Chapter 14:
The Golden Truth
"I will give you one more chance," said the Lawkeeper, to the captives. "You will tell us everything you know about, well, everything--and do it quickly--or I will coerce the information from you by means of pain."
None of the Divine Knights spoke.
The Lawkeeper was soaked from the storm, yet somehow his silver hair continued to maintain its spiked appearance. His devilish Birlote face was twisted with anger. "I could be warm and dry inside my tent, relaxing with a goblet of wine, but I have to stand here getting blasted by the rain like a fool waiting for you to speak. With each moment that passes, your suffering will be greater."
"What do you hope to learn?" asked Galvia. "You already know why we're journeying through these mountains. You know what our goal is. You have been following us for that very reason."
"Don't try to deceive me," said the Lawkeeper. "You are on the Council of Ollanhar. I know there is useful information you can give me that would result in a quicker and more pleasant death for you."
"Death is death," said Galvia. "The manner in which you kill me doesn't matter, for eventually my pain will end. You have nothing to barter with."
"The life of the boy, perhaps?" said the Lawkeeper. He drew a dagger and stepped close to Taith.
Taith cringed and shrank back.
"Don't think I won't do this," said the Lawkeeper. "Even a child's life can be sacrificed for the greater good of my kingdom. So are you willing to tell me what I wish to hear in exchange for his survival?"
"No," said Galvia, glowering up at him. "I will not barter for his life or the life of anyone else. I will obey the Sacred Laws no matter what, as commanded by the Divine Essence. Do what you must."
The Lawkeeper's face turned crimson. "I'm so weary of you insane fanatics and your pathetic god. Even the life of an innocent boy won't sway you from your wretched beliefs?" He sighed and rubbed his forehead. "This is why I hate dealing with Divine Knights."
"We have nothing to tell you," said Garaloth.
"Very well," said the Lawkeeper. "You leave me no choice. I must introduce you to one of my favorite devices--The Golden Truth."
The Golden Truth was a fancy torture rack on wheels that was rolled into the tent. It was made of oak and polished brass, with symbols of the sun carved into the wood. The Lawkeeper gazed at it with pride.
"This will make you talk," he said. "It has never failed."
Galvia's irons were removed and she was bound to the torture rack. Slowly the Lawkeeper turned the crank, stretching her body. "You will feel immense pain in your joints, like nothing you have ever felt before."
As a Divine Knight of Dremlock, Galvia was well prepared for torture. Using the power of her mind, backed by her Knightly essence, she fortified her body against the torment, flooding her limbs with energy. The energy not only dulled the pain, but it also protected her against injury.
Frowning, the Lawkeeper turned the crank even more, grunting from the effort, and still Galvia's face did not change expression. She was capable of resisting for hours or even days if need be, her mind going into a deep state of meditation. Time and space became meaningless for her, and all she knew or understood was the fortification of her body against the force that was trying to stretch it. She became like stone--immobile, unyielding, and blessed with endless patience.
"I think I'll go have some wine," said the Lawkeeper. "Meanwhile, you just enjoy the warm embrace of The Golden Truth. It will loosen your tongue." He strode from the tent, leaving a soldier with a crossbow to guard the prisoners.
"Are you okay, Galvia?" Wreld called out.
"Don't talk to her," said Garaloth. "She will need all of her focus."
"Sorry," Wreld mumbled.
"So this is how Bellis treats its prisoners," said Garaloth, to the soldier. "Putting a woman on a torture rack. Are you enjoying the sight?"
The soldier--a lean man with a scarred, weathered face and eyes that reflected bitterness--sneered in response and spat on the ground. "Why should I care? You are enemies of King Verlamer and no punishment is too harsh for you. If I could put an arrow in you right now, I would."
"Are all warriors of Bellis so heartless?" asked Wreld. "You leave a boy in shackles to shiver in the mud? What kind of coward are you?"
"Don't waste your time," said the soldier. "You won't get any pity from me. I've killed women and children myself, and I don't regret it in the least. Those who oppose my kingdom are not human and don't deserve compassion. I hate the whole lot of you and will enjoy watching you die."
The Knights fell silent, knowing it was useless to try to reason with this warrior. He was jaded to the point where even a child's life meant nothing to him and all he knew or understood was hatred for his foes.
An hour passed, and then the Lawkeeper returned with a Thallite Giant who had to duck to fit under the tent roof. The giant seemed to fill up the tent, his massive muscles bulging beneath his crimson armor.
"Are you ready to talk yet?" the Lawkeeper asked.
Galvia didn't respond, lost completely in her focus. She was aware of what was going on around her, but only in a vague, detached sense.
"Amazing," the Lawkeeper said, shaking his head. "Divine Knights are extraordinary warriors. No wonder your kingdom is still free when so many others have fallen. But let's see how you do against a Thallite."
The Lawkeeper turned to the giant. "Use your strength freely, my friend, but don't kill her. I only want her to suffer greatly."
Grinning, the giant seized the brass crank in his huge hand and slowly began to turn it. The others groaned, dreading what was about to happen.