---Away from the Dozy'Mare, deep below the heart of a castle that sat beyond the village of Hyrnn.---
Devoid of the growing morning light, the pitch-black darkness enveloped everything it touched, from the stone walls to the smooth slate floor of a colour lost to the abyss and even the two lone guards standing at the far end.
Both men occasionly moved, shifting and shuffling, no longer being able to stand still as they swayed, their legs growing tired as they guarded the solid door of wrought iron and thick rivets driven deep into the wood.
If it weren't for the dying glow of the rowed candles along the walls, no one would have known anything living resided there in the bowls of the castle, other than the multitudes of dust floating in the air and insects that flocked to the void below the castle.
*FAINT SHUFFLE.*
A faint sound came from behind the thick prison door bolted shut from top to bottom, firmly locked in place. The noise crawled through the small crack in the slit of the viewing port and the keyhole itself.
On the other side of the door, the room itself sat in darkness.
*CHAINS SHUFFLING AND SOFT CRIES GREW.*
A gentle rattle of chains and cries moved down the hall and into the ears of the two men, then faded as quickly as it had appeared; both men heard it as the guard on the left side of the large door spoke in a gruff but worn tone, clearing out his throat of the dust that had settled in his mouth.
Byrnn: (Spitting onto the stone floor.) You've got to feel sorry for the poor bastard, even just a little. 'Snorting.' Who'd have thought someone like him would do something like that and at that age?
*SHARP SNEEZE.*
Byrnn: God... I hate this dust. 'Annoyed.' I'm slathered in it.
Hearing the voices beyond, the faint rattle of chains moved about again, followed by muffled grunts that died out as the other man spoke up to the others slights of the situation they found themselves in.
Gonf: Looks can be easily deceiving... (Leaning onto the spear.) 'Sniffing.'
No longer leaning on the spear, Gonf moved closer, closing the gap between himself and Byrnn.
Gonf: Also... 'Whispering.' If I were you, I would shut your mouth before he returns. We receive compensation for our guardly duties, not for sympathising with filth, as a noble would put it. (Looking down the corridor, away from the door he guarded.) If he hears you talking like that... you'll be joining him in the cell just over there; it's already free and waiting.
Byrnn's face crumpled from the realisation.
Gonf: Mark my words. (Looking up.) That lot up there aren't the type to fuck around with, trust me. 'Sincere.'
*SHUFFLING OF METAL AND LEATHER ARMOUR FROM THE TWO MEN.*
Byrnn: I know... (Shuffling the loose shoulder plates back into position.) I was just saying! 'Agitated.'
Byrnn continued on.
Brynn: Come to think of it. What crawled up your ass all of a sudden? 'Smiling.' This is a sweet, simple gig. It beats being positioned on the ass end of town. I'd rather take this darkness than what roams out there beyond the veil. (Looking up.) I heard that...
A retort shot back, stopping the guard's words before his mouth could roll on.
Gonf: Heard what? Another one of your rumour mills. (Shooting a pissed-off look.) As for what crawled up my ass, you, that's what; you haven't shut up all night; even now, you're still rabbiting on even after my whole explanation...
*A LOUD SIGH RANG FROM GONF.*
Gonf: 'Drained.' I'm tired; it's cold and dark. I haven't eaten or drunk anything all night. On top of that, all I can hear are his moans and yours, so... (Turning towards the sound of a bolt unlocking down the corridor.)
*SLIDING OF A BOLT AND THE OF HEAVY CLAPPING OF FEET.*
The hooded figure slinked down the narrow hall with their head down, hiding under a thick cloak that melded into the abyss, just skirting underneath the candles high above as the light caught the top of a dark cloak. Both men squinted, trying to get a better view as they peered deep into the darkness that the small candles were fending off.
Someone was approaching the two men; the feet clapping off the stone steps grew nearer.
*RUFFLE OF A CLOAK.*
Byrnn: 'Bowing.' High... (Halting to the open hand.)
A hand moved upwards from under the cloak, aimed at the guard who spoke up.
Fingers slathered in gold and silver waved in a downward motion, ordering the guard back to order and silence.
Byrnn stood up to attention, seeing the gems and stones glisten in the dying sombre light of the candles on the wall. Before the hooded figure spoke, he looked at Gonf for a moment, his interest dying as soon as it appeared, seeing nothing of worth in the tired man, but a spark peaked his curiosity nonetheless.
Cloaked figure: (Sliding his hand back under the dark cloak.) You have served your Lord well. I will ensure that both of you receive ample rewards for your dedicated service to the "Lord" and "I." 'Firm tone'
Byrnn calmed at the man's words, while Gonf loosened his spear.
Cloaked figure: Now... leave us; he needs to repent for his sins. 'Callous.' "The Lord's work is never truly done." (Looking at Gonf then to Byrnn.)
The mysterious man's cloak ruffled as a heavy black iron key slipped from the thick material and into the door between the two men. Two hidden bolts embedded in the door moved on their own, sliding inwards.
Byrnn moved from his position, undoing the manual bolts on the top of the door and the one directly at the bottom, noticing the man nod his head at his actions upon turning around to meet his gaze.
Cloaked figure: Thank you, my child. 'Attentive.'
Byrnn smiled and nodded at the cloaked figure.
The heavy iron door, now fully unlocked, filled the corridor with the whaling of its hinges and the unmuffled noises of chains growing more violent, ragging and pulling on the walls they were connected to.
Whoever was locked away, they were trying to get free, seeing who was in the doorway, not in a desire for the freedom ahead but recoiling in fear. The prisoner was trying to speak, but something in their mouth halted their words, making no sense of them or to the people beyond the door.
*CHAINS BEING PULLED AND MUFFLED GRUNTING NOISES.*
Both guards walked away, leaving the horrors behind, or so they thought... neither of them turning to look into the room. Soon, the corridor would be filled with another noise—the broken muffled screams of the prisoner chained up rang out as the heavy black iron door closed on the mysterious cloaked figure.
Byrnn: (Looking ahead.) I need something to drink... I'm buying. (His hand shifting in his pocket.)
The other guard spoke softly.
Gonf: So do I... So do I... (Turning back.)
An orange light emitted from the cracks in the iron door; the screams that grew went silent as the candles lined up on the walls died out, one by one succumbing to the darkness. Gonf squinted, seeing the glow from the still-open viewing port as it closed. He turned and walked on to the stairs ahead, pushing a thought to the back of his head.
In that darkness, something else began to die, one piece at a time.