If Moludri could guess, it was still nightfall. The chill that he felt in the prison cell gave him the general idea. Or maybe it was because he was beneath the stronghold. He was not allowing confusion to cloud his judgment, nor the silence disrupt his mental state. Moludri was still sharp as a finely tuned blade. Meditating here and there to keep himself at peace, while also dissecting the entire conversation that led up to his arrest.
In his mind, he felt as if he could step outside of his body, and watch the events unfold like a video, trying to spot clues that he did not see initially. Playing it over and over again.
Moludri heard the secured door handle tilt open, and the door slowly crept outwards with a dull creak. It echoed across the bare walls of his cell. It was the usual guard that came by to give barely any food, water, and be back on his way to his usual assignments. The tapping sound of his boots getting louder as he came into Moludri’s view. The guard was only carrying a cup of water and placed it on the small platform near the front opening of the cell.
They shared glances, and that was Moludri’s que to stand up, turn around, walk backwards, and allow the guard to take off the wrist restraints. Moludri did eventually come to his two feet, and began his usual process to obtain some form of nutrients. He realized he was feeling weakened due to the lack of nutrition. Fortunately, he was not feeling dizzy.
As the guard reached in, and removed the wrist restraints, Moludri slowly turned around and grasped the cup in his right hand. Looking inside it to make sure it wasn’t visibly contaminated, he brought it up to his lips and began to drink it slowly. Slow enough to not have it spill from the corner of his lips, and fast enough to get the entire cup of water down without making the guard wait.
After setting the cup down, and began to turn around to be restrained again, the guard spoke up to Moludri.
With a slightly gritty voice, “I know you didn’t do it. You wouldn’t have done such a thing. You never laid a hand on innocent people.”
Moludri nodded.
“It doesn’t change the fact that I am now banded as a traitor to the Red Blades.” He replied.
The guard nodded, “Your name will be cleared. I am certain of it. The stars have told me so.” He returned. “My name is Venari. For what it matters.” Venari looked over both shoulders, “I will do what is right, and what is necessary. I shall return in a moment, I have too many eyes and ears watching me enter your prison cell.” Venari was as tall as Moludri, his dark red battle armor did not mask his muscle, it was evident he was brutal and fierce. His helmet mostly covered his face and head, leaving only an open slot across his light purple eyes. He carried a Warhammer across his back.
“I thank you for your respect, Venari.” Moludri responded. Moludri held onto the vertical prison bars. “Do not risk your life for me.”
“I swore an oath to protect the innocent. I intend to fulfill it, with my life if necessary.” Venari began to walk off slowly.
“You have to restrain me.” Moludri, being honorable, was trying to keep Venari out of punishment.
“Negative. I will not comply with that order. It is unlawful.” Venari said over his right shoulder as he kept walking towards the exit.
Moludri watched him leave the prison chambers, and stayed at the cell with his hands still holding the bars.
I cannot have him be killed. Moludri thought.
* * *
Khodesh and Haezid arrived at Yagos.
Upon arrival they were greeted by Red Blade guards at the entrance.
“You cannot come any further, we are on curfew. No visitors are authorized.” One of them said to Haezid.
“You must be joking! We were just here. Come, let us chat a moment. Maybe there’s a misunderstanding. See, we brought Moludri here…” Haezid was abruptly cut off.
“Do not speak that traitors name!” The guard drew his sword and his partner did the same.
“Whoa whoa whoa, no need to get all upset.” Haezid responded with his hands up and open.
Khodesh spoke up, “What is going on here? What happened?”
“Turn and leave. Or you will be dealt with.” The guards started walking forward with their weapons still in hand.
“Violence is the language you speak? Fine. I speak the same language.” Haezid leapt off his horse, and drew his two handed battleaxe and went to a defensive stance. Khodesh followed suit, leaving her two handed sword on her back.
The first closest guard to Haezid went for a side swipe of his blade, and Haezid deflected it with the shaft of his battleaxe. The clang of metal meeting metal echoed through the darkness.
* * *
Cerlith left her friend be for the evening, pondering their discreet discussion. She took a deep breath in, slowly letting it out to release the tension held in her shoulders. Everything was buttoned up for the night, not a soul to be seen outside.
“By the Eights, this will not be easy.” She said to herself out loud.
* * *
Venari returned shortly as promised, and brought in a good hearty meal of venison, fresh vegetables, a local fruit, and a loaf of bread. He met Moludri at the cell where he still stood.
“You will need your strength.” Venari set the plate of food down on the platform.
Moludri grabbed the plate and nodded, sitting down on the floor in his cell as he began to inhale the food placed before him.
“I will do my best to bring you your armor and weapons.” Venari turned and walked away.
Moludri was too busy eating to realize that Venari left the cell. He hadn’t eaten a real meal in quite some time, and when the proteins hit his stomach, his energy immediately returned. His muscles absorbed the proteins and the carbohydrates gave him a brand new wind to breathe.
Story Time 