The Golden Throne

Chapter 45: Caged beast

Far away... at the edge of the North Odara Sea, was a prison. The centuries-old structure and its high walls stood ominously against the backdrop of a cloudy night sky, its lighthouse vigilant for any trespassers. Strong winds and waves bombarded the cliffs that raised the island it was built on . A group of prison guards were resting by a corridor. They were looking outside an open window, appreciating the beauty of the night.

"Any of you got a lighter?" one of them asked.

"Here you go,"

A few chinks of metal, and a faint, red glow emerged at the tip of the guard's cigarette. The guard took in a deep puff and exhaled. "Thanks, Stefan," he dragged another puff. He sighed. "I've been needing to let off some steam more often."

"We've all had a rough couple of days," one of the guards remarked. "All thanks to this damned BISMARCK. They walk in here on the first day and act like they already own the place- Hey, someone give Gabriel a cig! The kid looks like he needs it too," he said, and all the other guards chuckled.

Gabriel, a guard who looked no more than 16 years old laughed along nervously. "Thanks but... I'll pass,"

"C'mon, just a puff," the guards insisted. "No one's going to arrest you. Besides, you're already in a prison."

The butt of a lit cigarette was offered to him and the men looked amused. "I, well. If all of you insist," Gabriel murmured. He put the cigarette in his mouth and sucked quickly. He dropped the cigarette and immediately began coughing. The men laughed and patted him on the back.

"How long have you been posted here again?" Stefan asked Gabriel.

"Almost a month. Sir," Gabriel cleared his throat.

"How do you find it here?" Stefan asked again.

"It's fine. There's food and a roof over my head right? And that's all I need," Gabriel said. "I do miss my family though."

"Family man, huh?" Stefan smiled. "Don't worry, boy. You'll get used to it. We all have."

"Oi. One of yous was bad-mouthing the BISMARCK," a guard grumbled. "Continue. I freakin hate the BISMARCK."

"Right," one of the guards continued. "They're just a troublesome bunch to work with, is all I'm saying."

"It's an insult!" Another guard said. "The fact that the Empire has to hire these psychos to guard Zultan. I mean, what are we here for? We're the guards of this bloody prison. The Kaiserin doesn't need to hire these... these disrespectful, arrogant jokers to do our job."

"Hush, Tom!" Stefan said. "You do know questioning the Kaiserin's judgment is severely punishable? None of us would want to see you locked up over here."

"Aw. Thanks, Stefan,"

"-Because this prison doesn't have any more room for smelly, fatty freeloaders?" one of the guards interrupted Tom. The rest of them laughed.

"Kiss my arse," Tom said.

"Even if they're insufferable, we have to just go with it. After all, our new boss is a general of theirs. Among the four heads of the BISMARCK to be exact," Stefan said.

"I haven't even seen the guy," a guard remarked. "I hear so much about this cage's new warden but it's like he's rarely even here."

"I've seen him. He's a busy man," a guard said. "He's," the guard shuddered, "he looks dangerous. I'll put it at that. The BISMARCK knows how to pick its leadership."

"How dangerous?"

"Nearly seven feet tall and built like a boulder. And I've never seen someone command such respect from the BISMARCK besides, well, the Kaiserin herself. I've never seen his face. He wears that helmet all the damn time,"