Nowhere to Run

Lying in wait inside the dim cell until Arin’s contact comes back for me is taking forever. I believe he told me that it’ll only take a few hours, though I can’t really tell how much time has elapsed since then.

The prisoners in the other cells have significantly quiet down as well, leaving the entire place in complete silence.

All of a sudden, several sets of footsteps entered the area.

I got curious so I stand on my feet and tried my best to look at them through the steel grate—the darkness overwhelms the entire room that I could barely make anything out.

The people inside the cells seems to dislike being disturbed as they start to make a lot of noise—in unison, they threw an array of profanities at the figures.

As the figures come closer and closer to my cell, their figures are revealed as elves—wearing clothing that I’ve never seen any other elf wear during my short time in Glimmerholm. It seemed very extravagant.

Time finally came for the elves to “escort” the people in the next cell.

“What the- What’s the bloody royal guards doing here?” One voice exclaimed.

“Captain, is this part of the plan?” Another asked someone in a murmur.

“I don’t know…” Answered by who I assume is the captain of this group.

They’re forcefully removed from their cell, joining the others in a line.

I guess it’s their time to get judged in court. I still have to wait my turn, is what I would like to say.

The royal guards goes to my cell as well and removes me from it. One of them looks me up and down and mutters, “It’s him. This is the one.”

The moment that was said, they immediately became more aggressive towards me—pulling on me and hitting me every chance they get.

This is a mistake! I thought Arin’s contact is taking care of everything! It doesn’t look like we’re getting a hearing. I have to tell them!

“Wait! I’m not supposed to be here! I’m with Lord Arin, you see.” I pleaded.

The elves started laughing at what I said. They put me in the line with everybody else—I considered screaming for help but a man with a hoarse voice told me, “Don’t do anything stupid now. They won’t hesitate to kill you.”

“But Arin said I’ll be fine. He even had his contact escort me here.”

The contact is nowhere to be seen. Did he leave me or was he deterred?

“Arin? The Lord of Hollowspire? If you know the likes of him, why are you here then?” One of the men said.

“I’m not exactly sure…”

The guards seem to have gotten everybody out the cells. We were all bound on our wrists and ankles—all connected together hindering us from running away. We start moving—I don’t know where to.

In front of me is the man with the hoarse voice. I’ve heard the others refer to him as captain before. He said earlier that the Knights of the Sacred Flame will come save them. Maybe I can probe him for more information.

“Hey there, sir.” I mutter to the man, trying to avoid the attention of the guards leading us.

“…” He doesn’t respond. Maybe he didn’t hear me?

I call for his attention again but this time, I poke his back with my bound hands.

“…” No response. He’s purposefully ignoring me. I guess he doesn’t want to get involved with me.

It seems one of the guards notice me being suspicious—he grabs my neck from behind and shouted at me, “Try conspiring with him again, human, and I will strike you both where you stand!”

I didn’t respond to him. For some reason, I don’t feel fear towards him unlike earlier with Princess Rhiannon. Is it because I’ve developed some kind of PTSD from the princess? Maybe I’ve gotten stronger overall with that training Felaris put me through.

Nevertheless, I should play it safe for now. Things aren’t going exactly to plan right now but, I still have to see it through. I have to put my faith on Arin.

I shut up, and he eventually let me go—he probably thinks he’s so tough right now. We continue walking.

Eventually, we reach our destination. In front of us is a large wooden door, engraved with intricate patterns. Beyond the door is the high court—where most, if not all of us, will meet our demise.

“Oh, God help us.” One of the men prayed. I’m surprised someone running with the Sacred Flame can still be “spiritual” in spite of what they do.

“Captain, is the plan still on?” The man behind me said—probably to the captain who’s in front of me.

“We just have to see.” He replied.

The door opens, revealing an expansive room. At the end of the room is an elevated surface where five elves sit on their seats.

On top of those five elves—figuratively and literally—I assume is the king as he is sitting on a throne wearing a crown. Beside him, standing and creeping about, is a face that I unfortunately know all too well.

Elzara, the princess’s cousin—the king’s nephew. It seems the gossip was correct all along. He is the current advisor to the king. A terrible decision, in my opinion.

There are no jurors or spectators present—only elven guards who could attack us at a moment’s notice—we’re completely alone here.

I start to get worried, but I bet Arin is doing something about this already. I just have to put my faith in him. If worse comes to worst, I might just come along with these guys on their “escape plan” but even that seems to not be going well.

One by one, each of us are called forward. Our binds are removed in the process—I guess there’s no running away at this point. Thankfully, I’m further back so I still have a bit of time until it’s my turn.

The humans cry, plead, and beg for their lives—it didn’t matter though. Barely anyone got to speak their mind as they’re brought to the front of the court.

Human heads flung to the air as they get decapitated—a vicious punishment for kidnappers indeed.

I start to worry. What if they don’t listen to my plea at all. Will I end up with the same fate as those before me? Is completely relying on Arin the right decision here?

My turn on the chopping block draws near. The captain’s turn went on for a bit compared to the others, but his destiny remains unchanged.

They call me and I step forward. Before anything could happen though, the king’s advisor, Elzara, orders the guards at the bottom to remove the piles of lifeless bodies first before going forward with the rest of the executions. It seems the captain acquires a few more minutes of life.

In the meantime, my “hearing” continues.

A judge asked me the same question they asked the others, “Do you know where Princess Thalia is?” It took me a short bit to recognize the name. Princess Thalia is Princess Rhiannon’s older sister—the one who got kidnapped and enslaved.

Of course, I have no idea where the hell she is, but the others said the same, and they immediately got sent to their deaths. I have to think of a response that won’t get me killed.

I think and think but before I could give my answer, we were interrupted by an irritating voice from above.

“That’s him, my lord. The one I’ve been telling you about.” That snake, Elzara creepily said to the king.

Actually looking at the king, he seems sick—like the life force in him is being sucked out.

The king seems to whisper something to Elzara—this doesn’t seem good. They had a back and forth whispering to each other, laughing to whatever they’re plotting every so often.

After a while, they look back at me.

“Question… that man… He knows… some…things.” The king, weak in his articulation, then ordered the guards to strap me on a chair then and there, for questioning.

That damn snake! He’s pretty much puppeteering the king.

“Stop! I don’t know anything about the princess. I have only been to these lands recently!” I pleaded, but I’ve only been punched on the face as I resisted.

As I was forced to sit on the chair, the only thing that came to mind is Arin.

“C’mon, Arin! Any time now…”