The Dungeon of Camp Eve was a far cry from the magnificence of the rest of the camp, stationed in the Knight segment. Four dank cells made up the cavernous space, two on each side. The only light source came from a single wall-mounted lantern and the massive ironwood door, which let in a stream of natural light whenever it was opened. The floor was covered in hay, and the air was thick with the smell of damp and decay.
Derek was kept in the second cellar by the left, dressed in sack cloth. He was seated, his back against the bar-gate, tossing and catching a pebble. The loud creak from the door stilled him for a moment, he continued with his activity as the solid muffled clunk of boots on the floor echoed through the dungeon.
"Congratulations Derek."
Derek beheld Captain Ramsey, he was accompanied by a Knight.
"You have been picked by me to go on a short trip to the City of Pellem, sited in the Middle-West region and home to the Cervus Family." Ramsey sneered.
Derek kept staring at Ramsey, unsure of what to say or how to react - the rules were clear on solitary confinement, no movement from the chosen location was permitted. All of a sudden he's being moved to the Western region and at the dead of night - something wasn't sitting right.
"The rules..."
"I know the bloody rules Owens, take this as a temporary shift in plans."
Derek rose up waiting for the Knight to unlock the gate, much was clear, if Ramsey wanted him dead he would be dead. He stepped out from his cell, by Ramsey's order the Knight shackled his wrists.
Derek followed cautiously behind Ramsey, the Knight trailing behind him. He found it a bit odd, the Knight segment was unusually quite, it was unlike them. Arriving the courtyard, just a handful of foot soldiers moved about nor were there signs of his fellow guardsmen.
At the entrance of the Camp, nine horses waited - foot soldiers mounted on seven, a spare horse and the one standing out from the rest. A chestnut color Destrier, armored unlike the others, priding itself as though it knew it was special.
Ramsey halted - turning over to Derek, he gave a slight nod to the Knight, who assisted Derek unto the spare horse while Ramsey saddled his.
"You look quite calm Owens, do you trust me that much?"
Derek gave Ramsey his eye, there was no way someone especially a Royal, who wanted him dead would speak openly and freely and why take him far to do it. To crown it all, Ramsey was being way too cautious.
"If you wanted me dead, I would be dead by now." Derek concluded.
Ramsey smiled, "Try to keep up."
Ramsey urged his horse into a canter, leading the way, Derek followed suit for the guards waited for his movement before spurring their horses.
"The time is neigh, the time has come, the time for blood is here and now, awake thou who shall weild the fury of gods." A female voice echoed through the darkness.
The moment Derek opened his eyes, a splash of cold water doused him like a bucket of ice, sending a jolt of shock through his body. He spluttered and yelled, trying to push himself up to his feet. The Soldiers stood around him, laughing and jeering.
His fists balled up in anger, his face flushed with rage.
The Soldiers only laughed harder, and one of them snorted. "Captain Ramsey wants a word."
They were camped somewhere in the East region of Ozak, the oak forest stretched for miles around, its tall trees creating a canopy of green above. A small clearing had been carved out of the forest, and three tents stood in its center.
Derek took deep breaths then started towards the tent at the middle, looming over the others.
It was the fourth day since their journey to Pellem. So far there have been no sight of trouble, this must have made the Soldiers lose scene of attentiveness.
Then there was Ramsey, balbing on and on about the achievements of the Royal Family on Azma all through their journey. Worse of all, Derek had to listen, he had no choice - Ramsey would always ask him to summarize what was said.
Derek found a trick to it, get a little from the beginning - middle - end, the summary was complete. When they finally arrived the clearing, Derek was given the task to pitch them and rewarded with a cozy blanket to sleep out under a tree.
"Aye Captain." Derek saluted, trying to keep his voice steady.
Ramsey was seated at a small table, a bulk of papers spread out before him. He looked up at Derek, a smile breaking out on his face.
"I can see you woke up well Owems."
Derek's eyes remained forward, steadily taking deep breaths.
"I've left some clothes for you in your tent, follow my Soldiers to the stream close by, freshen up and meet me here."
"Aye Captain." Derek saluted.
"Owems."
Derek halted as he was about taking his leave.
"I commanded them to pull a jest on you, do me a favour by not killing them, they wouldn't think of doing such otherwise."
" Aye Captain." Derek saluted.
With a nod from Ramsey, Derek highlighted from the tent.