No Greater Love

Chapter Fifteen

Again I made the frightful journey through the dark halls. My feet felt like led dragging across the stone floors. I could even hear my own raspy breath. With only a bit of grey light floating in through the small, high crevasces that served as breathing holes for prisoners, I could see Alex, weak and weary, stir in his sleep. The light which fell upon him seemed fantastical like in a story book I once read.

Oh, how I longed for a smell of a book, to feel the worn pages pass through my fingers. But I feared that that time would never come. I may never feel the beautiful books inside the library; never feel the hairs of Goldie, never hear the joyous sound of Mrs. Gresham's voice. I sighed. But then I heard the rich voice from the dream telling me, "I am with you."

What? Who said that? I asked in my mind.

The Lord God Almighty. I will be with you... At this His voice trailed off into silence.

These words gave me much-needed joy and strength to journey on. My steps livened and the breath I drew seemed fresher. "I can do this." I mouthed to myself. Of course the guard though I was losing my mind and eyed me suspiciously as my expressions changed swiftly.

My happiness changed quickly to confusion when we turned a corner through which I had never been. "Where are we going?" I asked.

"None of your buisness." He stated warily. I could tell by his soft expression of secretion that he wanted not to hurt anyone. Perhaps he was forced into his position.

I sighed, "Fine."

Soon we arrived at several flights of wooden, back-less, stairs. As we passed the cobwebbed corners I glanced out of the dusty arched window pane adjacent to us. The world was grey and it appeared to be early spring. I longed to stay and stare at what little outside I could, but was tugged forward by the pudgy man who was already out of breath. I smiled forcefully and continued creaking up the wooden stairs.

After climbing hundreds of stairs, we arrived at a long hallway carpeted in deep red with gold trimmings. On the walls hung pictures of ominonus armored men. Looking at them sent chills down my already cold body.

Thankfully, we soon arrived at an iron plated door with square studs of the same color welded onto them. The door was just as ominous as the pictures. Two lightly armored young men reached thier chain-mailed hands for the thick handles and opened the door. One was quite handsome with dark scruffy facial hair and a stern brow. The other had thick strawberry blonde hair and a rather thick beard, braided at the end. As we passed through the large doors they nodded in acknowledgement.

I turned from their attention to the large, dirt floored arena into which I had entered. I scanned my surroundings...thick stone walls with a ceiling of chains. Fog filled the arena and a musty smell floated through the thick air. I walked, neglecting the thought of where I was stepping. Consequently, I soon stepped into the disgusting pool of what was giving off the horrible smell--blood. The poor victim appeared to have been struck several times, at last falling to his knees to the terrible mercy of his master--Almasa. The fiend.

This horrible towering man lumbered authoritatively through the fog as his long midnight colored cloaked whisked clear the pathway before him. His forehead wrinkled as his dark eyes pierced through his pepper colored thick eyebrows. Anyone would be intimidated by him.

Following behind his heavy booted feet were four lightly armored broad shouldered men. 

After approaching me and placing his leather gloved hand firmly on my small chin he spat, "Victoria," I couldn't help but look at his face. His teeth were yellowed and his breath smelled of putrid fish. His thick greasy brown hair hung limply on his shoulders. His rough beard only added to his rough attitude. "You will answer this question, or your entire kingdom will perish. Is that clear?" He demanded. 

"Ha! You could never defeat us with your, what, fifteen men?" I bluffed. "You have no idea of our power."

At this he nearly crushed my jaw. "Oh no dear, " He whispered, "You have no idea of my power." 

Lord Almasa raised his dark fist in the air signaling his men. At this they raced to the four huge gates and shoved down levers. As the chains rattled the sound of thousands of men roaring rose from the four  enormous halls. 

I was taken aback when ten thousand fully armored men charged out of the halls and into the arena raising thier axes, swords, rifles, and bows in the air shouting. Even more scared was I when they charged straight for me. I, scared for my life, ran to the back of the wall and grabbed a broken yet thick, splintered piece of wood. Thankfully, I needed not to use it for lord Almasa had halted the men with a flick of his wrist. 

My breath quickened as Almasa walked quickly up to me and repeated, "You have no idea of my power. So, what will it be, your gold? or your people?"  

(c) doveseyes 2015