CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Cleon and I were taken to the dungeons were we passed several rolls of people in torment in their cells. Before we entered i've been hearing cries of pain and torture but immediately we entered everyone quiet down and started greeting Cleon respectfully.

My prince welcome back came most of the greetings all of them bowing their heads.

The guards led us to the farthest cell and closed it after we entered.

Immediately we entered i felt something was strange about this cell but i couldn't put my hand to it.

I turned to find Cleon whezzing in excruciating pain, as sores broke out all over his body.

Cleon i shouted as i rushed to him, i held his head in my pain but removed my hand almost immediately because he was fiery hot to the touch.

Cleon i shouted once again but his eyes were closed and he seemed to be convulsing. I tried to use my power to at least bring down his temperature but as much as i tried nothing happenned.

Someone please help me i started shouting, i turned to see the guards who escorted us in watching.

Please help me i beg, he is dying please do something.

The guards looked at me and Cleon turned their backs and left.

No please come back, please i beg you i can stay here but please help him i started crying. Running to the iron bars and shaking them, immediately my hand touched the bars i cried out in pain, i immediately removed my hands to find burn marks on my palm.

What in the name of the spirits is this?

The other cells was quiet as if they all knew that whatever torture they are going through is no match for what Cleon is going through.

I ran back to Cleon and managed to place his head on my lap while crying because of the pain i was going through. The burn marks on my palm coupled with the heat coming out from his body was a terrible combination.

Cleon please wake up i cried.

I felt so useless.

Suddenly his eyes opened and it was pitch black.

Cleon i called out.

I realized his body was no longer hot and he was no longer convulsing. With a cough he sat upright and looked around him.

Cleon; i called again.

Are you alright?

I'm fine Evelinde.

Thank the spirits i said giving him a hug while crying.

Shhhhhhhhh it's okay, i'm fine now.

They are so wicked Cleon, how can your own father do this to you?

It's okay Evelinde, i'm fine truly.

Look at your body, how can you be fine; i said pulling away from him.

He reached into his pocket and gave me a small cloth to wipe my tears. He waved his hand on his body and suddenly all his sores disappeared.

Ahhhhhh i cried out in pain as i tried wiping my face.

Let me see that.

What happened to you?

I touched the bars and got burnt.

He waved his hands on my palm and my palm was back to normal.

He stood up and said a spell and immediately the feeling i was having when i entered was gone.

They've improved, i give them that.

What do you mean Cleon?

The sorcerers spelled the cell with black Dahlia, it is a plant that is poisonous to someone like me when used with other elements of magic.

It can even kill me.

Why would they do this to you?

It's okay i've lifted the spell, how are you feeling?

Better, thank you. But why is your eyes still black?

That's my body's way of healing, whenever i'm in danger my other nature takes over more like a defense mechanism.

I'm so glad you are okay for a moment i thought i've lost you, by the spirits i'm so relieved; i said sitting down and resting my back on the wall.

Thank you Evelinde.

For what?

For standing for me back there in the throne room and for being here for me, and also worrying about me. No one has ever done that for me. Thank you.

You are welcome, i also did it for me Cleon.

What do you mean?

You are like all i have, i have no one besides you. Meeting and being your companion has been the best thing to ever happen to me in fact the only good thing to happen to me. You treat me like an equal and take care of me, you chastise and reprimand me yet care and defend me. You are all i have Cleon this two days has been the best days of my life. I was not joking when i said i go wherever you go.

My prince i am your responsibility.

Wow, how long have you been waiting to say all that?

Oh please, at least pretend to be touched by my speech.

Awwwwwwwwwwwww Evelinde thank you so much for that, i am beyond honored you think so highly of me; Cleon said in a singsong voice.

What is that, stop it; i said laughing out loud and not long after Cleon joined me laughing.

How long do you think we will be here for?

Days maybe.

You think?

The feast of enchantment is days away from now. I don't think my father or the council would risk his son and their prince being in a dungeon when other royalties come visiting.

The feast of enchantment?

The grand feast, is attended by representatives from the other four kingdoms, where members of the royal families and individuals gifted with magical abilities compete for supremacy.

It happens every two years.

I know of the feast, i've just never attended.

Well i do attend, but don't participate.

So you think the king we release us because of the upcoming feast?

He has no choice, i am afterall a member of the royal family and we have to present a united and a peaceful front.

Aegalia is the envy of the five kingdoms. The other kingdoms will look for any loophole or flaw to get us down. We can't afford to show them any weakness.

Wow, here i thougt my parents were the worst, now compared to you i seem to be very fortunate. At least my parents left me to my fate.

I've kept the temperature in the room warm enough for you so that you won't feel the cold. I will go get us some food and gather some information stay here i will be back shortly.

What do you mean you will go get us some food? We are locked in a dungeon Cleon.

Are we?

And the next thing i knew Cleon disappeared and appeared outside the cell.

How did you do that i said rushing to the bars in awe.

You can touch the bars now, it is safe.

I did and nothing happened; You are amazing i whispered.

I watched as Cleon went to each cells greeting and asking about everyone's well being.

I went back and sat down on the floor.

I opened my eyes to find Cleon sitting beside me with his eyes closed. I must have fallen asleep. I sat upright and yawned.

Good you are up.

How long have i been asleep?

Long enough but that's okay you've had quite the day.

Ohhhhh food i said happily when i saw the tray of food.

Yes, and they are all yours.

Really? You are not eating?

I've ate my fill already.

At least drink the wine with me.

Sure.

Cleon drank his wine as i ate my food; he came prepared with bread, cake, meat and fruits.

You know Cleon, this feels like home.

Home is after all where the heart is Evelinde.

I guess you are right, so you know the other prisoners i asked in a whisper.

Cleon chuckled; you don't have to whisper. No one will hurt you and yes i know them.

How?

If you get locked up in here as much as i've been, you will too.

Wait, this is not your first time?

This is not even my tenth time Evelinde.

What!?

Hey calm down it is fine.

So when you said the sorcerers have improved, you meant it?

My father think regular cell and torture is too mild for the likes of me so each time i get thrown in here the sorcerers are always looking of ways to make it more painful than the last.

Spirits help us; i said in a whisper.

It's all fine though, it helped me in understanding my nature and gaining control of my powers. It took some getting used to but i did get used to it. The first time, i was twelve and thought i was going to die. But that's when i discovered that me being a dark one also serve as a defence mechanism and protects me. So if i face any magical danger my other nature kicks in for my protection while my body gets used to the danger after which i become stable enough to take care of myself as you have seen today.

But why would your father throw a twelve year old boy in the dungeon?

It's a long story but to summarise it, i was fighting with Casper and i burned him with my fire.

And that was the reason you were thrown into a spell fortified dungeon?

Well Casper is the crown prince, it is criminal offense to hurt any member of the royal family let alone the crown prince.

But you are royalty and a prince too and he is your brother. Surely you did not intentionally want to harm him.

Tell that to my father.

Anyway, i was left here for about five days with no food or water or anyone to talk to. So on the second day i let myself out to go look for food that's how i befriended the other prisoners.

Wait they've been here that long?

Not all of them some have serve their punishment and have been freed while others are still serving and some are new as well.

So you made friends with them, like are they not bad people?

Some are worse than some, but majority of them are quite innocent and pitiful.

What do you mean?

About ten of the people here currently, their only crime was getting on the wrong side of some of the council members.

Really, what happened to normal cells?

Aren't dungeons made for hardened criminals?

Well you are here, are you a hardened criminal?

Hmmmmm, fair point. So did you find any information?

Yeah i did, we will be kept here for two days after which we will be set free.

Two days?

Yes.

Well i guess i can manage, especially if you continue feeding me like this. I actually don't mind. You are here with me after all.