Made of large cut stones in the form of perfect squares bound together with lime, the third bas.e.m.e.nt of the castle is only lit by a few small, low quality magic lamps.

In this place where humans cohabit with difficulty with various races, with c.o.c.kroaches, with rats and other termites of various species, facing the staircase that leads to the upper floors, are the slave quarters.

These free of charge workers from various countries, races and social backgrounds from all sides, sleep in large wet dormitories without any conveniences.

The butlers in charge of the good hygiene of the employees, are aware that the living conditions of these animals are not the best.

In order to prevent these without rights and disposable beings from transmitting diseases, once a week they force each of these negligible beings to immerse themselves in a barrel of water containing a powerful disinfectant that gnaws at their skin.

From the slave quarter, taking the long corridor to the right, an even darker place emerges under the low vaulted ceilings of the heavily guarded area.

The long corridor of more than 1300 feet, which every 65 feet opens onto a perpendicular gallery, conceals only bars, chains and torture chambers.

In this secret place, are led all those who are considered potentially harmful to the interests of the King as well as those who can negatively influence the development of the Kingdom.

Under their heavy black armour, characteristic of those responsible for ensuring the security of this district, only the best soldiers recognised as being loyal to the King can move about freely.

…

From behind a heavy wooden door blackened by the humidity that seeps into the walls of the prison, the abominable smell of which seizes the throat of all visitors disposing a pa.s.s allowing them entry, come angry howls that are shaking the men and women detained in this stone h.e.l.l that they will never leave alive.

Last night, after putting on his flannel pyjamas recently acquired for three gold from a merchant from the North, Baron Allister lay down beside his wife, and then quickly fell asleep peacefully.

Still believing himself in his cozy sheets, when a s.h.i.+ver browsed his back, he opened his eyes to discover this frightening, dark and cold place.

When panic-stricken he tried to get up, he was stunned to find that his arms and legs were tied to a metal chair provided with straps.

More accustomed to sipping a c.o.c.ktail at a party surrounded by his peers or in his living room in front of a pleasant chimney fire than taken prisoner by indeterminate people, fearing the worst, the Baron cursed his ancestors, and then he tried to move his body.

His struggle proved futile. He understood the reason for this when he bowed his head.

One sigh later, he admitted with regret that this chair firmly planted in the ground would not give way under his weak strength as his small person.

Aware of his obvious impotence, more out of spite than wisdom, the Baron calmed down in spite of himself. With his face undone, it was only at that very moment that he realized that three people were standing in front of him.

When he discovered two tall men in black armour standing as straight as spears, his first thought was that perhaps it would have been better for him to have fallen into the hands of a.s.sa.s.sins than into those of the Dark Brigade.

What are these soldiers really? The majority of the n.o.bles themselves do not know. However, the common people themselves are aware that wherever these monsters are sent, who obey only the King and are led exclusively by the woman who is now smiling at him, only impaled corpses remain along the roads.

...

"Where are we? My family! Where is my family? How are my children? I swear by my name that if you hurt my wife, I'll come back from h.e.l.l to kill you."

"The location is of little importance compared to your situation. Illegally raising taxes on your territory. Hiring mercenaries to commit robberies on the outskirts of the Capital and trying to bribe one of the treasury guards. I have to be honest! You have my admiration.

A lone man who without help acc.u.mulates crimes without real motivation, but takes such risks for his own profit, is not so common, Sir. However, by acting as a gang leader, you have undermined the people's trust in the King.

If you were to be judged someone else, he might find it a little embarra.s.sing to execute a Baron. However, I, for one, am accountable to no one and that is partly why I will take the greatest pleasure in torturing an idiot like you to death."

As some rumors say, there's nothing human about this red-haired she-devil.

Her large, mocking yellow eyes which have not left his face, make Baron Allister forget his present situation.

"The King may love you and grant you so much power that it makes you drunk, but it won't last forever. Like everyone else, you will grow old and like every woman, your beautiful face will wither. I will not be around to enjoy the moment when the old woman rejected by men and powerless that you will have become, sadly observes her ugly wrinkles in her mirror, but I look forward to your misfortune when that day comes."

After this attack, the smile of this tall young woman should have left her lips. It's common knowledge that old age frightens all women. Then why did her mouth widen again?

Seeing the Royal Protector edge towards his ear, the Baron tries to duck, but firmly bound by his links, he can only listen to the words whispered by this she-devil.

"I fear I may disappoint you but for you Humans, this day you so dear to you is like eternity. I come from a people that existed long before your G.o.ds were born. When my ancestors set foot on this earth, only water and sand composed an emerging world. To you who tomorrow will be dead, let me show you something amusing. You two, out."

She's lying! She's lying! Not everything the she-devil says can be true. Everything that comes out of this Gorgon's mouth is only lies and deceitful talk.

The Baron tries to push back every word that the red-haired girl says, and yet in this magical world, rejecting the improbable is no different from denying reality.

When the door closes on the two soldiers in black armour, Nina takes three steps back.

Until now, she had never revealed this secret to anyone, but it is so hard to keep everything to herself that sharing it with the human she will kill with her own hands will only free her from this burden.

Beneath the faint light offered by the four small low quality magic lamps, the Baron's mouth opens wide.

The incredulity that Nina can read in his eyes is precisely what she expected, and satisfied, her little kid legs lead her towards the man who forgets to speak.

"See, even old, I shall remain eternally young. And while generations of Humans will have pa.s.sed away, I will live to contemplate the progress made by their descendants.

See me as I am now!

I am the child whose life was arbitrarily destroyed by your soldiers. I'm also the little girl that you, arrogant Humans, tried to modelling in your image and tried in vain to transform into what she will never be.

It is also in this form that I will enjoy when I will break all the foundations that your ancestors suffered so much to erect and strived to bequeath to you."