Chapter XII
Captured
Clanging chains echoed off the walls as Tesnayr and Jenel were led into the courtroom. Galbrok sat on the throne. Jenel bit her tongue to keep from showing her shock at seeing Galbrok.
Black lines stretched across Galbrok’s face from ear to ear. Another set of lines spread from his nose and swirled down his chin to his neck. Every jerk of his head jangled the earrings that lined each ear. Despite his adornment of jewelry and tattoos, rippling, well-defined muscles emerged from beneath his armor. His biceps measured four times the size of Jenel’s fist. Now she knew why people feared Galbrok. One look at the barbarian instilled fear.
“Tesnayr,” greeted Galbrok, “Nice to see you. I wish it were under better circumstances.”
“Say nothing,” whispered Tesnayr to Jenel.
“And you have brought a friend,” said Galbrok. “She is lovely.” He gripped Jenel’s chin and stared into her eyes. “Do I frighten you?”
Jenel ripped away from his grasp. “No,” she spat.
“Of course I do, darling. It is written all over your face.”
Jenel reached into her cloak. She wrapped her fingers around the hilt of the knife their captors missed. When Galbrok turned his back, she pulled it free. Jenel charged for Galbrok bringing her knife to his neck. Galbrok swung his arm knocking her hand away. Her knife clattered on the marble floor.
In retaliation, Jenel reached up and yanked several earrings from Galbrok’s ear. Blood poured down his neck streaming past his shoulder. He screamed in pain. Galbrok seized Jenel around the throat and lifted her off the ground.
“You have spirit. I’ll give you that,” he said. He threw her aside.
Jenel slammed into the floor gasping for air.
“That was foolish of you, Tesnayr,” Galbrok continued. “Sending a girl to kill me. I’m surprised at you.”
Tesnayr remained silent. He maintained his composure even after Galbrok nearly squeezed the life out of Jenel.
“Has it really come to this? You trying to kill me and failing once again.”
“You say I have failed,” said Tesnayr, calmly.
“Look around you, Tesnayr. You are my prisoner. Your little army attacks the gate, but they will never break through. And I know about the men in the sewers.
“Is that a flicker of anger? I know you, Tesnayr. We fought side by side. I developed many of the strategies that you know. It should be you by my side. But instead you allowed your overdeveloped sense of morality govern your actions.”
“At least I have principles,” said Tesnayr.
“Principles? I have principles. All that matters is winning.”
“There is more to it than that.”
“Ah, yes, the hero that sacrifices everything,” scoffed Galbrok. “Tell me, how is it serving you? I destroyed your home. I will destroy this land and every other realm I choose. Nothing can stop me. Not even you with all your knowledge.”
“You will be stopped,” said Jenel.
“And who will stop me?” asked Galbrok.
“Death,” replied Jenel. “No one lives forever.”
Galbrok burst out laughing. His roars filled the chamber bouncing off the ceiling, walls, and even the floor. Several minutes ticked by before he stopped. “That may be true,” he said, “But until then I will destroy your home, princess. Perhaps I should make you my personal slave.”
Jenel grunted in disgust.
“Oh, it won’t be that bad,” said Galbrok, “You’ll find that I can be quite gentle.” He brushed a finger down her cheek. “Though my father may have been an orc, my mother was human.” Galbrok glanced at Rybnik who stood silently watching the exchange. “And this doesn’t bother you in the least?”
“No,” said Rybnik, mechanically.
“You,” spat Jenel. “How dare you call yourself a soldier of Sym’Dul. Twice you have betrayed my family. I swear upon my sister’s grave that you will meet a traitor’s death.”
Rybnik said nothing. His face betrayed nothing.
“So you know each other,” said Galbrok. “I am surprised at you, Tesnayr, allowing a man who betrayed his king into your confidences.”
“I believe that some people deserve a second chance,” said Tesnayr.
“And look where that belief has gotten you,” said Galbrok. “Do you not believe in giving everyone a chance?”
“You certainly deserve none,” Tesnayr replied. He noticed a black shadow sweep across the room disappearing behind a corner.
“Come now,” said Galbrok, “Call off this little war of yours.”
Tesnayr remained still.
“I’ll make you a deal,” said Galbrok, “A game of chess. If you win, I’ll take my forces and leave.”
“And if you win?”
“I shall strip the flesh from your bones before I kill you.”
Galbrok motioned for the chess board to be brought to him. He sat at one end while Tesnayr took his place at the other. Jenel watched in horror as they calmly moved their pieces across the board ignoring the battle raging outside. The minutes dragged. One by one, Tesnayr lost his pieces. First his pawns were taken, followed by his bishops and rooks. Finally, Galbrok took the queen and knights until the only piece left was the king.
A victorious sneer spread across Galbrok’s face. “Only your king remains,” he said. “You never were good at this game.”
“And you always allowed your arrogance to dictate your moves,” said Tesnayr.
“Call the game, Tesnayr. You’ve lost.”
Tesnayr took the king piece and handed it to Galbrok. He pulled the knight piece from his pocket that he had carried for many months. “Sometimes, all you need is one piece to win,” he said.
“So you still carry that,” said Galbrok. “Take them away to the prison.”
Rough hands seized Tesnayr pulling him to his feet. He and Jenel were shoved out of the courtroom and down the familiar steps to the prison chamber.
Turyn scurried from his place of hiding and chased after them. He darted from shadow to shadow staying close. No orc or human paid him any heed. They mistook his black shape as a trick of the mind.
The orcs shoved Jenel and Tesnayr down the moss covered stairwell to the dungeons below the castle. Water dripped into a bucket. The metal door to the cell squealed as they swung it open. Tripping over their feet, Jenel and Tesnayr caught themselves as they were pushed inside. Clang! The door slammed shut with the familiar click of the lock.
The fading clomp of their boots told the prisoners that the orcs had left. Silence ensued. Tesnayr plopped down on a pile of hay.
“Well?” said Jenel, “What are we to do?”
“Nothing,” Tesnayr replied.
“Nothing?”
“PSSSST.” Turyn’s face filled the bottom right corner of the prison door.
Tesnayr jumped up and hurried over to the cat. Hushed whispers filled the cell as they conversed in private. Jenel watched as they ignored her.
“Are you sure?” Tesnayr asked.
“Positive,” replied Turyn. “Galbrok has already announced it. Apparently a small part of him still does not—”
“What does he have planned?” interrupted Tesnayr.
“He has ordered Rybnik to murder one of you. He hasn’t specified whom. That is to be a surprise in the morning. It is to be a public execution.”
“Rybnik? Why him?” asked Jenel.
“Only Galbrok knows his reasons, my lady,” said Turyn. “He probably thinks it will make a very threatening statement by having him kill Tesnayr.”
“How do you know it will be me he wants executed?”
“It is most likely. I’m sorry I can’t get you out of here.”
“Don’t worry about it,” said Tesnayr. “You know what to do, Turyn.”
The black cat bounded off having received his orders. He squirted around the corner and out of the dungeon.
“What did you mean?” asked Jenel.
“Pardon?”
/> “Just now. What do mean by, he knows what to do? Do what, exactly?”
Tesnayr eyed Jenel for a moment but remained silent. He moved to the other end of the cell and sat down disregarding her question.