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Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4463887" data-attributes="member: 3285">Belly of the Beast: Part 9 – Krysos BozThe next day was more of the same.  The prisoners returned to the parade grounds, where a strict search of the prisoners was once again made by the warders to ensure that they had not secreted anything while at work. The men opened their waistcoats and pulled off their cravats, as before, to facilitate the operation.The search over, the men descended the stairs, in gangs, to the cutters.  They returned to the hulk in the order in which they left her in the morning. "Now, Mr. B--, bring your men up!" A long boat approached, crammed with men and warders."Hoist your oars!" cried an officer as the cutter touched the hulk. The warders landed first, and then they hurried the men up the gangway steps. As soon as they reached the deck they advanced, in single file, to their respective hatchways, and descended at once to their wards. The tread of the two hundred prisoners sounded almost like thunder rolling under the decks. The prisoners were are at once locked up in their wards, where their tin mug and plate were turned upside down, one upon the other, around each mess-table, previous to dinner.Prisoners appeared at the end of the wards with large clothesbaskets full of bread."3-7; 4-8; and 5-8!" cries the warder, as he dispensed the loaves to each mess.The mess-men of these gangs advanced to the gate of the ward, and received their proper quantities for their respective messes. Some messes had a loaf and a quarter, others two whole loaves, according to their numerical strength. The prisoners divided the quantities themselves. It was then that Kham noticed that there was no bread left for him.There was also upon the mess-tables a deal-board to cut up the meat upon.  A prisoner came below carrying knife-bags, and distributed them according to the number of men in each compartment. "To your table, men!" cried the chief warder; and accordingly the prisoners arranged themselves in their proper seats."Now A ward!" was shouted down the hatchway. "Come on here. One, two, and three!" A prisoner from each mess answered the call. Presently the messmen returned, each carrying a small tub full of meat, and a net full of potatoes, together with the supper bread. One man at each mess served out the potatoes into tin plates. Then there was a cry of, "All up!"The prisoners rose and grace to Illiir was said. When the prisoners were re-seated, a man proceeded at once to cut up the meat upon the mess-board. The dinner was portioned out. After the meat was cut into portions, the meat-board was pushed into the middle of the table, and each man took the piece nearest to him. Then the peeling of potatoes went actively forward, and the prisoners were soon fairly engaged upon their meal, talking the while in a low, rumbling tone.A man sat across from Kham that he hadn’t seen before.  He was bearded, with a red bandana tied around his head.  The orcs that always surrounded Scarbelly moved towards them from other tables, but the orc captain kept them at bay with a gesture.  He wanted to see what the man had to say.He took a big bite of a piece of bread.  Kham’s piece of bread.  “So the dirty orc lover is still alive.  Well,” he said around chews, “I don’t care if you’re Finn’s flunky or not.  On this boat, Krysos Boz is the boss.”Kham sighed. “You’re talking about yourself in third person, aren’t you.”Krysos leaned forward, jabbing a finger in Kham’s face.  “I can do more to you than talk, if you like.”“Well,” Kham rose to his feet.  “I think I’m going to go take a walk.”  With a snap of his wrist, he looped the length of chain that tied him to Scarbelly around Krysos’ neck.  “What do you think Scarbelly?”“I think I’m goin' t' go visit me buckos over thar.”  The orc captain winked with his good eye.  Before Krysos could protest, the orc and the val walked in opposite directions, yanking the chain taut.  Krysos was lifted into the air.  His face turned bright red and he let out a low gurgle."Not too much talking there! Silence! Silence here! " cried the warder.Kham and Scarbelly switched places at the table, dropping Krysos to the ground as the chain went slack.  “You’re…a dead man,” he choked out.  Then he went back to his table.“I think I just made another enemy,” sighed Kham.The orcs were smirking at him.  Scarbelly clapped him on the back. “And ye just made some new friends.”</blockquote>

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