The Iron Grip

Chapter 14

Lusamine had done it. She had captured Lillie, and now she knew what had to be done. Lillie would have to go. Lusamine knew that Gladion would find out, and rebel against her. To prevent that she needed a plan.

"Hobbs, would you care to call Gladion", Lusamine said calmly

"Yes your majesty", Hobbs replied. Moments later, Gladion was standing in front of Lusamine.

"I have a job for you Gladion."

"What is it mother?"

"I need you to head to our ally in the far west, and pay homage to their new ruler and his queen."

"Why can't you?"

"I have bigger plans that do not concern you."

Gladion knew this meant Lillie. What he did not know was that Lillie was slumped in a cage beneath the floor that he stood on.

Meanwhile, Lillie awaited a sickening meal of prison-gruel. When she saw who it was that brought her food, she shouted. For it was not Hau or Gladion, or any random maid. It was Mallow.

Thousands of thoughts clogged her brain, so many that Lillie could only squeeze a small hi out of her mouth. It was nice to know Mallow was safe, but now Lillie could not help them escape.

On the other side of the bars, Mallow stared longingly into Lillie's green eyes.

"I promised I would find you didn't I?", Mallow giggled.

"Not like this."

"Why so forlorn?"

"Lusamine will execute me. This is the outlaw dungeon. Outlaws are to be killed on sight."

"But you aren't dead yet, and the guards who brought you here saw you."

"Mother doesn't do anything without purpose. She means to publicly execute me."

"You expect the worst."

"You act like people aren't evil. You act like we live in a queendom built on peace!" 

Mallow was not having any of this. "I was reared with outlaws! Where did you grow up?"

"I witnessed the hangings and murders of countless citizens from the castle balcony."

"Liar!"

"How would you know!? Living in the mountains with your perfect little family and perfect little life?"

"Ever noticed how I don't have a mother?" Mallow's angry expression softened into one of fear and sadness. "We used to live in the tundra, free souls wandering happily. Then one day your royal imbeciles raided our camp, killed my mother and countless others. Then upon that soil they built their tent city."

Lillie stopped talking. She rolled into a ball and faced the other end of the cave.

"Cry all you want Lillie. It wont change anything!" With that, Mallow stormed out of the dingy dungeon.

Gogoat edged closer to the bars and Lillie stroked its huge head. How was she going to get out? No one was going to help her, and the day of execution could be tomorrow, or next week.

Water trickled gently down the walls of the dungeon. Water. Water and metal means rust. If one of these iron bars was rusty, Lillie could destroy it and then squeeze her way out. It was a start.