The flickering flames of the dungeon torches illuminated the narrow and dungy pathway. The echoes of several sets of footsteps traveled far and wide through the cold air as the group of men made their way through the eerie atmosphere. Maxim clenched his fist in an effort to keep himself from covering his nose from the nauseating stench that had permeated the air, horrified at the living conditions his mother had been forcibly subjected to.
“She’s just further down this pathway. Last I checked on her, she was in much better spirits due to being given higher quality rations…though as to why the captain would order that to be done only to order her execution just hours later is…unknown to me.”
Alfe spoke as he led the group, trying to ignore the uneasy feeling of Maxim’s glare. As they passed a cell, a man that was in obvious need of medical attention with pus-filled boils dotting his entire body, his body clearly malnourished as his skin clung to his bones. Father Vonder stopped in front of the cell and stared at the man. “What crime did this man commit to be treated in such a cruel manner?”
Alfe guiltily looked at the man. “The captain had informed me that he was caught in the process of assaulting a young man and apprehended. However, the investigation into his crime has stalled, and the man and his partner have publicly stated that it was a misunderstanding, that he was actually helping him after he had fallen and injured himself. Despite their testimony, the captain has ordered the man to remain imprisoned with just the barest of essentials.”
“How horrid…this is…are there others like this man?”
“There’s a handful that I’m quite…uneasy…with imprisoning. However, there’s quite a few who deserve to be treated even harsher than they already are.”
Father Vonder continued staring at the man before glaring at Alfe, the intensity of his glare freezing Alfe in his place. “And you’ve been complicit with this the entire time?!”
Alfe sheepishly looked away. “I…the captain…he’s–”
Father Vonder cut Alfe off. “No matter what kind of man you thought the captain to be, his actions against the innocent should have required an anonymous report of his dealings! The church could have–”
Maxim cleared his throat. “You two can discuss the particulars later. I just want to reach my mother!”
Father Vonder stared at Alfe for a few moments before nodding as Alfe meekly continued forward. “Your mother…she was treated relatively well compared to the others…” Alfe murmured as he picked up the pace. A solid minute later, the group approached a large cell at the end of the pathway. Alfe lit the closest torch before turning back towards the cell. “Ma’am…you have a visitor.” He stated before reaching for the key ring and unlocking the cell. Mathis briefly hesitated, terrified of seeing just in what condition his mother was in. However, after reaching out and swinging the door open, Mathis entered the cold room. “Mother…Mother, are you there?” He called out, his voice cracking and filled with both fear and hope.
“M-Mathis? Is…Is it really…you?” His mother’s feeble voice called from inside the cell. Through the faint glow from the torch, Mathis could see a shadow in the corner struggling to stand up before slowly step towards him. When her face became visible, Mathis burst into tears and rushed up towards her, pulling her into a tight embrace. “Mother…Mother…” He whispered as he held her close. “I’m so glad to see you alive…I had thought that…”
Mathis’s mother wrapped her arms around him, hugging him with equal fervor. “I was worried about you, my dear boy! I never…I never expected that the knights would…”
Mathis finally leaned back and shook his head, staring at his weary mother. “The knights are experiencing inner turmoil…and the captain is engaging in the corruption that I spoke about earlier. It’s not known just how far this corruption has spread, but should we escape from the city, you should be safe.”
“What about you? You speak as if you aren’t going to come home.”
Mathis gave her a soft smile. “The goddess has given me a different journey that I must embark on, though the details of where I must travel are unknown to me. Remember how you always told me the goddess would use me mightily?” Mathis’s gaze turned into one of determination. “You were correct.”
Finally stepping back, he motioned towards Drystan, who was bending down and slowly massaging his calves. “Mother, this is Drystan, and he has quite an interesting tale that should explain why I must depart from the village.”
Drystan straightened out his back as he stepped forward. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, but pardon my bluntness in my saying that we need to leave as quickly as possible. It will only be a matter of time until the knights who assaulted Alfe will be missed. We need to put as much distance in-between us and the city as possible.”
Mathis’s mother gave Drystan a confused expression before nodding. “I’m not sure just how far I can walk given the circumstances, but I’ll continue for as long as my legs will allow me.”
Mathis walked next to his mother as they left the cell and quickly made their way through the passageway. Drystan looked at Father Vonder as they walked. “What about you? I’m certain that the knights saw you and will report that you were a part of the group that broke his mother out of the dungeon.”
Father Vonder shook his head. “I fail to comprehend your meaning. I was dragged here against my will in a dastardly attempt to gain access to the dungeon.” He smirked as he stared ahead. “It is imperative that I remain here and head an investigation into the order. I cannot ignore what has transpired this evening. I’ll admit I didn’t believe your words initially, but…at least concerning this…you now have my trust.”
“But not about…”
“I’m sorry…but I’ve thought about that day many times. I have yet to see any corroborating evidence that supports your claims. Though you have yet to explain to me just what sorcery you used to save Alfe’s life.”
“It’s not any sorcery or magic…it was Seraphina’s blessing.”
“You expect me to believe that the goddess herself blessed a murderer like you?”
Drystan sighed, slightly exasperated. “I’m not a murderer...but yes, she did bless me. I’m just as surprised as you that I was chosen, but it’s the truth.”
Father Vonder was silent for a bit before slowly nodding. “Very well…if that’s the story you’ve crafted, I have no choice but to go along with it for now.” As they approached the entrance to the dungeon, Alfe opened the door and motioned for everyone to exit. “Head towards the south exit. It’s the least guarded entrance into the city, and is guarded only by the town watch. The knights avoid that gate except for traveling out of the city.”
“And what about you?” Father Vonder inquired, his gaze distrustful.
Alfe sighed, his body stiffening slightly before speaking. “I need to report that…rogue knights attacked the dungeon and, in the chaos, a prisoner was able to escape.” Alfe stared at Father Vonder. “You’ll need sources for your investigation, will you not?”
Father Vonder nodded. “I’m hesitant to trust you, but I can’t look a gift horse in the mouth…very well.”
Looking at Drystan, Mathis, and his mother, Father Vonder nodded to them. “Ma’am, as a member of the church, I cannot apologize enough for what a knightly order of the church has done to you. I promise you that I will make those responsible for this miscarriage of justice answer for their crimes.”
Mathis’s mother feebly smiled and nodded. “I shall look forward to that day…”
“Thank you, Father Vonder.” Mathis said. “I shall pray daily for your investigation to be a success.” With that, the three of them walked down the path, stepping over the bodies of the still unconscious knights, hoping to make it out of the city before it was too late.
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