They'd arrange a constant guard for the prisoners, using only those they trusted.
"I won't make this too complicated," Caden informed the two, pausing when he caught the hot glare of the second prisoner.
Until now, the man had been careful to keep his presence low, but he couldn't hide the hatred brewing in his heart.
Caden smiled. Looked like they had a fighter on their hands. That was okay. Everyone had their breaking point. They'd be sure to find his.
"You tell me what you know, and we won't hurt you."
"No, you'll just kill us," the second prisoner spat.
"Yes," Caden agreed, not hiding his intentions.
Better to start this relationship off with a bit of honesty. There was no way either of these men would be set free to endanger Eva.
"But you get to decide if it's slow or quick."
Caden could tell from their behavior that they weren't expecting that response. Good. Keeping them off balance and uncertain was step one.
His message delivered, Caden prepared to leave.
"Wait. You haven't asked us anything," the first prisoner said with a panicked expression.
Caden looked at Fiona in expectation. She stepped forward, capturing their attention as Caden stepped into the night.
"Don't worry. You don't need him. We'll be happy to keep you company."
The faint moan of protest soothed the monster Caden had let loose, sating some of the blood lust still left over from the battle with the red back and the close call Eva had had.
Van's frown was perplexed as his gaze went from Caden to the tent behind him. "Wait. That's it?"
Caden didn't stop. "Were you expecting something else?"
"Where's the blood? The torture?" Van demanded, looking like a child denied his favorite treat.
"A person's fear is a far greater motivator than pain could ever be."
Though admittedly, pain helped to destroy a prisoner's determination, but it was only one side of the equation. The mind was the other. Manipulate it. Break it and your chances of success were greatly increased.
Van made a disapproving sound. "What nonsense is this?"
"The kind that works," Chirron answered for Caden. "Think about it. The prisoners have already been beaten and tortured and still didn't give up the information. Rather than continue and hope they break, Caden is choosing to employ a more effective tactic."
"And letting them get a good night's sleep will do that?" Van demanded.
"I doubt there will be any sleeping," Caden observed.
Fiona would make sure of that.
"I suspect this is only the beginning of what the commander has planned for them," Gawain said quietly.
Smart man. Maybe a little too smart.
"What do we do in the meantime?" Van asked, looking dissatisfied.
"We wait."
"For how long?"
