Carmine (Completed)

Chapter 12

Archonmin was a huge and amazing site. The walls were sky blue with embossed shapes and strokes of human art that flowed with a stroke of sharp motions.  

A child pointed up at the two lion impressions of brilliance carved into the wall deep on either side of the black metal gate that raised high.

We were currently Kello's prisoners. Though, I was not being held in a metal meshed cage as Valor was, for I was allowed to sit on a horse even if my hands were tied. I was in the capital city of Eathen now and Kello probably planned to parade me before the King to gain favor.

How the King of Eathen would react to me was a mystery to me, but I knew his wife, so I carried that up my sleeves.

Valor refused to speak to them and mostly kept silent as the horse-led cart rocked on the road to the palace. Xallion and the other Justice made for good conversation. 

Xallion was their leader and lead the procession on horseback, while the bishop lounged inside a carriage. 

Still, I could not deny a sense of safety around all those men. No one would dare attack the great Eathen Judgments.

We continued onward making note of the low buildings of wooden roofs, and brick walls. In the distance, a deeper sight presented before our gazes, revealing the large maze-like temples of the city.  Tall buildings overlooked the man-made mounds. A swift zephyr hits my face with dust off the cracked streets.

The heat was insufferable as the pungent smell of the city's wastes flowed like a black river along the many dark corners of the close-knit houses.

My eyes fluttered as I kept my chin up and fought the harsh air.

We reached past the slums and lowly housing with their hands close to their weapons, yet there was more serenity here. The buildings were not so low, but of various uses and sizes. From granaries, stores, and large carts with fresh ground provisions, and fruits on sale, so it was a delicious selection.

We reached the holy ground of the Erot Grand Chapel. It was a large set of buildings all built and grouped with the splendor of slender bridges and opaquely structured walls. 

I crumbled before the height of this place. This was my new home and where I would be provided a bed, while Valor was carted off. 

I was taken to my room. White walls surrounded us. The bed was large and thick columns at its diagonal drove into the canopy with a headboard carved with delicate curves. It was fitted with milky brown sheets and an iron stair led up to its high presence. 

The window was large with bars covering the inner side of it, while a short curtain clasped to the wall thanks to metal cuffs on either side. It was unlikely to be killed by an outside assailant.

I breathed out. The cold of the night came to my doorstep. I was glad somewhat, yet saddened to some extent.

"Is this to your liking?" the male retainer asked.

"Yes, this is good," I said, turning to smile. 

"An attendant will be coming to assist you soon."

From the corner of my eye, I noted the other smaller, flatter bed in the corner. I twisted my lips and uttered, "No males."

The retainer nodded and left. 

By the time I got to sleep, I was swiftly woken. Much to my chagrin, another retainer brought me to a dungeon. The walls were grimy with rough streams of liquid and I was not sure if it was water or not. We passed by some cells. Most were empty, but one was not, and Valor was in that one.