A Dangerous Destiny: The Pure One Book I

Chapter Fifty-Two

Ok so back to Teren. When last we left him...this weren't going very well. His mission was pretty much a failure and the King isn't happy. He and Henry were riding to the prison. Let's see what awaits them there. This scene is running a bit long and will undoubtably receive more cuts in the next draft ( just a warning). As always I would love to hear your thoughts:-)

*If anyone has an opinion, I would also love to know if the previous chapter seemed to add to the story for you or was distracting from this Teren arc.

Teren

The King said little as they rode towards the prison grounds and Teren was eager to emulate his silence. When they reached the iron gates of Portenbrough, they were greeted with deference by the guards as they dismounted and walked at a fast clip towards the building. Corporal Alar was awaiting them as soon as they entered.

"Your Majesty, Commissioner General Mather," Alar said, "we have been expecting you." He bowed deeply.

"Rise," Henry said. Teren could hear his annoyance and Alar could as well. A look of uncertainty flashed across his face as he rose but Teren was not surprised. The King had never given much credence to such formalities on the field of battle, judging all to be either friend or enemy. Given the circumstances he hoped Henry had not yet begun to suspect him of being the later. Teren decided to use the momentary awkward silence to gain some semblance of control, stepping ahead of the King to speak with his man and assert his authority. Henry made no protest.

"Corporal Alar, report." Teren said, his tone short.

"My Lord I."

"Out with it!" Teren spat, trying to make his authority clear. He could feel Henry watching him intently and wished to show himself to be possessed of the strength of a true general. He could not let the King see the fear that lay just underneath the short clip of his words.

"I believe you have heard that only one man has been so far apprehended in relation to this evening's attack," Alar replied. "The prisoner awaits you in the questioning chamber. As Chancellor Rearder ordered, the Master Executioner was been called to aid in the interrogation. He and his assistant should be prepared by now."  

The prisoner. 

Alar's words echoed in Teren's head. He thought of the first time he had met Seleb, the unfortunate victim of circumstance. He knew that whatever reprieve he had given the boy in sparing his life on that night would, in all likelihood, soon be revoked. Still he held out hope. Perhaps he was mistaken to believe it was Seleb who awaited them, and if it was, perhaps Henry could be made to see the boy's innocence.

"Lead on," the King said, cutting into Teren's thoughts as he once again took command. "We will have our answers one way or another."

Teren allowed himself to fall back behind Alar and the King, hoping to avoid the truth as long as possible.

As the large oak door of the interrogation chamber creaked open Teren's heart rate slowed to a dull thud of dread beholding the scene before him. Assembled within the dimly lit room were the requisite guards, the court scribe. Their figures looked so ominous in the light of flickering torches, so threatening.

 In the back, near a small oven, the executioner and his assistant stood, their instruments of pain warming in the fire. Against the wall, the prisoner was chained by his hands and feet. The sandy brown head of hair rose to look at them as they walked through the door, the gray eyes frantic, distraught. Seleb Hill. Teren's stomach dropped.

Staring at the boy he couldn't help but feel the distinct sense of déjà vu. It was fitting somehow, Teren realized. He and Seleb had begun their acquaintance in a chamber like this one, and would perhaps both be ended here tonight. It was not just the boy who was in danger after all.