The wind howled and raged all around the high tower, he could barely hold himself up as the darkness pressed all around him as he fell to his knees. The hunter tried raising his head as he saw the person approaching, whip and brand grasped tightly in his hand as the large beast behind him cracked an evil grin across his frightening maw. Forcing himself to his feet with a determined growl, only to find himself being knocked back over and landing hard on his back. The beaten and bloodied man lay on the floor, gasping for breath.
The man smiled and raised the whip high into the air, then brought it down with force, snapping as it made contact with his flesh. Cynraede tried to push himself away, peering over the edge of the tower, wondering if he could escape, scooting closer to it as the creature grabbed him by his hair and pulled him back to the Angmarim slave master who grinned wickedly as he held the glowing brand. The hunter tried to shake free of the creatures grasp, desperately fighting as he stared wide eyed at the brand, remembering all to well what it felt like, and smelled like upon skin.
Screams filled the air as he writhed in pain, the brand searing into his flesh as he tried to writhe free, desperately trying to free himself and get away from the brand. The creature that held him let a billowing laugh escape his lungs as the angmarim nodded to him, finding himself being hoisted into the air, just over the edge of the tower. Cynraede grasped its hand, looking down at the city that lay below him, the creatures and beings that wondered the streets below. A hushed gasp found its way out of his mouth as the creature let go and he began to plummet to the ground below...
The hunter woke with a loud gasp, gripping the side of the cart tightly as he looked around him to see another one of the soldiers looking at him with raised brows.
"You were dreaming my friend, though I dare not ask about what in this place. Do they have your family to? Do they make you work for their lives?"
Cynraedes heart beat inside his chest like a war drum, his lungs burning for air as he tried to calm himself with a nod.
"Yes, they took mine from me and told me I must fight for them. I'm on my way to Carn dum now, to report in."
The man tilted his head and nodded softly.
"Then you should ready yourself my friend, we are close to the gates. We are not but an hours journey from them."
No sooner did the hunter turn his head, he could see the truth in the mans words as he looked to the black city that lay high in the dark mountains. Cynraede gritted his teeth and sat up, beginning to adjust his clothing and make himself presentable for what was ahead. He never thought he would be sneaking into the place that he tried so desperately to escape.
