Chapter 5-Please One

Immor was not cold for the first time. She had spent the night outside, wrapped up with all her hounds surrounding her. Though in the morning she was frightened. She did not want him to kill her dogs, so she had sent the order to go back to the woods where she always kept them because they were not supposed to be tame. She had stumbled across the hounds when she was a child, and they were still puppies, but her teacher had warned her that they were meant to be free. Therefore, she did keep them free, but that did not mean she let them go entirely. Because of the way she treated them and let them do what they wanted they were loyal to her forever.

Galadan came out with his men to kill the hounds, but they were already gone with her wrapped up in the corner with the ball and chain. The guard on watch admitted that they had run off, but the prince said nothing about it. They dragged her back inside though they left her in the foyer for hours, sitting in silence.

She got cold again, and her feet were bloody from the chains digging into her skin. She felt alone, hungry, and for the first time she was afraid of death. She was afraid that she would miss something important, and most of all she felt as if she had not done anything important. If she had saved an empire from the plague then she could die happy, believing she was a hero. But she had done nothing. 

She sighed as she closed her eyes, her eyebrows furrowing slightly as she rubbed her nose, “Damn it.” 

The guards standing watch said and did nothing as they waited, and she felt something dreadful was going to happen. She glanced towards the large tapestry hanging over the foyer, but it was in shreds and held no story to read to relieve herself of boredom. She gritted her teeth and looked away. She did not care what country or what deed had been done, destroying history was a sin. Whether it was a good time in history or a bad time in history, it should always be remembered. History was known so that it was not repeated, it was known for the culture, and why people stood for what they believed in. History was proof something could be achieved or a warning for something that should not be done because it did not succeed in the past. 

She rubbed her hand over her face, history also made for a great story to relieve one’s boredom. 

The doors opened and Galadan strode inside the foyer, ignoring her as he walked past, but he said loudly, “Prepare the wagon and the prisoners. I’m going to get dressed.” 

Immor glanced at the guards who rushed to obey him, noting that the knights were among them. She did not know what was going on, but she did know that it was nothing good. Her hands clenched on her knees and she realized that there was only one reason to get a wagon and the prisoners. She closed her eyes and breathed out slowly. They were going to be executed, she thought, that had to be the only thing, unless they were going to be taken to watch the corpses burn. She shuddered. She would rather be executed.

The guards grabbed her arms, dragging her to her feet before they walked her towards the doors. Her feet were still tied together which made it an awkward shuffle drag, but at least they were not pulling her by the hair of by the legs. She was beginning to be grateful for the little things.  

She heard screaming behind her and winced because she knew it was her mother. Sayala was not holding back her tears and screams, her body wrenching every which way. At least she was fighting to the death, Immor thought glumly as she glared across the courtyard at the wagon that would take her and her mother to their deaths. 

She breathed in slowly, her eyes closing as she prayed to every god she knew as they pushed her up into the wagon, tossing her mother in after her as they slammed the back of it. The guards began to line up behind the open wagon as the driver got into the seat and flicked the reins. The two black horses began to move, pulling the wagon behind them, she glanced towards the castle and gritted her teeth in anger when she saw Galadan stepping down the steps into the courtyard wearing her father’s golden robe though underneath he wore all black. He was a devil, she thought angrily. The worse thing about it, was that he knew. 

The wagon rode slowly forward, and she glanced at her mother who had coward against the small edge of the wagon. She was dressed in her finest, her golden robes not stained though they were getting dirty in the wagon. The brocade red bodice was lined with pearls and her hair was up in gold pins and pearls. 

Her mother glanced at her with angered eyes, “You look disgraceful.” 

“I look like I’m going to die,” she answered coldly, her hands tight against her biceps, “How can you wear gold when your husband was just killed?” 

She sneered, “Do not pretend that you loved the Duke,” she spat, “That man was evil! Not that you are even sired by him.” 

Immor raised both eyebrows, her blue eyes turning towards her mother before everything seemed to reel inside of her, causing her to go dizzy. She smiled and suddenly she was laughing, laughing loudly at the prospect of the Duke not being her father. Now that she was about to die, she herself found that she was not legitimate either.  

“Tell me who he was?” she sat forward on her knees, her hands gripping her mother’s collar as she shook her hard, “Tell me who my father was!” 

The driver glanced back at them, shaking his head as he looked forward again and snapped, “She is a liar, girl, your eyes are as blue as your fathers.” 

She let her mother go, falling back against the low wall of the wagon as she breathed hard, her eyes narrowed on her mother. Her mother sneered at her and brushed her hand against her throat as she laughed softly and looked away.

Sayala was not lying, Immor thought, she was too cruel to lie and she would never tell the truth either.

She pressed her hand against her face, turning with narrowed eyes when she felt eyes on her. The devil prince smiled slowly as he narrowed his eyes on her, his red eyes flashing with laughter.

She hissed in anger and turned away. 

...*** ...

Galadan glanced at Lance and murmured, “What do you think she and her mother were arguing about? Who to go first?” 

“Probably,” Lance answered with a sardonic smirk, his eyes rolling as he shook his head. 

“Who do you think won?” He asked with a chuckle as he watched the two women in the carriage glaring at each other as the wagon continued towards the city. 

Lance nodded towards them, “The mother.” 

“Why do you say so?” he asked in confusion since he knew Immor was rather stubborn from the look of her. 

He grinned, “Age before beauty.” 

Galadan snorted in laughter, a full belly laugh that had Lance glance at him with a raised eyebrow, “I do believe you are worse than me sometimes.” 

“That is impossible,” he murmured as he tugged on his reins, “We have arrived.” 

Galadan glanced forward, his eyes narrowed, and his smile gone when he saw the town before him. The people were already standing outside their doors and lining the streets, the wagon turned off to the side going the longer route so that he could have his victory parade through the town with his knights alone. The wagon disappeared along with the guards as he led the knights through the town.

Surprisingly, the people were almost solemn as they watched him go, but they all looked very curious. None of them wore black to show their displeasure at his arrival, which was a good sign, but they were not cheering either. He deemed them wise for staying silent. People who jumped to conclusion about who their savior was always drew disgust from him.

He narrowed his eyes slightly when he glanced to the side and saw the children moving forward quickly to get a look at him. The young boys were practically pushing themselves into the streets to see him which caused him to shift his horse to avoid one of them.  

He pointed at them, mouthing, “Move back.” 

The boys blushed and pushed back, their eyes lowering from meeting his as he glared at them and he turned back, his hands on the reins as he glanced towards the people with suspicion. None of them had weapons, he noted their eyes and their empty expressions and sighed as he faced forward.

The people watched him as they began to mutter to each other, drawing conclusion about the man that had killed the Duke and taken over Woreden.

Galadan’s procession moved throughout the town until they reached the center where the large stone courthouse was. Already they had prepared the large area for his coming. The stones led up to a stone throne that looked over the large square where the execution block was.

The execution area was made of stone, the center of it round with a short block on it where they would behead criminals. There was also the chance that they would be taken across town to be hanged on the wharfs or shot by arrows at the wall. He glanced over the square as he dismounted and climbed the steps before he turned and sat down on the throne to look over the entirety of the people standing and waiting. His men circled behind him and around him, ready to keep the people at bay if there was a problem.  

He smiled as he brushed his finger against his chin and leaned forward, “Where is your mayor?” 

The mayor stepped forward, his hands clenched together fast, and his eyes narrowed in concern. He was a short man, his busy moustache giving him a comical look in Galadan’s opinion. 

Galadan narrowed his eyes on him, “Come here.” 

The mayor shivered at his tone but hurried across the small space from him to the stairs of the courthouse before he moved up the steps as fast as he could, panting from the short excursion spent. 

Galadan wrinkled his nose at the sight of him, “Wipe yourself,” he said angrily as he pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and threw it at him. 

He caught the handkerchief quickly, bowing his head twice in gratefulness as he patted his pale skin free of sweat, “Your majesty—” 

Lance stepped forward and cut him off, “This is his Highness, Prince Galadan of Bringdon!” he announced, and every peasant turned their attention to him, “Prince Galadan has taken over the Dukedom of Woreden! All those opposed to this shall be executed for being rebels to his highness’s crown! All hale the Duke of Woredon and Prince of Bringon, Prince Galadan!” 

The people raised their voices as one without hesitation, “Hail Prince Galadan.” 

He looked them over and stepped back as he murmured to Galadan, “They are all yours, your highness.” 

Galadan stood, his eyes narrowed as the mayor coward away when he saw how tall he was, “Good people of Woreden town,” he called, his eyes narrowing on them, “I have defeated your Duke and taken over, but is that such a great loss to you? I have read the reports, and I have seen what the duke has done to you! Raising your taxes, weakening your resources,” he pointed his finger towards the execution block, “Tell me I am wrong for sending the Duke to hell?” 

The people began to stir, their anger making their minds up for them. They began to talk to each other loudly, agreeing with everything Galadan was saying. The Duke was unfair to them. He had ruined their financial stance and the problems with their community was astounding. If it had been up to them, they would have let the south rebel and take over, but as it was the Prince had come and delivered them. They began to agree at that moment that Prince Galadan, no matter the rumors, was a good man.  

Lance scoffed as he watched the crowds get angry, “Look at them…they’re like animals. You change masters on a whim.” 

The mayor scrubbed at his face with the handkerchief, “Yes, my lord.” 

He frowned and turned his head towards him, “Captain,” he snapped in annoyance, before he looked at Galadan, “I assume we are going to do something to cinch the deal?” 

Galadan was too busy grinning at the crowds, feeling happiness spread through him until he was practically crackling with laughter. 

Lance glared at him, “Hey, idiot, are you going to do something or just sit there giggling?” 

Galadan grabbed Lance by the hair, pulling him close, “Shut it or I slice.” 

He rolled his eyes and yanked away, ignoring the sting in his head. He gritted his teeth back at Galadan before he turned and waved his hand. The people began to shout in the back as the wagon began to slowly pull forward, baring just the Duchess. The wagon stopped fast and hard, making her fall to her knees as the crowd roared and began to push forward to get to her but the guards held them off in a perimeter as three guards opened the back of the wagon and forced her out. The wagon moved on as they dragged the duchess forward and the people shouted for justice. She screamed and tried to kick away as they dragged her to the stairs of the execution block. 

Galadan smiled further the more she fussed, her anger and screams echoing across the stones as she was pushed down on her knees. 

Galandan raised his hand though the crowd was too stirred up to stop screaming completely, “Your Grace, Duchess Sayala, you are hereby found guilty of…something, the crowd obviously thinks so.” 

Something red was thrown and they turned their heads when they realized that people began throwing food at her, trying to strike at different angles, though they were only able to hit her skirts. 

“Your punishment is execution,” he said, “Your head will serve as payment to the people,” he sat down and waved his hand with a smirk on his face. 

The guards pushed her down, fitting her head against the execution stone as she screamed and tried to wriggle away.  

The executioner stepped forward his hand extended to her, “Your Grace, do you forgive me?” 

She hissed out in anger, “I will have revenge! On all of you! My ghost shall haunt you all!” 

Galadan raised his hand. 

The executioner raised his axe, and the people began to get louder as it was raised into the air and brought down with the swiftness of an arrow to its target. The duchess’s curses were cut off as her head was severed from her neck and her head dropped into the waiting basket. Blood immediately painting every part of the execution block and the people roared in joy as their advisory was killed. 

Galadan smiled, “I starting to love this city.” 

Lance glanced at him with a frown, before he shrugged, “Tis all right…too cold in my opinion.” 

He frowned at him, “It is January. It should be colder,” he turned his head and beckoned with his hand as they began to clean up the mess, removing the duchess’s body from the pavilion. 

The wagon rolled forward, but something happened that Galadan had not been expecting. The people went silent.

His smile slid down in confusion as he lowered his arms to the rests and frowned in displeasure. The wagon rolled forward once more and standing in the back with her hand to the edge of the wagon wall was Immor, her blue eyes closed, and her chin lifted. The people went silent, and the only sound was the clatter of the horse’s hooves against the stone and the wheels bumping along the way.

Galadan felt a sudden wave of trepidation, his eyes narrowing in displeasure. 

Episodes
1 Chapter 1-The Enemy
2 Chapter 2-Insanity
3 Chapter 3-In Our Midst
4 Chapter 4-The Hounds
5 Chapter 5-Please One
6 Chapter 6-Mercy For Her
7 Chapter 7-Lunch with a Demon
8 Chapter 8-Nothing Left
9 Chapter 9-The Lowest Blow
10 Chapter 10-A Letter Arrives
11 Chapter 11-The Engagement
12 Chapter 12-Where it Started
13 Chapter 13-A Trial of Time
14 Chapter 14-Forced
15 Chapter 15-The Baron's Establishment
16 Chapter 16-Moving On
17 Chapter 17-Devil in the House
18 Chapter 18-The Next Target
19 Chapter 19-A Chance of Escape
20 Chapter 20-To Save or Kill
21 Chapter 21- You Left Too
22 Chapter 22- Questioning
23 Chapter 23- Unexpected Call
24 Chapter 24- A Normal Conversation
25 Chapter 25- Surprise Attack
26 Chapter 26- Going Backward
27 Chapter 27- A Heated Argument
28 Chapter 28- Terrible Consequences
29 Chapter 29- A Longer Road
30 Chapter 30-Herron's Retaliation
31 Chapter 31- The Wounded
32 Chapter 32- Sickness in the Camp
33 Chapter 33-The Spread
34 Chapter 34- Memories with Not You
35 Chapter 35-In Waking
36 Chapter 36- A New Light
37 Chapter 37- Taking the Tower
38 Chapter 38- Into the Capital
39 Chapter 39- A Drink of Death
40 Chapter 40- How Far Gone
41 Chapter 41- Pounding of the Drums
42 Chapter 42- The Battlefield
43 Chapter 43- A Stand at Last
44 Chapter 44- The Final Battle
45 Chapter 45- Arrest and Rescue
46 Chapter 46- News of it
47 Chapter 47- Victory for Woreden
48 Chapter 48- To Hear it from You
49 Chapter 49- Thinking it Over
50 Chapter 50- Prisoner of My Heart
51 Chapter 51- In or Out
52 Chapter 52- Regrets
53 Chapter 53- The Ploy
54 Chapter 54- Turning of Tables
55 Chapter 55- A Promise in Life
56 Chapter 56- A Truth of Death
57 Chapter 57—The Feast of Victory
58 Chapter 58-Nerves on Edge
59 Chapter 59- A Plan Complete
60 Chapter 60-A Plan Discreet
61 Chapter 61- Going to Camdon
62 Chapter 62-And then there was One
63 Chapter 63- Ice
64 Chapter 64-Late Realization
65 Chapter 65-Seal Undone
Episodes

Updated 65 Episodes

1
Chapter 1-The Enemy
2
Chapter 2-Insanity
3
Chapter 3-In Our Midst
4
Chapter 4-The Hounds
5
Chapter 5-Please One
6
Chapter 6-Mercy For Her
7
Chapter 7-Lunch with a Demon
8
Chapter 8-Nothing Left
9
Chapter 9-The Lowest Blow
10
Chapter 10-A Letter Arrives
11
Chapter 11-The Engagement
12
Chapter 12-Where it Started
13
Chapter 13-A Trial of Time
14
Chapter 14-Forced
15
Chapter 15-The Baron's Establishment
16
Chapter 16-Moving On
17
Chapter 17-Devil in the House
18
Chapter 18-The Next Target
19
Chapter 19-A Chance of Escape
20
Chapter 20-To Save or Kill
21
Chapter 21- You Left Too
22
Chapter 22- Questioning
23
Chapter 23- Unexpected Call
24
Chapter 24- A Normal Conversation
25
Chapter 25- Surprise Attack
26
Chapter 26- Going Backward
27
Chapter 27- A Heated Argument
28
Chapter 28- Terrible Consequences
29
Chapter 29- A Longer Road
30
Chapter 30-Herron's Retaliation
31
Chapter 31- The Wounded
32
Chapter 32- Sickness in the Camp
33
Chapter 33-The Spread
34
Chapter 34- Memories with Not You
35
Chapter 35-In Waking
36
Chapter 36- A New Light
37
Chapter 37- Taking the Tower
38
Chapter 38- Into the Capital
39
Chapter 39- A Drink of Death
40
Chapter 40- How Far Gone
41
Chapter 41- Pounding of the Drums
42
Chapter 42- The Battlefield
43
Chapter 43- A Stand at Last
44
Chapter 44- The Final Battle
45
Chapter 45- Arrest and Rescue
46
Chapter 46- News of it
47
Chapter 47- Victory for Woreden
48
Chapter 48- To Hear it from You
49
Chapter 49- Thinking it Over
50
Chapter 50- Prisoner of My Heart
51
Chapter 51- In or Out
52
Chapter 52- Regrets
53
Chapter 53- The Ploy
54
Chapter 54- Turning of Tables
55
Chapter 55- A Promise in Life
56
Chapter 56- A Truth of Death
57
Chapter 57—The Feast of Victory
58
Chapter 58-Nerves on Edge
59
Chapter 59- A Plan Complete
60
Chapter 60-A Plan Discreet
61
Chapter 61- Going to Camdon
62
Chapter 62-And then there was One
63
Chapter 63- Ice
64
Chapter 64-Late Realization
65
Chapter 65-Seal Undone

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