The Price of Duty - Prologue

Within the prisons, it's cold and dark. Locked up there, you are unsure of the outcome. Your fate hanging in someone else's hands.

The faint echo of my leather boots hitting stone floor travel along the dimly lit halls, the constant flicker of firelight from the torch that I held creating omaness shadows as I briskly made my way. My heart thudding in my chest, threatening to burst forth.

Most would say it was too risky, that I should let things be, let fate take it’s course...but I had to try, to at least reason with him. If he wasn’t so stubborn, things could be different...right?

I let out a sigh, the faint sound coming out louder than it should have been as I fumbled with the keys. “Maybe I’m being delusional.” I mumble, trying to control my shaking hand.

Placing a gloved hand to wood, I give it a shove watching as the door swings open, orange light flooding the dark hall. Walking further in, I could hear the sounds of metal creaking before a thud echoes out behind me. Steadying my breath, I head towards the single cell.

The drugs won’t last long. Thirty minutes, perhaps forty at most. It should give me enough time. But perhaps that was hopeful thinking on my part. I just hoped he was in a good mood to be reasoned with.

Before removing the hood of my cloak, I send a quick look behind me, just to be sure I was alone, always having that strange feeling someone was watching my back. Though only the sounds of my own breath met my ears. My attention was soon drawn back to the cell, a low shuffle heard within as the figure got to his feet.

“Vienda.” A deep voice grumbled.

Eyes narrowing, I place the torch closer to the prison in one of the metal rings. “No need for the formalities, Aiden.”

Sheesh, speaking about bad tempers.

Hand lifting to shield his face from the light, gold flecked green irises meet my own the orange glow dancing across his face. “What are you doing down here?” He asks, passing a glance behind me. “You know the risks.”

“Isn’t it obvious?” I can feel my eyebrows knit together crossing my arms over my chest, the silver plating cold to the touch.

Hands gripping the bars knuckles stained red, Aiden gives me a look I can only describe as disbelieve, dried blood crusting his face. “It’s dangerous! What if your Father-”

“I’ll deal with my Father.” I snap, my voice reverberating throughout the hall. I stop myself from looking for more patches of blood, knowing exactly what I would find. My Father wouldn’t have put him in here without punishment first.

“But if he finds out-”

“He wont!”

“How can you be so sure?”

I shake my head, lifting my hand before he could say anything else. “It doesn’t matter.” Sighing, I continue. “We don’t have long. And I need to talk to you.”

Aiden stares at me for a moment before crossing his arms, the armour that used to adorn his body long removed, leaving him in his torn tunic and pants. Jaw set, he waits, letting the cold silence drag out.

His eyes staring me down, I could practically hear the thoughts go through his head. ‘Vanessa, if your father finds out he’ll have your head, or something like, if he finds out you drugged everyone in the palace, he would do unspeakable things.’ Not like I don’t already know those things. But I chose to take the risk.

“Can’t you agree to his terms? What is the point in dragging this out?” I suddenly bite out, my voice cutting through the air like a knife. I was planning on leading into that question a little more tactfully, but you can’t take back what’s been said. Besides, he rather I was forward with him, anyway.

A look I can’t quiet place flashes across Aiden’s face, just for a second, perhaps sadness, anger. Either one, he covers it up quickly, like it was never there. “Jumping right in, aren’t you?”

“This is serious.” I counter. Glaring at him.

“You know why!” He snaps, turning away from me, kicking the plate resting on the floor back under the gate towards me, untouched.

“I know, but is it worth it? To be executed over? You have two days, Aiden. His going to make a spectacle out of you.”

Ouch, go ahead and throw salt on the wound, Vanessa. I scold myself, holding myself down from jumping back as his gaze shoots back to me. Clearly having struck a nerve, I stood firm, challenging him with my eyes arms remaining at my chest.

“That’s the reality of your situation.” I finish, watching the thoughts race across his face.

“You don’t think I realise that?”

“I didn’t say that! I...I just want to know why?” I ask, moving forwards and gripping the bars, the metal rough under my fingertips. I watch him pace from one end to another, muttering under his breath.

“What more is there to loose?” I ask only when his eyes meet mine again.

“Because…” He pauses, running a hand over his face, gritting his teeth. “Because, what kind of example will I be by bending the knee...To that Scumbag!” He waves his hand in a random direction.

“That scumbag is still my Father.” My tone is steady as I cross my arms, leaning against the wall.

He sighs, resting his forehead against the cell wall. “Either way I go, killed, or alive, he will make a spectacle out of me. His taken everything I have. I’m not giving him my dignity.”

I shrug, “You have every reason to be mad, to want to take some kind of revenge. Hell I would. I know of what his done. I’m not proud of it either.” Aiden opens his mouth to speak, but quickly closes it again as I let out a sigh. “But, you aren’t going to achieve that by being dead. You know this. You know I have your back in any situation, but I can’t help you if you throw your life away, just to keep your dignity.”

Aiden stares at me through the bars, before looking down at the floor, his jaw moving, but no words are being said.

“Aiden…” I reach through the bars, grabbing his hand, lightly squeezing, bringing his attention back to me.

“How many more will follow if I bend to his wimp, what kind of example is that?” His fingers wrapping around my own, his voice steady but yet a hint of desperation breaks through. “At least by standing against him until my last breath, I’ve stayed true to my word, to myself.”

“You are the head of this rebellion, Aiden. If you fall, the rest will follow.” I study his face, watching the conflicting thoughts flash across his face. “Bending the knee doesn’t make you a coward. It buys you time. Think about Grace. She needs you. Who’s going to look out for her when you're gone?”

Aiden runs a hand through his hair, dust partials becoming fine specks in the firelight, the orange flames dancing in his eyes as he looks down the long corridor.

“Don’t do it. If not for me, for her.” I beg, voice trembling as I look up at him face softening.

Fisting his hands at his sides, a light scrape heard as he turns to face me. “If I pledge my loyalty to…” His face twists in disgust. “Damien. How am I supposed to look after her from within these walls?”

“From with in here, in his army, fighting his battles, you’ll be the one to make sure they stay off her trail.” I say, forcing a smile to grace my face, there is still hope, it may be small, but there is away.

“Please, trust me. You’ve gone through this before.” I look too the side slightly as I mumble. “Though this time you’ll have to be willing, and have to bent the knee in front of everyo-” I trail off as I catch Aiden frowning at me, a thick eyebrow lifted. “Heh, sorry.”

He shakes his head. “I suppose you have a few fair arguments. It’s just, I don’t know how it’s going to work from now on. He will be watching every move I make.”

“For the beginning, yes. But he can’t forever.”

Aiden tilts his head to the side, staring at me.

Or, maybe he can...but he doesn’t need to know that, or be reinforced in thinking that.

“Look, we can make a plan and figure something out after this ordeal is over.” I say after a while, realising we didn’t have much time left, I had to be back in my room before the guards woke up. “Just promise me you’ll agree to his terms.”

Reaching through the bars, Aiden’s hand wraps around my own, giving it a light squeeze. “I promise.” He manages the words with a heavy sigh.

I watch as he forces a smile, the gesture not reaching his eyes. It would have to do for now though, know one in his position would be all to happy about what I’m asking, if not any. Most would tell me to get lost. I’m sure that thought went through his head a few times.

I give a small smile in return. “Thank you.”

Aiden’s eyes flash up to look at the heavy door that stood at the end of the hall, I followed his gaze. Listening. I could feel my heart pick up it’s hurried pace again. I couldn’t hear anything, but a part of me had to know Aiden couldn’t make anything out either.

Giving my shoulders a light push, he nods towards the door. “You should go.”

Reluctantly, I nod pulling my hood back over my head. A part of me wasn’t sure if I should believe Aiden, or if I could pull some strings on my end with my Father. But when I looked back at him, his grim form only told me to stop meddling from this point out. Aiden wasn’t wrong when it came to my Father and the love he had for me. It was fickle. He could easily do to me what he did to my Mother. That concept constantly haunting me.

Turning swiftly on my heel, I remove the torch from its place on the wall, heading back down the long corridor. Even though I had got Aiden to agree, a part of me still worried for his safety, Father could turn on a dime, even if Aiden agreed to the terms set out for him.

A long breath leaving my lungs, I close the wooden door behind me, concealing the remaining light from Aiden’s view.

Author's Note

The story is still in the making. I'm open to any suggestions as this is the first draft.