Our story takes place in a dungeon, where light oft breeds pain to the eyes; moisture oft breeds dew; and silence oft breeds a breech in sanity....
 

A female prisoner felt herself quickly bound and gagged, then thrown roughly into the dungeon. She felt her head against a wall, and consciousness tried to run away.
 He heard the door open, he quickly shielded his eyes from the piercing rays of light that threatened to blind him.  Even though it was but a single torch guttering in the hall, it was too much for his eyes - made frail from extended enclosure.  When the door shut, he felt around for the new arival, knowing one must be there, since they didn't leave any food or ask any questions. Eventually, his fingers touched something other than stone, and he pulled the figure up gently, hoping they were ok, whoever they were.
 She felt herself righted, but the cloth had not only blocked her mouth but dried it from speaking.  She leaned against this person, wondering who they were, wondering if there was any light in the room at all.
 Once he had the figure in a semi-upright possition, he worked at unbinding the cloth that held his/her hands and legs from moving, and then removed thhe gag.  This done, he brought some of the meager supply of water he had been saving and dribbled a small amount in her mouth.
 She began to cough and stopped him from giving her anymore water, "Th-thanks... I... who are you?"
 "Shh.... don't speak....," he dribbled a small amount more - a very small amount - in her mouth, knowing that even if it hurt her, it was nescessary if she wanted to be able to keep it from bleeding, "I am a nobody, forgotten of the kingdom, left to die."
 "But who are you?  You havent forgotten youself, or-or else .. you would not be living or you would not be speaking."  She tried not to cough as she spoke.
 "Please, don't try to talk.... plenty of time for that later.... we are likely never to get out of here... But I guess since we will be spending a lot of time together, you may aswell know my name, not that it makes a difference.... they never put more than two people in the same cell, so there is not use for names," he waited for her to catch her breath from trying not to cough before giving her a little more water.
 She backed away, "No thankyou, I'm fine," she catrches her breath, then; "A name helps you to be unique.  I wish to know what you wish to be called.  If we are... the only two...................................................................... if we are the only two in here, then ..... our names... our definitions, must be more >important,...... than if there were 20..."  She is up against the wall, sitting.
 "My name ,  is Allanon... ," he said, with little care for it.
 "..........it is very pretty."
 He laughed dryly, "If you would like to think so.... I can't say I agree.... but you may call me anything you'd like--”
 "Than what do you wish to be called?"
 “... it makes little difference to me,.... but you do need this water.... it would be worse , should your mouth crack as a result of the dryness..."
 "No, I'll be fine thankyou......" she feels as if time is moving without her, irregularly.
 He sighed, "Suit yourself, but I am just trying too help.... I have seen 4 others die in here as a result of either stupidity or of because they gave up on life.... I would not wish that on you as well..."
 "I assure, you, Sir Allaninon, I’m quite alright; I have only just begun this torture.  If I cannot withdstand this. .... well.. then..........................," she simply stopped.
 "If you wish to live, you must not think of this as torture, and more as a just a different way to live.... forget about being a captive, and think as though you are in a different culture, where there this is normal.... as such, you wouldn't purposefully harm yourself, nor would you pass up an opportunity to preserve your own life... do not do so here.... for your own sake.... pleassee..."
 "What? Oh,........... I..., "  ...... she continues as if she did not stop, "I feel fine, I mean, I'm not thirsty or anything.  But if I thought life did not exist better than this- then surely, I would die.  And if I realize that it does, then I must acknowledge this..... for what it is....... torture.... torture is not so bad though."
She smiled.
 He shook his head silently in the darkenness beyond pitch, and mumbled, "Another that will not last long," he then went to the center of the room and lay down on a small pile of mouldering straw.
 "Dont worry, perhaps you do not understand.  I have been "a captive" all my life.  It will not bother me.... and of course, this is very much like a seperate society: I have not ignored your advice."
 Without moving he said, "That is well.... you may live yet...," he rolled over to face in her general direction, even if he couldn't see her, "it is night, you should sleep."
 She laughed, "Well thanks I'm glad for your prognosis!  How big is it in here?"  She does not move, not wishing to unsteady herself.  The wall is a comfort and a support.
 "Well, I wouldn't suggest trying to stand up, that's for sure... you have about 3-4 feet of height, and about 6 feet of length both directions."
 "Thats well enough; I dont think Is could stand very well...."
 He nods, "A little advice, don't sleep against the walls.... they are ice cold... it will suck all your heat away durring the night... ," he took about half the straw and made a second bed next to him, a small distance away, "The floor is the same.”  He rolled over and got ready to sleep, "You never did tell me your name."
 She didn't answer, but moved hewhere he indicated, carefully making her way there and lying down.  "You never asked until now, goodnight."
 He smiled in the darkness, "Good night, friend."
 "You................ may call me by my name.  If you so deem a name of importance; Persae."
 "Thank you.... good night, Persae,"  he then fell asleep, not knowing if he would wake up,.... so many of the prisoners were there for different reasons, she could easily be a murderer... they don't always have the personalities to match their hobby or profession...
 She did not find it difficult to sleep, since her head wound had been urging her too anyway.    She hardly gave a thought as to her safety, seeing as she was confused and not too fond of waking up, in general as well as specifically this morning.

 ~~~The Next Day~~~

 Allanon was, although he had woken up awhile ago, was still laying down, just thinking on various things.... being in a prison like this gave one much time to think.... so it became either a hobby or an enemy, ready to help or hinder, enlighten or enmadden... he had seen prisoners go either way in here, and knew the traps of the mind well enough to avoid most.
 She shot up into a sitting postion, then stood and bumped her head again, "AH!"
 Rolling over he greeted, "Good morning.... it may take awhile to get used to that,.... but it will come in time.... yes yes, there is a roof there," he said the last with a faint grin on his face, not that she coulsd see it.
 “Who are you?" she demanded.
 "My name is Allanon.... I am you're room mate for now.... please try to remember last night...," he saw the singgns of self-induced amnesia and was hoping to counteract them early.
 “Oh yes that, well you were someone else in my dream, you shouldn’t do that to me," she joked, but sounding serious.  She sat down.
 "Do you remember me from last night? or are you just saying that?"
 She seemed a bit calmer, but testy.  "Yes I remember, I remember. I just thought my dream was real, or that I was still dreaming.  Hitting my head didn’t help."
 ".... but you know that this is real now, right? that is well... we wouldn't want you to be sliding so early in the trial," he sat up slowly and.
 "Mh.... it was just.. a vivid dream, not a good one. I did hit my head hard last night."
 "I am sorry, I did not notice last night or I would have tended it...," he was watching the door expectantly, knowing that the daily rations should be arriving at any time.
 "That's alright, I think I should just sleep again perhaps...."
 "If that is what you wish....  sleep well," just then the slot opened in the bottom of the door and sliced his eyes with harsh yellow light; he quickly stuck his hand through and pulled back a small bowl and a cup, then did so again for his companions meal  - which consisted only of stagnant water and a small dry end of bread each.
 "Oh yum."  She lay down.
 He brought the dishes over to her, "Eat.... it will help....," he handed her the bread, and put the water close at hand.
  "Thankyou, Allanon.  I will eat after I have slept again.. You go ahead, but I'm going to move mine where it can’t be knocked over.  I'm not refusing, just delaying," she explained.
 He nodded, "alright," and moved the dishes over into a corner before sitting in his area of straw again.
 "Thankyou, " she murmered, half asleep.  The sound of him moving around her bowls faded in and out, as if he would stop and start again in another place.  This strange quality seemed the same as her drems the night before; inconsistant.
 Allanon, once he was sure she was asleep, lay down himself and continued to think in many directions, about many things... he dozed on and off as well while waiting for the day to come to an end.
 She woke after two hours, and stired a bit to show it, wanting her muscles to feel fresh.  "Are you awake?" she asked, knowing not the time of day or state of her companion.
 “Yes, I am, did you sleep well? are you feeling any better now?"  He propped himself up on his arm, looking over.
 "Yes I suppose my sleep was well enough, my dreams could tell me if they stayed at all in my presence.  I think I am better, how are you?  What have you been doing while I was asleep?"
 "There are many things in this world and beyond that man does not know... when I have naught else to do, I ponder these mysteries, .... it aleviates boredom, and frees my mind from dark thoughts of depression," he motioned to the food, although she couldn't see his momovement, "Are you fit to eat now?"
 "In a bit.  I'm not sure what to think myself, I do feel at a loss."
 "What you think is your own concern, that is something I can not help you with.... mayhaps one day you will find that which will occupy your thoughts sufficiently...."
 "You could help me if you would only try.  Are you afraid I will die like the others?"
 He shruged in the dark, "It is a very real possiblility.... we all die eventually.... some sooner than others... I would just prefer it be later than sooner..."
 "Fear is a natural installment, I know.  Yet you did not answer my question.”
 "I can try to help, yes,... but it is up to you to accept my help... without your acquiescence I can not give you that assistance."
 "But even if you knew me to ignore you, perhaps it would be best to be persistant.  In case one day I would let you help me.  As is, I refuse nothing, accept your refusal.  *Are* you afraid?"
 "I have seen so many die.... too many.... I have heard of those who have died from those who have seen... I have smelled death more times than I care to remember.... I wish not to experience it again.... nor do I wish upon anyone the fate of those come before you...," he crawled over to retrieve  the dishes of food, and brought back her dish and coup, which had two slices of bread in it, "Eat."
 "What you say is fair enoguh.  Hey, isn’t one of those yours?" she guessed.
 "No, they are yours, eat."
 "Was it mine to begin with?"
 "There are no begininings or endings, only repetitions..."
 She sighs, "You might as well eat it I am afraid it would do me no good."
 "Then you are as good as dead," he went back to his straw pile, leaving the food behind as though she were already dead and buried.
 "Allanon, I have not given up."
 "You say this and yet refuse to eat. You say this and yet refuse to drink. You say this and yet refuse to try to survive... How is it that you have not given up?"
 She shook her head, which made her dizzy a moment and pause before she spoke again, ".....I will drink of course but the food will upset my stomach."
 "Best get used to it,... that is the finest dining served in these hotels of rock."
 She begins to drink, “No, it is not that.  Perhaps tomorrow I will be well enough."
 "As you say."
 "I’m sorry but I would rather not throw up on you."
 He turned to face her, "Are you truely not feeling well? Then perhaps it is for the best that you not eat.... losing energy in such a way would only be worse anyway."
 "That is waht I meant from the first.  Even water is hard.”
 Allanon lowered his eyes, "I appologize, it was wrong of me to speak such up to now..."
 “I was not clear."
 "Then let us leave it at that."
 "Mmmmmmmh, we will then.  Once we get to know eachother there will be fewer misconceptions," she said with a hint of smile in her voice.
 ”True... and there will be plenty of time for that...."
 "Yes. Isn't it wonderful?"
 Allanon grinned, "Oh, yes, just wonderful.... but truthfully, I am much happier to have you here than my last room mate....," he thought back and shuddered slightly.
 "Why?" she asked him innocently, finishing the water and propping herself up to listen.
 "Because.... within 3 days of being placed in here, she started rambling about being in too open a space... she didn't last long.... unfortunatly, it took her over a month to..... well.... leave....," he didn't want to think about that.
 She came up to him, sitting much closer and commenting in an almost carefree voice, "Well warn me if I ramble, I'm told I talk in my sleep."
 "Talking in your sleep is one thing.... this was.... scary....," he was still lying down, and only knew she had moved by the sound.
 "Yes, I understand that. I'm sorry, some people don’t know how to deal with captivity, but I have had pratctice, so I'll be fine.  You'll be stuck with me much longer than that."
 "So I can only hope," he said almost longingly.
 She lay down next to him, "Is something wrong?"
 "Hmm? oh, no.... I'm fine.... just thinking is all."
 "What are you thinking about?"
 "At the moment? ...... you don't really want to know.... trust me here."
 "Ok... You have been here a long time then?"
 "As near as I can tell, almost 3 years.... that may seem a shoort time to you, but it seems an eternity with no stimulous, no light or interaction.... I'm not sure if I could even stand up anymore now."
 "Lets find out, right now."
 "Oh, I can stand up to the limited height in here.... but I'm not sure if I'd be able to stand fully if I didn't have this roof above me."
 "Well, but you can lay down flat, so your back is straight, you can sit up straight, so your back is strong enough, and you can stand up except you have to bend over?  You sound like you could without the roof to me."
 "True.... but it's not so much my physical capabiliities as my balance that I'm thinking.... to stand squatting requires much less ballance and a different kind anyway...."
 "Oh I see what you mean.... well, same here!" she laughed, "I would definately fall over, even though I'm strong enough persay, to stand."
 "Really? how so? you were only 'admitted' last night "
 "But I'm a bit dizzy...."
 "Oh.... I see.... I'm sorry....," he lay down on his back on the straw.
 "Its quite alright, I'm not bothered.  Why were you 'admitted'....?"
 He looked over at her, "It's usually customary not to talk about one’s past in here, but I don't mind....," he put his head back down again, "My father was out of work, and we were hungry, so one day I was walking past the palace kitchens when I noticed there was lots of food piled in there.... I didn't think anyone would miss just a little piece, so I tried to take a bit.... I was caught.... and now I'm here.... " he shruged off handedly.
 "You wont ever be let out?"
 "Probably not... they'd rather just forget I'm here.... they figure that then they won't have to worry about the possibility of me stealing or worse again... besides, most prisoners die within months at most...”
 "At least here you are fed, that is something to be grateful for," she smiled.
 Allanon chuckeled dryly, "Yes, that is our *great* king for you; he believes his prisonsers should be fed and kept well.... but he doesn't care if their crime is so small and they spend their life for it in here."
 ”Yes, the KING," she agreed bitterly.
 "I take it you don't hold him in high regard..."
  "How could I?"
 “I don't pretend to know.... but the majority of prisoners don't , it seems..."
 She laughed again, a kind laugh full of joy, "Yes that does seem reasonable enough."
 He stayed silent then, merely laying there, listening to the silence around them... the stone walls and fitted stone door made and effective sound barrier from the world around the small chamber.
 She listened a while as well, then, "Are you alright?"
 "I'm fine... why do you ask?"
 "You grew so silent.”
 "When one has naught to say, one there is no point in cluttering the air with useless noise...."
  ”But I dont mind the sound of your voice..."
 He stayed silent awhile longer - then, "What do you look like?"
 “I think you may see soon enough."
 "How so? there is no light in here, appart from when they open the door or slot, and then I can't keep my eyes open for the pain of it..."
 "I'm sorry, I meant I might be called... for ...ah, I don't think it would be questioning, it would be convincing.  Or punishment."
 "I know not what your are accused of, but most crimes have no follow-up once you have been placed here.... they put you here to forget about you."
 "But I think perhaps the king's pride has been hurt.  If he could convince
me to take what I decided back, then he could easily forget me."
 "Oh.... I don't pretend to understand, but as you say...."
 "I'm sorry I should explain?"
 "It's not necessary.... why you are here is your own business... this is understood."
 "But you have shared your own past, and I do not mind so much... I... I'm not sure... aaaaaaahhh ask specific questions that would help me to explain I think."
 "I have no intention of prying into your history.... it is for you to tell me what you will, and for me to listen to what you say..."
 "Yes but I have asked you to pry," she giggles.
 He rolled onto his side facing her, and not sure exacly how far away he was.... the small empty room echoed so much it was hard to decided where sounds came from half the time.
 ”Well, go ahead and ask."  She was very close to him, he could touch her quite easily.
 "Well then.... do you have any family?"
 "Yes I have a mother and a father, but I know not of a sibling, or of my father and mother’s location or well being.
 "When was the last you saw of them?"
 "Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I think............................................... I was 10 or so."
 "Oh.... so that was.... " he trails off... not knowing how old she was to judge by.
 "That was 7 years ago."
 "Seven years.... I'm sorry."
 "Oh I'm alright, you need not worry." She waits for another question.
 "What did you do for a living before.... now....?"
 "I was.... I was a servant. Until I was asked of soemthing I would not give."
 "Oh.... will you tell me what that was? please don't answer any of my questions if you don't want..."
 "Of course I will," she agreed rather pleasantly, "the king asked me to bed with him.  I refused.  That is why I am in here."  She does not seem disturbed.
 Slightly flustered, "Oh.... I see.... you seem so calm about this...."
 "Yes?" still calm.
 Alanon lay back and put his hands under his head, "Well, if it doesn't bother you... hmm...," he shrugged and relaxed.
 "I’m not sure if it bothers me," she stated matter of factly, laying down and staring at the darkness above.
 Glancing over at her through the darkness impenetrable, "I can be a good listener if you'd like to talk about it."
 "I would have no idea what to say.  Perhaps you should guide the conversation."
 He considered a moment and shook his head soundlessly, "I am but the ears... the ears can not guide a conversation in purpose"
 "Ah, but the ears can pick out many things, and the ears perhaps may tell the listener what he is listening to, and his heart how he should react and his mind- perhaps that can only hope for the best."
 Smiling to himself, Alanon was beginning to think that perhaps - after so long - he had found someone with whom he could speak with, "True.... they can and often do do that.... but when in the role of the listener, that is not, nor should be, their purpose."
 "A good listener reacts to what he learns.  It is not the teller who changes after all, but the listener as he learns more about the person.  The best way to change the teller is to, of course, react in any way to what you hear. "
 "Perhaps, yes, but it is not within the listener’s role to interupt or guide.... else he would not be the listener, but the seeker of information... to listen is to take in what is told, and perhaps, yes, give comments on this information, but not to guide...”
 "Than seek out what you may, else I have no reason to tell.  My own comfort will not be eased for I know not what I might wish to tell, though my heart is a bit heavy," she replied with a small sigh.
 "Then perhaps you have something in there that you want to tell, but are afraid to release.... such is the job of the seeker...," he rolled onto his side to face her.
 She smiled into the darkness.  "Perhaps that is what I meant to say, then."
 "Well then, perhaps I should take the role of the seeker momentarily...,"
he trailed off.
 "A seeker will seek until he finds, a true seeker will not be fooled by fake treasure.  What is it you wish to seek?  Travel as you may," she offered.
 "A true seeker would not be afraid to seek, nor would he be afraid to start.... thus can I never be a true seeker, but I shall try my best in the inter time...," he breathed deep, considering how and where to start.
 She waited patiently, not wanting to throw him off.  After having already told him what she had, she had confidence that he would seek where he wished.
 After a moment of thought, Alanon began hesitently, "Where in the castle did you work?"
 "I worked as a cook, ever since I was young."
 He nodded, "Since you were 12.... when you left your family... so... as a cook, you couldn't have had much direct contact with the king himself... "
 "Many of the cooks helped to set the tables," she shrugged.  "I didn't see him that oft, but he noticed me I suppose."
 ".... when did you first become aware that he had noticed you?"
 "Hmmmmmmmm he made it quite obvious when he wished me to know. He pulled me off to the side, but I refused.  Thus here I am," she said calmly, perhaps a bit proudly as well, determined.
 "Do you often have men try to bed with you?”
 "Oh heavens no, most know better than to be so rude to any lady."
 "Hmm.... then one must wonder how you can be so calm about this.”
 "Nothing happened in the end.  I suppose I’m mad at him.  I knew better boys could rule over him."
 He smiled slightly - impulsivly, "You suppose  you're mad at him?”  He shook his head slightly in the dark.
 She laughed lightheartedly, "Oh, I’m not sure what I think."
 Propping his head up on his hand in the darkness, "You don't, hmm? Well, you may want to work on that.... a collected mind will go far in avoiding many unpleasent things down here.... most notably, keeping that mind..."
 "Heh, I know most of myself.  There is not much to explore here except us two, so I suppose its not such a bad thing to have left to do afterall, wouldn’t you agree?  Who trully knows their own self.  Though I am mad at him."
 "Well, no one can know themselves completely.... but you should at least know what you are thinking.... you should at least have an idea as to why you think these things... even if you don't know the whole of it..."
 "Mayhaps I simply wish not to admit it.  That is a more dangerous road, in this place there should nothing be denied that may be asked of."
 "Then don't deny what I ask.... ", he waited for her to either answer, or find another way to avoid...
 "....What is it you had asked?" she asked him sheepishly.
 "Hm.... well... I had asked rather offhandedly about you not being sure over your annoyance at the king... it seems a more privalent topic than I first anticipated...."
 "I meant to answer when I said that I was mad at him.  Was that not what
you meant? I thought it was and twas hard enough to say the first time."
 "Then I am sorry for pressing the topic.... it seems I am a pour seeker, as I thought.... mayhaps you shall forgive mine own mistake?"
 She laughed:  "If there was ought to forgive I’m sure I would!  You found at least some of which we both sought, I think, does that make for a poor seeker???"
 "Perhaps.... ," he shrugged and rolled onto his back again.
 "Well.  Is the seeker changed?"
 Closing his eyes, "The seeker is not, nor has ever been, within me.... hence is not here. "
 "I see, are you changed then?  It might be an interesting and perhaps traumatic experience to have been possesed, for I did talk with an excellent seeker indeed."
 "I am as I have always been... who you talked to was me, and I am not nearly comparable with any who have tried before
 "My mother could not drag those answers out of me.  But here, it is best to speak only the truth and not withhold.  I believe though, that there is nothing else to tell, though I also believe I am comfortable telling you in any enviroment."
 Allanon opened one eye at this, "Oh? Well, how would you know, the only environment tried hence, is the one we are currently within...."
 "A meeting of two souls knows no enviroment but their selfs, it is only the nervous mind that cares
 "Perhaps... but the mind can be a powerful enemy of the soul... and one hard contained.”
 "Indeed.  But if the telling needed to be told, you would be the first and last.  You are a comfortable and wise person to talk with, ... you do not mind?"
 He laughed and gestured around the room - not that any could see that, but... "We are here.... what else is there but talking? Of course I don't mind"
 She giggled, "Then it is your turn to tell!"
 Closing his eyes once more, and turning on his side away from her, "What would you have me tell?"
 "I would be honored if you told me anything that is of yourself.  anything that you would perhaps no tell another."
 Shrugging in the darkness, he couldn't think of anything like that off hand... "I'm not sure what I can tell you.... but I will answer any questions you ask.”
 "Well, you told me of your past out of this place, what of inside these walls?"
 "You don't want to know about that.... you are lucky it's me you were first put with... even though I may die eventually... I have no intention of doing so soon.... I can not say the same for others in this place."
 "Most any knowledge is good for thinking on, and perhaps I might understand you better knowing what you had been through."
 He was about to protest, but remembered that he had said he would tell her anything she asked... So, steeling himself, he began, "I have seen many people enter here.... so far, none have ever left alive.... and none have lived longer than several months... most don't last more than weeks before going mad.... after that, it is only a matter of time...," he seemed hesitent to go into more detail, and simply lay there.
 "It takes a certain sanity to loose it.  And a stronger one to keep it."
 "Perhaps....," he was retreating into himself.
 "Please keep talking to me, else I find I’m not so strong as it seems."
 Opening his eyes, he rolled back over to face her, "Be strong.... it is needful to not dwell on the dark.... both that in the room, and that in the thoughts...."
 "It is best if you help me," she smiled.
 "I will help you in anyway I can... but this subject you have proposed is not the best way to avoid dark thoughts..."
 "I would rather avoid the silence; dark thoughts are simply reality."
 "Reality can be degrading on one’s sanity."
 "Then choose your own topic.  Even to talk of silence is better than to have it as a presence." she turned on her side to face him.  "Or better yet, to you I promise this."
  "Oh?"
  "I promise, for your sake if not for mine- and it is for mine, too- that I will never give up.  What about you?"
  "I have already made that promise."

Our two survive the plague, by convinience of isolation.  Soon after, they were discovered by the renmants of society after the aforementioned Black Death, but finding the light to overload their senses, returned instead inside of the dungeon that had kept them alive in the first place, and as always, they were happy.
~~~

Characters: Persae