Descendants of the Kings (Book 2)

Ch 69: The meaning of power

Cw for mentions of body gore, violence and torture, but no explicit description

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"Do you think it's here?" Val said, eyeing the building in front of them.

"Well, it has to be. I don't see any other cabins around," Blaise said, squinting down at the scrap of paper in hand.

"I suppose it is," Ella said, observing the structure before them.

The building was nothing worth noting. It was a simple wooden structure, more of a shed than a cabin. The shutters on the windows were tightly shut, not allowing even a hint of anything to peek through. It blended into the surroundings of the forest, so unremarkable that it was.

"The patrol guard has little sheds and cabins set up to keep equipment and supplies handy, or even just to rest," Aedion commented, as they made it to the building. "This must be one of those."

"Yes, but I was on patrol duty for a couple of years, and I never saw this one," Val argued. "Did you? Because I don't recall ever seeing it on the map of safe houses they gave us."

Aedion frowned, agreeing. "Can't say that I have."

It was all just another reason to be sure that what Gidden had to tell them was serious. He'd never mentioned this place before asking to meet here.

Urged by the cold and the anxiety to know what this meeting was about, Ella quickly knocked on the door. She only had to wait a moment for Gidden to answer.

The door opened a crack, and he peered out, light seeping from around him.

"Oh, good, you're all here," he said, hurrying to usher them in. "Come in, the storm's terrible."

They didn't have to be told twice, eagerly making their way inside.

"Set your coats down by the fire," he instructed. "Sit wherever you like."

Ella did as she was told, shrugging off her damp cloak and hanging it on the back of a chair near the fireplace.

As she shook off the snow from her hair, she curiously peered around the room. It was as simple inside as it was on the outside. There was a wood-burning stove in one corner, with logs crackling inside. Before this, was a small rounded table and a couple of old chairs, as well as two cupboards and shelves. It was nondescript, and it smelled slightly musty, like a place that had long gone unused.

"What is this place?" Val said, voicing everyone's question.

"This cabin used to belong to an old friend of mine. He was in the patrol guard a long time ago. He left this place to me, and I'm afraid I don't come around much, or do upkeep," Gidden said sheepishly. "But it's safe and it's unknown, so it's good enough for this."

"And what would this be?" Aedion asked.

Gidden sighed and waved them towards a door Ella hadn't previously noticed.

"I would ask you to sit and discuss, but I think it's better if you simply see for yourselves."

Beyond the door, there was a little room, barely larger than a broom closet. However, what caught the eye was the door on the wall, heavy and dark as iron. It had a little window covered by a metal grate, which Gidden lifted to reveal a lattice grille. A peephole. He beckoned them close.

Ella went on her tiptoes, peering through the latticed holes. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust, but when they did, she had to swallow her surprise.

There was a man sat on the ground. A human man. She was almost sure of it. Shaggy, dark-coloured hair, rounded ears, stern features. He sat in a corner of the room atop a thin mattress, scowling at the wall. Around his ankles and arms were heavy shackles.