The Isle of Dragons by Ed Dunlop

Author:Ed Dunlop
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: kingdom, dragons, princess, battles, prince, castles, terrestria
Publisher: Ed Dunlop

Chapter Twelve

Chained together like animals, the lines of dejected slaves trudged wearily up the steep lane. They shuffled listlessly, heads down, their eyes blank and staring, their shoulders slumped forlornly as if they had long ago given up all hope. The last slave in a line of twenty, Joel plodded along with the others. Like the hapless souls around him, his candle of hope had been snuffed out.

His feet were blistered and bleeding and his injured leg now throbbed continuously. The heavy shackles around his ankles had rubbed the flesh raw. Every step was torture. Having eaten nothing that day or the day previous, his stomach was empty and his energy was gone. So weary that he was not even conscious of what he was doing, he simply trudged along, mechanically putting one foot in front of the other.

His physical suffering was minor when compared to the agony within his soul. He now knew that he would never again see his parents or his grandfather, and the realization brought with it a pain that he would not long survive. The fire within his soul had been extinguished and it would simply be a matter of time before he yielded to the temptation to lie down and die. Life as a slave was simply not worth living.

The slave in front of him stumbled and fell and did not get up again, bringing the entire line to a halt. Joel was still lucid enough to realize what was happening and to anticipate the terrible beating that Vardaman would inflict upon the youth if he delayed the journey. Bending over, he gasped the lad under the arms and attempted to lift him to his feet, but the form in his arms was as limp as a rag doll. “Get up,” he urged in a fierce whisper. “Get up or they’ll beat you!”

Suddenly a steely hand gripped the collar of Joel’s tunic, twisting it until the garment tightened around his throat, choking him. A harsh voice exploded in his ear. “What are you doing?” Vardaman screamed.

Releasing the helpless youth, Joel stood upright. “I—I was t-trying to help this fellow,” he stammered.

“Did I order you to help?” Vardaman demanded, leaning in so that his face was mere inches from Joel’s. “Is this lad your responsibility?”

“Nay, sir,” Joel replied nervously.

“Then don’t touch him!” the steward screamed, striking Joel across the face with the wooden handle of his whip.

The smoldering embers on the hearth of Joel’s soul suddenly burst into flame. Without thinking about the consequences of his actions, he came to the defense of his comrade. “He hasn’t eaten yesterday or today,” Joel retorted. “How long do you expect him to go without food?”

Vardaman was enraged. “No slave talks to me that way,” he snarled, striking Joel in the face again. “When we stop for rest tonight, you’ll sleep standing up. You’ll also receive no food or water until we reach Lord Tarak’s estate. Slave boy, you’ll learn not to tread in where you’re not invited.”

Joel knew better than to reply.

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