Story of Ninth Nazgul - Lake City, app.

It was ironic - Uvatha thought - he was dying of thirst in middle of Lake City. Water was all around, surrounding his prison which was on last level, under the wooden mol, right above the level of water. So close and yet so far. 

He heard the soft hum all the time, when lake was rolling it's waters lazily around wooden piles, barges and small boats. It was also dropping from ceiling, slowly making a small puddle which he couldn't reach from the opposite corner where was chained; the sound was almost making him crazy. 
It was simple but sophisticated torture, which only human mind could invent. They fed him with salty meat and cabbage, which he couldn't refuse as was too hungry, but then they refused him water. It was three days ago and he already started to feel results of severe dehydration like cramps and delicate muscle tremor. 

Uvatha stabbed his eyes in dark water puddle again, tormenting self even more, feeling his tongue dry and painful in mouth. He stopped efforts to move or take off the chains, not even trying to scream or curse as before. He discovered, wasn't sweating anymore and couldn't even swallow as lacked saliva, as his whole body was trying to save water. 
He gritted teeth, trying to calm down and think instead of loosing strength in vain, but felt only growing despair. 
After easterlings brought him to Lake City in chains, he was imprisoned temporary, waiting for symbolic tribunal, but his fate was already foreclosed. He was waiting for public execution, which surely will attract hundreds of onlookers as he was going to be punished for rape, robbery and murder which was castration, cutting right hand and finally - death by hanging. 

He felt whole body hurting from many bruises and scratches that were made by guards or by enraged mob that was casting food rest at him and even stones, but the thirst was definitely worst. 
He never felt so miserable and powerless like now, changing mood from blind fury for most of time, to complete apathy and grief that was making him sob soundlessly for a long moment, day ago when still could drop that few precious moisture. 

There was slowly darkening outside, what he could notice only thanks to small, barred window high, under the low ceiling. Another day spend here, closer and closer to execution. He was wondering what will happen first - if he'll be taken on tortures or will die first of dehydration. 
- Fuck, fuck, FUCK!!! 
He yelled suddenly to empty walls, kicking the wall with reasonless fury,shaking arms trying to get rid of handcuffs, hurting own wrists that already were all bloody.
There was a sound of heavy steps followed by enraged, drunk voice.
- Shut up there, scum!!! Want me to silence ye?! 
Uvatha answered with flow of curses, barely speaking cause of dried throat, not minding about.
Fat man walked the stairs down, pressing reddish face with long mustache to small opening in door, almost spitting of hatred. 
- I'll go there, shut the fuck up!!! Ye have one second to shut up, or... 
- SUCK MY DICK!!! - Uvatha tried to spat in direction of door, but couldn't - Go fuck your mother, fat asshole... 

Guard started to search for the key, but hesitated, finally ending by spitting more curses and leaving the place, climbing with effort. He wouldn't admit even to self, but was secretly scared of fairhaired man in cell, despite he was cuffed and failing strength after last days.

- Damned! - snorted the man under his nose, backing to his place upstairs - Since those eastern demons brought him, there's no moment of peace! 
- What is it, Bert? - another man called his attention, entering the prison building, stinking with fish scent as was searching the barge looking for contraband - HEY! Ye went to kick blondie's ass again? He's yelling so loud, I heard from outside!
- Yeah, I did! - fat man sat heavily on the stool, that wobbled in risky way under his weight - He was whining like a dog! Young bastard, I would beat the guts out of him if there was no order to keep him alive! 
Younger man laughed, putting his high boots and weapon on side; counting money with dirty hands.
- Don't lie, Bert, I know ye're afraid of him! 
- Idiot! I'm not! - fat man got reddish and grumpy, grabbing his bottle hidden under the stool in case of someone else enetred suddenly, taking a huge gulp - But he's creepy, ye should be more cautious, I put all the time to your stupid head! Even slanted-eyed said "Beware, he's doesn't give a shit anymore, he's crazy", remember? And he crushed head of poor Willie, right?! Son of bitch was handcuffed, with both legs bond but he just... - man made gesture as was hitting the air in front with both fists tangled, turning head as disbelief - They were right, guy doesn't care anymore... He knows will die, no matter what.


- GIMME ME WATER, ASSHOLE! .. Fuck you all... 
Uvatha took deep breath, trying to calm down. 
He knew, there was no way out from here, the more his hands were chained. If not that, maybe he would be able to escape somehow, but there was no way. Part of him was sure, he'll die soon in torment, but another one, the one always was guiding him more or less safe through most vicious and crazy actions, was still hoping, unable to agree or give up until the end. 
His fury attack passed and now he felt just very tired and beyond thirsty. It was strange feeling, as his whole body was asking for water, desperately. He thought, would drink now anything they gave him, even muddy stinking water from lake full of filth as fishermen were throwing all grabage in, not mention the people pouring own filth right behind the house door. 

---

Another day and night passed and he just lay without strength on dirty floor, staring the ceiling, for time to time falling in shallow, restless sleep, full of bad dreams. 
For the first time, he really thought will die here. 

---

On evening he heard some noise, trying to lift head and say something, having lips chapped and dry. 
- Hello, shithead... - he whispered, but there was nothing more than harsh breath coming out of his mouth. 
The younger man, one who was laughing day ago upstairs, put something small and heavy on dirty floor, few feet from him. The cup. 
- I brought something. - he smiled in sadistic way, showing rotten, black teeth among many gaps - Water, you crazy son of bitch... 
Uvatha tried to sit, but man only throw the content on his face, laughing in vile way, observing him furiously jerking the chains. 
He kicked lying man twice, in stomach and arm that protected face, leaving with dull slam of door, followed by noise of twisted key. 

Uvatha groaned partly of pain, partly of despair.
He felt still water drops on face, at least being able to lick few from dry lips, feeling even worst after. It seem to gave him though new strength, somehow making his thoughts brighter. 
He lay head again over dirty floor, pressing heated temple to cold planks, staring dully on own chain's locks. He suddenly sharpened look, not sure if saw properly, but it was that - the chains were locked in two iron rings, based on one bigger plate nailed to floor and now it moved a bit, shoving brighter place on plank.
Uvatha pulled again with new energy, seeing now clearly, heavy iron plate was moving with silent rasp, together with few planks that seemed to crack. He had to damage it enough before, when was throwing self furiously in attempt to free from bonds, pressing with whole weight and strength on his muscles. He was surprised that noticed it just now, as before he had impressions, chains didn't even twitch for an inch. 
New hope gave him strength, but he didn't start to pull right away, listening first carefully, if there was no guard at door. After more than ten heartbeats, he exhaled, slowly starting to push whole weight on the chains, pressing with maximum strength and trying to move it around at the same time, to move the nails. It was very hard at first; iron plate moved to some point and then it stuck, not even twitching. He was reddish, pressing still without much hope, when suddenly it let go with loud sound of cracking wood.
Uvatha fall on back, panting and not believing yet; the iron base was broken, among the four, long planks with cracked edges. 
He moved back slowly, sitting on ground and staring it, when heard fast steps over the stairs. 


- What ye're doin, rat?! - there was a drunk voice of younger guard, who hit the door with baton, trying to look in through small gap and see something in - Miss your mommy?! Or maybe some kick, he? 
There was no answer, and he saw just a shape in opposite corner that seem to be sitting man, unable to differ more among darkness. 
- Hey! - he tried again, stepping on foot to another, not sure if should check it or not - If you're tryin to do some shit, I'll kick your fucking ribs again! Understood?! 
He opened door, entering slowly in with torch at front, relaxing when saw prisoner curled on place. 
- Ha, good! I was think... 
Uvatha suddenly jumped at him, crushing with own body to floor, hitting straight in face before wrapped chain around man's neck. Guard made few muffled sounds, trying to scream, wheezing when his throat was crushed mercilessly. His eyes almost popped out and face got red of blood while he tried to take one breath, dying in iron grasp. 
Uvatha suffocated him very fast, using the chain with all strength and hatred. He let the body finally, when it stopped to twitch under him, throwing it away with disgust. He noticed keys at man's belt, ripping it off and opening clumsily own locks, flexing fingers and massaging wrist for some time, feeling great relief. 

He was alert as wild animal, listening again if from upstairs came some noise, but there was none. He crouched for a moment undecided, afraid to climb the stairs; he was sure there was at least one man more, though that was no problem. Worse were guards and fishermen coming in and out to leave and take back weapon or pay the tribute from fishing. 
His eyes fall on small window.
He approached it, after closed the cell door with one key, grabbing the frames and trying to open. It was locked with bars, but wood from outside was so rotten from water, he easily broke it, making space enough for pass. 
He pulled self up on hands, crawling through the window and as fast as possible, slacking down on opposite side - straight into the water. 
He started to drink once was in water, taking big gulps and almost crying of relief, drinking as would be no tomorrow. Water was unbearably cold and dirty, stinking terribly with fishes and mud, but he felt it tasting like heaven. He stopped only when felt stomach sudden protest, throwing up almost all that drank, doing it again slowly after torsion ceased. 
Only then he was able  to look around, though not paying much attention as night's shadows hid him well. He was never a good swimmer, and now felt very weak and ill, moving in water from one object to another, trying to stay mostly under the wooden walkways and mol. It was silent, as Lake City was waking before sunrise and as well, going to rest early; yet there was some noise of talks and laughs, heard from guard place where was his prison and the gates, where loomed one watchtower, or rather a miserable building that supposed to be it. 

Uvatha tried to swim as silent as could, mostly staying underwater with eyes opened by force, trying to breath less possible and not make a circles on water surface. 
The city was surrounded by kind of palisade, that was serious obstacle for any boat, but not for one man. 
He found a right place and crawled through underwater without bigger problems. 
Now the problem was something else. He saw just darkness and water around, loosing direction, not having idea where or how far should swim. The Lake as he knew was very wide. And now the mist was crawling all around it's chilly surface, making see anything impossible on few feet.. 

He was thinking for some time trying to find some characteristic that would tell him where exactly was, but it was just a wall of mist. Sudden he heard some noise behind, probably a fish splashing in water, but panic forced him to swim ahead; as far from Lake City as could. 

He remembered few from that night, when almost drowned, trying to reach the unknown shore. He remember it was cold, so cold, and the water trying all time to flow his mouth and nose, when his body was too weak to move properly. 
Over the water sound is going far, so he heard all time (or was thinking, that heard) human voices and cries, from time to time also mysterious splash or bird noise closer enough to make his heart stop for a moment. 

When he finally reached the shore almost drowned, pale as sheet and trembling of cold, it was already dawn. Deep darkness of night turned slowly into dusk; among trees started to sound first shy bird voices. 
Uvatha crawled on four from water, unable to get up first, just falling on muddy sand with face down and panting hard. 

After some time he was able to get up finally, feeling as was going to vomit again, walking unsteadily ahead. He would fall there and wouldn't get up, if not urging thought about possible chase. 

He was walking like that till first sun rays brightened the sky, making him stop and look around. Far, in great distance, he saw looming peak of the Lonely Mountain. 
He was on right shore. 
Uvatha moved again, too exhausted to cheer, but feeling huge relief. He looked behind; another lake shore, visible from here as very thin line over the water, was a death sentence - close to elvish kingdom, he would be caught soon or later.
Sun started to warm him up finally letting his clothes dry.
Before midday, he decided to rest, more falling than lying among the bushes that gave some shelter. He crawled deep among the high grass and thin branches, padding a small space to rest, falling asleep in instant. 

---

Uvatha was slowly waking up, not knowing first what awoke him, nor where he was exactly. He felt warm and comfortable, so different that last weeks, making him imagine, was back home, feeling even soft sun rays over face as did always in own bed when slept too long, delaying to get up from bed, listening only familiar sounds of his stepfather preparing breakfast and walking around, threatening in humorous tone will cast a glass of water on his head... 

Uvatha sat as slapped, with sudden panic. He remembered everything in one second, looking around, understanding, when heard someone's steps very close. 

He calmed down slowly, breathing deep and crawling on knees to see better through bushes around, spotting the man who seem a traveler leading tired horse by bridle. 
Uvatha prepared self and silently got up, making soundless steps, following the man.
Horse reaction betrayed him, but was too late. 
He jumped at the man from behind, grabbing in strong grip on neck, while with other hand hastily palpated his waist in search of some weapon. Man was strong though, fighting rabidly, almost breaking his grasp, making both fall and roll on ground. 
Uvatha groaned when air was hit out from his lungs, trying to roll over the man and silence him. His fingers tightened on long dagger, unsheating it and pressing to man's throat, cutting fast and precisely. 
All that lasted no more than few heartbeats, before he let the numb body and grabbed horse bridle, who tried to escape, scared by sudden movement and screams. 

Uvatha was calming breath for some time, having hands shaking slightly. He didn't like to kill like that; without honor, as some mere thief, yet he had no choice. If man was left alive, it was just a matter of time, before would reach Lake City or the chase they probably let behind. 
He grabbed the body and carefully covered all traces. Then undressed the man taking his vest, dagger and all money, leaving the shirt as was all sticking with blood from man's cut throat, as well trousers that were not fitting at all. 
In travel sacks, he found many useful things, as clean shirts and long cloak, maps and what most important - food and a crossbow. 
He ate fast and greedily, chewing long straps of salty meat and thick slices of bread; still fresh, wrapped in linen cloth for not get dry. There were also apples and a big, round piece of cheese that he saved for later, drinking weak wine mixed with water from man's canteen. 

After finished, he buried the man in ground, digging deeper than necessary and putting some sharp-edged stones over the grave for animals didn't get the body. He turned away finally, shirtless and all sweated, feeling some regret, trying to convince self murdering the man was necessary. Yet, something deep inside told him with no doubt, his stepfather would never approve such thing. 
- But he's dead now, because of people. - Uvatha thought with sudden anger - He never hurt anyone, and please, they killed him with no remorse... If I don't want to end like this, I must do what necessary. 

---

He mounted the horse and clucked for him go faster, moving in trot in northern direction. 
He had no idea what to do, except moving as fat as possible from Lake City, afraid both of villagers as easterling's squads. 

At the evening he stopped for rest, loosing horse's girth, sitting on ground wand watching the maps thoughtful, using the last rays of sun. He drank all wine, thinking what should do next, vaguely remembering what learned about some countries, thinking specifically of one. It was on far North, right at feet of Gray Mountains. There was said, people lived there simple and rough life, the society being mix of northern old tribes that escaped killing winter and mountain orcs, outlaws and every men who came there and proved his value for society. 
Uvatha rubbed his chin thoughtfully, feeling under fingers growing beard, what make him think with longing about hot bath, razor and all convenience of civilized life. 
He fall in shallow sleep, waking up at every rustle as instinct, resting though better than through weeks before. 

--- 

It was another warm, sunny day. 
Uvatha rode in slow step, letting the horse rest, feeling already safe enough as distance between him and Lake City was growing. He ate all remnants of food and started to think about hunting something, suddenly noticing thin smoke far, on bright sky. 
It was some village, and he decided to buy or steal some food, hoping the wanted letter didn't reach such a hole, far from any bigger city. 
To his surprise, before reached the village, he saw a lonely house. In front sat young woman, with small kid close to her skirt, feeding the chickens and gooses. 
He looked around stealthy, not noticing anything suspicious, riding unhurriedly in her direction. 
Woman saw him only when was few feet from her, stopping the horse and dismounting. 
- Greetings, lady. 
- Oh! I.. bid you a good day, stranger. - woman looked at him from feet to head, noticing his black eye, seeming surprised and anxious, looking nervously through arm, in direction of house - My husband... I'll call him, if you let. 
- He's at home now? - Uvatha approached, making her get up and move back fearful - No, no need to fear me, lady. - he forced weak smile, stopping - I don't want to... Bother you... I'm just very hungry and tired. 
Woman seem to calm down, smiling back to him, making him sigh as thought all of them were so naive. 
- Oh.. If so.. I'm alone right now, but he'll be back in hour from village... Please, follow me. We have some food and fresh milk. 
Uvatha followed, sitting on small veranda where she allowed probably not wanting to stay inside with unknown man. He waited for some time, hearing noises from kitchen, seeing the small kid left approach and stare him silly way with open mouth.
He ate few slices of dried bread with thin cheese and drank glass of milk, chewing fast. He was going to pay and leave without trouble, but woman started to ask him many question, what annoyed him. 
He drank all milk that left, putting the glass back on table with dull sound. 
- That was good. - he lied -  Thanks. Bring me some razor and piece of soap, I'll pay everything. Do you have a mirror here? I need to shave. 
He put one silver coin over table, that disappeared fast in woman's hand.
- I'm sorry, but I can't let you in... My husband will be here soon and...
- Why not? - Uvatha narrowed eyes - I'm not some vagabond, I just want to use bathroom and pay. Beside... I think you're lying about your husband. 
- I.. not, he'll come... 
Woman moved back, widening eyes with growing fear, seeming to hide something behind her back. 
Uvatha waved for the kid, who was observing him curiously, grabbing it sudden on lap, when it approached. 
- What a nice little boy.. Or maybe is a girl? Shall we check? - he grinned vilely when woman started to cry, holding the kid stronger when it tried to disentagle and run away - I just want to wash, woman. I was going to leave you in peace, with money, but you had to take that knife from kitchen. Ye wanted to stab me? 
Woman started to cry even more, revealing now the long knife from under the skirt, aiming a him. 
- No, no, I wouldn't do that on your place. - Uvatha hold the kid that was already sobbing - Put it down. NOW. 
He watched woman drop the blade on wooden floor, kicking it away with feet, getting up then with kid under one arm, holding it's mouth. 
- Ok. Now bring water for me. 
He entered the house, waiting her to join, closing the door right after and locking it from inside, putting the kid in cradle, where it sat crying and sucking own finger.  
- Make it stop crying, it's pissing me off! And remember, one scream, one move I won't like, and the brat is dead, got it? 
He took his shirt off while woman heated water in bowl, washing face and upper body, next taking the razor she brought and piece of mirror and shaving face. 
Woman observed him stealthy from corner where sat all pale and terrified, swaying the baby. 
- W-what you want from me..? 
- For now I just want you shut up. Then, will see. 

He finished, ordering woman to wash his shirt in bowl, sitting on chair and observing her movements while ate what found over the kitchen. 
- Oh, what a nice piece of cheese.. And here we are, fresh bread, cold meat. You gave me crumbs for your chickens, or what? - he grabbed another package, discovering a fatty ham, taking it for later. 
He approached woman again from behind, leaning over as was embracing her, washing hands in bowl while smelled her hair. 
He wiped clean hands on trousers, suddenly touching her waist, who started crying again, stiff under his touch. 
- Come on, it won't hurt... Unless ye prefer me to make it hurt... - he murmured lowly on her ear, moving hands up, on her breast - Just don't piss me of and will be ok. 
He rubbed face on her neck, grabbing her corset and pulling down, revealing breast. She tried to beg, being silence by his hand, screaming muffled when felt his painful bites, being taken brutally from behind, pressed to table by his weight.

---

Uvatha left finally, leaving sobbing woman sitting on corner and few more coins over the table.
He was slightly angry with himself, that again couldn't hold lust and left trace for possible chase, but on other hand, he was in wild country very far from any guards and knight with their rights, as well he left quite generous payment. He wasn't also rough, in own opinion, as didn't even hit the woman once, blaming her shock on her weak nature.