two strips of white cloth, each about a meter long, and a small bag, then stood and moved behind Nadya.<br/><br/>"Over the next few minutes," she said, "you will want to cry out on many occasions. You may even wish to tell me what I want to know."<br/><br/>One of the strips went around Nadya's face, pulled tight over her mouth into a simple gag. Mezmoriia continued as she knotted it.<br/><br/>"You will have a chance to do so when I find it opportune. At that time, you will either help me, or not. If you do, the pain will stop. If not, it may be hours before your next opportunity."<br/><br/>The other cloth went around her eyes. The suspense of not knowing what was coming, Mezmoriia had learned over the years, was an effective tool in its own right.<br/><br/>"I advise you, when that time comes, choose carefully."<br/><br/>Sharp wooden splints found their way under the prisoner's fingernails, as if to punctuate Mezmoriia's speech.<br/><br/><div><hr style="height:2px; width:100%; border:0; color: WHITE;background:WHITE;"/></div><br/>In another room, an indeterminate amount of time later, an unconscious Nadya came to. Her innumerable small wounds and burns were covered with an ointment to prevent infection and ease the pain, and she was reclining gently on a couch. The blindfold and gag had been removed, and her wrists were now restrained in front of her, not behind.<br/><br/>"Ah, good, you're awake. Coffee?" Mezmoriia gestured at tray with a mug and a pitcher of cream.<br/><br/>"I'm happy to say, you told me what I needed. Not everything, but enough. I doubt you'll remember it - you passed out shortly after."<br/><br/>Total lies, of course. She'd never even had a chance to speak. During the torture, Mezmoriia had injected her with a drug containing a hallucinogenic agent and a powerful narcoleptic. She'd remember nothing but pain, then sleep.<br/><br/>No, she knew where Fossil was headed from Krunn, the old seer. Her objective was different now - to wear down Nadya's spirits and gain as much more information as possible. She described the place the report had mentioned, with emphasis on the small dock and the red door - details that would drive home that yes, in fact, they knew where it was.<br/><br/>"I'll be honest - I didn't expect you to give in so easily." Mezmoriia shrugged. "Not that I'm complaining. The expedition is preparing as we speak " - that part was actually true - " and it's all thanks to you."