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Between a Rock and a Cold place
Stillness. Quietness. For the first time what surely felt like days, everything was still and quiet. Gone was the creaking of axles, the grunting of horses, the clinking of chains and sporadic spine jarring jolts. The only noise now was that of the whistling wind and the sound of muted conversation. In the inky darkness that was cut by the light of a solitary caged candle, figures began to stir. Heads that had been lulled began to look around and a gentle hum of whispered questions began to grow. Then with a crack of an unseen whip the moment of stillness was shattered. This time though, the rocky motion of movement lasted scarcely more than a few score heartbeats before it ceased once more and the inside of the cart was flooded with blinding light and freezing air.
Warden Cassia Pius stared impassionately as the prisoners were pulled blinking and shivering from what they were quickly discovering was the relative warmth of the wagon that had brought them to her small fiefdom. Set high in the jagged snow covered mountains that had but a decade ago been orcish territory the prison she oversaw was far from her dream position in distant Caderia. At least it was a prestigious one. Being in charge of the empire's most secure prisons was an honor. What more could any good Kaleshian citizen want that to keep their compatriots safe by making sure the worst of scum that sucked the empire dry like parasites were kept behind lock and key. If only it wasn't quite so cold all the time.
Even with her near seven foot frame draped and wrapped in heavy furs, the warden could feel the biting chill of the mountain winds on her ruby red scales. How the prisoners, dressed in the rags that had been given in the desert heat of the empire interior felt wasn't worth imagining. Not that much imagination was needed; their faces and bodies said more than their mouths ever could. This moment of inspection of her new charges was the only moment Cassia ever felt any pity for any of them and she tried her best to make sure that the admittance of new prisoners was as swift as possible. Still it was good for the new inmates to know exactly what was waiting for them should they have any dreams of escape. There was a reason the empire had built a prison in the gods forsaken place.
"All prisoners present and waiting for your address Ma'am."
Cassia's yellow eyes flicked to the saluting guard who stood near a full foot shorter than her before she began a slow walk along the line of chained figures, snow crunching under her boots. Most of them were lizardfolk as she was but there were a few human and orcs in the mix. No doubt malcontents, terrorists and fools who couldn't accept the dominion of the Kaleshian empire. The only slight oddity was a horned figure at the end of the line but even they barely caused Cassia to pause for more than a heartbeat. Tieflings could hardly be said to be common, but she had seen more than her fair share. Demon spawn nearly always ended up here; it kept them and their tainted blood away from folk who might still be redeemed. The warden wasn't worried about that. The filth here were beyond redemption. Besides, most of the prisoners hated demon spawn at least as much as her. They rarely lasted long. This one wouldn't. Cassia had a plan to be sure of that.
Making her way back to her original position, Cassia looked along the line once more.
"I want you all to know something. Today is a warm day. One of the warmest we've had here this year. Remember that. The inside of your new home is far warmer than this. Follow my rules and your stay here will be more comfortable than any of you deserve. Break the rules and that comfort will be taken away from you. It is that simple. I am not cruel, but I will not allow my hospitality to be abused." Pausing the governor started to smirk as she looked all the prisoners in the eye one more time. "If any of you feel inclined to escape, the nearest settlement is two days ride south of here. My advice would be not to look for shelter that isn't there and try and avoid the wolves. Watching them tear apart a deer is not a sight I shall forget quickly."
Seemingly lost in thought, the warden appeared to stare at nothing at all for a few carefully calculated moments to let the reality of what she had just said sink into the prisoners mind before, without any announcement she clicked her fingers. Well trained, well practiced and frost covered guards sprung into action. Two by two prisoners were dragged into the large cave that served as the entrance to the prison by at least four guards until only two figures were left; the tiefling and a stocky, pale haired human. The guards that should have been dragging them inside were standing around staring at a clipboard.
"Is there a problem Sergeant?"
The shortest of the guards spun on the spot and ripped off a salute that would bring a tear to the most psychotic of drill masters.
"No problem Ma'am. There is just some confusion about where we are putting these two. The chit ere says they're to go in a cell that I thought was occupied Ma'm."
Taking the clipboard from the sergeant's hand, Cassia glimpsed at it as if she didn't know what it said before handing it back.
"The document is correct. That cell is designed to hold more than one person. No reason they shouldn't go in there. I'm sure its current occupant will be glad for some company."
"Ma'am, that prisoner…" The confidence that the sergeant had had just moments ago seemed to falter slightly. Questioning superiors was apparently not something he was comfortable with. "That prisoner is the one thats been in the sky cells all month. They get out today Ma'm"
"I am aware of that sergeant." Cassia smiled as she thought about the prisoner that was causing her guards some consternation. "I'm sure that there won't be a repeat of the incident that forced me to put them there and now they have served their punishment, it would be cruel to keep them isolated. Best we give her some new companions to meet."
Finally the light of recognition dawned in the sergeant's eyes and a smile spread across their face before they saluted once more and turned to the huddle of other guards and prisoners.
"GET THOSE PRISONERS INSIDE THIS MOMENT LADS!" WHATCHA WAITING FOR?"
Cassia laughed quietly as the last prisoners were bundled away. Today would be an entertaining one; she was certain.
After being led deep into the depths of labyrinthian tunnels of the prison, both the human's and tiefling restraints were removed while they were pinned against a wall before they were unceremoniously shoved through a small metal doorway into the dark room beyond. As the heavy metal door slammed shut the darkness became even deeper and much like the wagon the prisoners had arrived on there was only a single candle to fighting the gloom. The spluttering yellow light was just barely enough to reveal two cots, one bolted to each wall, and nestled in the straw by the door, a single large bucket.
Warden Cassia Pius stared impassionately as the prisoners were pulled blinking and shivering from what they were quickly discovering was the relative warmth of the wagon that had brought them to her small fiefdom. Set high in the jagged snow covered mountains that had but a decade ago been orcish territory the prison she oversaw was far from her dream position in distant Caderia. At least it was a prestigious one. Being in charge of the empire's most secure prisons was an honor. What more could any good Kaleshian citizen want that to keep their compatriots safe by making sure the worst of scum that sucked the empire dry like parasites were kept behind lock and key. If only it wasn't quite so cold all the time.
Even with her near seven foot frame draped and wrapped in heavy furs, the warden could feel the biting chill of the mountain winds on her ruby red scales. How the prisoners, dressed in the rags that had been given in the desert heat of the empire interior felt wasn't worth imagining. Not that much imagination was needed; their faces and bodies said more than their mouths ever could. This moment of inspection of her new charges was the only moment Cassia ever felt any pity for any of them and she tried her best to make sure that the admittance of new prisoners was as swift as possible. Still it was good for the new inmates to know exactly what was waiting for them should they have any dreams of escape. There was a reason the empire had built a prison in the gods forsaken place.
"All prisoners present and waiting for your address Ma'am."
Cassia's yellow eyes flicked to the saluting guard who stood near a full foot shorter than her before she began a slow walk along the line of chained figures, snow crunching under her boots. Most of them were lizardfolk as she was but there were a few human and orcs in the mix. No doubt malcontents, terrorists and fools who couldn't accept the dominion of the Kaleshian empire. The only slight oddity was a horned figure at the end of the line but even they barely caused Cassia to pause for more than a heartbeat. Tieflings could hardly be said to be common, but she had seen more than her fair share. Demon spawn nearly always ended up here; it kept them and their tainted blood away from folk who might still be redeemed. The warden wasn't worried about that. The filth here were beyond redemption. Besides, most of the prisoners hated demon spawn at least as much as her. They rarely lasted long. This one wouldn't. Cassia had a plan to be sure of that.
Making her way back to her original position, Cassia looked along the line once more.
"I want you all to know something. Today is a warm day. One of the warmest we've had here this year. Remember that. The inside of your new home is far warmer than this. Follow my rules and your stay here will be more comfortable than any of you deserve. Break the rules and that comfort will be taken away from you. It is that simple. I am not cruel, but I will not allow my hospitality to be abused." Pausing the governor started to smirk as she looked all the prisoners in the eye one more time. "If any of you feel inclined to escape, the nearest settlement is two days ride south of here. My advice would be not to look for shelter that isn't there and try and avoid the wolves. Watching them tear apart a deer is not a sight I shall forget quickly."
Seemingly lost in thought, the warden appeared to stare at nothing at all for a few carefully calculated moments to let the reality of what she had just said sink into the prisoners mind before, without any announcement she clicked her fingers. Well trained, well practiced and frost covered guards sprung into action. Two by two prisoners were dragged into the large cave that served as the entrance to the prison by at least four guards until only two figures were left; the tiefling and a stocky, pale haired human. The guards that should have been dragging them inside were standing around staring at a clipboard.
"Is there a problem Sergeant?"
The shortest of the guards spun on the spot and ripped off a salute that would bring a tear to the most psychotic of drill masters.
"No problem Ma'am. There is just some confusion about where we are putting these two. The chit ere says they're to go in a cell that I thought was occupied Ma'm."
Taking the clipboard from the sergeant's hand, Cassia glimpsed at it as if she didn't know what it said before handing it back.
"The document is correct. That cell is designed to hold more than one person. No reason they shouldn't go in there. I'm sure its current occupant will be glad for some company."
"Ma'am, that prisoner…" The confidence that the sergeant had had just moments ago seemed to falter slightly. Questioning superiors was apparently not something he was comfortable with. "That prisoner is the one thats been in the sky cells all month. They get out today Ma'm"
"I am aware of that sergeant." Cassia smiled as she thought about the prisoner that was causing her guards some consternation. "I'm sure that there won't be a repeat of the incident that forced me to put them there and now they have served their punishment, it would be cruel to keep them isolated. Best we give her some new companions to meet."
Finally the light of recognition dawned in the sergeant's eyes and a smile spread across their face before they saluted once more and turned to the huddle of other guards and prisoners.
"GET THOSE PRISONERS INSIDE THIS MOMENT LADS!" WHATCHA WAITING FOR?"
Cassia laughed quietly as the last prisoners were bundled away. Today would be an entertaining one; she was certain.
After being led deep into the depths of labyrinthian tunnels of the prison, both the human's and tiefling restraints were removed while they were pinned against a wall before they were unceremoniously shoved through a small metal doorway into the dark room beyond. As the heavy metal door slammed shut the darkness became even deeper and much like the wagon the prisoners had arrived on there was only a single candle to fighting the gloom. The spluttering yellow light was just barely enough to reveal two cots, one bolted to each wall, and nestled in the straw by the door, a single large bucket.
@Kuno @Lillian Gray
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