New Eyes

A lazy guard

The young librarian shook the guard fiercely.

"Didn't the king say he'd execute you if he caught you sleeping again?!" She said urgently.

The guard woke with a start, and quickly began remembering the events that transpired. He leapt to his feet and began running towards the council room.

He shouted behind him as he ran "There's been an intruder!"

The priggish magistrates that bickered over law and trivialities in the brightly lit circular room were more than a little startled when the disheveled guard burst through the doors.

"Your majesty! There's been an intrusion into The Hell's Well!" He panted.

King Vex stood from the table and rushed from the council room with reckless fervor. Once he arrived at the library he already had his sword at the ready. The commotion had brought many guards and a few rangers to the king's aid. They crammed into the tight corridor. Raedin's eyes were full of fear when he struck the heavy iron doors. They flew open with a deafening clang.

Valmür looked up from his place on the floor, "Hello there little king," he said with an impish grin "have you finally begun to miss me?"

The king lifted the emaciated man by the neck. The rusty iron chains rattled in protest.

"Who's found you?!" The king shook him.

Valmür smiled triumphantly and winked at the massive royal.

Raedin threw the prisoner across the small room "Speak, you cur!"

Valmür began to cackle, "I'm not gonna tell you a damn thing you sorry bastard".

The king reared back to strike the prisoner, but a firm hand found its way onto his.

"There's no need to dirty your hands with this my liege," a short tanned ranger stepped in between the two. The king glared at the man for a moment before sighing and lowering his fist.

"I suppose you're right Ulsif. Do what you have to," the king said.

Raedin turned and began to walk away knowing that if he didn't leave his temper would soon get the better of him.

"What is it little king? Can't take care of me by yourself?" Valmür taunted after him.

The king gritted his teeth, and left the well before he could lose himself to his anger.

Ulsif sighed, and looked at the prisoner with a smidgeon of pity as he drew a small thin blade from his side.

"Personally," he began, "I don't see why this is necessary, but the king would have my hide if I didn't do my job, and unfortunately I mean that quite literally".

Ulsif gestured for the guards, and other rangers to leave. He had an unsavory task ahead of him that he would not enjoy. He was a master with a blade, and knew exactly where to cut to inflict pain, so he avoided those places, but he still had to make it look convincing which lead to plenty of bloodshed. Once he was convinced that he had inflicted enough damage not be punished he locked down the well, and left.

Valmür let out a sigh of relief as he heard the footsteps exit his prison. He would never give Elysian up, but that didn't mean that torture was fun (even when your torturer goes easy on you). He limped over and sat atop the heavy iron ball that attached to his chains. He prayed for her safety though he doubted the gods cared for him after all this time.

Guards stationed at the Hell's Well were tripled and a ranger was put in direct supervision of the dark hall. Anyone attempting to enter was ordered to be executed on sight. This was the beginning of a sunless time for the kingdom of Rhuluudahn.