by Jack Cage
Zuberi could not walk anymore, so the brothers picked him up by his arms and carried him into the small cell at the end of the long hallway.
Once inside, the Sefu men’s shackles were removed, and, just as King Phillip commanded, they were given a large platter filled with scraps of chicken, half-eaten fruit, and chunk of bread the guard transporting the food had not finished.
Amri and Endesha offered their father the majority of the food, but he declined. Zuberi only ate what he thought his old body needed. The men drank their water in deep, gulping swallows, then used the rest to wash their faces—it was a welcomed refreshment. Afterward, the Sefu men took some time to look at their new surroundings.
Zuberi looked at his sons and said, “I told you your destiny would be fulfilled in this new land. It is time to rest now.” Zuberi laid flat on his back.
“Yes, Father,” they replied.
Within minutes, Endesha and his father were asleep, but Amri could not rest, at least, not immediately. Thoughts of the day filled his mind; the death of his mother, the home that he was in, and being taken away by Roderick—it was all too much to understand. Another thought came to Amri’s mind, more pleasing and comforting than all of the others—Nsia. He longed to see her one more time, but he knew he may never. He took a deep breath, suppressing his burgeoning anger, and fell asleep.
Prince Stuart Miles stood in his chamber, admiring himself in mirror. It had been many years since his accomplishments over Carpenter’s Army, he had not seen any major battle since, and his portlier frame gave evidence of his depleted athletic ability. “You are so handsome, Your Highness,” said the maiden nestled under the white sheet on his bed. She quickly pulled the sheet to her neck when a knock sounded at the door.
“Enter,” he said, motioning the maiden to keep her silence. The doors to his chamber creaked open.
“Your Highness,” said a porter. “Your royal father has requested you be informed there are Moors imprisoned in the dungeons, and would like you to view them.
“Tell my father I will be on my way to the dungeons immediately.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Stuart got dressed and made his way down to the Harkstead dungeons. He walked down the familiar corridors that led to the Sefu men. He truly did not know what to expect as he had not seen many Moors in his lifetime. However, once he arrived at the Sefu men’s cell, he immediately knew these men were nothing like the Moors he remembered.
As Stuart stared at the Sefu men he did not understand the potential danger that dwelt behind those iron bars in the dungeon. He only saw three dark men, two of which were larger than any men he had seen before. One of which was exceptionally large and intimidating.
Upon exiting the dungeons, Prince Stuart went first to his quarters to remove the stench of the dungeons from his body before going to see his father, the king.
“Good morning, Father.”
“Ah, hello, my child.”
“I have just returned from the dungeons.”
“What do you think of the Moors Captain Singletary found last evening?”
“I am not sure what I was looking at, Father. They are unlike any form of man I have ever seen. Shall we keep them as prisoners?”
“I’m not sure my child. Men that size would make excellent infantrymen.”
“What men are you talking about, Father?” asked Harold Miles.
“None of your concern, little one,” Stuart said.
“I am not little any more, I am nine years old!” Harold quipped.
“I know, Son, you are in fact not a little boy anymore. Run along. Your brother and I have many things to discuss,” Phillip said with a large smile on his face.
As Harold left the king’s chambers, the two men returned to the topic of what to do with the Moors in the dungeons. “Singletary believes they were being transported to Tawny. Perhaps they were to be given to someone as a gift. Or a weapon,” said King Phillip.
“Tawny has returned to a haven for mercenary lancemen since we gave up control years ago,” Stuart said.
“It is likely those men were going to become a part of the Carpenter’s army if given the opportunity to be seen.”
“Perhaps we were fortunate in intercepting Thomas Carpenter’s secret soldiers.”
“Go to the dungeon with Singletary, and talk to the men that brought the Moors here. Find out what their plan was so we can understand what and who these men are.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Later that day, Singletary and Prince Stuart went deep into the dungeons of Harkstead Castle to question Roderick and his accomplice, “Charles.” When they arrived at the prisoners’ cell, they could see the two smugglers were asleep on the dirt floor.
Singletary used his sword’s scabbard to bang on the iron bars, waking the two prisoners from their uncomfortable slumber. “Good morning, or maybe it is good evening to you both.
Either way, it does not matter because if you do not answer our questions you shall never see the light of day again,” the captain said. “This is His Royal Highness Prince Stuart Miles of the Midland Kingdom, and he has some questions for you. If you are fortunate with your words he may allow you to retain your life. I would not waste his time if I were the two of you.”
“You are in my dungeon because you were caught by Captain Singletary attempting to transport three Moors on Midland grounds without payment of tax or sanctioned documentation from His Majesty King Phillip Miles. I will ask you each question only once, and it is my expectation that you respond truthfully, or your lives may be lost with your answers withheld on your tongue. Firstly, what was your destination, and to whom were you delivering those men to? Secondly, who are the Moors you had in the back of your carriage, and where did you get them? Lastly, what do you know about those men?” Stuart finished, and waited for their responses.
Roderick thought for a moment about what he was being asked. He knew his life was, in essence, over, and his silence would only accelerate the time before his death would come. “We were headed to Tawny, Your Highness,” Roderick said. “We were going to sell them to a friend of mine that works for a carpenter.”
“A carpenter you say?” Singletary replied.
“Yes. My associate in Tawny works for a carpenter,” Roderick said. Stuart and Singletary shared a small chuckle.
“All right, so where did you find these Moors?” Stuart asked.
“As I told your mate before—I am a sailor, and we found those men in a place very far from here.”
“What else do you know about them?” Stuart asked.
“We had the whole family. The mother perished during the voyage to Brixham. The old man is the father, and the two large ones are the sons.”
“Surely you would not take an entire family prisoner without cause?” said Singletary.
“The largest one of the three is a beast of a man. We both witnessed him kill five men with his bare hands.”
“He does not seem to be very dangerous at the moment. Why did he not attempt to flee from you before you were caught?” Stuart asked.
“Probably because of the old man. Both Moors are protecting the old man, and that is why they are restrained.”
“What you have told us seems to be understandable, and I believe it to be true,” Stuart said. “However, your associate in Tawny that works for a carpenter is an unfortunate occurrence for you. The person you were meeting does not work for a carpenter; he works for a man called Carpenter.
Thomas Carpenter and his army are enemies of the Midland Kingdom, and anyone that does business with him is an enemy of mine, and of my father, King Phillip Miles.
“Your honesty is appreciated, but your associations have led you and your brother to your deaths. I am a just and fair man, so instead of having you beheaded or leaving you to rot here in my dungeons, I believe, based on what you told me, a more fitting death for you both would be at the hands of the very persons you took prisoner.”
“Guards, take these men out of this cel
l and escort them to the Moors,” ordered Singletary.
The guards unlocked the cell and quickly took hold of Roderick and “Charles.” Stuart and Singletary followed as they escorted the two men through the corridor to the end of the long hallway lit modestly by torches.
Amri and Endesha heard many footsteps getting closer, and stood with the anticipation of bodily harm. Much to their surprise they saw Roderick and his accomplice outside of their cell. A guard opened the Sefu men’s cell, and Singletary stepped inside, extending his hand toward Zuberi. Amri instinctively moved in front of his father. “No, no. I will not harm your father, large fellow. What is about to occur is not something an old man needs to see. I will return him to you in due course.” He extended his hand again, and Zuberi moved slowly around Amri.
Zuberi could not walk without assistance, and had to hold the iron rods in order to make his way out of the cell.
Stuart could see the elderly man needed assistance, and offered his hand as he entered the hallway. Singletary unsheathed his sword, and motioned Roderick and “Charles” to enter the Moors cell.
Reluctantly, they stepped over the threshold, leaving barely enough space for the heavy, rusted-iron doors to be closed and locked behind them.
Amri understood what was happening, and started to smile with the enthusiasm of a child preparing for a day of play. Endesha remained stoic as thoughts of what these men did to his family charged his lungs with the desire for more air. Singletary and Stuart looked at each other with devilish smiles and started walking toward the opposite end of the hallway. “Guards, take this man to the stables, and see to it he is carried there.
Give him food and drink, oh, and if any of you tampers with it, I will see that you meet his sons in their cell, as well,” Stuart commanded.
The two guards each took one of Zuberi’s arms over their shoulders and walked him down the corridors of the dungeon; horrific screams could be heard behind them. Roderick and his accomplice’s wails sounded as if their skin had been peeled off their bodies in one continuous piece. This was followed by violent sounding thumps, metallic clangs, and bones crashing against iron bars.
“Killed five men with his bare hands he said?” Singletary said in jest.
“Surely, two will be much easier,” Stuart replied with a smile.
Eventually, the screams from within the dungeons were silenced.
Prince Stuart and Captain Singletary continued their conversation as they walked along the intricate stone walkway in the castle’s garden. “What are we to do with the Moors?” Singletary asked.
“I am not sure. The large one may be too dangerous to be allowed to walk amongst our women and children. Perhaps they should stay within the dungeons until we learn more about them and their behavior,” Stuart replied.
“What of the elder Moor?”
“He does not pose any threat to us, and that is why I sent him to the stables. I believe Roderick was correct in saying as long as the elder man is alive the son’s will not misbehave fearing for their father’s safety.”
“I will return to the dungeons to check on the elder’s sons, and will have them fed and their cell changed.”
“Very well, Captain Singletary.”
As ordered the dungeon guard took Zuberi to the castle stables. They did not have him sleep with the horses, instead they placed him in the upper-level of the stable, overlooking the cobblestoned courtyard, merchant’s quarters, and the marketplace. From the front window, Zuberi could see the ironworkers in the adjacent armory, and from the window on the opposite side, he could see into an area that looked like a training hall for the palace guards.
The smell of the stables was unpleasant, but it was more acceptable than the foul stench of the dead prisoners in the Harkstead dungeons. This place will serve us well, Zuberi thought to himself as he looked around the space.
There were several bales of hay stored in the room, so he used some of it to create a soft place to sit and eat the strange food he had been given. After squeezing and smelling everything, he determined they were similar to the items that Amri and Endesha ate the night before, and since he was alone, ate as hungrily as his sons had.
After his meal, Zuberi laid down to rest—such a meal makes old men tired. Before falling asleep, Zuberi listened to the horses below, and thought about his beloved Furaha. If only you could have made it here with us, he thought.
He reached into his shirt and delicately lifted the piece of dress she had on the day of her death, and held it close to his nose. It still had her scent on it, and he found it soothing. Thoughts of their past came and left Zuberi as he traveled into a deep slumber. This would be the first time he had been able to rest without fear since his family left the Kuno village.
***
Was it sweat dripping from Endesha’s face, or was it blood? Amri could not determine what the liquid was either. Both Sefu brothers sat on the floor of their cell with their backs resting against the wall. In front of them was a horrifying mess that consisted of their capturers Roderick and “Charles.” Bits of their lifeless bodies were scattered across the floor of the cell, each bit resting in a pool of blood.
The Sefu men mutilated them in a way that would be considered cruel, even despite their terrible treatment of the Sefu family. Endesha did not care. He sat on the ground staring at his bloodied hands and noticed they were shaking.
Endesha looked to his right at Amri and noticed he was sitting with a blank stare on his face. His older brother did not seem bothered by their actions either.
Endesha thought he seemed to be more relaxed than he had ever been since leaving the Kuno village. In his opinion, Amri looked as if he just finished eating a huge feast—the satisfaction was visible in his eyes. “How do you do it?” Endesha asked.
“Do what?” Amri replied.
“Turn off your thoughts.”
“What do you mean?”
“How do you turn off your thoughts when you kill?”
“I do not know. I just do not think when I am doing it.”
“You ripped that man’s arm from his body, Amri. You did not think about that when you did it? Look at what we just did to these men. You don’t feel anything?” Endesha pointed at the various limbs on the floor of their cell as he spoke.
“I feel alive when I do those horrible things. I feel free when I am fighting. Remember the elder women back in our village?”
“Yes.”
“Those old women sang songs because they enjoyed it. I feel the same way about fighting. It brings me happiness.”
“I do not understand how you can get such satisfaction from doing terrible things.”
“It depends on how you look at it. Those men took us from a place we had started to enjoy.
They caused us to lose our mother, and they took Nsia away from me. So, they had to pay for their actions, and I was glad to make them suffer like we did.
“You sit there judging me about what I did, when you have those men’s blood on your hands too, little brother. You and I are not that different. We share the same blood, and eventually, you will see that you are much stronger than me.”
Endesha huffed at Amri’s speech. “I am not like you—I cannot derive joy from inflicting pain on others.”
“You may not enjoy inflicting pain like me, little brother, but you can deliver terror with ease just like me if you are pushed,” Amri warned. “You are not a warrior—you are too smart for that. Your strength is being smart enough to prevent a fight. Only if you are desperate will you then fight with the passion of a true Sefu warrior. I have seen this in you for years now.”
“When did you first notice this?”
“I saw it a few times back in our village when you were younger. I really understood it when you told me about your confrontation with Chike in the woods.
You stood your ground with an older man, and you did not let him intimidate you. That is when I noticed you had changed, Desha.”
The brothers were sitting in sile
nce when Singletary returned to their cell. “Dear Lord, what happened here? Guards!” Singletary yelled. The guards came running to the end of the hallway. The first one to arrive looked down at the bodies and parts on the ground and relieved his stomach of its contents on the ground.
“Bloody hell is this?” said the other guard, forgetting his superior, Singletary, was standing next to him. “Apologies, Cap’n.”
“Take these men to another cell, and give them water so they can bathe,” Singletary ordered, bringing his kerchief to his face. “They reek of blood and excrement.”
“Yes, My Lord,” replied the guard as he lifted the other guard to his feet. The two guards motioned the Sefu brothers to extend their hands so they could be shackled, and they complied for fear of repercussions if they didn’t. The guards escorted them down another long hallway within the dungeons of Harkstead Castle.
This time, other prisoners could see the brown-skinned men, bloodied and daunting, as they walked down the dimly-lit corridor. Prisoners retreated from the bars at the sight of the Sefu brothers, and some even shouted “Demons!” to them as they walked by.
Once they got to their new cell and were unshackled, the two brothers were given a large barrel of heated water and some tattered, yet clean, clothes. “Wash yourselves you bloody monsters,” said the guard. They did not understand what the guard said so they just stood still. “Wash yourselves!” This time the guard made the motion of washing his body to them.
The brothers understood what he wanted and started to douse their bodies with the warm water from the barrel. “I thought they were going to kill us,” Endesha said.
“I thought they were going to, also,” Amri replied.
“They are treating us better here than that man on the water did.”
“Our hands are still bound, and we are sitting behind these hard bars, so I do not believe we are better off here. We are alive because these men are trying to figure out how we can benefit them.”
“What about Father?”
“They would not harm him.”
“How do you know?”
“Because if I learned that something had happened to him, I think they know I would try to kill all of them if given the opportunity. What we did earlier was proof of our abilities. This is how we are to survive in this land. Just like Father told us.”