The Crown’s Obsession

Chapter 60 - Cage And Shackles

The dungeon of the castle was built underground away from the main quarters of the King. There were many cell rooms that were used to imprison men, women, children, regardless of their age. It was made of black rocks and stones, turning the entire place dark if it weren't for the lanterns that were occasionally lit when the guards or the other men who worked for the King appeared on his command.

A man now was imprisoned in the cage. The same servant who had been caught with the little bottle that was found and came to Theodore's notice. The cage was not big but a small one that had metal rods facing inside it where he had been pushed into before being locked. The other side of the cage was rusted in time with the number of captives they had held down here, and the little thin rods forced itself into his legs, hands and face, tearing the skin that had initially left the man screaming who now didn't dare to make a move.

Footsteps in the distance echoed in the dungeon, shadows appearing on the wall but the imprisoned man didn't have the energy to look at who was here. He was a human who had lost too much blood with the little rods piercing into his skin. Lanterns right now burned itself to shed light in the dungeon.

"He seems to be in a better condition than I expected," said King Calhoun, walking towards the cage that hung with the iron chains from the ceiling. His calm red eyes took in the condition of the man.

"It was one of the kitchen maids who caught him with the bottle. She came to inform me about it right away, and the guards brought him here," answered Theodore, "I have questioned him, but he has done nothing but deny it."

Calhoun took a step forward so that he could look at the man's bloody face closely. He noticed the servant man opening his eyes, looking at him before his eyes fell, "If you don't speak who you're working for, you will end up in the bridge of Blair like many other men and women who have caused treason to the King."

The servant man tried to move his mouth, but one of the iron had screwed its way into his cheek that made it difficult for him to speak. Seeing this Calhoun looked at Theodore who bowed his head, stepping forward, he started to turn the screws from outside that started to pull out on either side of the man's face that had him cry in pain. Blood coated the metal which was taken out of the servant's face.

"I-I didn't d-do it. I would never betray my King, you're the o-only man I serve," spoke the servant, gathering enough energy to talk to the King.

"Don't lie when you're still being treated nicely in here," stated Calhoun from where he stood, "Who ordered you to poison me?"

"I swear to the h-heavens. It wasn't m-me," the man replied.

Calhoun exhaled to say, "What is your name?"

"O-Oswyn Hanson," answered the servant without delay to the King's question.

"Oswyn, there are two ways to go with it. One, you tell me who you're working for and if it is you who took the initiative to poison me. Two, you continue to deny and rot here in this dungeon for a few days before you are executed in front of your family if you have one," Calhoun cocked his head to the side and asked, "So what is it going to be?"

The man's eyes widened in fear, "I don't know how that bottle came to me-"

"Looks like the bottle has legs of its own that it made its way to your pocket. Isn't it?" asked Calhoun to see the man shake his head while flinching in pain, "You went so far as to add it in the food."

"I-I didn't do it, milord! I would never think about harming you," the servant begged him.

"Why not?" asked Calhoun, and this had the man and Theodore's attention. The servant looked puzzled, and Calhoun continued to say, "Why didn't you think about killing me? It is hard to believe that everyone loves the King, who is a night creature, who has laid bodies on the ground. I am sure there have been times when my own right-hand man, Theodore has had thoughts about it," joked Calhoun.

Theodore's eyes moved to look at Calhoun at the words spoken but didn't speak a word on it.

"I was working in the kitchen like any other day yesterday. Minding my own work and when I walked into the kitchen, I felt something heavy in my pocket. It was then I found it. I didn't do it! Please believe me, milord!" the servant man continued to plead.

Calhoun stared at the man, looking into the man's eyes while gauging the way his eyes were dilated and his heart beating in the chest, "Theodore," called Calhoun and for a moment the servant thought that he was going to be released but instead the King said, "Have the order run through the other ministers and prepare the execution for Oswyn. The decree of punishment should be for committing treason against the King by going so far as to try poisoning the food. Make sure he is put up in the scaffold at the centre of the village where he hails from so that people know not to create another treason against their beloved King."

"N-no!" the man cried in desperation, "I have worked for years in the castle. Please don't do this to me. I didn't do it!"

Calhoun didn't listen to him and instead turned to look at Theodore to say, "Have him shifted to the solitary cell. You can then draw up the papers to the ministers."

Theodore had a look of surprise at the mention of the solitary room but he obliged, "Yes, milord," he bowed his head.

The servant man continued to shout and cry but Calhoun had already left the place.