Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Micah and Spirk walked down the smooth and polished stone steps which ended at a slippery dark floor. “Here we are.” Spirk said enthusiastically.
“Thanks, Spirk” Micah said without looking at the human slave.

Spirk felt the wall and pulled on a string and the torches embedded on the wall lit up. “Let’s go” he walked onwards.

Micah expected Phora to be nearby, which is why he wondered why Spirk walked straight forward, without looking.
Directly across the stairs, past the assortment of cages and cells was an archway, adorned with curlicues, with a large dragon head atop. It was elaborate, incredibly detailed, and even from afar, anyone could tell it was worked hard on.
It was the ugliest work of art Micah had ever seen.
This is where Spirk stopped.
Micah nearly cried.
“I’m sorry” Spirk said, without turning to face the elf.

Spirk grabbed onto the curlicue archway and pulled it as if it was a knob. The curlicues danced in a circle as the dragon head slid down the wall and placed itself at the center of the arc.

Micah struggled to speak, but let out only a small whimper.

“Yes?” Spirk said compassionately. “What is it?”
“Has…” Micah was able to force out, “Noah sentenced her to anything yet?”
“Yes; belaying”

The piece of wall contained in the arc eased backwards, carving out a tunnel. Spirk stepped into the perfectly circular entrance and walked deeper into the tunnel. Micah followed suit.

At the end of the tunnel, the stone dragon head faced them; embedded on the wall, a mocking glare in its eyes. It turned a right angle in its place and we walked through.

At the center of the room was Phora; hanged by the wrists, and bloody; but strangely, still beautiful.

She woke up when they entered, “Micah!”

Micah ran towards her and embraced her bloddy torso. “Phora, don’t worry, I’ll get you out of here!”
Just then, Noah comes inside accompanied by a priest.
Micah released Phora and stepped back.

The priest’s long white robe swept the ground as he advanced towards the hanged human. He produced a book from his robes and opened it.
The priest faced Phora and began a monologue, “You have been accused of kidnapping the prince of Quedrub, Micah, and injuring several palace guards during the arrest. Following the standard  code of discipline, you have been sentenced to death by belaying tomorrow at dusk.”

Micah looked at Noah in hopeless desperation, waiting for a response.

The priest continued, “May your death teach the citizens of Quedrub and the rest of Virginia a valuable lesson, and Virginia have mercy on your tainted soul.”
Noah smiled his menacing smile and chuckled before leaving, immediately followed by the priest.

“Wait!” Micah yelled, “Is there no way to avoid the execution?”

The priest stepped forward before Noah could speak, “Yes, actually. If the victim and someone of royal blood forgive the accused, the accused will be excused from execution”
Micah’s eyes lit up, “Then I forgive her! I’m both the accused AND of royal blood! That surely must count for something”
“Why, you’re right my boy”, the priest looked at his b By the code of-“ the priest started

“NO” Noah interjected. “Give me the code book!” Noah snatched the book from the priest and read from it aloud, “If the accused has sinned against one of royal blood, by no means can the accused be exempted from the sentence declared upon him or her!” Noah looked up at Micah and smiled.

Micah snatched the book from Noah and fumbled through the pages. “There has to be something here!”

“Hey!” Spirk spoke up, “Is it considered kidnapping if Micah comes with her voluntarily?”

Micha handed the book back to the priest as Noah spoke.

“If he DID come voluntarily, the human could have explained it when the guards came to her house instead of putting up a struggle, right?” Noah said. I almost seemed as if he prepared for this debate; which he most likely did.
The priest shook his head and slammed his book shut before storming out.

Noah spoke as Micah glared at him teary-eyed, “Consider it vengeance”

Noah walked out of the room full of confidence and pride.

Micah and Spirk waited until they were sure that Noah and the priest were outside the dungeon before heading out themselves. Micah looked back to see Phora passed out. He said his last words to her and left.