Walking along to the holding cell, Rufus meditated, and focused on his control. Needless killing was something that really upset him, especially of innocent women and children. Annabelle was a kind woman who looked after some of the urchins that had been taken in as wolf pups. The child she carried would have been a second generation Soot Wolf. Those were rare, and valuable. Timothy's shop was an excellent front. He sold all kinds of meat pies that were popular amongst the guards of the city. One might think it a bad idea to have guards frequent a den entrance, but who would suspect it.
He didn't rush as he traversed the tunnels to where Torak was being held, and Chora caught up a bit before he arrived. "Did you call for me for the usual reason, or is someone actually injured," she asked with real concern. "You know I'm not fond of your techniques."
"I'm sorry Chora," Rufus replied flatly, "I'll be quick about it. I'm not fond of it either," he said, without any discernible sincerity. The truth was he wasn't fond of his methods, but they were effective, and really that's all that mattered to him. There was no pleasure or disgust attached to it, just thoughts of efficiency.
They arrived not long after, and the Blood Wolves guarding the door let them in without hesitation and he signaled to have the door left open. He nodded to Zahi, and approached Torak, but ignored him, looking to Chora. While Rufus focused on channeling the power of his eye patch to only block Torak's magic, Chora took out three potions. Red, green, then blue, she drank them down in quick succession, and a soft yellow glow began to emanate from her. She took up a stance, her feet spread and her head bowed. Arms extended toward Torak, palms facing out, she began to mutter in magic gibberish. A sea foam green glow started in her hands and then shot as a beam, connecting her to Torak. As the healing energy swept over Torak, Rufus went to work.
He was sure Zahi would have heard of his methods, but this would be the first time she would see this first hand. He stepped up to Torak and kicked him fiercely in the chest knocking him and the chair back. Rufus then picked up the chair and smashed it against Torak, shattering it to pieces. He proceeded to viciously beat the man kicking him, and clubbing him with parts of the chair. With the healing energy coursing through him, he would feel every wound as he received it, but none would leave lasting damage. After a few minutes of this, Rufus pulled his long knife from its sheath in his left underhanded grip and stabbed it into the soft flesh of Torak's right thigh, and held the man down with a knee on his chest. With his right hand he reached into a pouch and grabbed a wooden block with magic emblems carved into it, dropped it next to Torak's head, and then pressed the hand into Torak's throat.
"That wooden block is what prevents your magic but lets Chora use hers," Rufus lied, "it targets whomever I will it to. Now. If you were a Wolf, I would not have beat you, you'd already be dead. We do not kill unless it's necessary, and the penalty for wanton and unnecessary murder is death," Rufus turned the blade in the wound, "self preservation is the usual reason we kill, and the only group of wolves exempt from this is the Bloods. Of course I trust Zahi to keep her Wolves in check, she understands strict efficiency. I prefer the streets not run red with blood. We don't want the citizens to pressure the guards into actually bothering us," he turned the knife again, "our relationship with them is good. We have several guards in our ranks in fact. You would also be dead if I didn't think you'd be useful. If I ever hear again that you killed a pregnant woman who wasn't immediately threatening your life, I will make you beg for death. We are thieves, not butchers. If you want to spend your days killing, you're better off joining the Sirens," Rufus gave the long knife a third turn, "but I think its too late for that. With your thirst for blood you'd probably fare well in the Blood Wolves, but I want you to learn discipline. You are going to be a Shadow Wolf, a spy, silent eyes and ears to the Wolves. You won't be fighting unless you can't escape or your mission is directly obstructed by violence. With that teleportation ability, you shouldn't have to kill too often. Some Shadow Wolves have the honor of serving specific Wolves. You will report directly to the Red Jackal. If you step out of line, Zahi will kill you without hesitation. She's quick, decisive, and as cunning as a jackal," Rufus grinned at that, "learn well from her." He then let go of Torak's throat and grabbed the useless wooden cube, depositing it back in the pouch.
Rufus drew out his long knife and the wound stitched closed immediately. While all his aches pains and wounds would be healed, Torak would be mentally exhausted from the experience. Rufus wiped the blood from the knife off on Torak's smallclothes, then stood, sheathing the blade. He turned and gave Zahi another nod. He knew he didn't have to give her orders, she could handle it from here. Chora looked completely depleted from maintaining the constant healing on Torak, the yellow glow entirely gone now, and Rufus offered her an arm in support as they left together. The Blood Wolf guards sealed the door as soon as they had exited and the Red Wolf and the healer made their way back to the Den.
"That wasn't so bad this time, now was it?"