Hypocritic Oaths

Watching their abused prisoner moan in his fitful, broken sleep, Rifkin wrestles with his conscience. It's been five days since they captured the Wizard Moody and during that time he's been horribly abused. Beaten, half-starved and sleep deprived. This man though was a slaver. An obviously self-centred and evil man who frankly, absolutely deserved to die... And yet.

It disturbed him who was the most vocal about it. The most vicious. He understood some of Fortu's reasons; a former slave sold back into the arena but his vengeful change in attitude was alarming. Perhaps he couldn’t help himself? Perhaps his pacifistic leanings were just a plaster veneer concealing the bedrock of his arena bred violent nature?

Arowe's contempt was more understandable. The grudge Moody held for him over the death of his hawk had almost got them all killed and despite Arowe's privileged elven upbringing, his instincts always veer dangerously toward the psychopathic.

Poor, haunted Liga Bur had initially seemed mostly indifferent and now, considering his current weakened state, he's barely able to pay attention to anything beyond the map and their path.

The Demi-Demi-Elf is torn. His weird compulsion to help people is completely at odds with his feelings for the wheedling Wizard. Several times during feeding or interrogating, Moody's desperately tried to create conflict and friction within the group. The three Human guards though, know where their loyalties lie... He hopes.

Still, Rifkin's mind drifts back to just a few weeks ago at the hidden magical pool. Fortu's surprising incomprehension of the goddess Estrid's fury and her butchering the captured/surrendered soldiers. His barely restrained anger at her slaughter of the bound men. Now though, by the mutterings of his troubled dreams, he's considering the same actions. Worse; days of inhuman treatment and torture followed by murder. The execution of a defenceless, bound and gagged man.

Briefly considering freeing Moody during his next watch, Rifkin dismisses the thought. The slaver held a grudge before, it'd be unlikely, given the opportunity, that he’d let this indignity pass.

Still, perhaps a compromise could be reached? If he continues to co-operate and gives useful information, they could part as... Well, perhaps not as friends but maybe enemies that hope never to set eyes upon each-other ever again?