Darkest night

Chapter One

The ground was coated in slime and it chilled his bones, it made him feel sick as he thought of what he was laying in, the blood on the floor of the tower hall soaking into his clothes. No, he needed to push those thoughts away. Barrek had waited for this day. As he lay longing in his dark cell, his dreams had been filled with nothing but this thought. The day where he would finally have freedom. His heart pounded erratically as he waited. Could he escape? Had all his day's trapped here made him weak? Barrek shifted his weight lower, trying to become part of the floor itself, trying to ease the faint pain in his side, he prayed that one day he would be able to give Roland the beating he deserved. He gently rubbed the ribbon tying back his brown hair, warmth seeped into his bones. His time in Glendore was at an end, stealing his nerves, he readied himself. He would make it. He had to, this was his only chance to return home. Lesil had waited long enough for him. A half smile touched the corner of his lips. Barrek held still, the sound of boots clicking on the floor was headed his way. Slowly,the sound grew louder. Barrek smirked as he pictured the look on their faces when they saw him out of his cell. Stifling a laugh he pushed himself deeper into the darkness. The air around him closed up, he was invisible, darkness was his friend, the thrill of the chase was reawakened inside him. All his pains gone from his thoughts, the days of fear and loneliness ended right here; he was ready.

"You know, I cannot believe that they still have us walk these halls." Said a deep voice around the corner. "When was the last time a prisoner escaped?"

"Not a one." Chuckled the second man. "In my knowledge, we haven't seen a soul leave the tower once they were put in there. Those fools could not find their way down here in the light." Barrek held back a growl as the men laughed. "Darkness is all they know now."

"You should have heard how this one man begged today. He begged for me to end his life, as I cut his fingers off, one by one. The fool should remember that nothing will stop me from bringing pain but giving us what he knows."

Both of the men laughed. Barrek clenched his fists, and tried not to pummel them both, just a few more steps and all would be well. He gently reached into his pocket. The metal felt icy to the touch, he drew the copper coin up and held it to his face. The coin was only a shadow in his hand, he had seen the king's face on it many times, he no longer needed the light to know the shape, to know the copper colour. A long time had he kept this in the side of his boot. Barrek eased himself against the wall and inched his way towards them. The coin burned in his palm, just waiting to be used, his fingers itched to toss it. Not yet though. He had only to wait a minute more.

"Did you see the king today? All dressed in his finery sitting atop his horse, trying to look his grandest." The voice laughed. "As if he could really do anything but sit and look pretty, if it was not for us this kingdom would have fallen years ago."

"I would not speak of such things too brazenly." The two men stopped walking. Barrek held his pace, he could not let them find him yet. "If the king hears of your talk it's the tower for you, I do not wish to see your hand on my chopping block."

"Do not fret so, none hear us in this lonely hall." The man clapped the other soldier on the shoulder, urging him onwards. "Who would tell the king that I think he is a worthless dog not fit to have my table scraps." He laughed. "The man wouldn't dare come to this side of his own castle, he might dirty his royal feet."

Barrek smirked, finally they were close enough, he kissed the coin for luck and rolled it in front of them. Both men stopped and looked for the sound, ready to attack if need be, the one guard reached down and plucked the coin from the floor, he held it out to his friend and they both laughed.

"A coin! What silly little maids we are to be frightened by a coin, it must have been hidden under that table and we kicked it out." He tapped the top of the table near the door and stuck the coin in his pocket.