Journey of the Horn

Chapter 3

I went up to my chambers that night. I couldn't sleep, I just sat on the bed watching the snow fall upon a blanket of itself covering the tracks of the day. I wondered what it was like, to be a snowflake floating down to Earth only to be stepped on by the very people who admire your beauty. All but the street lights of the kingdom were dark. But the moon was so bright it lit the world like a white sun. Then I wondered what it would be like to be the man in the moon. Looking down on the land like a oil painting created by a professional artist. I never liked heights, but I would give anything to see that view. I remember mother used to tell me a story. That the moon chooses who will come to power and who will die with nothing but a pile of dirt to bury their corpses. I never believed it was the moon's choice but rather that of the people. We can either help each other with whatever we can or we can leave them helpless. But no matter what I know one things for sure. I will always help if I can, and even if I can't I will when I can. Or let The Great Griffin take me down to Helloriana.

I laid there for hours. I couldn't stop thinking about the ring. I started to wander the castle. All but the main fireplace that heated mine, my families, and the servants quarters were burnt out. So in every other room it was so cold if I had water on my legs I would have icicles for fur. I decided to go see Himi, he was on guard duty down in the dungeon. I went down a long spiral staircase down to the dungeon. There were cells and torches for light all down the halls. Many of the prisoners would hunker together in one corner or another up against the bars trying to keep warm next to the torch. They all had blankets but they had holes and rips in them, almost to the point they weren't blankets any more but rather rags. That is one thing I will change if I become the lord. I will make sure not only is the whole castle warm but so are the prisoners. Many didn't even do really bad things. Many were just here because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time and somehow were seen as involved in scandals and thefts. I found Himi leaning up against a corner between cell halls right next to a torch and with a blanket of his own, but his didn't have holes. "Hey Himi, how is being a guard working out?" I ask just poking my head around the corner. He kind of jolts awake "Huh what who goes there?!" He asks in a panic but then sees it's me "Oh it's just you. I totally wasn't sleeping on the job, what are you kidding." He says as if I am going to get him in trouble. I just laugh "Oh no, you were totally dealing with some rambunctious prisoners." I say jokingly kind of teasing him. "I know one things for sure we need to get them more blankets, and you as well. It must be colder down here than in the highest tower." I proclaim as I myself have a blanket wrapped around my shoulders. "It must be 20 degrees down here." He kinda shakes his head. "Good luck with that, you know just as well as I do that your father hasn't put new blankets down here in at least 1,000 years and I don't think he has any intention of doing so soon."

Himi was right, my father wasn't exactly the nicest person to our prisoners. He believes that if they didn't want to freeze down there, they shouldn't have done the crime. I believed differently, I believed that a lord needed to take care of his people no matter their mistakes. Not that I didn't believe in punishment. I do, if you commit a crime such as theft or trespassing I believe you should be put in the dungeon, but not like this. You should be taken care of better than this. While say if you committed Treason or murder then and only then will I believe this treatment is acceptable. "I'm sure I can convince him, but even if I can't I will do so when I am lord." Himi looks at me a bit funny as if he is holding back a laugh. "And what makes you think you will be the next lord? It could very well be one of your brothers that finds the ring." I get a look of slight fear on my face. "And what makes you think any of them are ready to rule? You know them just as well as I do, and none of them seem fit. All either to irresponsible, ignorant, brash, or just flat out insane just to name a few. And you know that just as well as me, I mean I love them dearly but I don't think any of them are ready to be responsible for so many other peoples lives." I start to rant just a little as Himi listens. "Nubie, I think you need to get some sleep. You're starting to stress out way too much over this. I advise you go get some sleep and we will talk more in the morning." I kinda nod "Okay." As I started to head for the stairs again. Maybe some sleep would help, just maybe.