by P D Atkerson
Seeing him sitting there, Aroron felt bad for him. He knew how the boy felt, as least partly. Shon may not have been his father, but Aroron hadn’t known that when he watched him die in front of him.
And there was nothing he could have done, just like Telarian had to watch his father slip away to never return.
His father had just died and he had no time to mourn his passing, before he was thrown into the political ring fighting to keep himself at the top. Then, after the crowning was finished, he'd only have a little time between that and his father's funeral. Aroron could only imagine what he was going through.
Aroron was still looking at Telarian, when the prince turned towards him. For a second, their eyes locked and Aroron nodded politely to the prince. Telarian nodded back, then turned away and leaned back against his throne. His head sinking back against the wood, he closed his eyes and quickly rubbed them.
If there was anything Aroron could do for the prince, he would do it. They might not be friends, but he felt like they had a connection deeper than that. What the connection was, Aroron didn’t know.
* * *
Across the Dubh-Woods, in the Dark Castle, death also lingered, hiding in the shadows. Waiting to strike.
Enrick hadn’t been awake for very long, and had just started his book, when someone knocked on his chamber door. Without waiting for his answer, the door opened and a man entered.
“What is it Fray?” Enrick asked, as the guard entered his chamber. He swung his feet off the table where he'd had them propped up, and put his book down, as he stood up and turned to face the guard. “I hope this isn’t just a social visit.”
“I’ve brought someone who wishes to speak with you, my lord.” The guard said, bowing as he stepped back and out of the doorway. A young girl, not more than fifteen, entered Enrick’s chamber and curtsied.
“My lord.” She whispered, she was pale and looked scared.
He’d never seen her before, but there was something in her eyes Enrick felt like he could trust. It wasn’t the way they looked, but the way she looked at him with them. With respect, something not many people showed him. He already liked her. “And you are?” he asked.
“Aliala, my lord.” She whispered, ducking her head. “I work here in the castle.”
Enrick frowned. He’d never seen anyone his age before in the castle, other than Aroron. “How long have you worked in the Dark Castle?”
“Since I was a child, sire.” She said. “I came here, when I was but four.”
“And I’ve never seen you before?” Enrick asked.
Aliala’s cheeks turned pink. “Well, sire, I’m only a servant, I wouldn’t expect you to.” She said, dropping her gaze.
“What brings you here, to my chambers?” Prince Enrick asked. “You look distressed.”
“That’s because I am, my lord.” She whispered, running her hand through her hair. “I can’t do this, Fray!” She cried stepping back. “I don’t want to do…but…oh!” She looked like she was fighting with herself if she should stay or not.
“It’s alright, Aliala.” Fray said, grabbing her arm. “I promise, if you tell the prince what you told me, he will protect you.”
“Why do you fear for your life?” Enrick asked, his eyes searching hers.
“It’s not my own life I’m worried about, my lord.” She said, ringing her hands. “I fear what you will do if I tell you what I know.”
“Well, Aliala, why don’t you tell me what you know and I’ll decide what to do about it.” Enrick said, flashing her a smile. “I’m sure it can’t be that bad.”
“Oh, but it is, my lord!” she cried, her eyes bigger than they’d been a second before. “I only speak now, because I’ve been taking care of the princess and I fear for her safety.”
“You’re Salmay’s nursemaid?”
“Yes, my lord.” She whispered. “I take care of her, when Miss Joth is unable to.”
Enrick nodded. “Why don’t you just tell me what you came here to tell me? I’m sure it will make you feel better.”
The girl nodded. “Someone… someone was poisoning her.” She blurted out, burying her face in her hands.
“Poisoning who?” Prince Enrick asked, crossing his arm as an odd feeling entered his stomach. He didn’t like the way this was going, at all.
“Queen Gance.” She cried, her eyes filling with tears. “It was Queen Gance, I was there. I saw the way she slipped away.”
“What are you saying?” Enrick asked, finding himself in front of her, before he’d even realized he’d taken a step forward. His eyes burned into hers. “What are you saying?!”
“The Queen was murdered.” She cried, jumping back from Enrick, as if she’d expected him to hit her. “There’s always been a fear of what might happen if I spoke to you about this.” She whispered. “But I cannot keep quiet any longer. I heard how King Dillaran died and I’m sure it was by the same poison.”
Enrick felt like someone had punched him in the gut. The poison from his father. “He did it.” He whispered, stepping back as he turned away from Aliala. “He killed her.” His stomach lurched again and he bent over, he was finding it hard even to breathe.
He’d known his father had been callous about her death, but to be the one behind it? It was almost too much for Enrick to comprehend. But he did comprehend and he knew what it meant.
“He won’t get away with this!” Prince Enrick hissed, spinning around again. He shoved past Aliala and Fray, and out into the hallway. He’d face his father, before he allowed himself the chance to rethink it.
“My lord, wait!” Fray called after him, but it was too late. Enrick wasn’t going to stop for anything. If he did, he knew he’d never be able to do what he needed to do.
By the time he reached the throne room, Enrick’s mind was no longer reeling from the shock of what Aliala had told him. He shoved against the doors, and threw them open. It only took him a second to make sure his father was indeed sitting on his throne.
The king looked up when Enrick entered.
“You killed her! Didn’t you? Didn’t you?” Enrick screamed, lunging towards Munay. “Didn’t you?!”
“Enrick, stop this outburst!” King Munay ordered. Then quickly, he motioned to the throne room guards before Enrick had the chance to reach him. Wordlessly, the guards grabbed Enrick and held him back, though the prince fought against them fiercely. “What is this you’re babbling on about?”
“You killed her.” Enrick whispered; his eyes moist. “You killed my mother.”
King Munay stared at him. “How dare you?! Why would you even think such a thing?”
“If you’re willing to kill King Dillaran (your brother-in-law) to weaken Shenock, why wouldn’t you kill your wife? The true ruler of this castle?!” Enrick cried. “I was a fool not to see it before now.”
Before the king could speak again, Dasety moved closer to him. “My King,” Enrick heard Dasety whisper. “We must be careful with this matter; Prince Enrick knows more about what goes on inside this castle than most. We must think this through clearly before making any decisions.”
What was he saying that for? Enrick wondered. It didn’t sound like something that would help him.
King Munay bent over and reached for a bottle of something, Enrick didn’t know what it was, but he’d seen his father drink it before. No one else was allowed to touch it. He guzzled it back, then turned once again towards Enrick. His eyes hard, and uncaring.
“No, Dasety. I know what I must do.” Munay said, clearing his throat. “I, King Munay, do hear by charge Prince Enrick of Karlay with treason and do sentence him to… death.” He said, dropping his gaze. “Take him away, to the dungeon.” He said, motioning to the guards.
The guards grabbed a tight hold of Enrick and drug him back from the throne and towards the doors.
“This was my fate the moment you had that child!” Enrick spat, fighting the guards every inch of the way. “Willow has always known that and you must have known as w
ell.” Prince Enrick’s eyes burned with anger, as the guards drug him out of the throne room and into the hallway.
They didn’t get far before they came upon someone else in the hall. It was Fray. “My lord?” he said, looking at the guards holding tightly to Enrick. “What’s going on?”
“You’d do best to mind your own affairs, Fray.” One of the guards said. “This is by the king's orders that we take him to the dungeon.”
“This is madness!” Fray cried. “He’s the prince.”
“Fray, do not involve yourself in this.” Enrick whispered. “This is my fate, to face alone. You must stay out of this.”
“But my lord…”
“That’s an order!” Enrick hissed, as the guards pulled him away again. He could feel Fray’s gaze on him, as he was drug towards the dungeon, and eventually, his death.
The Dark Castle dungeons are not like most dungeons. Built far beneath the waters that surround the castle’s tower, the cells themselves are small stone rooms with barred doors for roofs. They were not built for comfort.
The guard stationed outside the dungeon’s main door, jumped to his feet when he saw them coming. He looked shocked when he saw who Enrick was. “My lord?” the dungeon guard said, clearing his throat as he turned towards the other guards. “What’s the meaning of this?”
“By order of the king,” one of the guards started, stepping forwards. “We’re here to lock the prince in the dungeon until his execution.”
“Execution?” the dungeon guard asked. “What did I miss?” Enrick heard him mumble under his breath. “Alright, this way.” He said, turning to unlock the dungeon’s main door. “There you go.”
The foul smell of the dungeon was so strong, when he opened the door leading inside, it hit the prince almost instantly.
Enrick grimaced and fought back the urge to throw up. His stomach twisted up into knots as they entered the dungeon and the darkness settled around him.
The guards drug Enrick forwards, they hadn’t gone far, before the doors banged shut behind them and Enrick felt like it had just sealed his fate. He could hear the shouts of the prisoners, as he was shoved past their cells.
These were the people his father had thrown down here to rot. Only giving them enough to keep them barely alive and they all knew who he was.
How could they not? The torchlight flickered off his fiery red hair, as the guards drug him past the other cells. Enrick held his chin up high and didn’t waste a glance towards the prisoners. He might be down there with them, but he wasn’t one of them. He wouldn’t let his father take his honor away too, that was one of the things he could control.
“Here we are.” the dungeon guard said, motioning to the grating at their feet. He fished a key from his belt, then he knelt down and unlocked the cell door built into the ground. Grabbing hold of one of the bars, he swung it open and stepped back. “Oh, I forgot the ladder…” Before he was even done speaking, one of the guards grabbed hold of Enrick and shoved him towards the hole.
The prince tripped and the next thing he knew, he found himself falling five feet, before he slammed into the hard, stone floor of his cell. For a long moment, Enrick was stunned by the impact. By the time he came to his senses again, the guards had left and his cell door locked tightly above him.
Slowly, Enrick shoved himself off the ground, moaning as pain shot through his arm. The foul-smelling water dripping off the walls, soaked into his clothing and turned his body cold.
He tried to stand but he couldn’t. It’s then he remembered, the cells were built so most prisoners can't fully stand. Sighing, the prince flopped down onto the wet ground and leaned back against the wall.
Time didn’t seem to exist in the dungeon, only darkness followed by more darkness.
No light finds its way down this deep underground, unless someone came into the dark and dank place. All Enrick could do, is sit there, in a dark hole of nothingness, waiting for his executioners to come for him.
Even after his eyes should have adjusted to the light, he couldn't see his hand in front of his face. This must be the way it feels to be blind. The prince thought to himself, dropping his hand back into his lap.
He shuttered, as something scurried across his leg. Enrick hasn’t a clue what foul creatures might linger down here in the damp darkness.
Light flickers across the grating above Enrick’s cell, and for a moment, he starts to wonder if he’s seeing things. Until he sees someone kneel beside his cell. “Enrick?” a voice whispered.
“Dasety? What are you doing down here?” Enrick asked, shoving himself to his feet. “Does my father know you’re here?”
“No.” Dasety said, shaking his head. “I did not tell him. He wouldn’t allow it, if I had.”
“Yet, here you are.” Enrick said. “So, what’s your reason for visiting?”
“Who told you what the king did?” Dasety whispered, kneeling above the cell. “Who was it that knew the Queen was poisoned?”
Enrick looked at him and shook his head. Why does he even care? “There’s no reason for more people to die.” He said, dropping back onto the ground. He scooted his legs up and wrapped his arms around them. “I will die without the secret passing my lips.” Enrick whispered, staring at the wall across from him. Death wasn’t that far off for him.
“I promise, I will not tell the king.” Dasety said, leaning closer to the bars. “Maybe if I knew who it was, I could help you. There’s still a chance we could change your fate.”
Why does he care so much to come down here into this filth? Enrick wondered, then it hit him.
“Sorry Dasety, but I know he sent you down here to find out.” The prince said, closing his eyes as he leaned back against the wall. “There is nothing you can do to get it out of me. I will not allow that monster to wipe out what he did to my mother. You may go now, I’ve nothing left to say to you.”
With a long sigh, Dasety shoved himself back to his feet. “If that is your wish, goodbye Enrick. May your choice comfort you in this cursed place.” Without waiting for Enrick to reply, Dasety turned on his heels and left the dungeon.
Even from where the prince was, he could hear the sound of the dungeon door closing behind him.
At some point, Enrick must have drifted off to sleep, because he was awakened with a start, when someone tapped on the metal cell door. Rubbing his eyes, he looked up above him. Someone knelt next to the grating again, this time it wasn’t Dasety, but a young girl. Aliala.
“What are you doing here?” Enrick asked, shoving himself to his feet again.
“I brought you food.” She whispered, slipping a small sack of food through the bars. “I’m sorry I couldn’t bring you more.”
Enrick caught it and even before he opened it, he could smell the delicious food inside it. His stomach growled and for a second, he wondered how long he’d been down there for. When was the last time he’d eaten? He wasn’t sure. “You shouldn’t have risked coming down here.” The prince said, unwrapping the food. “I’m going to die soon anyways, there’s no reason for you to stick your neck out just so I don’t starve.”
“But it’s my fault you’re in here in the first place.” She whispered, quickly reaching up to wipe a tear off her cheek. “I’m so, so sorry, your majesty.” Aliala said, gripping the bars between them. “If only…” her voice trailed off and she closed her eyes.
“Don’t blame yourself.” Enrick said, placing his hand on hers. “This was bound to be my fate, the moment my father had another heir. You just opened my eyes to the lies that surrounded my mother’s death. I’m glad you told me, Aliala. Take care of yourself and my sister.”
“Enrick, I promise you, I will do whatever I can to stop this.” Aliala said, firmly. “I’ve already set a plan into motion. I won’t let this injustice happen without a fight, my lord. You will not die today.”
Today? So, his execution was within hours, maybe less. “Don’t put yourself into danger.” Enrick said, squeezing her hand. “Just take care
of Salmay for me, make sure they don’t corrupt her. Make sure she has a chance at a good life.”
Aliala slipped her hand free and held her head up high. “I’m going to make sure you’re there to help her along the way.”
Off in the distance there was a ‘bang’. Enrick instantly knew it was the sound of the main door leading into the dungeon. They were coming for him.
“Go!” Enrick order, dropping back into the shadows of the cell. “They must not see you here, or they will kill you as well. Now, go. Now!” he hissed.
She glanced around, then Aliala shoved herself back to her feet and as quietly as she could, she hurried in the other direction from the sound of footsteps moving towards Enrick’s cell. His heart thudded in his chest. He didn’t know why, but he didn’t want her to get hurt because of him.
Silently, he prayed to whatever was out there, that she’d make it out of the dungeons alive.
She was barely gone, when four figures appeared above Enrick’s cell. He looked up and recognized them.
“It’s time.” Dasety whispered, as the dungeon guard lowered the ladder into the cell and stepped back.
At least this time they’d thought to bring a ladder. Enrick thought to himself. His shoulder still hurt from hitting the floor of the cell like he had. He’d been lucky not to break something. Not that it mattered now.
“Come on, Enrick.” Dasety whispered, motioning to the ladder. “Don’t prolong this, it will just make it worse for everyone.”
Enrick sighed and shoved himself to his feet. Reluctantly, he grabbed the ladder and pulled himself out of the cell. Dasety grabbed his hand and helped him up the last part. The prince didn’t even bother to say 'thank you'. Why should he? They were taking him to his death, after all.
Prince Enrick straightened out his shirt and turned towards the guards. He stared at the ropes one of the guards held out to the other. “What are those for?” he asked, though he already knew the answer. “Must you really tie me up, like a serf?” he asked Dasety. “It’s not like I can escape this pit!”