The Son of Thunder

Chapter 51

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The man standing at the gates of Thundonia was dressed in a T-shirt and denim leggings. He lounged restlessly against the counter and called, "What ho, Haggett! Edel waitist for thee within."

Another man, also in a T-shirt and denim leggings, so pale that he appeared purplish rose when Magpie was brought into the Playground. "Ah, thou foundest her." He studied the party. "Where art Junison and Arthur?"

"She did kille'd them," Haggett said.

Edel took Magpie by the mouth. "Fine bitch," he said. "Thou art more capable than thy liege. Shawna fellst to her knees in my arms." He switched his eyes to Haggett. "Or perhaps thou art not as capable as I be."

A wooden cross was thrust into the center of the Playground and Shawna was dangling on it. Her limbs were drawn out as tightly as her skeleton would allow, her fingers curled, the ropes biting into her skin.

"Good morrow, Mistress Magpie," Edel said.

She spit in his face.

Edel drew back. "Heinous little bitch. I shalt tame thee."

He clapped his hands and two men came to his side. Instead of a wooden cross, Magpie was drawn to the bars on the east side of the Playground and shackled to them. At the west, Warrior was chained the same way.

"Haggett, taketh thy place at the guard box at the outer gates of Thundonia. Derlick, Marsiss, thou willt guard the doors. No one cometh in, no one goeth out."

A man with red hair ran to Edel from the main entrance of the arena. "I cann'st keepeth the people out much longer, Edel."

"Then letteth them in," he said, his arms lifted, displaying his captives. Apostle, Bastion, Galen and Milk were tied and sitting on the ground at a safe distance from each other. "Letteth them view that I hast taketh their country."

"You don't have the Son of Thunder," Magpie yelled.

His lips twisted. "I willt beist the most bodacious of all rulers." He strode to Shawna. "Thou willt tellest me where he ist."

Shawna's eyes were as empty as goblets after dinner.

The people broke into the stands of the arena with a roar. They threw themselves against the bars of the Playground that kept the Wolfdrum leader safe.

"Welcome," he yelled. "Rad."

Guards kept the people away from the chains that held Warrior and Magpie.

"I am thy new ruler. From this day thou shalt all be Wolfdrums. Cool?"

They hissed at him and banged on the iron bars.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," he said. "Thou willt come to seest the best."

People crowded around Magpie. A Wolfdrum held up a spear and aimed it at them. "Get ye back." The people receded. Canary pushed forward, a baby wrapped in swaddling in her arms. "Get ye back," he said.

She came directly to the bars of the cage and sat at Magpie's feet. Magpie could barely see Canary for the tightness of the chains. Lorid, Glenada, Hobs, and Nile followed suit. The Lovebirds stood and glared at the man, touched Magpie on the waist.

"Sit," he said.

The Lovebirds patted her back and sat with their family. Magpie searched for Hawk, but he wasn't in her peripheral view. Shawna nodded her approval. Magpie couldn't bring herself to smile. Warrior stared at Shawna. None had gathered close at his feet outside the cage. His family was tied up within.