Page 37 of Four Ruined Realms (The Broken Blades #2)

Tiyung

Idle Prison

This cell isn’t so bad—as sunless dungeons go. I have a lantern and a small supply of oil, thanks to Hana. She also brought me plenty of food; more than I need, really. Every time she comes in, she tells me the day and bell. These are little luxuries I never would’ve noticed before. She even gave me a notepad and ink to write down my thoughts and keep my mind busy.

Hana confirmed that the guards patrol and bring food randomly to disorient prisoners. It prevents escape attempts and aids in breaking the minds of prisoners when they need information.

I asked if they drain the lake every time she comes and goes. She shook her head and said there’s another entrance. I wonder where it is and how she gets here, but I haven’t asked. There are limits to the trust we are building.

My breakfast of stale bread and water arrives. I eat it with some meat and cheese as I wait for Hana. Even though I take my time, I finish without seeing her. I thought this was when she usually arrives, but then again, the meal could’ve been random.

I begin my exercise regime—Hana said it would help my mind to keep my body active. I run in place and do push-ups, sit-ups, and lunges until I’m exhausted. But still, there’s no sign of her.

The guards arrive, but they silently push another meal through the slot. As they walk away, worry begins to set in. Where is Hana? Is she not coming anymore? Have the guards stopped letting her see me? Will I die soon?

I breathe hard, my thoughts turning to my impending death. I’ve tried to make peace with the inevitable. Every person dies. The difference is in how they live. Still, I can’t seem to accept my execution. I keep believing something, anything, will save me. I can’t let go of the hope that Sora and the others will make it back. I still hope that Hana is lying, although she has no reason to.

Half a day passes, and I remain alone in my cell. Suddenly, there’s the sound of footsteps in the hall. I stand, ready to see her, but guards just push a third tray through my meal slot and leave.

I pace. I wait. I eat again. And then I sit down.

She’s not coming.

My chest sags as if there’s a weight attached to my ribs. The fatigue and despair I’d kept at bay engulf me. She didn’t come. She either couldn’t or wouldn’t, and I don’t know which is worse.

I try to be thankful that she was here at all. Her visits were a blessing from the gods. But blessings lifted create a new type of pain.

More time passes, and my chin dips to my chest. I shake my head, blinking awake, trying to stay up. Hana not appearing today could mean that I die tonight. The guards might try to kill me in my sleep.

The worry keeps me awake, but eventually, even on the fear of death, I can’t keep my eyes open any longer. I lean my head back against the wall and extinguish the lamp. I murmur a prayer that Lord Yama won’t claim me tonight, and then I say the prayer that has become my daily wish.

Gods, please, just let me see Sora once again. But if you can only protect one of us, let it be her.

With that, I fall asleep. I must be out for a while because the keys have already turned in the lock when I stir. The heavy wood-and-iron door swings open and nearly hits me. I scramble to my feet, pressing myself up against the wall.

Is it Hana? Please be Hana.

It’s not. It’s the guards, and they carry a torchlight.

My heart thunders, and the pain behind my eyes is intense from the flame. I can’t see, blinded by the fire. With my eyes tightly closed and my hand over them, I try to ready myself for my fate. I won’t cry, try to flee, or beg. I’ve promised myself that much—to have an honorable death in the end.

I stand upright, ready to be pulled out of here. Ready to die facing my executioner.

But no one touches me. Instead, they throw someone else in. As my eyes adjust, a man trips and lands on the dirty stone floor with a groan. I have a cellmate now. I have no idea who he is. But I think he’s here to kill me.