In the poorly lit cells of the prison, Anvar and the twins
rested as Linvin sat against the wall opposite Miri and picked at the straw on
the floor. For her part, Miri leaned against the far side of the same wall. She
held her knees tightly to her chest and rested her head upon them.
“Do you know what I really miss seeing since I have been
here?” she asked Linvin.
“There is only one thing?” Linvin answered with a laugh.
She chuckled before answering, “Alright Captain Sarcasm, you
know what I mean. I miss seeing the sky. At home the sky just seemed to go
forever. When there were clouds, they were always so high and distant. When the
sun would set, brilliant hues of peach, yellow, red, silver and a host of other
colors painted the sky like an ever-changing canvas. Every sunset was a
spectacle to see. As much as I enjoyed watching them, I do not think I really
appreciated their majesty until I no longer had the opportunity to view them.”
“I too have seen my share of gorgeous sunsets,” Linvin
agreed. “One would think the sunrises would be as marvelous. Perhaps they were.
For me, though, sunrise usually involved trepidation on my part. It often
signaled the start of a march, or battle. More recently it meant the beginning
of another day of a journey into the unknown.”
“That’s not a very positive way to see something so
wonderful,” Miri noted.
“I suppose,” Linvin answered. “Many times it seems one’s
perspective is colored by the end of the sword they see before them.”
Miri added to his thought, “Or perhaps it is colored by the
fact that you see every day involving a sword?”
Linvin’s voice strengthened and he spoke with pride. “I did
not choose the road I have traveled. Nor have I shirked the responsibilities
given to me. Someone must hold the sword and fight so others can view sunsets.
For a time I was ashamed of my past. Now I see it was simply part of my
training for a greater purpose. I only hope I have the opportunity to finish my
mandate.”
Miri felt guilty for her ignorant statement. She struggled
to find the words to make the situation right once again. “I know we agreed not
to divulge too much information in here,” she said. “Whatever your goal may be,
I hope you attain it.”
Their discussion ended as the riotous noise of soldiers on
the stairs interrupted. Three goblin guards came down the hallway and stopped
at Miri’s cell. “On your feet, Your Highness. It is time for you to move.”
“Which level will I be going up to this time?” she asked as
she pulled herself off the floor.
“Up?” asked one of the goblins. “Your time in the jails
above is over. Lord Mandrean personally decreed you be handed over to Hugon for
interrogation. You are going down to the Room of Horrors. If you do hold
any information, you would be wise to divulge it quickly. The Sergeant has no
patience and will use every means at his disposal to extract it from you.”
“I swear I don’t know any of the things you have asked
about.” Miri argued as they removed her forcibly from her cell.
“Then you will die a slow, methodical, agonizing death,” the
guard said. “Sometimes Hugon lets us watch when the torture really gets
intense. I hope I am one of the lucky ones who gets to watch you die.”
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