The House Of Blood and Dust, Book One: Darkness Rising

Peace Is a Lie

Prison feels much like time to think, you sit or stand around in a wonderful little room and think about what you’ve done. I’ve done this before sat in my own bedroom as a punishment for fighting with other boys at school. Saskia is elsewhere alone like I am. I only have the hope that Nicholas will come to break me from this place for his own personal reasons not for any care he may have for me. I sit back down on the shitty excuse for a bed. I look around the grey abyss and try not to breathe in to deeply or the smell of piss and whatever else there may be skulking in the air. The guards walk past time to time muttering something incoherent to themselves or a prisoner. The candles flicker and are soon to fade out but I will not sleep,

          “Who’s the boy in here?”

          “I don’t know… they brought him in after he and his wench killed three men and an armed guard.” I hear the bolts of the door slide and the rustic sound of the door slowly opening, grinding against the door. Two guards wander in with spears firmly in their grasp.

          “Oh boy, what can I do for you fine gentlemen?” Behind them comes a woman, noble by the looks of her: green dress, blonde hair and blue eyes.

          “It’s not what you can do for these gentlemen… it’s what you can do for me.” She smiles and the two guards leave, closing the door behind them. I stand from the bed as she moves closer to me.

          “So what can I do for you?”

          “My assistant told me all about you… I think you’ve met him Tayovason?”

          “Yes I have… why am I to speak to you then?”

          “Because I control this realm… I am Sofia, I am his lover.” She stands in front of me noses nearly touching. Her hair is gracefully tied up, showing off her petite ears and high cheek bones; she is incredibly beautiful. She has overpowered the smells of the dungeon with the scent of freshly picked flowers and fruits.

          “Then let us talk.” I sit back down on the prison cot and she stand in front of me looking down into my eyes.

          “I need you to do something with your particular skills… I need you to infiltrate the castle of the oxo king and kill everyone you see in there… including Nicholas Telver the man you met at the tavern.”

          “What will this accomplish?” She laughs and I smile

          “Well since they want to leave this realm, that is their wish but they shall die… you on the other hand will be the assassin for this and you and that harlot you brought here will be saved and placed back in your own realm to continue with your running.”

          “So you want me to kill everyone I encounter in the oxo king’s castle?” She smiles and nods,

          “That’s perfect and you’ll gain your freedom from this place.” I smile and stand back up. “You may also learn a lot about yourself… also if you want the female that you arrived in here, you’ll have to break her from her cell.”

          “I don’t have a weapon…” Sofia smirks,

          “Then acquire one, wolf.” She leaves, leaving her scent of roses in her wake. Sofia seems the woman not to mess with, her beauty and grace hides her anger and hatred. I follow her out of the cell where the guards close the door behind me. The two guards leave with Sofia and I walk toward the lone jailor.

          “Excuse me jailor… do you know where I can find Saskia Anderson?”

          Yes, I know where that prisoner is… but I shall not tell you for you don’t need to know.” He laughs and I elbow him in the throat pushing in his voice box.