The falcon's daughters

Chapter 18

Outside the cell, the rattle from keys were heard and a guard opened the door. He pointed to Kit.

- He wants to see you.

Lesia got up and looked upset at the guard.

- But she is only a child.

The guard held up a hand to stop Lesia’s objections and said calmly.

- Don't worry. He has ordered her to be taken to the throne room.

Lesia exhaled with ease and held a hand to her chest as she sat down on the bunk.

- Blessed be the gods.

- Lesia are you okay? Why…

- I’m fine. Now go before he gets annoyed.

The guard closed the door and led her through the corridors to the throne room. In a deep blue velvet tunic studded with silver embroidery, Crayden sat on his throne. The guard released her arm and stood in a corner of the hall.

- So what do you think of my dungeon?

Kit smiled sweetly and put every grain of disdain she could muster in her voice.

- Very charming. I understand that you have designed it according to your own personal taste. Even the venerable stench resembles you.

- Then you should be happy with my offer if you do not like the smell. You can live like a queen here. With beautiful dresses and servants that obey your every wish. I only ask for one thing in return.

- And it would be?

- That you give me an heir.

His words made her choke on the very air she breathed and she stared at him in disbelief.

- You must be completely crazy.  I'd rather share the bed with a rotten corpse.

- I understand that you must be shocked.

Craydens voice started out soft as honey to turn to a more malicious tone.

- You need some time to think about the generous offer that has been given to you. Guard! Take her back to the cell and bring the woman to my room.

Crayden stormed out of the hall and the same guard who brought her there brought her back to the cell. Lesia got on her feet as soon as Kit entered the cell.

- Kit! Is everything alright?

Kit burst out laughing.

- I can't believe he was serious.

- What happened?

- Lesia.

The guard interrupted them and nodded towards the door.

- I understand. He wants to see me.

- I'm afraid so.

Lesia walked with heavy steps toward the door. 

- I'll talk to you later Kit.

The door closed behind her and Kit sat down on the bunk. She pulled her feet up on the edge of the bed and leaned her chin to her knees. An eternity seemed to pass before the rattle of keys was heard and Lesia was again let into the cell. Kit flew up from the primitive bed and gasped in horror as the light from the corridor fell over Lesia's face. One of her eyes was bulging and covered with a dark bruise and a clear c***k appeared in her lower lip.

- Lesia, what happened?

She called out and rushed over to the woman’s side.  Quietly she helped her to sit down on the bed and then picked up some water and the cloth. She moistened the cloth and gently wiped the blood from the corner of Lesia's mouth.

- Crayden did this didn't he?

- It's alright Kit. This is one of his sick pleasures.

She took the cloth from Kit’s hand and gently pressed it against her mouth. Kit sat down next to her and took her hand in hers.

- Lesia, how did you end up here?

- The same way you did. Crayden saw me and wanted me. I've been his prisoner for ten years. Once upon a time, it feels like it was another person's life now. 

She smiled sadly and wiped away a tear when she remembered her once happy past.

- But there was a time when I was happy. I was betrothed to a good man. His name was Nerill. He and Crayden grew up together and at that time Crayden's father, Lord Carraz, reigned. We lived in a quiet country but all that changed when Lord Carraz died. Crayden took over and Nerill became captain of his personal guard force. One day he brought me to meet Crayden. But he took a twisted liking to me and decided that he would have me at all costs. Nerill and he argued for several days about it and one day he told him that if Nerill swore him eternal loyalty he would let me leave the Plainlands. To save me, he agreed, but he didn't know that Crayden had already captured me.

- But doesn't he know you're here?

- Even if he did know, it wouldn't matter. Nerill is bound by his honor. That was why Crayden wanted eternal loyalty from him. His honor forbids him from breaking a promise he has made even if that which was given to him was false. Kit when you are around Crayden you have to be careful. He has a very sick mind. He likes to add to women's pain and make them submit to him. Now tell me what he told you.

- He offered me nice clothes and servants if I gave him an heir. I said that he was completely crazy and that I would rather share the bed with a rotten corpse.

Lesia giggled and tried to contain her laugh behind the cloth.

- You didn't tell him that did you?

Kit nodded and smiled.

- Yes. He said I needed some time to think about the generous offer he gave me.

- He won't give you long. At most you will get a day or two.

- I'm not going to have a child with him. Just the thought of him touching me makes me nauseous.

Two days later came the day they were waiting for. At dawn, the guard came to once again bring Kit to the throne room. There, Crayden waited impatiently for her.

- Now that you've had a little more time to think. What do you say about my offer?

- That I would rather stay in the cell than share a bed with you.

- I'll make you regret that decision.

- I'd rather die than have a child with a smelly pig like you.

Kit let all the spite she felt for him fill her voice and Crayden’s reaction was eminent. The rage exploded in his eyes and he quickly crossed the large room and took her arm in a painful grip. His cold gray eyes met the flaming wrath in her green. 

- I'll tame you girl. You can trust that. This just makes my victory all the more enjoyable.

- Remove your dirty hands from me. 

She janked her arm out of his grip and quickly clenched her hand and her fist landed on Crayden's chin. The combined surprise and power from the strike made him tumble a few steps back.

- Guards!

A couple of guards rushed into the room and grabbed Kit by the arms while Crayden brushed away some invisible dust grains from his emerald green silk robe.

- The girl needs to learn what the consequences will be of putting a hand on a nobleman. Take her to the pole and give her a dozen lashes.

- Yes sir.

- And use the three tails.