Discovery (Revisioned)

Chapter 12

Not long after he leaves, two guards come in. They shackle both of us around our ankles and tie our hands behind our back. The Priest, Zarius, walks in as soon as they finish.

"Well good news for you. You get to leave this dungeon.” He says with an evil gleam in his eye. “But don't celebrate too long. We are taking you to another castle.”

He glances at me with mock sadness. “King Anthony has found out about our little plans and is coming to destroy us. I would leave you here for them to kill you, but I need you.”

He walks over to me, grabs a strand of my hair, wrapping it around his fingers, and whispers to me, “You are too much entertainment.” Then louder, “Usually I can get someone to c***k but you, Wizard, have not. You and your pretty daughter are stronger than I thought. I must need to do something more dramatic."

"Don't you dare touch her again!" My Dad says struggling against the guards.

"Or what? What can you do to me?” He cackles. “You say that you are not a wizard, yet, you seem to think that you can hurt me, even though you are surrounded by my men and their weapons." He started cackling louder.

"I will find a way."

"Such big threats," I hear him unsheathe his dagger. "Let's just see what you will do.” He walks over to me. I try and walk backwards and running into one of the guards instead. Zarius’ lips curl up evilly while the guard snickers behind me. “Don't fret, dear, it is unattractive."

Then he punches me in my stomach and, before I have a chance to recover, he slices my arm with the dagger. A soundless scream comes out of my mouth from the pain of all three caused me. I buckle over almost losing my balance but the guard behind me yanks me up by my hair.

He whispers to me,

"You remember me, don't you? I wouldn't find yourself on the ground again while I’m around." Then he starts laughing as he pulls me flush to him.

I shiver violently and that causes him to laugh harder. I hadn't remembered him because I didn't see any of their faces. I took myself somewhere else.

When I look up, I notice Joseph standing behind the Priest, with his eyes and mouth open in shock. I don't know how long he’s there but it’s a good thing that Zarius does not seen him and the guard is too busy ogling me.

When our eyes meet, he looks at the guard behind me and glares at him. "If looks could kill" comes to mind and it sends a small shiver down my spine.

Even as he’s glaring, I can tell he’s thinking. He calms his face enough to give me a soft pleading look that says, "Trust me and do as I say." The he glares back at the guard behind me and steps forward.

"You have had your fun with her. It's my turn." He says while grabbing my arm.

"You don't have a claim on her. We can both have her." The other guard replies with an amused and challenging look to his face.

"I don't like an audience. And I want her conscious so she can see my face."

"Oh, she was conscious alright. And a lot of fun, too."

I can feel the tension radiating from Joseph running up my arm. I try to pull away, but he holds it tighter for a half second until he realizes why, and then releases it a little bit."

"Step away from her, Robert. She is my charge. I am to ensure that she keeps up with us."

"Step back Joseph or I will cut your hand off." Robert says as he unsheathes his sword.

Then Zarius’ laughter cuts through and says, "She must really be something but this is not the time. Robert hand her over to Joseph and put away your sword. We need to leave. Follow me Robert, then Justin I want you to bring our wizard, followed by you Joseph."

Zarius spins around and leaves not even caring if we follow him or not.

The procession starts out of the dungeon while Joseph's hand relaxes on my arm. Coming up behind me he whispers that he’s sorry. Walking through the dungeon, I can smell feces, old food, dried blood, rotted corpses and animals. That’s enough to cause me to throw up water and blood from my throat. They don’t wait for me. Joseph takes this time to speak to me.

"I’m sorry about your arm. Thankfully it’s not too deep.” He mutters as he inspects my arm. “Please don't take this wrong but, I have to get us caught up and this might hurt a little. I don't have a choice or we will all die."

As soon as I stand up, I nod and scream silently as he yanks on my bound arms running as fast as he can without being too loud. It does hurt my arms but I remain relaxed as best as I can. Before long we are at the back of the procession. Right before we reach outside, Zarius hails us to stop.

"We need to wait for my carriage."

So we stand on the side and wait. Joseph has a hold of me but gently. It’s not enough to keep me from shaking. Zarius and Robert are in front watching for the carriage. Justin is standing right in front of us.

He’s looking as though he’s expecting something to happen. Watching him fidget is making me nervous. I’m waiting for the moment my Dad pays the price for his restlessness. He doesn't look like he can handle anymore. Joseph leans in my ear and whispers, where only I can hear,

"I have you. Don't worry. I can feel you shaking and it will not help with the ropes around your wrists. Be patient a little longer. It will only be a few more minutes before the carriage arrives. Followed by the carriage, will be his soldiers. There are about one hundred of them. We fall behind them. That will make it easier for the surprise."

The whole time he’s talking to me, he has a menacing look on his face. I can't tell if he’s mad at me or why he’s looking like that, until Zarius turns around. Joseph notices and tells me to "play along".

"Do share us your news, Joseph. It seems that you need conversation but maybe the prisoner is not the best choice." Zarius says while Robert snickers.

"I have no news to tell, sir. I was just reminding her of what I was going to do to her when we arrive." Joseph said in a very acidic tone.

Even though he’s told me to play along, I can't stop myself from shuddering. I notice my Dad has stiffened at the tone as well. This causes Justin to tighten his hold on him. He gives a subtle shake of the head to my dad. I don't like not being able to see my Dad. He starts struggling as Zarius approaches us. Zarius grabs a hold of my chin and tilts it to his face.

"Oh, yes! I can see what the fuss is about. She is very beautiful. Golden hair, bright hazel eyes, and a slim build. She is pretty, even for one so young.”

He seems to be contemplating something, then he smiles like the cat who finally caught the canary. “I believe that she was a virgin up until a couple of days ago. Am I correct? It is a shame that the wizard will not cooperate. She could have been treated like a Princess. Instead, now even the animals will not come around her. Well, except maybe the rats."

I try to jerk my head out of his grasp, as tears fell, but he hold tighter. I can feel his nails digging into my face. His laugh makes me cringe into Joseph, who has to shove me back.

"Dear girl, this will all stop when your Dad agrees to stop lying and help me. The King is too weak. He believes that these people in the West are our friends. They are not and, when I start this war, he will see what they are capable of. Then he will come to his senses and join me to destroy them all. He only needs help to open his eyes." Then he turns and walks back towards the front while laughing the whole way.

"The carriage is here, sir." Robert calls out.