Inktober Day 21: Chains

 Chapter 18

Not far from where Magda and Wendell were in the barn on the humble farm of Jon and Tabitha, a man and woman sat in a cold, pitch dark room, bound with chains.

There were no windows in the room, so when the door was closed, it was near impossible to tell what time of day it was. The man and woman fell in and out of sleep, occasionally waking to a plate of dried food and stale water being shoved into the room.

At that moment, they heard the door creak open, awaking from their half slumber, and squinted against the light of the candle held by a cloaked and hooded figure walking into the room. It seemed too soon since their last meal for it to be more food, but time felt different in there, so they were not going to argue.

But the figure held no food. Instead, it held the door for a hideous beast to half slither, half walk into the small, dank dungeon.

“Hello, your majesties,” it gurgled as it spoke. Magda’s mother and father looked in contempt at the demon who stood before them. “I thought it might interest you to know that your daughter is quite the little fighter.” At this, they felt suddenly awake. They were desperate to hear news of her but would not stoop to begging this creature.

“I do hope she stays that way,” the demon said. The king struggled against his bonds, finally unable to contain his ire. 

“You won’t lay a finger on our daughter Magan,” the king said.

The beast chuckled. “Well, I do not want to, but she can be so difficult.” He came very close to the king’s face. “Despite the frustration her little visit to me caused, I now know exactly where the Power of the King lies. The only problem is how to get it.” He moved to the queen. “Now, I am no fool. It seems I cannot force the circlet from her nor cause her great harm while it rests on her brow. However,” he paused for a moment and smiled. “Things are not always as they seem.”

He marched back to the king and roared in his face. “That Power has been in your family for generations. I know the tales; I’ve seen what it has done over the centuries.” He lowered his voice. “And I also know that no magical object is infallible.” 

“Whatever you are getting at, please spare us the theatrics and spit it out,” the king said forcefully, holding his head high.

“Oh, gladly,” the beast said. “You see, no one knows how this Power really works...except for you, your majesty.” He spat the last word as if it pained him to say. “So, you will tell me how to take it from her. You will tell me its weaknesses.”

“And what makes you think I would do such a thing?” the king said.

The beast moved back to the queen and smiled cruelly. “Because if you don’t, I will slit your queen’s throat before your eyes.” He looked back at the king. “And she has no pretty crown to keep her safe.”

At the door to the room, Kandra stood listening.