Royal

Dungeons

I pace the hall pausing every once and awhile to take a breath before pacing some more.

"Your going to create a rut in the carpet." Brendon sighs leaning against the arm rest of the thrown. I glare at him but pause my movements.

"He will be put in the town square at 8Am you say? That isn't soon enough."

"Patrick torture looses its meaning when you can't publicly humilate the person yourself." I nod and almost start pacing once more before Brendon gives me the stink eye.

I rub at my eyes with the palm of my hand. I huff and walk out of the room Brendon follows me like a lost puppy as I make my way to Peters room. I walk in and frown when I see he is still asleep. At least he is peaceful, it still hurts to see his beaten down appearance. I want to punch something and the face of the traitor comes to mind.

If only it wasnt the middle of the night. I sit on the edge of Peters bed and slump down. Brendon seems to decide he has other places to be and flits from the room without another word. I shift in my uncomfortable clothes and flop down on the bed. I shuffle to the side as I accidentally hit Peter's feet.

Before I know it I am opening my eyes and waking up. I didn'teven realize I had fallen asleep on the foot of Peters bed. I get up and rush to the main hall. I need to find out the time.

I see Brendon rubbing his face sleepily, bags very apparent under his eyes. He mustn't have had any sleep since I last saw him. When he sees me he straightens up a bit and nods. I feel a wicked smile grow on my lips but I try to will it away.

The pain of others should not bringme pleasure. I repeat this to myself as I make my way to my own chambers to change into a fresh outfit. If I am putting this guy in that pillory stock myself I better look good.

I change into my normal attire that I used to wear before Brendon dressed me like a seductress for Peter. I make my way to the front gates of the castle head held high and I fight the smile when I see the traitor already in a barred carriage.

Time to send the message.

I climb into my own seperate carriage and wait till we start moving. Brendon swings his skinny body in threw the door and takes a seat in the feather cushioned bench across from my own.

He yawns loudly and rests his head against the wooden wall. When the carriage starts moving we bounce around from the holes in the lanes of the town. I wring my hands together nervously of course this isnt a huge affair only locking the guy in the wooden planks and declaring why before leaving.

But this is the first public affair that I have ever attended as king. Of course there was a few balls and declaration signing affairs but this was the first event of this nature. Putting someone on public display for an offence against the kingdom is a pretty big deal to some.

When the carriage rolls to a stop and the door swings open I exit with my head held high. A few of the towns citizens gaze at me curiously most of them holding the mornings shopping.

I realize just how long it has been since the pillory stock has been used when I eye up the massive device of wood and iron. The wood a tad chipped and weathered. The iron hinges groan loudly when one of the gaurds pries it open.

Of course it is castle property so no one ever goes near the slightly raised platform it looms upon. I walk up to the platform and a small crowd is gathering. The small fruit and vegetable stands around the square ignored for the moment.

When the guards open the barred carriage and drag the traitor from within its depths I take a deep breath and stand as straight as possible infront of the growing crowd.

" For offenses against the King, traitorious acts against the kingdom, and following the rule of the past power this man is hereby sentanced to seven days or longer within the pillory stock. If anyone is caught feeding, communicating, or conducting any suspicious activity with the traitor shall be punished under the laws of the kingdom. If anyone else is caught conducting or conspiring any acts against kingdom law shall also face the wrath of not only the law but myself." I project loudly and when I finish i hear my voice echoing around the eerily silent town square.

I watch as the traitor is sealed in between the two wooden planks i cringe because the position is so uncomfortable. A half bent, half standing awkward pose. His head hangs miserably and someone from the crowd throws a tomato directly into his hair.

I almost laugh as the red juice drips from his hair and onto his shoes. I refrain however and tilt my chin into the air and walk off the platform. A guard walks infront of me and another behind as we walk back to the carriage.

I glance over my shoulder one last time and squint threw the suns glare. I see someone staring at me in the corner of the square. I try to look around the gaurds shoulder to see them better but when I do they have disappeared.

Perhaps another one of my father's conspirators.