Chain the Infamous Chainmaid 8

Under the boughs of the Builders’ Tree the light of the sun did not reach. Day came instead on the wings of the Great Bird Sol, a god of light said to have been born from the corpse from the Star Goddess Nyr. Soaring eternally under the Builders’ Tree Sol brought day to all who dwelled below. The Great Bird’s appearance on the eastern horizon always brought a sense of both joy and relief to those who welcomed the banishing of the night, but as storm clouds filled the sky and rain fell relentless upon Highroot his coming was as marred as the day’s festivities. As an army of staggering size descended from the south upon the city however there was no delaying the festivities for better weather. In her cell beneath the Company House of Highroot Chain was unconcerned about all of it despite being at the heart of the festival, at least until she had a guest arrive first thing that morning.

“Paying me a visit personally Highperch? I’m flattered.”

Opening her eyes Chain offered Highperch a cocky smile.

“Don’t be Chainmaid. I’m simply here to personally make sure you don’t make a further mess of things than you already have.”

“In that case you’re wasting your time Highperch. I’m actually looking forward to meeting the Bandit King again.”

“Have you lost your mind?”

“Not really. Him and I have a score to settle after all.”

“He’ll be the only one settling scores today Chainmaid.”

“I don’t know about that Highperch. I know of at least one party that intends to intervene.”

“You’re bluffing. You couldn’t have had any contact with the outside world. That is unless you fools slipped up at some point.”

Highperch turned his grouchy demeanor off of Chain and onto the guards who were posted outside of her cell and responsible for maintaining the anti-magic wards in effect. Chain found the way the guards withered amusing but closed her eyes instead of enjoying the scene. Focusing her thoughts Chain reached out to the voice that had invaded her thoughts the day before.

(Well, you should be glad that at least this idiot doesn’t plan to try to stop you from interfering. He doesn’t even believe me that someone would actually try to interfere.)

(YOUR CONTINUED DISREGARD FOR YOUR OWN WELL BEING IS A DETREMENT TO YOUR SURVIVAL HATCHLING.)

(And you’re overreacting. Believe it or not but I really am looking forward to meeting with the Bandit King again.)

(YOU ARE BEING OFFERED AS TRIBUTE HATCHLING. THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT THAT THE BANDIT KING WILL TAKE YOUR LIFE TO SHOW HIS ACCEPTANCE OF SAID TRIBUTE)

“What are you still smirking about?”

Pulled from her thoughts Chain opened her eyes and turned her cocky smile back onto Highperch.

“Sorry, I was just having a laugh with that party you don’t seem to believe exists.”

“Enough of your nonsense. Get her ready to go.”

“Just when I was getting comfortable. But you know Highperch, if I wanted to get out now would be the perfect opportunity.”

Chain offered the friendly warning to Highperch who simply scoffed at Chain’s confidence.

“You haven’t had food or water for days so I doubt even you have the strength to put up any resistance.”

“Now I get it. You’re just blowing off that other party I’ve mentioned as a starved delusion. You probably think me knowing about being offered as tribute to the Bandit King is something I simply picked up from the guards talking outside of my cell too.”

As the guards undid Chain’s shackles and transferred her to a different set that strung her up on a rolling cart Chain casually offered her insight to Highperch’s thoughts. Highperch was unimpressed and continued to disregard Chain’s claims.

“If you have the clarity of mind to try and talk yourself out of your fate you should use it to make peace before the end. Alright, get her out of here and onto the steam truck.”

Transferring his attention from Chain to the guards Highperch issued the simple order. Chain however was not one to leave him be so easily and continued to push Highperch’s buttons.

“And here I thought steam vehicles were only for official government and commercial business here in primitive Highroot. You really are trying to flatter me today.”

“Believe it or not Chainmaid, but this is official government business.”

“And here I thought adventurers with Soarmont’s Adventurer Company weren’t supposed to get involved with politics.”

“Says the girl barely turned maid who was attempting to smuggle a Knight Prince across national borders.”

“A Knight Prince we had already agreed to escort. I was just doing my job if you think about. Not that I was supposed to be working when I came up here but my hand got forced when the princess of Highroot decided to team up with a minister in Bright Rift to try and kill our client.”

“That’s a bold claim Chainmaid.”

“No, that’s the truth from her conspirator’s own mouth. A bold claim would be accusing you of being involved considering your treatment of Elliot.”

“Get her out of here!”

“Heh. Looks like I hit a nerve.”

“Hurry it up! We don’t have time to waste!”

Chain was unaware of just how accurate she was in her accusation of Highperch but was glad to see the aged adventurer so riled. Unfortunately for her it was also the end of her own entertainment as from that point forward it was all business from the viewpoint of the adventurers who transported her to the flatbed steam truck that awaited her in the courtyard of the keep. As before in the cell Chain was transferred from one set of shackles to another and now was strung up under a crane on the truck bed with her arms fully stretched above her head and her legs below her and not touching the truck bed at all. If not for her chainmail the shackles would have unquestionably bit into her flesh in a most unpleasant manner, but even armored as she was Chain found it uncomfortable. She offered little complaint however and instead chose to enjoy the rain soaked festivities from her unique vantage point.

In the midst of a parade worth of troops in ceremonial grey uniform and arms Chain was paraded about the city’s main thoroughfares. Set on a winding path to one of the great bridges that crossed the river that pinned the city to base of the Stormroot Mountains it seemed that there was time to waste. Or conversely the route chosen was to get as many people as possible to witness the fate of one who would so brazenly challenge the Bandit King as Chain had which seemed to be to the advantage of food and souvenir vendors who lined the parade route. The smell of food caused a rumbling in Chain’s stomach that assured the maid she truly had not eaten in many a day but she attempted to ignore her hunger and instead waved at the crowds that watched her pass. Eventually she could not keep up her good cheer as the combination of hunger, the discomfort of her arms from wrist to shoulder, and being totally drenched through as though she herself were a full sponge soured her mood.

(If the hope is for the Bandit King to kill me they could have at least offered me up a final meal or something. Instead they have me strung up like a trophy fish for all to see and I might as well be a fish for how drenched I am.)

(YET YOU DO NOT ESCAPE YOUR MEAGER BONDS WHEN THERE IS NAUGHT THAT WOULD HOLD YOU BACK HATCHLING)

(I’ve been wondering where you were at. I was starting to think that you had given up on trying to get me to get out of here and yet here you are again. Mind you, I appreciate you not intervening unless of course you’ve been enjoying the show. Wearing nothing by my special little suit of chainmail does put me on full display rather nicely don’t you think.)

(YOUR WEAK VISAGE DOES NOT ENTERTAIN IN ME ANY SUCH DESIRE FOR PROCREATION HATCHLING. NAY, SEEING YOU SO MEAGER IN FORM AND ACTION FILLS ME WITH NAUGHT BUT RAGE.)

(I don’t even know what to say to that. I get that I’ve definitely been insulted but I guess I can look past that this one time since apparently I’ve really got the damsel in distress look down.)

Allowing herself to smile Chain looked up and saw a great stone bridge before her at the opposite end of a massive plaza. From the roof tops the crowds watched on as the plaza was filled by the soldiers who parted to allow the steam truck carrying Chain threw. Awaiting the truck on the opposite end of the plaza was a gaudy four team horse-drawn carriage that could only belong to the royal family. Watching the arrival of the truck from within King Pergrine Stormflock VI nodded to Highperch who sat in the passenger seat of the truck cab. Chain caught sight of the nod and smiled as she knew that it was time at last to again face the Bandit King.

(Well, Thurlix, or whoever you actually are, the real show is just getting started so sit back and enjoy while I work my magic.)

Copyright © 2018 Joshua D Tarwater