"Ahhhhh" a faint agonizing cry was heard outside as Queen Xenia treaded through the cold smelly underground dungeon that was dimly lit by the scanty torches that were on either side of the walls.
As she progressed further, leaving the last shafts of light behind, the faint cry that held pain and agony grew louder. She kept a grave facade and proceeded, taking bold light steps.
She finally came to stand before a cell that was bared with iron metals.
The guards standing outside the cell bowed their heads deeply realizing who it was and one of them quickly went to unlock the bars at the queen's command.
Queen Xenia stepped into the cell that reeked of a strong musty and nauseating smell that burned the nostrils of whoever was unfortunate enough to smell it. The floor looked dirty with dried blood serving as a monument for the captives that were tortured here in the past.
Her hawk-like eyes scanned the small room, her gaze coming to settle on the man whose face and body streamed with his own blood as a result of the torture he was going through. Marks imprinted on his tough skin revealing the beatings he had received in these few days of captivity.
His once clean and well-kept hair had become greasy and dirty with days of unwashed sweat resulting from the torture that was meted out to him every day. He still looked bold and valiant even in his condition. Although his body was obviously weakened due to days of unending torture, his eyes still held bravery and determination that was not shaken even for a second, there was no trace of fear or submission evident in his ashen eyes and the thought irked Queen Xenia.
How could he still remain loyal even in his condition? He would have been a useful ally to the queen if he was on her side but what a pity, the man had refused, claiming his loyalty to the king.
The guard who was torturing Sir Craig had stopped sensing the presence of the queen in the cell and he bowed, 'My queen'
Sir Craig raised his eyes to see the queen and it was obvious that even that was an effort.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, What a pity! You could have avoided all this, but it seems all you care about is your foolish and baseless loyalty to the king." Xenia said disdainfully, with a sneer on her face.
Craig remained silent to the annoyance of the queen and the guard sensing Craig's resistance, stepped forward and slashed him with the wired rod in his hand which drew a cry from Craig, he groaned as the pain settled in his skin.
"You speak when you are spoken to" the guard bellowed, his action was aimed at pleasing his queen but Xenia raised her hand to stop him from advancing further.
The guard bowed his head and retraced his steps, putting a distance between himself and the man on the cold floor. Craig wore the magical collar that prevented him from using his powers and anytime he tried, it would cause him immense pain.
Queen Xenia bent over and took a closer look at Craig who looked back at her in the eye, his gaze unwavering.
"This is what I like about you Craig, your unshakable determination and perseverance is simply unparalleled, it's such a pity that you don't channel these requisite qualities you possess to my benefit and yours by being on my side. I promise you won't be wasting it then," she said as she lifted her hand to touch his bruised face, tracing his perfect jawline.
Her voice sounded enticing and the alluring look in her eyes could bewitch anyone, but to her dismay, Craig turned his head away from her grasp and spoke the words,
'Never! In your dreams.'
The serene look Xenia held on her face changed into that of obvious contempt and her annoyance verged onto anger.
Her eyes darkened with a dangerous hue and in the next second, Craig felt his left cheek sting with the slap he had just received. He had been beaten so many times that his body began to feel numb and he was getting used to the pain.
"How dare you!" Xenia lashed out and stood up, anger tinged her words.
Knowing how quick-tempered Queen Xenia was, Craig decided to push her buttons further. The only attack and defense mechanism he had right now were his words and he planned on using them expediently.
"Did you really think I would denounce my loyalty to the king and serve someone like you?" he said disdainfully and burst into a peal of hysterical laughter that held pain although it was intended to mock the queen,but Xenia had failed to detect it, she was busily fuming and she could explode anytime soon.
"If you are so powerful like you say you are, remove this collar from my neck and face me if you are not the coward that you are at heart." he probed further, as wrath clouded Xenia's features.
Craig's plan was working fine as Xenia's expression had changed drastically. She looked dangerous right now with the rage that was simmering inside her. Craig's words had struck her harder than he expected and his lips twisted into a lopsided grin.
Xenia lifted her hand in a fit of rage and at the same time, Craig's throat constricted. He had anticipated this, this was what he wanted, for the queen to be infuriated enough to command her devoted guards to free him from the magical collar so she could teach him a lesson.
That would be his chance, but to his unexpected dismay, Xenia let go of him and it confused Craig. He saw her lower her hand trying to calm her raging nerves.
Craig was puzzled. What had come over her! Why was she calming down?
"Nice try Craig, but try another tactic next time," she said as she straightened her gown.
"What! Had she realized what he was doing, but it was working a moment ago, she was letting her emotions get the better of her. Why did she stop?!" Craig asked himself in puzzlement.
" You see, I've come to understand that, patience moves mountains. I'm not going to let my anger get in my way this time." she said and flashed him a wicked smirk." I'll see you later Craig, maybe you'll be more willing then, until then..." she said and stepped out of the cell. She kept her face grave as she traced her path back to the palace.
Craig let his already weakened body fall to the ground, he had failed in this attempt too. What was he going to do now, until the time he would be out of this smelly cell, the Diatoran kingdom would be in chaos and jeopardy in the hands of this wicked and obsessive queen.