I wake up again in that damned cell. My wounds were healed. I couldn’t help but notice the same awkward aroma of burnt flesh in the atmosphere. The smell nauseated me, and I decided to breathe through my mouth instead. To my disgust, the fragrance was too dense, I could actually taste it. At that moment, I wished I had stopped breathing.
I stood up to study my cell once more, for any routes as to flee, but the attempts were as failing as ever for my eyes could barely adjust to the darkness. The darkness wasn’t so intense, since there was a small crack in the wall in one of the other cells through which a beam of light could enter. Other than that, darkness engulfed me. I could only make a vague image of the prison. To the other side of my cell, there were three others, each had hallowed figures of men. Skeletons were more of it. How cruel was it, to leave someone die, and not even burry them properly.
Show some respect for the dead, at least.
The thought was sickening enough to make me turn to my sight away. On the same side to my wonderful dungeon, I did not know what lied, but I guess there were another two cells. The two rows were separated by a large corridor. The ground was ragged and uneven. Of course, this room wasn’t built for comfort. To the left far side of my cell, stood a finely made metallic gate, which was the main one to this prison.
The ground in my own room had a slight elevation which was supposedly where I should sleep. Other than that, everything else seemed like a cave. Nothing but stone and coldness. I fall back into my ‘bed’ and examine my body for any wounds still not healed. There were still scars left from whatever they had done to me, but I did not bleed nor feel the slightest bit of pain.
I have to get out of here.
I had no idea what time it really was, but the beam of light gave me a hint. At least I knew it was morning. I had one meal per day. The meal was ‘served’ at about dusk. It wasn’t as luxurious as I would have wished, but I could use a proper meal. My mind drifted on about the juicy texture of meat. I could almost taste it, for I started moving my mouth as if chewing. The thought had watered my mouth. The meal I had here consisted of a loaf of bread, two slices of cheese, and a bottle of water. Thankful as I was they even fed me, I craved for more.
I began to plot my escape. I had no idea how to, but I could use the guards who served my meal. Since my wounds were healed, and I wasn’t half-dead most of the time, I could actually try to kill one of the guards. As the bars of the door where wide enough for the food to pass through, they did not have to enter. They simply placed the try outside and waited till I was done. One would enter to put the food, while the other would inspect from the main door.
While he places the tray, I could reach out for his clothes and smash him into the bars. If I pull him hard enough, it should be enough to knock him down. Trying to choke him could be effective as well, but he may have a chance to stab at me. Then I could pull his body closer and scavenge the keys, if they were with him.
Usually, the other guard had the keys, but sometimes they switched
But first I’d have to silence the other guard as well.
My mind raced. The second guard would prove to be a challenge. I had to draw them both closer, and knock the two of them before they can raise an alarm. I couldn’t feign ill, for they wouldn’t care. For all they know, I’ve been dead for the past few days. I lied motionless usually, so I had to think of something else.
I could act mad ! Bang my head a few times, and scratch at my flesh. That should draw them closer where I can knock them down.
As to how I could find my way out, I did not have the slightest idea.
I sat still, focusing upon my battle-to-be. The task wasn’t not close to easy, but I had to risk it if I wanted to escape, Even if I failed, it wouldn’t be such a dreadful thing. They torture me anyway, and if they decide to kill me, I’d just be as grateful as if I escape.
I watched that beam, moment by moment as the light darkened, slowly changing colour from bright white to pale orange. My excitement had overcome the destructive nature of time. It seemed to be only a matter of minutes before I heard the lock of the door click. The odour still weighed down on my lungs. I rehearse the plan one last time, which wasn’t much, but it was essential to keep me calm. I hear the door squeak open. It did with every movement. It made it easier to know when the guards arrived.
I leap up from my ‘bed’ howling randomly. Thought my own words, I couldn’t understand them myself, which sort of amused me. I started banging my head against the door, which echoed loud, adding to the pain caused by the impact. I scratch and tear at the walls, screaming throughout. I could hear there steps becoming faster over the clamorous mess I was causing. My fingers had started to bleed, and the pain was becoming unbearable, but I couldn’t stop, they had to believe.
“What is going on ?!” exclaimed one of the guards. His tone was more vexed than anxious.
They seemed to eye with disgust and nausea, and it was easy to tell that the scent had caught their noses as well, which made me laugh internally.
“Maybe we should call someone ?” The other soldier nodded in agreement. I couldn’t tell which one had the keys to my salvation, but it did not matter.
“Go, now, call the healer, Anastasia, she should know what to do !”
“Wait !” I shouted, and to my relief and shock, the guard obeyed. “A great mischief shall befall you ! One more step and your family shall suffer. Your children will be in unconceivable pain, and your wife shall lose her sanity.” I had stopped screaming and banging my head, but I could still feel the agony ringing and bouncing from side to side in my head travelling all the way down my spine.
Does he even have a family ?! If not, I am dead.
“Please, no ! Not my family, anything but them !” Relief settled over me.
“Then move back to where you were standing.”
The other guard stood, flabbergasted as the his mate walked till they both were standing right in front of my door. I get closer to them.
“Don’t move. Your queen has damned you, can’t you feel the curse ? She wants to get rid of your families, so that you’d have nothing to lose, and not be threatened by them”
The guards seemed to nod, with blank expressions. The trick had successfully played their minds better than I had thought.
“I can try to take the curse off of you too, but I have one request.” They continued nodding. “I need a proper meal.”
“Just take this off of me !”
“Allow me.” And before they could react their heads had struck the iron bars. The dynamism of my wrench was more than I had originally intended, and I thought that maybe I had killed them, but it did not matter. My strength amused me at times. It was a shame, I thought, that it was only used in battle rather than something useful.
The blood from my nails only seemed to matter then. I examine my hands carefully, and a flashback of all what just happened crosses my thoughts.
Maybe I over-did it. Well, it’s done anyway.
I kneel down on one knee, and reach out for the guards’ legs to pull them closer in order to search them, but they had fallen further than I had anticipated. As I try to reach out more, my face is pressed between the iced metallic bars. I couldn’t fail. My hand were inches away from their bodies, yet I just couldn’t reach them. My plan had failed, I realised, before it even started.
So close, yet so damn far ! I should have thought more about it.
A squeak hurls me away from the door. Someone was here. My heart beat twice as rapid as usual. Whoever it was, they wouldn’t be pleased with what I’ve done. More time could have proven useful to find a way to get the keys, but my plan was blown off before it had begun
