Chapter 32: Rescue Attempt

"That day, my eyes opened to the reality of human wrath and hatred. The experience inflicted on me the kind I have never seen or felt before. I only knew the experience of death, but torture is an all different experience. I spent who knows how long in that dark and dreadful room at the mercy of an insane prince hell-bent on punishing me for defeating him,"

He sat there in the dark, bound by chains on the cold hard ground of the darkest dungeons under the palace. Never did he notice whether it was day or night. There was only a single torch as his source of light.

His body and limbs were bruised and full of cuts as the prince of Lyos took great pleasure in torturing Jushiro until he could utter not a single sound in the darkened halls. Prince Kvelyja ceased his cruel treatment of Jushiro to clean the blood off his hands. Smiling with pleasure, he asked Jushiro if he still wanted a potion.

"Well... What's it going to be sir, want me to heal you now? Hmm, well? Oh, wait..., I see, now. You can't talk after all that screaming! Ha! Look at you now, knight! NOTHING! Nothing but an empty, broken husk. It's punishment for your insolence, you and your kingdom will all die, and I will be there to sack and lay waste to your capital!" Prince Kvelyja said in wicked delight.

On and on, he bosted with prideful cheer. He was about to continue his punishment until he heard a knock on the cell door. The guard outside informed him that the king wished to see him. Kvelyja begrudgingly set his knife down and left the room, followed by his men behind him.

Alone and injured in the cell, Jushiro sat there motionless and half dead, looking only to the floor, reflecting on everything that occurred. He thought to himself if it were best if he up and left when he had the chance. The surety of death was near-absolute to him that he closed his eyes in acceptance of his fate, doomed to die in darkness.

Above ground before the palace gates, the rescue team entered, with prince Kaseth leading them in. Through the halls of the palace grounds, Lashida immediately picked up on the presence of hooded men trailing them from a distance.

"Keep calm and act like you didn't notice. It would seem my brother mistrusts me more than you lot. After I stood in his way, he most certainly sent his eyes to keep tabs on me," Kaseth said.

Realizing they'll report to Kvelyja, Kaseth decided to retreat to his tower in the palace. There they'll restrategize on how to rescue Jushiro. The plan at first wasn't comforting to Lashida, who grew impatient and worried for Jushiro.

"It's the only way, your highness. We must find a way without making a scene that could result in a severe incident. Brother is strong and will endure, but for now, we must retreat," Vinbror said.

She reluctantly agreed and followed them up to Kaseth's tower. Before they could leave, a group of guards surrounded them. One of the guards demanded them to come into the courtyard. He stated the king of Aredain wishes to speak with them.

They followed begrudgingly, believing they're busted.

At the courtyard, king Ericeth spoke in a disappointed tone. He professed his disbelief that they would try to sneak into the palace and start a national conflict. He declared that there will be no rescue and that they will leave at first light tomorrow.

Lashida stepped forth in protest to her father's orders, "I won't obey the wishes of a cowardly king who would sacrifice the life of someone who's done so much for us. He helped the realm in need, made gifts, won the games, even saved my life at the cost of his own! After all that, you willingly toss him aside like worn-out boots?"

"Silence, Lashida! My word is final, and no matter how heartless it seems. The realm as a whole is more important than the life of one outsider," The king said.

Outsider, that word alone astounded Lashida to the point she turned her back and stormed through the gates. Her eyes teared in despair from hearing her father's words. She collapsed in anguish, feeling hopeless that she's able to do nothing for Jushiro. Prince Kaseth found her in one of the city alleys in despair. He offered to help her up but almost refused until he reassured her, saying he'll help Jushiro.

"Stand up, your highness, let's rescue Jushiro together,"

"But prince Kaseth, aren't you afraid of what it might cause. Do you not feel you'll regret your actions?" Lashida asked.

"Screw it... Screw all of it. I'd rather choose to do the right thing because no matter how small or insignificant, Jushiro is my friend, our friend. So I'm going even alone if I must because I believe in doing the right thing no matter the consequences,"

His words and look of sincerity sparked her to take his hand and stand up. She thanked Kaseth, expressing her gratitude. There, the kind and gentle words from her former enemy lifted the spirits of the heartbroken princess. He stood before her and vowed to stand with her no matter the odds. Lashida wiped her tears and followed prince Kaseth back to the palace to rescue Jushiro.

They find Vinbror and Bronir leaving the castle gates. There, they explained their desire to break Jushiro out.

"But princess Lashida, what about your father's orders? If we strike, who knows what will happen to us. Not even your position as a princess will save you,"

"So what!? Are we that willing to abandon one of our own. Despite all he did for us, are you that willing to give up? I don't care anymore about what happens to me. I choose to do the right thing, regardless of the inevitable consequences. I ask you, please, help me save our friend,"

She bowed her head down in earnest. The look of willingness to trend through great lengths sparked the resolve in both knights to accept her request. Vinbror clenched his fist and raised it forward.

He told them pumping fists is how people make promises to one another in Jushiro's world. Soon everyone joined in, vowing to bring Jushiro back no matter what.

Nightfall came, and the operation commenced. The group split up into two teams near the back gate to the palace. Kaseth and Lashida entered through one of the rear gates in the stables, while Vinbror and Bronir attempt to enter the dungeons through the sewers.

Kaseth guides Lashida through the palace, evading the guards and dogs. It was as tense as she thought it would be. The feeling of self-doubt soon weighed on her that Kaseth looked her in the eye to reassure her, "Calm yourself, princess. We will succeed and bust him out. Don't forget, your not the only one who calls him friend, now,"

She felt the guaranty behind his words, the look in his eyes reminded her of the confident look he would give her. She shook her head and slapped her cheeks to snap out of it.

As the two ventured deep into the lower halls, they come across an iron rusted door at the end of the hallway. They knew deep down they've reached the dungeons.

Approaching the dungeon door, they spot Prince Kvelyja leaving the room. They immediately rushed to hide behind one of the pillars. They watched as Kvelyja passed by them with his men. With the room clear, they proceeded to the sewer entrance near the dungeons to let in Bronir and Vinbror.

Approaching the doors to the sewer, the two couldn't help but notice the foul stench emanating from the other side as they slowly open the door. Lashida, about to vomit, felt guilty for letting them both take the sewers of all places to use.

The door opened, and out came Vinbror and Bronir. Realizing the sewer odor might draw attention, Kaseth came prepared and gave them a potion to mask their presence and scent. Bronir thanked him, explaining his disdain for the sewers in a childish tone.  

"Don't worry, sir Bronir. Hopefully, we won't need to use it on the way out. So be at ease," Kaseth said.

They pass through the iron doors, walking down the dungeon stairs. The smell of blood and rust bothered Lashida, as she feared what occurred in these cells. The further they ventured, the more they begin to second guess, assuming Jushiro is dead. The thought worried Vinbror more, considerably worrying for his sworn brother.

Finally, at the far end of the darkened halls, they see a cell door. They notice the key still in the lock. Lashida placed her hand on the key, slowly turning to unlock the door. The group braced themselves for what they might find, holding onto hope Jushiro is still alive.