"The Tales Of Fagelio - Chapter One - Part Three" by Jayne Leonard

“Good!” Grange turned his attention back to Theodore. “Now, we can do this the easy way, or my way,” he leered at the man expectantly. “Either way your shirt is going to come off.” Theodore straightened, all his muscles tense, his jaw jutted out defiantly. “What’s the hold up? Gone bashful? Well don’t be, we’ve given you more privacy than you deserve.” There were only five men left in the room now: Theodore, Grange, Pike, Lewis and the elderly man who drew the curtains. Even though he was still out numbered Theodore stood there passively and would not break his silence.

“Have it your way Fagelio. But remember, this was your choice and I’m sure Grange and Pike would oblige if you start to be difficult. Pike, strip him to his waist the way I told you to earlier,” the old man said clearly. Grange looked indignant. “I fear you would enjoy it too much.” Pike walked slowly up to Theodore and smiled showing many missing teeth. From his belt he pulled a rusty blade with an ornate golden handle. “As you can see it hasn’t been used in sometime. Remember Pike, do it slowly and with a steady hand.” Pike took offence to that. “and you will not be a victim of a surprise attack.” The old man picked up the chair Grange threw on the floor earlier and perched on it as he leaned his hands and chin on top of his stick.

“Imagine the damage that’ll do when… if he slips.” Grange corrected himself after a hard look from the old man.

“Get on with it Pike,” sighed the old man wearily.

Leienagh’s throat grew tight. She watched the fishmonger bring the blade toward her father’s chest through blurry eyes. She placed her hands on the silvery shimmering curtain, whether to try and escape the cupboard and help her father or just feel comforted again she did not know, but no comfort came from it now. Her ashamed weeping turned into deep shuddering sobs. She held her breath as she watched the dagger disappear in front of her father, whose shoulder rose, as he took in a deep breath, then fall, as he let it out. A warm wave swept over her. It felt just like one of her father’s embraces comforting her which she thought was strange as she was not touching the shimmering curtain. She screwed her eyes shut. Leienagh heard the sound of cloth being torn and when she opened her eyes she saw Pike standing a little apart from her father with a nervous look in his eyes. Her father’s shirt and waistcoat hung too loosely at his sides. Pike took a few steps and stood behind Leienagh’s father blocking her view.

“I’ll do tha’.” Grange stormed up to Pike, snatched the dagger from him and barged him out the way with one of his massive shoulders. Pike breathed a deep sigh of relief and wiped his forehead. Grange grabbed the neck of Theodore’s waistcoat and pulled it roughly from him. He then pulled out the collar of his shirt and held the dagger edge against it with the tip digging into Theodore’s neck. Theodore shifted uncomfortably on his feet. “If you don’t squirm I’ll try not to cut you,” Grange grinned broadly.

Leienagh clenched her whole body. She heard the sound of cloth being ripped again, gasps, then a loud thud on the wooden floor. Her eyes sprang open again to see Lewis lying on the floor with his eyes shut. The elderly man was on his feet again now, eyes bulging, holding his stick in front of him like a weapon. Pike was gaping and Grange had tried to make himself more imposing by rising to his full height and width. So much so that Leienagh could only just see her father’s head. Grange slid what was left of Theodore’s shirt off of his shoulders. “What’ll it be? The Clip or a cut?” Even Grange seemed more sombre. Theodore again did not answer.

“The Clip Grange. Less trouble that way.” Grange looked slightly disappointed.

“Get me The Clip then Pike an’ move tha’ idiot out of the way,” Grange turned his attention back to Theodore while Pike lifted the unconscious man onto his shoulder and left the room. “Now on your knees Theodore. Don’t struggle now. I wouldn’t wan’ a make you!” The cruel smile crept back onto his face but it slowly vanished as Theodore stared straight into his eyes and slowly got onto his knees. Not even when Pike re-entered the room with something heavy under his arm did the tension break between the two men.

“Make sure the lock is working Pike and blacksmith make sure you get it through the main nerve. We wouldn’t want any accidents now would we?” challenged the old man, as he knew exactly what Grange was thinking.

Leienagh saw the fishmonger hold up a dark metal contraption to the light, inspecting it. It was like nothing she had ever seen before. It was made out of two long bits of metal, shaped like two legs with feet inward turned, held together by a hinge. Up the legs were shiny metal spikes, that Leienagh could only describe as teeth. At the end of one leg there was a latch and the other a lock. “It’s working fine sir,” reported Pike.

“Don’t call him sir!” spat Grange in disbelief. “The only reason Fredrick’s here is because he is the only one left in the village old enough to remember ‘the proper’ way to do this!” Grange sneered ‘the proper way’ as he enjoyed watching the old man’s feather’s ruffle.

“I was elected by the village, Grange, to do my duty to my monarch and I am doing exactly that!” Fredrick’s calmness made Grange hot. “I am here to ensure the High King’s decree is carried out to the letter. Then, and only then, may you have your fun!”

“As you say old man,” mocked Grange.

“Remember this blacksmith! Until the High King’s decree has been fulfilled I have just much power as the Vice Capitan of the Royal Guard and I can, and will, order you to the gallows if I must! The village’s safety is more important than your blood lust!” Fredrick glared.

“Well let’s get on with it the. Pike give me The Clip!” demanded Grange holding out his hand and not taking his eyes off of Fredrick. Pike passed the metal object to Grange. “Arms in the air Fagelio.”

Leienagh watched her father raise his arms straight above his head. For a moment nothing happened apart from Grange shuffling his arms as if trying to adjust something. Pike and Fredrick stood as still as stone. Then Grange made a quick movement which was quickly followed by a sickening crunch that sounded the same as an apple being bitten in to. It turned Leienagh’s stomach.

Theodore screamed behind clenched teeth then fell onto his face gasping for breath ‘Leienagh… can… not… see this… she will not understand… too young…’

“Pick him up Grange and turn him around so I can inspect The Clip,” Fredrick hobbled towards the three men. Theodore felt himself being lifted to his feet and was spun around to face the cupboard. “Hold his arms steady. How am I supposed to inspect The Clip if his swaying everywhere?” grumbled Fredrick. Grange ordered Pike, telling him what to do, until each of them had both feet on either one of Theodore’s. They then took hold of one arm each and used all of their weight to lean backwards.

“That’s it. Now if he moves he’ll dislocate his shoulders,” smiled Grange. Fredrick tutted then got to work behind Theodore’s back. Theodore stood there passively, swaying ever so slightly, as he looked in the cupboard through the shimmering memory he placed there, to his daughter’s terrified face. He wished he had more time to hide her properly but shielding her with a Touchable Memory of the cupboard was all he could manage. He reached out and could feel her mind, a mind so shocked it was shutting down, and soothed her.

“Okay, it’s all done,” Theodore was spun around to face Fredrick. “Let them back in then Pike. I’ll open the curtains.”

Grange kicked the back of Theodore’s knees forcing him to the ground. Grange pulled Theodore’s head back grabbing a fistful of black hair until Theodore faced the ceiling exposing his throat. “If you tell me where your daughter is then I’ll make it quick and… almost painless.” He ran a finger across Theodore’s throat making him gulp.

“She… she is somewhere safe.” The words struggled out of Theodore’s tightened windpipe.

“Now that’s the spirit! Fight until the end. Your end that is! If you change your mind you can always tell me and I’ll end it quickly.” He yanked Theodore’s head back further still so that every breath he took could be heard. “But not until you scream your daughter’s whereabouts so loud that the whole village knows you sold her out to ease your suffering. Believe me Fagelio, you will suffer. But don’t worry. If you don’t tell me, I’ll find little Leienagh and make sure she’s well taken care of!” Theodore struggled against Grange’s mocking tone.

“Leave him alone Grange! He’s not yours yet!” commanded Fredrick as he hobbled beside Grange, completely blocking Leienagh’s view. Grange glared at the old man while he fingered his whip. Mainly male villagers came back into the room, plus a few rebellious women. The crowd at the window appeared again. Fredrick rapped his staff in the floor three times calling for quiet.

“Everybody be quiet!” roared Grange. The whole crowd, inside and out, stopped what they were doing and focused on the man in front of them. “Let ‘im get on so we can hav’ some fun!” The crowd cheered. Fredrick arched an eyebrow and sighed. From the inside of his coat he pulled out a slightly old tattered scroll. Fredrick undone the ribbon that circled the scroll, unravelled the delicate parchment, then cleared his throat.