Llion the Brave Version 2

Her screams diminished as Llion was dragged away from the cell. The stench in the corridor was less but there was still damp, decay, defecation, death. His feet dragged, like a raggedy puppet, the guard either side of him holding him fast. He could feel their individual fingers digging into his scant flesh, leaving their impression on his bones.

Anwen's shrieks continued.

"Don't leave me! Don't leave me!"

Sobs receded with distance as the trio continued past torches and barred doors and their moans and misery to...where?

He didn't know. He didn't care. He had tried to fight and the guards had taken him like they were holding a piece of vellum. It was the most helpless moment of his life. His heart grew tight as he thought of Anwen, crying out to him. He hated leaving her; it scored his soul. But he was glad too, as he had a feeling that he was going to his death.

"Where're we taking him?"

"The Chamberlain."

This was news. He'd rather be hung.

He steeled himself to the faint backdrop of Anwen's anguished cries.

*

"Oh, they have treated you badly, haven't they?"

Llion peered at the hated man, hoping he could feel his enmity boring into him.

The Chamberlain stared at him, keenly.

"Still not broken? I admire your resistance. I will be quite sad when it's...over." The Chamberlain trailed his hand over a chair as he moved around Llion.

"But that moment is upon us."

Llion wanted to spit but remained still, his muscles burning with the effort. So this was it.

The Chamberlain turned quickly and grabbed Llion's chin.

"Listen, Llion, with those brave ears of yours. What do you hear?"

Llion's heart lurched. He focused until he could discern female cries of pain. Anwen! He jerked forward but the guards were too quick.

"I see you understand."

He pushed Llion's face back with some force, a show of unnecessary power to a weakened man.

The Chamberlain moved away, a cruel smile on his face.

"I would say it will be quick but..."

"Kill me now," Llion managed to grunt, his voice betraying his despair.

The Chamberlain laughed.

"But where's the fun in that?"

*

366 words

I wrote a story which was almost just like this but tweaked it a bit here to send it in a totally different direction. This microfiction challenge is stretching me and I am going to use it to see what I can do. Hope you like it. If you want to read Version 1, you can here:

Thanks for stopping by! If you do read this, please leave a comment as I love to interact with my readers.

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