Araman

~ 23 ~

   Too weak to walk, Kassen's limp body was dragged across the stone floor. The chains that bound his hands made a soft scrapping noise as it trailed along the ground with him, to the foot of the stairs leading to the throne where King Baynil sat waiting.

Through half closed eyes the General saw that people had gathered either side of the hall. The decorations from the ball had long since been removed and the room looked far less inviting than when he had first been shown around the castle; despite his only view being the cold walls of a prison cell for the last week. At least he thought that was how long it had been.

Since Dergen last visited, the beatings had become more frequent and the lack of food had made Kassen unable to fend off most of the attacks. His body was now bruised and bloody and he could only imagine what he must have smelt like.

The guards, who had hold of either arm, dumped the General unceremoniously before the King and the other attendees. Kassen only just managed to hold himself off the floor with his arms, his head lolling between them.

"It almost sickens me to have to treat a guest like this, but I am even more sickened that a guest in my Kingdom would do me such wrongs." King Baynil's tone was solemn but unforgiving.

"There are far worse wrongs afoot, your highness." Kassen managed to wheeze at the floor, he suspected he had more than one broken rib which made it difficult to breath, let alone talk.

An overzealous guard stepped forward and pulled Kassen's head up by his hair, he could just about feel his scalp prickle through the other pain the movement caused him and was disheartened to see Dergen's mocking smile from where he stood beside the King.

"You will look at the King when you are spoken to." The guard growled, tugging hard before releasing his grip on Kassen's hair.

"Forgive me." Kassen gritted, clutching his midriff as he tried to stay upright on his knees and look to where the King sat, both hands clutching the arm rests of his throne as if trying to cling to some hope long vanished.

"For which crime?" Zea Dergen sneered, his mocking smile still present.

"I believe I was talking to the King." Kassen retaliated.

"You do not deserve that honour."

"Nor a fair trial, it seems."

"Silence!" The King demanded.

Baynil's eyes had black rings around them and his beard had gotten longer. He looked as if he had not washed or slept in days and he slouched in his throne like a wilting flower, but there was no mistaking his derisiveness towards the man he had welcomed to his Kingdom not so long ago.

"I have brought you here to be judged before the court as advised by my council..."

"You mean Dergen." Kassen coughed.

His exhaustion and certainty of death made him bolder than would have been sensible in the situation. He barely flinched when one of the guards held up a hand to strike him for his insolence.

Before the hand had a chance to land the King shook his head and eased himself out of his throne, he wobbled on shaky legs before composing himself and walking down the few steps towards the general.

Close up it was clear to see that the King looked as ill as Kassen felt. His eyes were bloodshot and weary and his posture slouched. However, his haggard appearance made him all the more menacing and Kassen found himself regretting what he had said. Now was not the time to provoke the King but to make him see reason. He could not be the only one aware of Dergen's power over the King and his people.