Trilverda - Winds of the fall

Chapter 9

Rust rubbed against his long-nurtured fair skin, burns could be felt. Spider nets, woven in every corner and wall. Music of the dancing chains haunted him while he tried to rest his tormented body on the cold floor, wet by his own tears and piss. It had been three days, his body felt neither the warmth of sun nor the crease of wind. Nine meals of un-fresh fish and half bread had made his stomach stop craving for sustenance. Alone, no one to pity him, he spent three days on the dungeon, yet it felt like an eternity.

Elena walked down the stairs, a plate of half bread and un-fresh fish. Guards' glances seemed confused, the usual maid hadn’t arrived today. Cold and damp floor made Elena take steps slow and with caution. She glanced upon every young guard, raised her cheeks. “Heya lads”

“Me lady, this dungeon can't hold yer prettiness, it is an uncomfortable sight to see” a guard stumbled from behind, he had not wished to see her in such a vile and disturbing place.

“At least there is something that this dungeon can't hold, brother”

“Why are ya here, little Elena?”

“Vagerth staid at home to look after her sickly mother”

The guard stretched his neck and glanced on the plate, disappointed soon after. “A little good food and we guards would enjoy our duty”

“Not every food is cooked by me, Birnlov,” Elena said. “Now, open this heavy door for yer Head cook”

Brinlov opened the door. Elena frowned her nose as soon as the door unlocked, she held her breath and went inside. The sight of Gill forced her eyes to look away, she approached cautiously, making sure of not footing on the piss. She rested the plate on the ground, Gill grabbed her wrist. A light painful moan nearly slipped out of her mouth, almost alerting her brother and other guards. Gill stared at her, loosened his grip. “I see, your brother is a soldier”

“So what?” she whispered, her eyes back and forth, Gill and her brother.

“If war breaks — and it will break, you know it too – I have the power to make sure your brother's life is spared” Gill gasped, curving his lips upward. Elena gulped, powerless to pull her hand away, now that she had heard such a proposal. Gill let go of her hand, “Find a way to free me and I will make your family richer and safer than ever”

No second thoughts sliding across her mind, she nodded, her face colourless.

“What’s taking ya long enough, sister?” Brinlov yelled, his eyebrows tilted inside. Elena rushed towards her brother, didn’t dare to look back. “What happened?”

Taking a huge lump of air inside, she breathed colour back to her face, almost, well enough to fake her fright in front of her brother. “Just making sure that I don’t step over his piss” she punched her brother's shoulder, playful. She walked towards the door and left the dungeon, as fast as she could, gasping.

Erton stood there, waiting for her return, nibbling on his nails. He hid his hands behind his back, he saw her approach towards him but her eyes and mind knotted somewhere else. He threw his hands around her neck, squeezing her. “How did me brave cook do?”

She pushed Erton's hand away, playfulness had eradicated from her. “He was scary. He threatened to kill my brother if I didn’t help him”

“And did ya agree to help?”

“Yes”

They walked towards the great hall, Erton stared at her with discomfort, yet seemed okay with her decision.

Kelvin’s chamber door felt like home to Erton, he was a caretaker since his father's death though he didn’t do much, he was just a child. He knocked on the door, Kelvin permitted them to come inside. Elena's palm, wet with sweat and her eyes constantly staring at the ceiling, she went inside with an uncomfortable face.