REDEMPTION

35. AFTERMATH.

What had happened after that was a blur. The last thing Zonwell, the clan leader, remembered was…

This made him jerk. And only 1fter this did he realize that his body could not move. Zonwell’s surroundings were unfamiliar. The floor was cold and rough. There were wooden posts that stood in different spots in the room and he was tied to one. The ceiling was too dark to be seen.

It was nighttime. The window that stood looking down on him let the moonlight in. With this it was still difficult to see. All he could make out was that he was in a cell. It was to be expected after what he dared to do.

Zonwell was still looking around when he heard a metallic door being unlocked. Footsteps echoed telling him that the cell he was in was huge. And he was the only one in it. Whoever walked in took their time getting in. He listened in a bit more. And he made out two sets of footsteps approaching him.

The owners were brought to light when the reached the limit of the moonlight. One was Holmen and the other was a man that was seeing accompanying Lord Lansdowne a few times. Their expressions were cold and unreadable. He felt a chill ran up his spine just from their gaze alone.

“You are awake. Come with us.”

They left no room for discussion. It was neither a request nor were they going to explain what the situation was. He was escorted out of his cell and led in a maze before emerging from a cave. He was then out into a carriage before arriving at their destination. The two men then led him to a door and he did not want to know what awaited him.

Zonwell struggled to break free but it proved futile. The two were way stronger than he was. Defeated, he awaited what was going to befall him. The door was opened and in it revealed a neatly arranged office. One would easily mistake it for a library because of the many shelves that surrounded a desk. This office was far different than the one he always walked into.

Not far from the desk was a sofa and on it lay his target. She was fast asleep and the lord’s cloak was over her. Zonwell realized why she was comfortable around him. Why he let her talk to him in such a way. And why the look on his face at the moment could rip the soul out of him without much effort.

“Please forgive me. I beg you… I.. I… I was mistaken my Lord… am begging you. This k of my family… please.”

Bendra looked at him unfazed by what he had said. He was ready to pounce on him the moment Holmen and Downer dragged him in. However, he didn’t. He was going to saver this moment until he breaks his will. He was not going to let anyone, god or demon walk over her as they pleased. He might not reciprocate the feelings their bond expects them to, but, that did not mean that he was not going to protect her.

He walked over to him and looked as he begged for mercy over and over again. Holmen and Downer threw him on the ground. Zonwell was still tied up and the only escape route was heavily guarded but men who meant business. Bendra lowered himself enough to reach his ear and whispered, “So you thought you would get away with this, didn’t you?”

Zonwell shivered involuntarily. The tone Bendra had used was one he had never used before. He could not see his eyes but he was sure they were determined to kill him. His feet bucked as his teeth rattled. Fear gripped his heart tightly and began squeezing the life out of him. Just as Bendra was standing he wanted to say something but he was interrupted.

“Think carefully on what you are about to say. They might very well be your last.”

It dawned on him that he should at least beg he left them out of this.

“I beg you, my Lord. Please spare my family. I…”

“This family?”

He heard the door open and familiar voices rang. His wife and two children were thrown next to him. They were not tied but they were scared out of their minds. His seven year old son and for year old daughter called out to him. He was broken that he could not contained it any longer.

Zonwell begged his Lord to spare his family over and over again. Yet, no matter how hard he begged, his expression did not change. He looked calm and expressionless. And after a while, bored. Zonwell’s wife came forward and kneeled. Her head on the floor she begged for her children’s lives. She offered her life in exchange for theirs. She was willing to do anything just for her children’s lives.

Achlysa woke up due to the commotion. As she lifted herself, her hand slipped and she landed on the floor. Bendra immediately went to her aid, enquiring if she was ok. She waved it off while standing with his help. Out of habit, she stretched her hand out while searching for her walking aid. Bendra looked at it. It was on the desk that was a bit far from the couch.

Selfina, Zonwell’s wife, saw this and immediately went for it. She brought it to Achlysa and handed it to her. This made Achlysa jump since she did not expect anyone to be in the office at this hour.

“Thank you.” She began. “Am fine.”

Bendra let go of her and walked to Zonwell. Achlysa tapped the rod once. She sensed one person on the ground with two children. One was standing beside them. They were scared. There were two men outside the door. She could easily read the situation.

“What do you intend on doing?”

“That’s for you to decide.”