I've been working on a story involving a recent character I made up. So far, here's part one. I'll be posting part two at a later date.
“Open the doors! Please, for the love of the gods, open the doors!”
The soldier walked up to the stable doors wearily. War was upon the land, and any stranger seeking refuge could be a trap by the enemy. Even so, he doubted that they would use women in the dead of night for such things.
“Who are you, and what do you seek?” he called out over the rain and thunder.
“My name is Amelius, and I seek refuge for the night! Please, I beg of you, I’ve been traveling for hours!”
“Fine, I’ll let you in, but I will have to put you under custody!”
“I don’t care, let me in!” the woman called out.
He unbolted the door and slowly opened it. He held out his torch to see the woman’s face in the night. She was soaked down to the bone, and shivering violently. Her black hair extended about four inches past her shoulders, and she had a bandaged eyepatch over her left eye. “Inside, hurry,” he said in a low voice, closing the door behind her.
“Thank you…” the woman said breathlessly. She looked hardly older than seventeen or eighteen. Her shirt’s right sleeve was torn off, and her arm was bound up in bandages, and held up in a sling.
“Look, ma’am, I need to take you to the prison block. I’m sorry, but it’s regulations,” the soldier said, throwing a blanket over her shoulders. She grabbed it with her good hand and tried to tighten it around her. He helped tuck it in a bit.
“I don’t care… I need to speak to your king tomorrow…” she said. The soldier led her off, and placed her in a single cell, letting her keep the blanket.
***** *****
Lord And Master King Terfinus sat on his throne, looking over the battle plans for the upcoming war. And messenger walked with his head bowed and whispered into his ear.
“Very well, bring her forward,” he grunted, motioning servants to take the table away. A soldier brought up a young woman, probably not older than eighteen before him. Two soldiers held chains strapped to her ankles.
“A refugee, sire.”
“What is your name, child?” he asked, rubbing the grizzled stubble on his chin.
“I am Amelius D. Rodgers,” she responded, keeping eye contact with the king.
“An alien name. You are not from around here,” the king remarked mockingly. Amelius bit down on her lip to prevent the vile comment from slipping.
“Yes, it is. I need to ask something of you,” she said, trying to keep the cynical tone out of her voice.
“And what is that, peasant?”
Amy closed her eyes and held her trembling fists closed.
“I ask if I may use your royal library. I seek a cure for my family, and I have heard that the library of your castle holds more knowledge than the world combined twice-over,” she asked, adding a hint of pleading to her tone. She was half-right. She sought a cure, but she had no family to cure.
“Hmm…So, you are some outsider, coming and eating our military rations, then demand that you use our services even further?” the man said, leaning forward in his throne. “No.”
“But my lord, please –!” she began but was cruelly interrupted.
“That is final! Now throw her out before I decide to feed her to the torverines. Bring me the Tactical Map!” he yelled, dismissing Amy with a shooing hand, servants bringing the table back in front of him.
The two soldiers grabbed her by the arms and dragged her from the castle.
***** *****
“I…I’m so hungry…” “For what?” “I – I don’t know…” “Are you sure?” “Yes. Yes, I think…so…” “What drives you?” “Hunger…and -,” “And what? What else drives you?” “…fear…” “What scares you so much?” ”Myself…I – I don’t want it to happen…” “Do I scare you? Are you afraid of me?” “I – I don’t know…” “Please, you can tell me. There’s nothing to be afraid of.” “You…I’m so hungry…” “In time we can feed.” “It hurts! I can’t take it anymore…” “I know, I know. We’ll be there soon.” “Can’t you feel the tears! I – I’m crying?” “You’ve cried before. When you lost your friend. When the fear in his eyes changed -,” “Stop it! I don’t want to remember that!” “Hahahahaha!” “Who are you?” “You should know by now.” “I – I’m going mad…Please let it end…” “We’re almost there, my sweet.” “It hu~rts…”
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