Daniel

Elder James stirred in his unconscious state as his eyes opened slowly. There was a bump on his head, but Daniel knew it took more than a hit to turn him unconscious, as James was well-built even for a man of his age.

He groaned in pain as the cuts on his back made contact with the bed. He sucked in a deep breath as he felt pain.

Daniel was pleased with the shock on his face when he realized that he was in the dungeon and not his palatial house.

Elder James looked around the infested room, littered with straws scattered around the floors and chains that hung from the wall waiting for its next prisoner.

He tried to sit up, but the rattling of the chains around his hands and legs made his eyes shoot wide open. He shivered as he recollected what happened before losing consciousness.

He had just finished his meeting with his men. He had instructed them on what to prepare to receive the Northern Elders, who had agreed to meet in the castle in one of the private rooms as it would not raise suspicion because of the celebration happening there.

I see you are awake, said a voice, startling Elder James, deep in his thought.

Who are you, and what do you want from me? He asked.

The room was dark, with no lantern to let in light, so Elder James could not see the person hidden behind the shadows.

Who dares to attack me? I certainly will not give him a painless death, he thought.

What do you want from me? Elder James asked as he fought frantically to free himself without success.

It was then that Daniel emerged from the dark, and his face paled like a man who had lost sensation in his body. He was frozen in shock for some minutes before he stuttered-
Y-your Highness, what do you want from me?

Guilt was written all over him, and his heartbeat accelerated high. He was sweating profusely, and his voice shaken.

Who else is working with you to sabotage our kingdom? Daniel went straight to the point.

“I-I- don’t know what you’re talking about, Your Highness, Elder James replied after a long pause, but his eyes could not conceal the truth as it told a completely different story.

Daniel chuckled before giving him a solid kick that knocked him to the ground. I am sure by the time we are through with our investigations.

He will be able to remember all the details of his crime, Daniel said with a frosty look.

Fred completely knocked him out with a head blow. His body was rippled with muscles mainly because he was a captain before being given the title of Royal investigator for his contribution to the kingdom.

All captains of the royal guard and royal battalion had to undergo intense military training due to the sensitive nature of their job. Even though Elder James was in his mid-forties, it took two of Daniel’s bodyguards to bundle him into the chair.

Tick, tick, time is not on your side. How long do you think you can hold on?

The king would rather have you executed without trial once he gets word of your involvement with the enemy. I am only giving you a fair chance at trial rather than instant death, Daniel coerced.

Think about your family and make the right decision. I can plead on your behalf for you not to be hanged on a scaffold. Daniel said as he walked across the dimly lit room.
I have no idea of what you are talking about, he said.

The man seemed adamant about remaining silent and muttered words under his breath that you could hardly hear him if you were not paying close attention. But Daniel heard him and laughed out loud.

I will tell you something, Elder James. I am much nicer than my brother Brock.

He has trained since he was eighteen years old to deal with issues and traitors like you, and when you consider his years in the military, he can be ruthless, especially when it relates to the welfare of his subjects. Elder James visibly shivered when he heard Brock’s name.

Daniel noticed the change in his demeanor, and a corner of his upper lip curved into a smile.

I am doing this for your good, so you better start talking, or should I call the guard to help you cut your tongue out? Daniel asked, leaving the man to speculate on his words while he sat across the room.

Please let me go. I have no idea what you are talking about. Elder James said while trying to untie his hands bound behind the chair.

Ten years ago, who informed the five kings about the whereabouts of the treasures?

No one outside the council of chiefs knew about it, but somehow, the news got out even before we could discover the exact location of the treasure.

Do you want me to believe that it was just a coincidence? Daniel asked as he looked Elder James dead in the eye.

My sister died because of that war, and countless people lost their lives. Daniel said with a bitter chuckle, reminiscing about the day that Daniella died.

There was a lot of pent-up anger inside him that he had not dealt with, and who better to vent it on than the traitors who betrayed their kingdom?

In a rage, Daniel charged towards Elder James, held him by his collar, and whispered with clenched teeth.

If you continue to keep silent, I will beat you so badly that you will not recognize yourself.

A trembling Elder James could not hold it in anymore as he burst into tears and said-

I will talk- I will tell you what I know about the war and the death of your sister, he said.

The person you are looking for: the answer lies with your sister. There was a reason they killed her. She found out about their plans and wanted to sabotage it.

My superior handled it, and he never told me any details beyond a few commands to infiltrate the palace as a gardener and pass on a letter to a man named Luther. Elder James was sobbing so hard that Daniel could hardly hear what he said without paying close attention.

Daniel frowned slightly, frightening Elder James so that he cried out.

I swear, that is all I know. You can break my legs if you want, but I don’t know anything beyond what I have just told you.