Beyond Eternity

DAY 8

The boy woke up early that day, but the girl was still ahead of him, he found that she wasn't where she slept and was nowhere to be seen.

“I think she's out gathering food again—” the boy said loudly before suddenly feeling pangs of pain in his forehead.

“Ouch... I can't do anything today either.” he said. “I’m just a statue for the time being, how annoying.”

In a few moments, the girl opened the door and looked inside, smiling cheerfully. “Good morning my royal vegetable. How are you today?” she said.

“I feel terrible.” He replied.

“Well, that's to be expected,” She said. “so much for that, please do join me on our royal feast!”

“Feast? What did you get today?” He asked.

“This.” the girl said as she held a hen above her waist.

“Well, I guess a chicken for the day is nice.” He replied.

The girl put the hen in a corner as she brought in more vegetables, with it, she also had some fruits. After she had prepared all of the materials, the girl took the hen once more and left the tower.

“I'm sorry dear hen.” she said.

“Well, that's gone, glad I wouldn't have to witness it.” thought the boy to himself.

After an hour or so, the meal was prepared and once more, the girl began feeding the boy as is the routine. The boy on the other hand, as he was chewing, asked the girl a question.

“I know you'll reveal everything after I'm healed and all but.”

“Yeah?” She responded.

“But I want to ask this one now since it won’t take long, what is your name?”

The girl, surprised, said “I forgot to tell you huh? Well, so did you so you first!”.

“Then,” The boy said, clearing his throat. “hear me, royal subject, for I am king Lucas of the Waltham family!”

The girl, laughing, responded. “My dear king, it is an honor, I am merely a peasant girl, unworthy of your call.”

“Stand up, girl, and tell me your name!” said Lucas.

“As you say your highness.” The girl, acting formally answered. “I am Claudia, hailing from the humble Carmine family, at your service.”

“Now that's over with right?” asked Claudia.

“Yes, it is, thank you.” replied Lucas.

“Say, Claudia, why are your eyes—”.

“Sssh, that's not for you to know right now.” Claudia said, abruptly ending Lucas's sentence.

“Well, alright then.”

“Now then, say aaaah...” said Claudia cheerfully as she held the next spoonful in front of Lucas.

Soon enough, the two had finished eating. After Claudia cleaned the dishes and returned, she spoke once more.

“Well, I lead you to this place for a reason after all.” She said.

“Did you perhaps plan for me to read another one of those journals when I arrived?” Asked Lucas.

“Correct.” She replied, pulling out a small book from behind her. “It’d be awfully inconvenient for you to read it at your current state.” She continued.

“That’s alright—”

“Which is why, I’ve taken the liberty of having to read it to you instead!” She said.

“But—”

“Allow me to start at the very beginning.” She said and then cleared her throat.

“Fine, do as you wish.” Said Lucas and sighed. Claudia merely laughed. She began to read the book right there and then.

I am a held prison here, deep underground within this wretched island.

Those scum double crossed me! I didn’t think they’d sell me out after I brought them some fine leather too!

“Oh?” wondered Lucas. “So the writer of this journal is a prisoner I see, but is there any mention of this person’s name?”

“No, there isn’t” Replied Claudia. “Most likely, she didn’t want his identity found out in case one of the guards or other people read it.”

“If that’s the case well, he defeated the point when he talked about how she got in prison.” Said Lucas. “Wait, did you just say she?”

“Well, I guess you’re right and yes, I did.” She replied and resumed reading.

I’ve been here for weeks now and I’ve seen the layout of this prison, those times the guards bring us to get some sun, I let myself familiarize the place, and at this point, I’m confident I know all it’s nooks and crannies.

I had Bort do me some favors, in the wee hours when no guards are patrolling, I have him bring me the other prisoners whom I “befriended.” Soon enough, I can have all the prisoners here act as a single unit, then we can finally devise an escape plan.

“I shall skip to a more important part, if you don’t mind.” Claudia said.

“Sure, go on.” Replied Lucas.

I’ve been hearing some rumors from the guards, it seems they’ve been too lax. Apparently, the kingdom is in a state of confusion and this might possibly cause it to fall apart. Perhaps it would be possible to use this situation to our advantage.

Claudia skipped a few more pages.

The guards have been riled up, it seems that the higher ups are making them do less than desirable jobs, those fools, it would be far easier if they let us handle it. We just want freedom after all. Besides, giving Bort his rewards for his efforts in helping is really starting to wear me out.

I don’t think it’ll matter much anyway. I’ll be free soon enough.

I already have one of the less conspicuous prisoners steal some the keys to the cells around, I really didn’t think it’d be that easy, but it was. Now the plan I told them was to release the prisoners that can be released when the guards are gone, the rest of us will rally and draw their attention, the released ones are to knock them out and take the rest of the keys. Now, if only this plan could work just as smoothly.

“The rest of the pages are empty actually.” Said Claudia. “That is, until we reach near the end of it aaand… There we go.”

I found this book lying around the now empty prisoner’s quarters, so it was that scheming woman who was in charge all along.

“Oh? Who’s the one writing this time?” Lucas asked.

“Most likely one of the prison guards. The way this person wrote his words implies such.” She replied.

We were all worked up that night, we had just received orders to throw in several people whom we knew to be innocent civilians, the noblemen who did the accusations didn’t allow for any rebuttals and they were officially stated guilty before they knew it. We knew it was wrong though, everyone did, but we couldn’t refuse their orders. It appears that amidst all the confusion sown among ourselves, the ones imprisoned managed to make use of it and escape, it was timed well, while we lacked morale and were vulnerable. Now, they’re hiding all over the kingdom and I can only assume that they now know of the reason we’re all fighting among ourselves.

“The Elixir of life, huh?” Said Lucas,

“Indeed.” Replied Claudia,

I’m tired off all this, even if the tension from within dies down, there’s no way I’ll escape without due punishment for allowing the prisoners to roam free.

“That’s where it ends.” Said Claudia.

“I see.” Said Lucas. “But I have some questions.”

“Ask them.”

“What kind of crime did the prisoner commit to get in there in the first place?”

“Well, remember the part where it said she was selling some leather?”

“Yeah, but that doesn’t seem wrong does it.”

“I skipped the part where it is implied, but it appears that the kind of leather she was selling around… Was made with human skin, gathered from her own acts of murder along with those made by other people. It appears she once had a sizable network from which she gathers them from.

“That’s… Scary.” Said Lucas.

“Isn’t it?” Replied Claudia. “Any more questions?”

“One more, I’ve learned so far that this kingdom was struggling and that its root cause was the elixir of life from the other journals. What does this one in particular contribute to it.”

“Well, I do admit this one is pretty much the same thing you read before, only from the eyes of another, but don’t worry, it’ll all come back around soon enough.”

“Ah yes, it is you who knows all about it after all.”

Claudia gave him a smile. “Now, are you hungry? Feel like having dinner?” She asked.

“Yeah, I suppose it’s about time.” Replied Lucas.

The two ate their fill of the same chicken and fruits from that morning. The sun was already down by the time they finished, the night was young, but seeing as there was nothing left to be done. Both decided to drift off to sleep.