The Dragon's Redemption

Chapter 43 The Ultimatum

The door to their cell opened abruptly as several men walked in and seized their neck chains and hauled on the chains as they lifted the women to their feet. Without a word they were pulled from their room. Brieanna stumbled almost falling as Gwen and Susan steadied her. Ruth took Aednat into her arms carrying her. They were lead into a much larger room. The back of the room was barred and three young dragons watched curiously from behind the bars. They were approximately the size of a small pony. There were three upright posts in the floor and Brieanna's sisters were chained to the posts. Brieanna was force to lay on a wooden platform and she was chained down and her feet locked into stocks. The room was obviously a large cavern. The far side of the room was well lit and contained numerous glass vials, stills and burners. Edward and Brenda stood together watching as the women were chained. "We want the secret of Lemuel's powder. You know it. So don't try to deny anything," Edward said.

"You can shove it!" Brieanna said defiantly.

"You still haven't learned anything," Brenda said softly in her kindness voice. She nodded to a man standing next to Brieanna, he had a long narrow cane in his hand. Holding it with both hands he swung it striking the sole of both of Brieanna's bare feet. She shrieked as the blow landed. He continued the blows. Brieanna vocalized a quiet keening sound with each strike, her eyes closed tight with tears flowing. She clenched her teeth as she grimaced as she was struck again and again. The blows continued until the man finally tired. Blood flowed profusely from her feet. Aednat was curled up in a corner, she had her eyes closed tight and she covered her ears with her tiny hands as her body shook and she wept. "We already know the ingredients, so we are already there, and we have the dragons," Brenda said standing over Brieanna.

"They why do you need us?" Susan asked.

"I don't need you," Brenda hissed, "I will dispense with you, but my formula doesn't work. And you Brie, know why."

"Sam will come looking for me!" Brieanna said.

"He thinks you're all staying over, you won't be missed for another day or so."

"One more lesson for you Brie." Brenda turned to her accomplishes, "the garrote now please." Then she stood smiling as Brieanna's legs were wrapped in a coil of heavy rope. A large rod was placed through several of the loops and two men began to turn the rod, twisting the rope. Brenda continued to smile as the rope was wrenched tighter and tighter and Brieanna began responding to the pain by screaming. "The ropes can be put anywhere, you tummy, your chest...your neck. I have been patient with you Brie, I'll give you the night to consider."

"GO TO HELL!"

"What would Sam think of you talking to his mother like that?" She nodded and the rope was removed. Several men stood her up and began beating her while her arms were tied behind her back. That rope was then flung over a pole and Brieanna hoisted off her feet suspended by her arms tied behind her back. She screamed again as she was hoisted. "You can have the night to reconsider. We leave you all now, good night." Brenda left and locked them in.

"Did Mom ever show you this trick?" Ruth said as she stretched and touched the locks of her wrist shackle releasing it and then her ankles. Susan followed and they rushed to Gwen to release her. Gwen positioned herself under Brieanna until she was straddling her shoulders. Then Gwen stood taking Brieanna's weight relieving the pressure from her arms. Susan released Aednat's shackles and then assisted Ruth to slowly lower Brieanna to the floor.

"What did you do?" Gwen asked Ruth.

"Locks can't hold us. I'll teach you the method once we're free." Aednat rushed to her mother and Brieanna took her into her arms kissing her forehead. "Brie you look like your hurting," Ruth said.