 
       
|
DragonlustChapter XVI: Death By Execution
The dungeons of the Fire Breathing Fortress aren’t much to look at. No tapestries, no decorations, just solid stone cells and strong iron doors. Well....at least that's the way it used to look. Now the dungeons are even less to look at. Probably because now there is less there to look at. Now the ‘strong iron doors’ are all mangled and bent, evidence of the powerful explosion that shook the fortress’ very foundation some days past. There are many cells in the dungeon but punishment in Dragon Master land is usually very swift and most of the cells are never used.
Now there was only one prisoner. A man named Bargon who had once been a knight in the ranks of the Dragon Masters and was now awaiting his punishment. Even in the aftermath of the explosion the jail guards had managed to fix up a small cell for the man. As slapped together as his cell was Bargon still found it hard to escape. What with the two guards (Stupid and Stupider as he had named them) watching him day and night. Bargon did hope to escape his fate however, and had set his mind to it ever since his brother had been sent away. If he could escape this trap he had a feeling he would never be bothered by Targon again.
Unfortunately for him, his time was up. Lord Void had been too busy to bother with Bargon before but now....well, now Stupid was bringing Bargon his breakfast and he had an unsettling look in his eyes.
“Here you go Rat. Hope you like bread and water because that's all you're gonna get fer your last meal.”
Bargon looked down at the ‘food’, Bread and water? It looked more like a lump of coal and a bucket of sewer water.
“You like the bread?” said Stupider, grinning. “I made it specially the way you likes it. Extra stale and extra crispy. It’s been sitting in the dragon feed fer days. I guess even they wouldn't eat it.”
Bargon’s stomach revolted. And he had thought for certain that they wouldn’t be able to find anything worse then what had been served yesterday.
“Forget about that.” Stupid said, pushing his compatriot out of the way. “Didn’t you hear what I said about your last meal? That’s right. You’re going to be dead before noon."
“Ah,” said Bargon, breaking his ‘bread’ against the stone wall. “And what, pray tell, is the form of my demise to be?”
“I heard it was death by execution.” said Stupider.
Bargon spat. Weather it was astonishment at Stupider's stupidity or the revolting taste of his ‘bread’ that prompted it is really hard to say. But Bargon did say something after he had fully recovered and it wasn’t very polite.
“Death by execution? That’s about the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. It’s like saying ‘Getting killed by someone killing you’.”
Stupider would have been furious at the insult if he hadn’t been so confused by the last part.
“Anyway,” said Stupid. “Lord Void gave the execution orders just before he left.”
“Wait.” said Bargon “You mean that Lord Void is gone?”
“That's what I said, isn’t it?”
It was too perfect. Bargon had been saving his ace in the sleeve but now that Lord Void was gone it was even better.
“Gentlemen,” Bargon said “you can cancel your execution plans for this evening because as of this moment I am appealing to Lord Void.”
The two guards stood there for a while trying to contemplate what Bargon had said.
“Can he do that?” asked Stupid.
“I think he can.” said Stupider “It’s in the rules: If a man appeals to Lord Void he must see Lord Void. Just like Caesar.”
“Oh, don’t tell me you actually read those fairy tales.”
I doubt it. thought Bargon. I doubt he can read at all.
“But what are we gonna do?” said Stupid again. “Lord Void is gone.”
“If I were you,” said Bargon, “I’d go get Del Grakken or possibly Caimlin.”
Stupidcomision de doctorado granada and Stupider looked at each other and then, at the same time, ran off to get help.
It wasn’t long before Caimlin walked into the dungeon.
“All right Bargon,” he said angrily. “What’s this all about?”
“Caimlin?” Bargon said in response. “Couldn’t you find Del Grakken?”
“Del Grakken is busy.” said Caimlin.
“Oh I see, and you were just lazing around, huh?”
“Do you have something to say or not?”
“Ah, yes. How good of you to bring that up. I am appealing to Lord Void.”
“Really? What makes you think so?”
“What?”
“What makes you think that Lord Void would find you appealing?”
“No I mean I am giving an appeal to him.”
“Oh. Well sorry, but you just missed him.”
“Really? Well, I guess I’ll just have to wait ‘til he gets back.”
“Yeah, only you’ll be dead by then. What a shame.”
“I don’t think so Caimlin. You see the rule is: If a man makes an appeal to Lord Void he must see Lord Void. Can’t very well see him if I’m dead now can I?”
“Is that really the rule?” Caimlin asked the guards.
“Yep, that’s it exactly.” said Stupider.
Caimlin was silent for a while and then spoke. “All right Bargon, you can see Lord Void. But I’m on to you. When Lord Void gets back you won’t be able to buy anymore time, and you’re gonna wish you hadn’t appealed."
Caimlin walked to the door and then turned back “Oh, and one more thing, don’t call me Caimlin.”
As Caimlin walked up the stairs Bargon smiled to himself. He had just bought himself weeks and maybe years of time. His smile faded, however, with Stupid’s next remark.
“Eat up Rat. You won’t always be getting this kind of a quality meal.”
On the other hand he might not be able to live another few weeks in these conditions.
Lord Void was walking down a small lane towards Majisto’s Workshop when suddenly large whirring filled his head. He stopped and closed his eyes, completing the telepathic Teleharm connection.
Yes?
This is Caimlin, M’Lord. There is something of importance I need to tell you...
Nothing wrong I hope.
Oh no... that is to say nothing that can't be fixed. You see... Bargon’s causing some trouble. He says he wants an audience with you... ‘appealing’ as he puts it.
And this is all you have to report?
NO! I mean, that is to say, of course we’ve completed the other business you assigned. The pens are finished and the wood has been stored like you wanted.
Very good. Now that you’re done with that I have some new instructions for you. Oh, and as to Bargon....kill him. I do not have the time to bother will low-ranking prisoners. I don’t care how, poison, strangulation, drowning, a blade...just kill him and be done with it.
Yes, my Lord.
Lord Void severed the telelink and continued on his journey.
Bargon was not in his cell. He wasn’t even in the dungeon. He was sitting in a strange type of parlor room in one of the upper floors of the fortress. All around him were books and potions and things. Then the door opened. It was Caimlin. He walked in and silently poured two glasses of wine. Bargon could barely keep from drooling. How long had it been since he had tasted wine? It seemed like forever.
“I must congratulate you Bargon.” said Caimlin handing Bargon a glass. “Your plan was to escape was brilliant.”
Bargon wasn't listening. Already he was polishing off his wine, catching the last drops on his tongue. He turned to Caimlin as if expecting more.
“As a matter of fact,” said Caimlin, continuing “I just got done chatting with Lord Void via teleharm.”
“You don’t say.” said Bargon. “And what did the lord say?”
“He told me to kill you.” Caimlin responded in a casual manner.
“What! You can’t do that, it’s against the rules.”
“Well, Lord Void made up the rules Bargon, so I think he can change them if he likes.”
Bargon was speechless. What had gone wrong? His plan was so perfect. So brilliant and now…
“Your drink was poisoned.” Caimlin continued. “One of Lord Void’s most powerful potions. By the way, I never liked you Bargon and I only wish that Targon were here to see you die.”
Bargon felt a bit queasy. So this was how it would end. Targon had won at last.
“Curses.” Bargon said. And he rolled off the chair and knew no more.
Lord Void had now entered Majisto’s Workshop and was leafing through the many books. He knew the secret to who stole his dragon egg would be in these pages, he only had to fine it. Then he would take then back and unleash the Eroth Gamus upon Dametreos!
| Previous Chapter | Back to the Chronicles Of Dametreos |
|
|
