86 Life and Death, Black and White (2/2)
”Of course, princess. This madman was trying to take out the eyes of his last victim when the latter managed to injure him. Screaming, the poor man caught the attention of the nearby patrol and they managed to capture the killer. This … this beast in human skin never stopped trying to escape. Even right now, he is more watched than the royal treasury. There is absolutely no way that he will escape.”
The commandant proudly straightened his back, looking very proud of his prison. It was very rare for such an establishment to not have any escapees, but in the twenty years that he ruled it, that never happened. Of course, the man never was in charge of dealing with the most dangerous criminals, but that still was a proof of his capability.
Seeing this, Muirnë slightly nodded. She despised a bit the man for his underhanded deal with numerous criminal organizations, but it was found out to be the very reason why he was so capable of controlling the mass of criminals. Since it was harmless and just a bit of corruption, no sanctions were ever enforced.
”Very well, so, the criminal was probably already judged. Was he sentenced to the Lake or not?” At the mention of the Lake, both the knights and the commandants shuddered a bit. The old officer quickly denied that possibility.
”Of course not. Only the maddest and violent lunatic would be sent in that place. And, unfortunately, he was not strong enough to be deemed useful for the lunatic knights of that place. Eh… I meant the noble and proud knights that served this cou…”
”Yeah, I know, I know. You have the utmost respect for the member of the 1st Legion stationed in that place. And since they don't need him, I will take that prisoner with me.”
She cut the afraid speech of the commandant. It was not right to say that the entire army was looking down on the warden of the Lake. But, anyone that ever met one of them would know that the difference between them and a cultist was just the fact that they were not slaughtering the innocent. Otherwise, why would they remain near that damned and cursed place?
But the commandant was unsure about the request of Muirnë. It was not usual for a member of the Gwendhir to casually pick up a criminal for no reason. Thinking that it was way above his grade and probably something that he shouldn't probe, he agreed with it. It was still a good thing for him in the end, one maniac removed from his prison.
”Of course, princess Muirnë. I will accompany you to the prisoner personally.”
Then, the group of four entered the depths of the prison and the dark corridors within it. Neither she or her followers even looked at the hungry and pitiful prisoners behind their iron doors. The usual mess created by an external visitor was spread among the residents. Numerous criminals and convicts tried to grab the princess, only to be violently suppressed by the guards. The more knowledgeable, on the other hand, quickly tried to step aside and not be part of it. Anyone that didn't seek death wouldn't dare to hurt a single hair of Muirnë Gwendhir.
”Open the door.” Inside a single cell, a man visibly dehydrated and thin was enchained on the wall. The number of chains on his body would have been enough to suppress five normal prisoners, but none of the guards felt that it was too high. Even his mouth was closed by an iron mask, preventing him from even biting someone. That was the harshest treatment one could receive, but since he was sentenced to die in a few days, nobody cared.
”Unlock the chains.” The guard looked at the commandant like he didn't want to do it. Losing a bit of patience, he repeated his order. ”I said, unlock his chains.” The process took a few minutes, but in the end, the prisoner was encircled by two wardens, not even letting him move. Bowing once more in front of Muirnë, the commandant gave her the man. ”He is all yours, princess.”
After hearing that word, the prisoner went mad and tried to push away the two wardens. The princess simply walked behind him and grabbed his neck with such a strength that his spine nearly broke. Grabbing him like a cat, she left the building by the same path. However, unlike the loud travel she experienced at first, it was deadly silent this time. The reputation this prisoner had was enough to show her strength, and by now, her identity was known. Even the most lustful rapist had a sense of survival.
Using her two knights to open a way, she left the city. Ordering the two to stay put, she found a remote location where no one could bother her. Even if it was later known that she killed that man, it would only have seemed as venting her anger on a criminal. That's why she chose such a scum, someone no one will miss.
As for the former prisoner, he didn't understand a single thing. But he realized that he was alone with a woman, and maybe he underestimated his opponent. Thinking that he will have the advantage when they were alone, he tried to attack her. ”STOP.” However, before he even managed to get close, he felt his entire body not responding. Falling lamentably on the ground, his muscles were still frozen in the same state.
Moving painfully his eyes in a desperate effort, he saw the helmet fading away in front of him. She didn't grab it and remove it, no, he saw the white metal disappearing like a vapor. The pupil of the beautiful woman in front of her where dead, without any traces of light inside them. His last vision before he died was her terrifying smile and way she was licking her lips like she was staring at a generous piece of meat.