forums.rs

Forums

~*~ TDT2: The Blood Debt ~*~

Quick find code: 49-50-222-43530230

of 122
Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
As always, he looked impeccable, especially in comparison to the dirt-stained captain and his filthy prisoner. But there were crow’s feet around his eyes and deep lines on his face were barely hidden by his thick mustache. There were circles under his eyes, and it appeared that the worldwide famine had penetrated even his Majesty’s fortress, for the king looked as thin as ever – although he was still by far the largest man in the city; perhaps in all the Empire. He snatched a wineglass from an offered tray and sipped calmly from it while he surveyed his guests.
“I hope you have a good reason for disturbing me at this hour, Captain Jervis, and for bringing that piece of trash into my castle,” Issavan spat. The captain flinched. Clearly, the king was in a temper. But no matter. All that would change in a moment, when he revealed the treasure he had brought with him.
The captain lumbered forward and sank to his knees, then pressed his face into the carpet. “Your Majesty,” he murmured, face down. “The piece of trash you speak of is a prisoner I have come by, in whom I expect you will have great interest.” He looked up slightly, and saw curiosity on Issavan’s face.
“Go on.”
“I believe this man is Bond Cornerstone, a member of your Majesty’s tournament that disappeared many weeks ago.”
He heard the king’s sharp intake of breath. The captain stared stolidly at the floor. “And how do you know this?” asked the king softly. “Tell me the whole story.”
The captain nodded and raised his head once more. “A group of travelers were in the inn at Port Sarim, and this one here said he was a bard, and that he’d entertain the patrons for money. I myself was stationed at Lumbridge, your Greatness, so I am a poor witness. They say he told a story about an evil king, your Majesty, and troops in the bar recognized the story as treason against yourself and arrested him.”

28-Jun-2008 20:17:47 - Last edited on 28-Jun-2008 20:30:19 by Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
“Good,” murmured the king.
“Treason’s a high crime, your Holiness, so they thought to bring him here to Varrock, to be judged personally by your Highness. Along the road to Lumbridge, however, they were attacked by bandits on the road. One of the soldiers escaped the slaughter – for they were sore outnumbered and massacred – and fled to Lumbridge.”
“Coward,” Issavan muttered.
“Of course, your Greatness. But he had important information. See, the prisoner, he’d been beaten harshly and gotten sick, and he was delirious. The bandits, they were headed by a woman-“
“Is this the chaos my Empire has come to?” Issavan rumbled, bursting upright and flinging his wineglass against the wall in a fit of anger. “That outlaws led by WOMEN can defeat my own troops?” The captain cowered back and pressed himself so low it seemed he might sink right through the carpet. “Servant!” the Emperor bellowed. A man stepped out of the shadows and bowed hurriedly. “More wine!”
The servant hesitated.
“I said, more wine!” Issavan leaned over in his throne and smacked the man on the side of the head.
The unfortunate servant staggered sideways, but righted himself. “Your Highness – I – there – there is no – no more wine, your Majesty,” stammered the man in a squeaky voice, staring straight ahead, wringing his pale hands.
The king’s face darkened like a storm cloud. “No more wine?” he echoed incredulously.
*The palace stores are almost empty, your Grace.” Poor, poor man, thought the captain, that he had to be the one to break this news to the Emperor.
“Why?” he thundered.
“The famine, your Majesty – all the cities – there is nothing left.”

28-Jun-2008 20:18:03 - Last edited on 28-Jun-2008 20:30:26 by Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
The king was silent a moment as he considered this. Then he snarled, “Get out!”
As the servant obeyed, Jervis wondered what his king would do now. Until the famine breached the palace, eh could pretend it did*’t exist, even as everyone else suffered. The captain knew; each day, his pants felt looser and he tightened his belt just a little bit more. But the reward for finding this man would make all of it go away. He would be able to buy all that was left with such wealth! Still, the king would be forced to act now. Indecision he could no longer afford, not now that his own stores were emptying.
“Continue your story,” ordered the king, as if nothing had happened.
“Yes, your Majesty. When the prisoner heard the outlaw woman speak, he called out ‘Krystal’. The captain of that troop realized he recognized the prisoner – posters of the tournament have been everywhere. The name made him realize it. Then they shot him with an arrow, and the soldier I mentioned ran. He knew he had to tell someone. He found us and we traveled back to look for the body. We found him senseless in the woods, half-dead. He claims he doesn’t know who he is, but I’m convinced, your Majesty.”
“Good work,” he praised. Jervis smiled. “Servant!” Another man appeared and bowed. “Summon Commander Bennett. He will handle your reward, Captain. Then summon the scholar Tomas, and have him wait in the antechamber.”
“Yes, your Grace.”
Issavan raised his massive bulk off the chair and lumbered down the steps, giving the captain a wide berth and stopping a few feet from the prisoner, who was huddled on the rug with his head bowed. “He looks like him, I will grant you that. The scholar and I will question him, and we’ll find out the truth of this. You have done valuable work, Captain Jervis. I promise, you have earned your reward. Your troop, as well. Commander Bennett will summon them, and they will be rewarded as well.”

28-Jun-2008 20:18:20 - Last edited on 28-Jun-2008 20:30:38 by Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Pride surged in Jervis’ heart. To have finally been able to serve his Empire successfully, to do something worthwhile. It may not end the famine, but the entire world had wondered at the mystery of the vanished tournament. And being here, in the presence of his king…his head felt light, his body almost weightless. He barely heard through his daze as the servant returned and told Issavan that Commander Bennett waited in the next room, with the troop, and Tomas was in the antechamber. “Rise,” ordered his king, and Jervis heard that clearly. His knees were shaky as he climbed to his feet and bowed deeply.
“It is an honor to have served you, your Majesty,” he murmured.
Issavan waved him on, rolling his eyes at the captain’s back. The servant led him out of the audience chamber, down the hall, and into a room just beyond. This room lacked the grandeur of the chamber Jervis had exited, and instead both walls and floor were bare, cold, gray stone. It was lit by glowing torches set in brackets at lengthy intervals along with wall. The only furniture was a wooden table, behind which sat the man who must be Commander Bennett. The commander was tall and broad-shouldered; a built warrior. He wore no armor, instead, a deep violet surcoat and black trousers. Golden tassels decorated the shoulders of his coat and five golden bars lined the sleeves, marking his high rank in the king’s army. A sword hilt protruded above the table from his hip. Across the table lay an enameled scabbard, and at its end was a large gold hilt studded with amethysts in the pommel.
Bennett’s head was bare, revealing a shiny bald spot surrounded by lank brown hair. His face was clear shaven with a square jaw and steely gray eyes. His brows pointed downward and his mouth was a thin line, placing a perpetual scowl on his features.

28-Jun-2008 20:26:24 - Last edited on 28-Jun-2008 20:31:48 by Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
He attempted a smile as the captain entered, but it looked oddly out of place, and he looked more maniacal than anything else. Jervis also saw a large chest sitting by the commander’s feet.
Jervis smiled back, barely containing the greed he felt as he eyed that chest, which could only be filled with gold, and bowed deeply, then nodded briefly to his squad that surrounded him. As he turned, he noted the other soldiers stationed around the room, who wore chainmail and carried swords in their belts. They stared stonily at their commander, and Jervis followed their gaze.
“Welcome, Captain Jervis, of the Ninth Company,” intoned Commander Bennett in a deep, gravelly voice. “It his Majesty’s wish that you and your troop be rewarded for your efforts in bringing him a valuable prisoner. For both you and your men, we give this gold; one thousand gold pieces.” A sharp nod, and two soldiers lifted the chest and set it before Jervis, then unlocked the lid. Jervis stared at the dazzling gold and could not believe his good fortune. His troubles were done! The coins glittered in the dim orange lightly and his world spun around him.
“And for your valiant efforts, Captain, we offer this sword to recognize and honor you.” Bennett rose, lifting the sword and outstretching it toward Jervis. As the Captain reached for it, however, there was a metallic hiss and steel flashed in the torchlight, and sudden fire raked across his throat. He stared at Commander Bennett, at the crimson liquid dripping slowly off the gleaming blade, watched it spray drop by drop across his precious gold, and shock flooded ice through his veins. His legs buckled and he fell to one knee, gasping, one hand reaching up to touch the gaping wound across his neck. Black spots flashed before his eyes and he collapsed forward.

28-Jun-2008 20:29:32 - Last edited on 28-Jun-2008 20:32:08 by Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
“Unfortunately, his Majesty wishes no witnesses to the man you brought in tonight,” sighed Commander Bennett. “No one can know.” He nodded to his soldiers, and suddenly Jervis’ shocked troop reacted and dove for their weapons, but they were too slow. The commander’s soldiers were upon them in seconds, slicing throats and splashing blood across the walls. As Commander Bennett left with his men, only a few minutes later, only corpses remained in the gruesome chamber. “Long live the king,” he whispered, and sheathed his bloody sword with a smile.
~*~*~*~ End of Chapter ~*~*~*~

28-Jun-2008 20:32:25

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
~*~*~*~ Chapter Nine ~*~*~*~
Issavan heaved his bulk into the chair, then clasped his hands above the table and stared across at his prisoner. “Get out,” he snapped, not taking his eyes off the man, and Commander Bennett bowed quickly and left the room. Outside, he closed the door, walked a few paces down the hall, then stood with his hand on his sword to guard against intruders. His King’s specific instructions were no interruptions, not at any cost. Bennett himself had only a slight curiosity as to what went on behind that door; if this man was who the captain had said, that would be interesting, sure, but he did*’t see how it would end the famine or stop the plague. Besides, it was none of his business what the King did. He’d protect his Majesty no matter what.
Inside, Issavan continued to stare at the prisoner, who sat slumped in his chair, shaking, nearly senseless. Blood and dirt streaked his face, hair, and clothes, and he was hollow and drawn, sick and nearly dead. The Emperor was disgusted by this pitiful creature. It was hard to believe that this could be the same proud, charming man who’d shaken his hand with a grin and boarded that ship months ago. If it was, however, there’d be trouble; it meant Amodiel had been wrong, that he hadn’t succeeded, and if these people were still alive they were probably out to get him.
“Drink,” he ordered. The man’s bony, scarred fingers wrapped around the cup before him and lifted it to dry, chapped lips. The water sloshed over his manacled wrists before some of it finally went into his mouth. He set it down again, groaning.
“Bond?” he asked softly.
The man shivered, but did*’t look up. “Bond Cornerstone,” he said, more forcefully.
Now the man looked up with vacant, bloodshot eyes, and took another slow sip of the water. It seemed to revitalize him.“You too?” he rasped. “Who’s Bond Cornerstone?”

28-Jun-2008 20:33:16

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
A cruel smile curved the Emperor’s lips. “Don’t play games with me. I know who you are.”
A rattling laugh erupted from the man’s throat. “Funny, because I don’t even know. You say I’m Bond Cornerstone? Why’* that matter to you? Who the hell are you anyway?” He turned his head, coughing violently. Issavan fought the urge to push back his chair from the table and get away from this nauseating thing.
“I am the Emperor!” he roared and pounded his fist on the table. He was beginning to lose patience.
Bond stopped coughing. “Of what?” he choked out.
“Everywhere!”
He nodded slowly. “So why – why do I matter to the Emperor of Everywhere?” Even in his ghastly state, Bond had the gall to mock him. Issavan was infuriated. He had done right to rid his empire of these arrogant, filthy people. Too bad Amodiel and Emmaris had been too stupid to finish the job correctly.
“Do you remember the tournament, Bond?”
He frowned, coughing again. “Nope.”

“Don’t lie to me!” He surged upward from his seat, sending the table flying over, water splashing across the prisoner.
Bond cowered back. “I – I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he stammered.
“How many of you survived? Is Emmaris alive? How did you escape the island?” he bellowed. “What about the savages? Were you coming for me? What happened to you? Is this just some ploy to get into my castle?” Bond was at a loss for an answer, unable to remember anything. Nothing Issavan said made any sense to him. When he did*’t reply, Issavan reached out and slammed a hand across his face. The chair toppled backwards and Bond lay motionless on the ground.
“Answer me!” screeched the Emperor, skirting the table to land a boot in Bond’s stomach. The sick man doubled over, groaning in pain. “How many of you survived?” Kick. “How did you get back here?” Kick. “What are you planning to do to me?” Kick. “Where are your friends?” Kick. “Why are you lying?”

28-Jun-2008 20:33:26

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Bond moaned, reduced to a senseless wreck once more, clutching at his stomach. He tried to explain that he did*’t understand, but words had deserted him. All he knew was the exploding pain throughout his body, the blinding agony in his mind, and that empty void that refused to hint as to who he was. He sobbed weakly as Issavan kicked him yet again, and suddenly his body gave up and emptied the contents of his stomach over the Emperor’s leather boots.
It was the final straw for Issavan. Howling, he threw open the door and shrieked at Commander Bennett, “Get this repulsive thing out of my sight!* Then he stormed from the room. Bennett entered, dragging the prisoner to his feet. Wordlessly, he shoved him down the hall, away from the interrogation room and down the steps into the royal prisoner. Here the most important criminals were locked away from all daylight and civilization. Bennett took him down two more flights of steps, so that they were at least four levels below ground. It was dark and dank down here; the prison was not well maintained, so there were leaks and cave-ins constantly – but nobody really cared. Criminals brought down here disappeared forever.
A cell was kicked open, and the prisoner was tossed into the straw with a moan. Then Bennett dragged the door shut, clicked the padlock shut, and trotted back up the stairs.

28-Jun-2008 20:33:38

Quick find code: 49-50-222-43530230 Back to Top