Bodice of Martyrdom

Set in fantasy world. Ever is forced into a difficult situation when she is captured by Aren, her former love and the king. He forces her through a terrifying scene which makes her want to die.

“Do not be so daft, Ever. I can take anything and everything. The thing that befuddles me is that you still try.”

I laughed, “You can not take everything, you dull-witted fool.”

Aren raised an eyebrow, “Is that so? Tell it to me, so I can take it from you like you captured my heart. I will rip it into shreds in front of you, just as you did to me.” He inclined his face closer, so it was inches from mine. A surge of guilt ran through me, I hadn’t known that Aren would fall for me. Stupid mistakes on my behalf, to let myself become attached. My face turned to venom again, removing all doubts. “But, now I seek vengeance. I will torture you first, but that won’t be enough. I will kill your friends, and have you in the cells. You will be there knowing you can’t do anything. Hearing the screams of terror will make you want to kill yourself.” He smiled, dauntingly. “Lastly, my favourite, I will kill the two who stole you from me, Kaydn and Avi.”

There was an ache in my heart when he spoke Avi’s name.

“Impossible! Aren, you imbecile, Avi is gone! He’s dead!” I screamed at the painful memories.

“Sad. I truly wished I could have killed him myself,” He tapped his lip, wistfully. “So, what is this thing I cannot take from you, my dear Ever?”

I spat. “My dignity.”

He wiped the saliva from his cheek. Unaffected by my outburst, he walked over to the other side of the barn. A memory, of us embracing each other, flashed in my mind. Discomfort seemed to grow in my chest. As if he sensed it, he looked up at me and smiled. “Have I taken it?”

“You disgust me!” I hissed.

Disregarding what I had said, he carried on, “Remember this spot? Do you recall how I said that I would love you for eternity?” He laughed as if it was supposed to be comical, and then he resumed tormenting me of my uncanny past. “Do you remember?”

“Do you think I would have forgotten?” I hissed, “Do you think I simply removed the memory of the night I gave my heart to you?”

“I suppose not then.” He huffed.

Several thumps came from the door. After Aren called for the knocker to come in; A young man, who looked around the age of 16, entered.

“The Senate wishes to speak with you, sir.” His voice was deep.

He glanced at me with his golden eyes. His black hair curved his face. 

“Thank you, Malone. Fetch for some of my men to take her to the Bastion’s cells. You may forward out.” Aren said.

Malone nodded, and left.

Where, I thought, do I know that name?

Aren started to walk out, but he glanced at me. “You better have a plan. Because I am going to make you want to die.” He sneered.

“You are not the first the say that and I seriously doubt you are the last.”

 

I had huddled myself in a corner, to keep from the bite of the bitter, wintery air. My scabbed arms wrapped around my aching and bruised legs, head nestled between my two legs. The raw chill in the air seemed to be seeping into me as the hours went on. The brownness of my hair, which draped over my face and shoulders, camouflaged with the blood and puke stained walls. Darkness and the terrifying sound of silence circled me. I wanted the spirits of dead criminals to take me. Footsteps began to come near.

My blood curdled when Aren’s voice called, “Ever! I am back!” He came to a halt in front of my small cell. He crouched down, “Ever, get up.”

I didn’t move.

Aren turned to the guards behind him, “Have you been feeding her?”

“Yes, sir!” they said in unison.

“When was the last time you gave her food?”

A small silence came before one of the guards, with a honey voice spoke, “This morning, sir. Approximately 5 hours ago.”

Aren grunted. “Did she eat it?”

With a small shuffle, another guard spoke with a deep voice, “No, sir.”

Aren laughed, “When was the last time she ate?”

Deep Voice replied, “Two days ago, sir.”

I could imagine Aren with a sly smile on his face. “Do you know what she is doing, men?”

Honey Voice and Deep voice answered with a shaky voice, “No.”

“She is trying to kill herself before we can torture her.” Pause. “What do you say we should do, Malone?”

“I am not sure, sir.” Deep Voice responded.

I smiled, to hear Malone’s name. It had taken me a while to figure out how I knew him. Even though I had only known him for a short period of time, I was sure he was waving his flag for me.

“Make. Her. Eat.” Aren hissed.

“How, sir?” Honey Voice asked.

“Malone, care to answer Faruq’s question?”

To me, it felt as if all the pieces were falling together in a puzzle. I wanted to jump up and down with joy knowing that Faruq was not captured.

“I am not sure, sir.” Malone whispered.

I could feel the radiation of Aren’s anger, “MAKE HER EAT IT! I do not care how! Shove it down her throat if you have to! SHE HAS TO LIVE!”

Aren turned on his heel and marched out of the room. I looked up to see Malone slide a bowl of a vile smelling soup; I received a look of an apology from Faruq. They both rushed out of the prison chambers after a few moments of silence that crossed between us. I glanced down at the bowl of putrid, my stomach was telling me to eat it, but I’d rather die than see any other person tortured in place of me. Logic won, I wasn’t going to eat. I rested my head between my legs again.

“Are you going to eat that?” A voice asked.

My head shot up, I looked around for a figure, but none were in sight. Only a rotting cell bars and filthy cement floor.

“Are you?” it asked again.

I looked at the cell beside me, barely making out a figure. But, by the voice I could tell it was male.

“Well? Are you going to answer me before it goes rotten?” he demanded.

I grabbed the bowl and slid it under. He came closer, but I could not make out his facial features.

Scrunching my nose up, I muttered, “It is already rotten.”

A chuckle came from the Voice, which gave him age. “You have not been down here long enough.”

I shook my head in disagreement, “I have been down here too long, I say.”

“That would be because you want to die before the inevitable takes your life. I, on the other hand, am waiting until a better fate arrives.”

When I didn’t answer, the Voice asked, “You are Everlet, are you not?”

I forced a smile, “I prefer Ever. But, yes I am Everlet.”

“I thought as much.” A hand poked out, “Dalix.”

I shook the hand, “Pleasure.” Without meaning, I greeted him sourly.

Dalix chuckled, “Oh, no. The pleasure is all mine.”

Frowning, I asked, “What do you mean?”

Pulling his hand back, he explained, “I hear things, pet.”

“Down here?” I snorted.

Ignoring my snide comment, he continued, “You are young. Life seems easy the way you walk through it.”

“Ha! As if it was! You would have no idea! I have seen what others my age would never see in their life.”

“Yes. Yes, I agree. You are young but old. You have seen so little yet so much.”

I couldn’t figure out how to reply to his statement. Dalix grunted and shuffled away from the edge of our joined cell wall. I curled up into a ball, replaying what Dalix had said.

You are young but old. You have seen so little yet so much.

 

I had drifted off to asleep not long after my short talk with Dalix, and all too soon I was woken. Two guards seized my arms and began dragging me down passed the prison cells. I winced in pain as my legs grazed along the concrete floor. My mind couldn’t properly comprehend what was happening. The guards tightened their grip as they hauled me up three steps which led to a small room. It was all dark except the dim glow of a lantern coming to the end of its life. My eyes focused in and out until I saw Kinzee staring wide-eyed at me. Her lavender-coloured eyes were unusually pale and her white hair had turned grey with dirt. I closed my eyes; come on, Kinzee, endure it. I know you can, I thought. I scanned the room, in search of Aren. I tried to move but the guards held me tightly. Kinzee had curled herself up into a ball and huddled in the far corner. A door on the other side of the room, not the one I came in, opened to reveal Aren with a broad grin on his face.

“What a nice reunion! I believe you two have met. Kinzee Jewelmyst, Everlet Bloodrose. Everlet Bloodrose, Kinzee Jewelmyst.”

I narrowed my eyes, “Bloodrose? I believe you were informed wrongly, especially as there is no clan with the name ‘Bloodrose’.”

Aren chuckled, “Ah, what it is like to be naïve!”

I clenched my jaw and refused to say any more. If Aren wanted to speak like he had lost his mind, he could. I squeezed my eyes shut, unable to bring myself to open them.

“It will not matter that you cannot see it happen. All you need to hear is the screams.”

Then it began.

 

I couldn’t tell what time it was. It felt like years but it had probably only been three or four days. I didn’t know how or why I had lasted so long. Clutching my stomach, I turned to my side, ready to throw up. Instead, I only gagged and coughed. My throat was raw and I tasted blood. As I sat up I noticed the dandruff lightly spread across my shoulders, running my hand through my oily, slick hair made more shower down. I held no sign that I hadn’t eaten, I should have been on the brink of death. Yet, I still held strong. My legs and arms were only slightly bony and my eyes fatigued. Nightmares haunted my dreaming realm and I couldn’t bear to see another daunted terror flash before my eyes. It sent a shiver down my spine after seeing one torturing. I would rather die then see what Aren had in store for me next. My heart broke at the thought of Kinzee and what happened. I had been helpless, and she was just a girl.

I steered my thoughts from the torture session. Avi popped into my mind. I remember the day he admitted he loved me. The thought of him was the only thing that brought tears to my eyes.

“Vengeance can be a good thing, pet,” Dalix muttered.

I shook my head, “If I live, it will be the best thing.” I curled my hands into a fist, “There is no way he will walk away from this alive.”

 

“Hush, pretend you are sleeping, pet,” Dalix hissed at me.

I let my head drop forward and I closed my eyes. Unintentionally, I fell into deep sleep.

 

I was woken up by the guards walking down the hall way laughing. Rubbing my eyes, I sat up. The guards stopped in front of my cell. I looked up at them, sad that they weren’t Malone and Faruq. The one with the black eyes, fumbled with the keys in the lock. The other guard, the one with the scar across his cheek, groaned.

“Hang on. I nearly got it.” Black eyes said.

And after Scar shook his head, Black eyes swung the cell door open. They both walked in with scary smile on their face. Black eyes came up close to me and kneeled.

His smile sent a shiver down my spine, “How ya going, darling? I hear you isn’t been eating. Now, you better eat, otherwise the Commander aren’t gonna be happy.”

“I care not if the Commander is happy.” I hissed.

Scar tutted, “That’s no way to speak about you’re executioner! You should be thanking him! You could’ve had a worser fate.”

His poor education was very clear by the way he spoke.

“You,” I said pointing at them both, “Does Aren not give you a proper education?” Rolling my eyes, I added, “You should revolt, it is hardly fair.” Sarcasm dripped in my voice.

Without warning, Black eyes slapped me across the cheek. By the impact, my body hit the wall behind me. I touched my cheek to find it sticky with blood.

Pinning me against the wall, Scar sneered, “At least we got a better future than you!”

I looked him in the eyes and spat. Scar let me drop, and he lashed out. When his boot first made contact with my ribs, I felt paralysed. Letting Black eyes and Scar kick me, I was taken by the blackness.

 

My eyes fluttered open, and I found myself immediately coughing up blood. Doubling over, I opened my mouth to let it teem out.

“You, pet, have a lot of guts.” Dalix chuckled.

“Not any more.” I managed to say.

A silence came from Dalix, “You should not do things like that. They put things in your food.” I turned my head slightly; I could imagine Dalix with a smile on his face. He looked down to the bowl he was eating out of, “Then, why am I eating yours?”

“I want to die before I see what Aren has in store for me.” I sneered.

Though I could not see Dalix’s face features, I could see him tilting his head and frowning. “What have you done, pet?”

I curled up, holding myself together. “Why must you call me pet?”

“You are avoiding my question.”

Staring at the floor if it was the most interesting thing in world, I asked, “Have you noticed the world is changing?”

There was a silence beside me; the awkwardness swam around the two cells. Yet, I remained staring at the floor.

“The world is changing. People are changing. The Senate is scared; they have let the royals take charge. It is wrong. No-one should serve them. The Senate is stupid. I always thought that we should be free. Freedom will never be.” Dalix mumbled.

Freedom will never be. That’s when it hit me. Was it a coincidence? “How could you?” I screamed and launched at the bars. I grabbed his shirt, pulling him close against my face. I finally saw what he looked like, and it was what I expected. A scar ran from his left eyebrow to the right of his neck. I remembered that night, I had made that scar. He was lucky that’s all I did to him. “What did you do? I should have killed you then! You do not deserve to be alive!”

He was shaking, “Ever, you are not a killer. Do not do this.”

Steam practically rolled off of me, I dropped his shirt. “This may be the first time you are right. And you are lucky.”

He laughed, “If only, Everlet. If only.”

I looked at him, “I should have killed you.”

“Why did you not?”

“Unlike you, traitor, I have a heart.”

He frowned and ignored the jab, “I see you are trying to imply that I do not have a heart.”

“You do have a heart, but it is black, Hagen, it is black and cold.”

 

The hours turned into days, I started to feel frail. I knew I would not last long.  I had nothing to do seeing as Dalix was Hagen. But, it all changed when Malone came in one time. He tipped the soup on me, and walked off laughing with Black eyes. I smiled to myself when I felt my flick knife fall into my lap. I knew something was happening, something big. The next two weeks the guards brought food, I actually ate. My strength would be needed. Faruq and Malone visited through time, giving me extra things; Flick-knife, stiletto, stiletto band and my horse whistle. I could tell they had faith in me. It would have been great if they had given me a lock pick. Nevertheless, I had to use what I had. I knew the day had come when both Malone and Faruq visited at the same time. They unlocked my cell. We began to run towards the door out, passed the filthy cells. I stopped, remembering a certain cell mate, and ran back.

“Wait, I have unfinished business.” I called back to Faruq and Malone.

“Ever.” Hagen said, harshly. “You will not kill me.”

I thought. “No. I will not. But he will,” I said, turning to Malone.

Malone frowned, and then realisation struck him. With one movement, Malone ran at Hagen’s cell. I truly hoped Malone would make him suffer as he did Yila. I turned to Faruq, “Come on.”

We ran towards where the Senate held their meetings, the seminar room. Faruq began to fall behind. I burst into the room. No-one was in sight. Walking around, proved even further that no-one was hiding. I was about to turn to Faruq to ask where everyone was but thuds began to come from the giant lumber doors. Before I had a chance to run, Aren and a unit of soldiers gushed out of our only exit. Around 20 men stood behind Aren, ready to battle us. What were the odds Faruq and I could take out all of the armed men? My eyes swept the room, at the small likelihood of another exit. Sadly, there was only one other door, it led to dungeons that held prisoners that were about the put on trial.

“Ever, I see what you plan in your eyes,” Aren began, but I had already broke into a full pelt sprint, Faruq not far behind. I could hear Aren cackling, “You can run, but you can’t hide!” He sung.

For a moment I fumbled with the handle, but I managed to swing it open. Faruq swung it shut and rushed to a close by piece of wood. It slid through the door handles easily. We were suddenly flooded with panicked voices.

“Help!”

“Our children were taken!”

“Aren is mad!”

“Death to the royals!”

At first I thought it was just some of the convicts pleading for help, but then I heard an all too familiar voice. 

“I am so sorry.”

I turned to see the silhouette of Ileana. Her eyes were glassy and the corners of her lips were turned down. Faruq was already unlocking some of the cells. I needed to find another way out before Aren barged in. I barked Faruq’s name and he threw the keys at me. Awkwardly, I managed to unlock it. The keys flew in the air until they landed back in Faruq’s hand. I nearly ran into a wall, before I saw it was a weapons room. Warheads, swords, stilettos, flick-knifes, daggers, arrows and bows, the room had everything.

A hand touched my shoulder lightly, “You are brilliant. Did you know that?”

“So I have been told.” I smiled.

Our little ‘happy mood moment’ disintegrated when a huge crash came from the other room.

“Get in the vents!” I screamed.

After a few seconds of waiting, I helped Faruq up into the vent. He grabbed my hand and pulled me in. I shut the vent just as the first soldiers walked in. Expecting Aren to be leading them, but instead there was Black eyes and four other men, I tilted my head confused. Silently, I begged that the vent wouldn’t groan from too much weight. The soldiers scratched their heads in puzzlement. Five agonising minutes went before I dropped down to the ground and signalled everyone else to follow. When I managed to open the door to the seminar room I saw the shocking scenario. Malone was pinned against a wall with four soldiers on him. He was not going to give up without a fight. Other men ran at Faruq and I. One lunged at me and took the wrath of Faruq’s sword. I ducked to Black eye’s sword and I stuck my flick-knife in his ankle, it wouldn’t kill him but it gave me enough time to pull it out and slide it across his throat. Not waiting around to see his reaction to his defeat, I turned to my next opponent. Obviously, I hadn’t turned soon enough; Scar knocked me off my feet and held the sword to my throat. When people say your life flashes before your eyes, they mean it. My heart clenched, and pictures of Avi and I or Kaydn and I popped up. I wished I could have told Ileana it wasn’t her fault. I wished I could have saved Avi. It made me smile to see Ileana defeating a fully grown man. Kaydn was defending two other men off by himself. A person caught my eye; I wanted to rub my eyes so badly to see if it were really them. That’s what starvation does to you.

“Seein’ your life before your eyes, aye, girl?” Scar sniggered.

With a glint in my eye, I smirked, “Are you?”

I had enough time to wave good-bye before Malone stuck his sword into Scar’s back. He offered his hand to help me up. With little time to react, Malone’s eyes widened in alarm to see me pulling my stiletto out. I flung it passed his ear and struck Aren’s forehead. Blood dribbled slowly down his head. He looked at me in wonder; he fell to the ground with my name on his lips.

“Ever!” Faruq screamed.

I turned just in time to Malone jump in front of me and die. A sword slipped through him. He fell on me, causing me to hit my head on the marble ground. My eyes rolled back and darkness covered me whole.  

It had been three days since I left Bastion, which meant it had been nearly a week since the battle. I had been shaken awake by Erabella and Liliana, the two sisters of Aren. Urgently, they told me I needed to leave. With no reason, they pushed me to call Midnight. Now, I rode on Midnight, wondering where I was to go. All I had was wild animals to eat and a hard ground to sleep on.

The blaze sizzled a little before puffing ash into the night sky. Midnight huffed at me. I smiled and searched my rucksack for apples. I picked it up and showed it to Midnight.

“It is the last one. Are you sure you want it?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.

Midnight stomped his hoof on the ground in annoyance. I laughed and rolled the apple over to him before returning my gaze to the campfire.

“And why do I have the pleasure of your company on this fine evening?” I asked.

“You expected me?” Kaydn asked.

I turned and tapped my ears, “Sensitive hearing remember? But, yes. I did expect you.” I smiled, “You never said good-bye.”

I stood and walked over to Kaydn, wrapping my arms around his neck. With no guilt, I drank his essence in taking full pleasure. I could feel the warmth of his hands radiating through my clothes. Taking a step back, Kaydn pulled away from me.

“I came to tell you to leave,” He said, sadly.

My mouth dropped open and when he reached for me, I yanked my arm away as if his touch burned me. My fiery gaze seared into him, guilt covered his face.

“I do not want you to, Ever. The authorities are looking for you,” Kaydn continued, earnestly. “The Senate is putting you on trial. You need to leave, and go as far away as possible. Wait until it dies down, and then come back.”

My eyes widened, “What? No! I will not leave you! Or anyone else for that fact.”

Kaydn shook his head, “You do not understand everyone else has been captured. Proof has been found that Aren had not been controlling himself. Evidence points to you. The Senate knows it was not you, they feel insecure and scared and they need someone to blame. We know you can find out who it really was.” He reached for his pocket and gave me a small paper brown bag, “This has some of Aren’s hair in it. Find out who did it. I know you can.”

I stood speechless. Everyone captured. Find person.

“Come with me,” I suggested.

Kaydn frowned, “I cannot.”

I whistled so high that it made him wince. Midnight trotted over and I swung my leg over him. Turning to Kaydn, I demanded, “Answer me this. Did Malone die?”

He closed his eyes as if to stop himself crying, he opened his eyes and looked up to the sky. “Yes,” he whispered so softly, I barely heard. He looked to me, “Will we see each other again?”

“I hope not.” I replied.

I left him on the hill. My heart broke as I rode down, managing not to look back, I cried. Hastily I wiped my tears away. Tears, I thought, are for the weak. Of course I was lying, all I wanted to do was to run back right now and make him hold me until the end of time. My nose tingled and my body shook. Malone died because of me, I left Kaydn for nothing. Ileana was locked up because of me. I couldn’t even imagine what Olaith and Elion must think of me now.

Taking a shuddering deep breath, I forced myself not to think of the bad side. I had a long road ahead of me and I needed my strength.

“Room for another?” A voice asked.

I pulled Midnight to a stand still. The first thought that came to mind was; Kaydn. Then I realised the voice didn’t match. Impossible, I thought. I couldn’t move I was frozen. Automatically, I shook my head back and forth, denying what I had heard. But I had to turn my head to see if it were real. The sight caught me off guard. Was it really him that I saw fighting in the Senate’s meeting place?

I let his name out in a shaky breath, “Avi.”

Author's Note

Middle of book.
Let me know if it's good or bad?

Reviews

[Satori]

It feels like you have captured a rather rich world here. I'm curious about what has gone on to create this moment of tension between the two main characters.

You're dialogue is a little stilted in some places. Like the opening line "Do not be so daft." I'd recommend using a contraction there. Don't be so daft has a different ring than the more formal "Do not."

Other than that and some minor grammar nits, it feels like you have a promising start here.

You have a nice grasp on flow, though and your pacing is good.

[Bryn]

Thanks for the help. I know it's still rough and I'm working on that. I'll take your advice to heart! I think I have a clue to how it happened but not fully certain!

[Han. <3]

He inclined his face closer, so it was inches from mine. A surge of guilt ran through me.

His black hair curved his face. I had huddled myself in a corner, to keep from the bite of the bitter, wintery air. My scabbed arms wrapped around my aching and bruised legs, head nestled between my two legs. The raw chill in the air seemed to be seeping into me as the hours went on.

i like these lines i don't have much time to read it all but when i get the chance, and if i don't forget i'll come back to it

Those parts stood out so far and were really well described good job. (:

[Bryn]

Thanks, I know that the bgeinning of it is far better than the rest. Still trying to edit it! But, this was helpful!

[Miss. Marie]

I am in love with this. You need to post more. The main character Ever is well written and I love the dialog!

[Bryn]

Thanks! I wrote that two years ago and it's still my favourite piece! Not sure how to write the beginning but I'm getting there! Haha