The Heart Of The Matter

The Heart Of The Matter is the forty-fifth chapter of Tales of Sheol'gotha:  Shadow of the Abaddon.

Synopsis
Valon is bound and cut before the shifters, roused each time he suffers enough pain to be left unconscious, and taunted by Patriarch and her shifters as they continue to bleed him. She seems content to be there, however another shifter alerts her that more travelers have arrived and states they are looking for Valon Eurynome. Made aware of the additional lie, Patriarch leaves to receive the guests while the shifters continue. Soon one of the shifters approaches, tasting the blood from the floor and commenting in amusement at it, drawing Valon's ire at the practice.

When Valon finally looks to the demon he sees that the demon is the one from his vision, with eyes lacking pupils, and the demon seems aware of such a thing. He admits that he is sent by Aranicus, but also someone closer to Valon, and he offers Valon a way out provided the prince is willing to accept it. Without options, Valon agrees, and the shifter produces an avalbane heart for Valon to eat, stating that it belongs to a creature that died out long ago, but that Valon must find his own supply in future. Immediately Valon feels strength returning to him, as well as a heaviness in his body and a bulging sensation in his right arm.

The demon states that they noticed that he lost his sword and that there would be assistance in retaining one in the future, but no sword is offered and Valon can not get an answer from the shifter. When he next asks he is struck by one of Patriarch's shifters who amuses himself at the prince's delirium. Valon focuses on the sensation in his arm for a few moments before successfully expelling a blockage within the skin, sending a black spike of marrow out that severs the ropes, and then slices the neck of the demon that tries to stop him. After cutting himself free the rest of the way, Valon abides by the insistent voice in his head and runs.

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