laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

Lericanin sat silently staring off into the night, his mind settling into the memories of his final moments with Nyrellia. All the sounds and activities around him ceased to exist. Selyria remained perched on a rock watching him intently. The story had turned out more interesting than she had expected which made her reluctant to interrupt him. There was definitely more to the warrior then what he allowed everyone to see. She knew he kept a close relationship with Lisa wondering what kinds of intimate thoughts he revealed to her. Her curiosity was getting to her. Her own thoughts were interrupted by a sudden crashing noise in the forest near them. Lericanin’s reaction was almost instantaneous as he stood and faced the direction of the noise. He had gone from being completely wrapped up in his own thoughts to fully alert within seconds. She found this ability almost unnerving.

Selyria began mumbling, preparing to inflict pain upon anyone that decided to attack them while Lericanin focused on the tree line. Initially nothing moved until suddenly Gunnar stepped from within the darkening forest with his horse in tow. His incessant yanking on the reins told them both what was happening. “I said move, now move. I’d like to get some sleep sometime tonight.”

“Problems dear?” Selyria couldn’t hide the touch of sarcasm in her voice as she let the spell fade.

“Oh no, we’re just fine. Remind me though, when we arrive in the next town, to have this thing sold and butchered.” As he finished speaking the horse stretched his neck and attempted to take a bite out of Gunnar’s trousers, missing only by inches. “Nice. Your lucky I need you right now.”

Selyria chuckled while watching the spectacle. “Wish I could help.”

Gunnar continued walking back to the camp mumbling under his breath. Neither of his traveling companions could completely hear him but the words “fireball” and “slow death” were unmistakable.

As her husband disappeared Selyria returned to her rock while Lericanin returned to his spot on the ground. She re-opened her journal and read what she had written so far before returning her gaze to Lericanin. “Mind if we continue?”

“Where were we?” His attempt to delay was futile and he knew it. She had a knack for remembering even the smallest of details. “Never mind…I remember.”

* * *

The creaking of the door woke the prisoner alerting him to the fact someone was coming. Lericanin had no idea how much time had passed since Nyrellia had visited him but he knew it was more than just a few hours. He had tried to occupy himself with other thoughts but the time with her near the pond dominated his memory. His mind began wondering what the noose would feel like and how long it would take him to die when the time came. He had witnessed a few hangings in his short lifetime and they always seemed quiet thought the aftermath was not pleasant. He did not relish the thought of hanging lifeless while relieving himself in front of everyone in his village. He began to force himself to think of other things.

There was a brief pause in the activity then an older, well-dressed male flanked by several soldiers stepped into the dungeon. By the looks of the way he moved he had been here before. The smell had no affect on him and the hay and filth on the floor seemed not to concern him. That made Lericanin nervous. As the group approached the noble made a simple gesture towards the door followed immediately by one of the guards who produced a key and unlocked the door to the cell. The creaking seemed to be a prelude to his sentencing, the cries of his soul begging for mercy. Lericanin stood up facing the man but staring at a spot on the far wall. There were six pock marks there he thought. Created at random it appeared, but all of them were about the same size. He refused to show fear if at all possible.

“Do you know who I am?” The voice was commanding, echoing menacingly throughout the chamber.

Lericanin remained standing looking beyond the man. In his peripheral vision he sized him up noting his height and overall physique. The noble was shorter and less stout but obviously could fight as evidenced by several scars along the backs of his hands. His eyes were a dark brown and his graying black hair was cut close in a military fashion. This made Lericanin even more nervous. His hesitation to answer the question did not go unnoticed.

“I asked you a question whelp.” The anger in the man’s voice was growing more obvious.

“My apologies my lord, you are the Duke of Kecel, Duke Howard. I meant no offense.”

“Offense!” The incredulous roar made even the guards jump as it echoed throughout the dank chamber. “This is not a mere offense boy! You have soiled a family of noble birth! You…a commoner…filth, and one of my subjects no less!” Spittle landed on Lericanin’s cheek and he made no attempt to remove it. He remained frozen in place as the duke seethed before him.

“Do you know what I should do to you? Have you any idea of the trouble you have landed yourself in?” Lericanin was about to answer but stopped when he saw one of the guards shake his head while staring at him. “I should have you drawn and quartered, hung at the very least.”

The duke began pacing as he spoke casting an occasional contemptuous glance at the prisoner. He suddenly stopped which brought Lericanin’s eyes to him. “I realized something though. While you are a commoner it isn’t entirely your fault. I failed to keep her properly tempered. If the bitch had learned from day one to keep her legs closed this would never have happened.”

The tide shifted as the duke continued speaking. Lericanin’s anger began to boil to the surface with every word out of the duke’s mouth. He began calculating his odds while sizing up the guards in the chamber. His attention returned to the duke immediately when he realized the noble had stepped up to face Lericanin nearly touching him while locking eyes. “I should have you gutted like a dear but instead I find that I owe you for what you have done. In one fell swoop you have rid me of that troublesome girl and gained the family more powerful allies as well as land. So you see boy, lucky for you this will work out.”

Lericanin continued staring into the duke’s eyes, his anger still growing and about to boil over. “You want to kill me don’t you?”

Lericanin hesitated as he contemplated his answer then refused to speak. The two remained face to face for several more seconds before the duke leaned a little closer and whispered, “Bright boy.” As he stepped back several paces he began again in a louder, more commanding voice. “This matter will not be spoken of again, ever. I will not have this family’s honor tarnished by one such as yourself. It is my understanding that you have some fight in you boy, Sergeant Kreyas has told me as much and I can see it in your eyes. So, instead of wasting a length of good rope, I am sentencing you to a term of service in the armies of Kecel to be terminated upon either your death or until it is decreed that your service is no longer needed at which time you are free to go. Your alternative to military service is to hang today. If I find out you have spoken about this to anyone outside of this room then you will hang from the nearest tree. Do you understand?”

“Yes my lord.” Lericanin could barely speak. Anger turned to fear which left him with a massive lump in his throat. He was trying not to let it show but as the duke pressed on it became more difficult.

“Your answer then boy?”

“The military my lord.”

“Fine. Your service begins today…and I won’t forget my promise, ever.” With the final reminder Duke Howard spun on his heel and left the chamber. Lericanin remained motionless as the last guard waited for the duke to clear the room before motioning for Lericanin to step out and head up the stairs. At least he was still alive…for now.