Jeneria: Defenders of Ausmik

CHAPTER EIGHT - ABUDOX PRISON

White marble pillars and ancient sculptures were decorated around the dome-shaped prison, causing it to resemble a religious sanctuary more than an forlorn chamber of imprisonment. There was only a single visible entrance, darkened and just wide enough for Alexander to squeeze through. A burst of cold air caught him by surprise as soon as he entered, and each of his steps echoed into the hollow air. He took small cautious steps, hoping that the area ahead would soon lighten.

The corridor became more narrow and suffocating, so Alexander's steps turned into rushed strides. Then finally, a sliver of light appeared ahead of him, and as he approached it, the entire corridor began to lighten. The light didn't come from any placed torches, nor from the blocked sun, but from an undetectable source.

Once he emerged from the corridor, he found himself in a large, but almost empty, cathedral, where a man, who was faced away from him, stood at the other end.

Alexander hesitated before taking his next step; the stranger had yet to turn to him. Before proceeding any further towards his potential executioner, Alexander stopped.

"What is this?" he said, only half-expecting a response.

The stranger turned, revealing a knife in his hand. Alexander could see that he had been cutting fruit, but he was still hesitant.

"This is Abudox Prison," said the man.

"Obviously," said Alexander, "but what kind of prison is this?—no cells or guards? Is this some trick?"

The man scanned the prison left and right, then up and down. "No," he said. "I don't believe there are any tricks here—only truths."

Alexander looked the man up and down, noticing that his attire resembled that of an old beggar.

"You seem anxious," said the stranger.

"Of course I am. Who are you? Are you a prisoner, too?"

"No, no," said the man, almost too softly to hear. "I'm no prisoner."

"I don't understand. The infamous Abudox prison—the prison of no escape—is simply a cathedral housing a beggar? What's to keep me from walking straight out of here?"

The man looked beyond Alexander at the empty corridor, then back at him. "I suppose nothing," he said, "at least from what I can see."

"Are you suggesting that there's something that exists beyond your sight?"

The man shrugged.

Alexander surveyed the prison, then smiled and laughed to himself. "There's an archer hidden somewhere ready to shoot me once I try to escape, isn't there?"

"No," said the man, setting his knife on the table. "It's only you and me."

Alexander stood unconvinced. "Who are you?"

"I am titled, Alabanshee," said the man, "but you may address me as the beggar if you'd like."

"I know your name. Alabanshee Shire—the most dangerous assassin in the Ausmik. You say that you and him are the same?"

Alabanshee bowed slightly, "Aye. That is what I say. Do you believe it?"

"I believe nothing that anyone says, but considering what I've seen, I don't think it impossible."

"No? You seem to be more open-minded than I initially credited you. When I heard I was to receive the notorious Alexander Wardrem, I imagined you to be somewhat of a brainless brute. Forgive me for my prejudgment, but it'll ease you to know that your open-mindedness is essential to escaping this prison."