[Child of the 7th Age]

Novnarwen's post

Liol stood waiting around on the back side of the King's Hall, when Brytta appeared around the corner. The cousins trudged up the hillside and to the castle; none of them said a word. The building was large and looked a lot like an old barn. Liol looked up, the roof stretched up far above their heads. "Come on," Brytta muttered. "Lets do what we came here to do," he continued. The woman agreed with him, and was pleased to see he was eager to get started, just like herself.

Inside the light blinded them. Liol rubbed her eyes trying to see clearly. "Alright," she whispered and her cousin led the way. The hall was a stunning place. The golden walls were filled with pictures. They were carved into the wall, and the images were many. Liol got a glance at a woman from one of the pictures bending down to pick up a flower. Her eyes were deep and seemed to look out of the wall. Liol shuddered; it was almost as if the lady watched them passing the guards. Brytta and Liol continued, hoping no one would notice them. They walked with careful steps, looking around in the room to be sure there were no suspicious eyes.

"Oh dear. Where are you two going?" They had come to the end of the Hall. A tall guard looked down on them. Liol became suddenly insecure. Ouch, she thought, already noticed. Well, they had to explain their errand at least once, but to this guy? He looked like a rough guy who would cause problems, Liol thought. That one over there looks nice though. The woman looked around in the room, trying to get eye contact, maybe he would come over.

"I am Brytta, and this is my cousin Liol," Brytta explained. "We would like to see my brother Heldór," he continued. The guard looked at them with vicious eyes. "The guy who is going to be executed, you mean?" he said and gave a short evil, I-am-in-power laugh. Brytta grinned at him, while Liol just wanted to punch this nasty fellow. With some effort Brytta held her back, but Liol was stilled upset by this guard's reply. "You ain't getting anywhere with that attitude," he said at last, after watching their reactions. He was especially looking towards Liol.

Now I've done it. Liol gave an I-am-sorry look towards Brytta, but he turned away saying nothing. The tall proud guard set his hands to his waist and it seemed that he really expected them to turn around and go away. Liol was still mad but turned on the little charm she had. "I am sorry," she muttered while taking a step towards the guard. Liol made an innocent face, taking a hair lock and twinning it around her finger. "It's just that, this is my cousin, and he is going to die. Will you not let us see him one last time?" She folded her hands over her face and started weeping. From between her fingers she saw a crowd staring at the tall man, now looking quite embarrassed, and he let his hand slip down on her shoulder. Then the guard looked around to make sure nothing was wrong and that he hadn't done anything to upset the little lady standing in front of him. Brytta on the other hand was surprised by Liol's act, but also surprised by the guard's reaction. The vicious man seemed finally to loosen up. Liol dried her tears away from her eyes with the back of her hand, just letting the one tear left run down her cheek.

"Don't cry," the guard said at last, now desperate in his voice. He drew his hand roughly from the lady's shoulder and grew red. "Alright, you may see him. Just go down there," he pointed at a set of steps and continued, "You’ll find him, I guess."

Brytta grabbed Liol's hand and dragged her towards the steps leading to the dungeon. However, before Liol disappeared down and into the dark she could swear to have seen the guard pick up a tissue from his pocket and dry his wet eyes.

Brytta and Liol hurried down the curving steps. The light from the Hall grew fainter and fainter. As they were getting tired they finally reached the bottom. The light here wasn't too much to brag about; they were just able to see.

"Oh hi there," Liol shrieked. Brytta got the hint and hurried over to the other side of the room, unnoticed. The Key Master got up from his chair and stepped forward. It was a young (probably new) man. She passed him, walking over to the small desk. "Your office, eh?" she asked, settling herself on the chair. The man looked as if he was relieved finally to have company, and also flattered that someone had called his desk an office. "Come here," she bade, and pointed at the desk. "Sit," she commanded. "Here with me."

The man stirred at her and grew pale, but did as she had asked. Brytta sat still in the corner listening attentively to the conversation. Just then when the Key-Master turned his back to the desk, to jump up on it, Liol grabbed the keys which were placed so nicely there. Brytta ran from the corner, got the keys from his cousin who slipped them over behind her back and continued to the cell room; the Key-Master didn't suspect anything!

"I want to know all about your job," Liol said after their crazy stunt. The young man did again as she bade and started telling all there was to know about the different keys, the prisoners, (and to Liol's rage he mentioned Heldór and called him an evil murderer). It seemed that Liol was listening very carefully to what the young man said, but the truth was that her ears were somewhere else. The cell room was close by, but she could still not hear anything from Brytta.

Minutes passed, and suddenly Liol heard a faint voice let out a small shriek. The Key-Master continued telling about his job. Now or never, Liol thought.

"Is that a rat?!," she screamed while jumping up on the desk. She was standing and pointing at a spot on the floor. The confused man stirred first at the floor then at the screaming lady. Liol held her fot ready and when he turned, she kicked him so hard in the face he fell on the floor unconscious.

[ July 21, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]