He was awakened by a nauseating smell. The smell of urine, rotting straw, and wet rags. The boy cursed. The Bastard ran his hands over his face, looking around him. Along the opposite wall, three beggars were seated. He could barely make them out as they were in the farthest spot from the torchlight, in almost total darkness.
- "Hey! You, over there? How long have I been locked up here? "
The beggars whispered among themselves. None of them answered.
- "Have you all gone deaf? he asked them. I'm asking what time it is? "
The beggars consulted each other again and cleared their throats.
- "Leave us alone, finally said one of them. We're honest thieves, not political prisoners. We didn't lay a hand on the nobles; we just stole from them! "
- "Yeah! ", said another. "You have your corner, we have ours. Let each mind their own business. We don't want our heads chopped off. "
- "Political prisoner? What are you talking about? "
- "No need to play smart, kid, everyone knows you conspired with the Chapellois to become the Baron. But Count Henri will send you to prison for life to punish you if we don't kill you first. "
He then realized the Count's plan, or rather, the mysterious Giordan's plan. Again, he cursed.
- "Hey guys, when is my trial? "
- "It already took place last night. We heard them scream your sentence, lifelong labor in the mines. The crowd demanded that you be gutted in the public square. "
- "I'm surprised the Count refused. "One of the beggars said.
- "They want to set an example, make you suffer, to deter other Bastards from having the same ideas. "
- "The Count's son runs the mines; you're going to suffer when you get there."
- "Now stop talking to us; we don't want to be involved in this. "
Several hours later, footsteps echoed in the corridor. A guard approached the bars and said:
- "The Bastard, someone wants to see you. "
He then pulled out a bunch of keys and unlocked the gate. It creaked as it opened. The guard made space, and the boy followed him. His journey didn't last long. In the adjacent room, there was a small table, two chairs, and a lamp in the middle. The guard gestured towards a stool with a casual wave of his hand. He obeyed and sat down. Across from him, a door that surely led outside. His visitor would enter through there. He supposed it would be the Count coming to announce his fate. The wooden door opened, and a man entered the room. Tall, skinny, hunched, with thick bushy white eyebrows and a long-hooked nose, he wore a long, flowing black robe with incredibly wide sleeves and held a very long staff topped with a crystal pommel in his hand. Astonished, the young man initiated the conversation:
- "Master Anthony, you are the last person I expected to see here. "
- "I wanted to see with my own eyes the instigator of this misfortune. ", said Elise's former tutor.
He then handed a handful of gold and silver coins to the guard standing by the door. The guard left the room. The old sage continued:
- "Unfortunately, I don't have enough money to buy your freedom. But enough to offer you one last conversation before your departure. "
- "The Count's lies didn't convince you, then. "
- "I've known you since you were so young; I know you would never conspire against your sister. This tragedy..." he sighed. "Moreover, unfortunately, I have known Henri for decades; I even tutored Jonas, his son. "
YOU ARE READING
Seis : the Ruins of the Wind
Science FictionA young bastard lives in the poor and desolate kingdoms of the North of planet Albion. He has almost nothing, but a twist of fate sends him to prison for a crime he did not commit. He then decides to choose the path of vengeance against his enemies...
