Chapter 10 PAIN

The Waste Lands, hell on earth, the nature of this droughty land scape. It's the only place ever known to allow crime prevail in its full potential; there are four towns in the land, separated by a day's hike.

Each town has its head but under the lord of the Waste Lands, Goru Sein, a ruthless man with no regard for human life.

A cart carrying a large steel cage holding a group of battered prisoners trots through the gates of Slavers task, moving along the wide open street leading towards the town square. Slavers task is one of the towns in the Waste lands, governed by Rose Nigel, like the other towns, Slavers task is enclosed in a spherical shape by a wooden wall.

Although this very town was sour to the sight, the inner walls were old and ready to collapse at the loudest bang, the water supply at the entrance was home to flies, there were no trees neither birds flying around, the surroundings harbored various waste, the town was literally dead. The tents and cottages weren't in good shape either; the cottage roofs were home to bees and rats.

On getting to the town square the rider halts the horses, then five men harmed with hatchets hurried to the cage, hitting the bars to draw the attention of the slave citizens of the town. As soon as the rider unlocks the cage, one after the other the prisoners, cuffed by the hands began stepping down, amongst the prisoners was Elroy, leaping slightly with his bandaged left leg.

With the prisoners standing vertically the five armed men stood in front of them giving way for a young slim woman, clothed in fully fledged black frock.

Walking pass an old man, he sneezed, inhaling the pungent smell of the lady's ointment. She stopped on her track then with a quick turn kicks forward against the man's belly, throwing him over to the filthy muddy ground. Walking over to the groaning man she looked down on him, "does my presence irritate you?" she asked the trembling old man groaning in pain who shook his head negatively, unable to alter a word.

"You should be happy to be mine old dog" kicks hard against the belly of the old man continuously as he screams out in pain.

Elroy narrowed his eyes towards the lady, itching to put a stop to her actions but a man standing next to him held his hand. "Don't do that boy" he advised with a whisper "in case you haven't realized, you are in the middle of hell right now. You do not play hero in hell, you either become a heartless son of a bitch or a slave minding his own life; forget whatever you were taught before you came here, forget God. He won't reach you here."

"Then I came to the right place" Elro assured then drags his hand from the man.

Noticing the movement of Elroy towards the lady one of the harmed men tried to stop him but another of his companion held him back.

"That's enough" Elroy spoke out.

The lady immediately stopped kicking at the unconscious old man, then turns to Elroy, "You want to play hero boy?" She asked with a light tone, walking towards Elroy "then you have no idea where you are." Hits her kneel against Elroy's belly, bringing him to is knees as he holds tight his belly, grunting over the unexpected unbearable pain, holding unto Elroy's hair firmly she dragged his head towards her kneel. A direct hit to Elroy's nose sent him to the ground with a cry as he holds his bleeding nose.

"Now listen up dogs" she turns to the prisoners "in case you have no idea as to where the fuck you are, you are in the waste lands; hell on earth, forget anything about the outside world" kicks hard against Elroy's belly who let out a slight groan "off the four town's in the waste lands you landed in my town, you are my property now. I have legal rights to do whatever I wish with any of you, anytime, anywhere, get that thought in progress." Rose assured then turns over at the harmed men "Get this trash to my quarters, my old play dull is broken."

Two harmed men immediately took Elroy by the hand and dragged him away.

Kingdom of Lance

Castle Compound

In the throne room of the Castle, just before the elevated throne platform, a large round table was set. Seated on the right half were the elders of Lance; Chiefs representing each district, on the left half were five district Commanders. As soon as the Lancian guard standing beside the unoccupied silver finished chair spotted Prince Richard descending the stairs on the right, he stood at attention and announced his coming, "welcome crowned Prince Richard of the Levia house." The elders and commanders rose from their chairs then proclaimed, "May his morning star shine bright" Prince Richard walked majestically down the stairs then to the reserved chair, "let us pray" said Prince Richard, then bowed his head along with the elders and commanders.

"Father in heaven" Prince Richard began, "I thank you for this wonderful day you have brought us into, the nobles and people of Lance, I thank you for your mercies, kindness and provisions; I thank you for watching over us and protecting this Kingdom, for except you watch, the watch man watches in vain. Thank you Lord for this meeting, I ask for your wisdom and your presence, direct and lead us. Amen."

"Amen" chorused the elders and commanders, Richard then took his seat, followed by everyone else.

West-southwest Plains

Rune Clan

It was a hectic morning in the town, the street was flooded with people, all going on their various activities. The sun was up and blazing, disregarding that, the atmosphere was chilled and humid. An after effect of the seven days' rain, but also the perfect time for farming as some farmers were already going on with, outside the town.

On the second floor of the town Inn, Mira strolls along the corridor humming a pleasant melody but suddenly stopped and stood still as soon as she walks pass an open room, she stepped back a little then peered into the room. She stared with widespread eyes and raised eye brows at Elroy's back, stricken with scars of cuts in addition with stripes from lashes. "That's a lot to take in."

Elroy immediately turned around, "How long have you been there?"

"Long enough" rests on the frame of the door then folds her arms "to observe your scars."

Elroy tilts his head over his shoulder, trying to look over at the scars, "Oh! These? If only I could remember how I got them." Looks back at Mira "On the other hand I feel it's better not remembering it at all."

"Are you sure about that? You going to Lance seem pretty important."

"Well, until I remember" picks up a white tunic long-sleeved shirt next to a green salamander wool cloak from the bed close to the wide open window "I am stuck with the only family I have left." Puts on the shirt

"I'm glad to hear that, did the cloak fit in?"

"Yes it did" picks up the cloak, steeples his fingers on the cloak "green has always been your color."

Mira smiled, "Seems you remember a lot already."

"Just some of my childhood and the incident with the Behamolt, remind me why I have to wear this, it itches all over."

"You'll get used to it, besides it's fire proof and can withstand a slight slash and an arrow without harming your vitals."

Elroy tilts his head then press his lips together, "Fair point"

"Gear up, we are changing course." Turns around to go

"Wait! What?"

"My father sent word to meet with him in the south at Vlastisi"

"I will be with you guys shortly" Elroy assured, as Mira walks away.

Kingdom of Lance

Lance Throne room

"What about the fifth and sixth district?" Prince Richard asked

"Commander Darren is on the situation of the massacre with Prince Phil" commander Irok, commander of the fourth district replied. "Commander Royce has been buried and his family compensated."

"How is the investigation going?"

"Sri Ivan joined Prince Phil, Commander Darren and Tony Rooks...."

"Tony Rooks joined the search?" Prince Richard interrupted

"Yes your highness"

"Carry on"

"A survivor was detained by Commander Darren in the fifth district but he escaped alongside a female companion."

"Any information as to their current location"

"Sri Ivan's scouts sent word of the survivor and his companion heading to the south."

"Then my brother will handle it from there."

"Yes your highness" Irok agreed with a bow

"As Crowned Prince of the Lancian Throne a few laws have been added to the structure of Lance." On hearing this, the elders placed inked feathers on the piece of paper in front of them, ready to write down the decree. "From today, Rum is forbidden in this kingdom" Prince Richard began "Only decent wine is permitted, all brothels are to be closed up, be it in the black bod or a peculiar cooperative. This Kingdom must run according to God's righteousness, disobedience to these laws will lead to death by hanging, that's all"

"Yes your highness" the elders and commanders replied with a bow. Prince Richard immediately arose from is chair, then the elders and commanders followed suit then bowed. As soon as Prince Richard walked away Commander Irok narrowed his eyes towards him, staring with animosity.