Chapter 6: Confrontation

The door creaked open to Asher's prison. Thought it was Siena only to find a different face peaking inside to give a big smile. The man held a small tray of food before him. He made no move, not even a sound as the bulter came inside the room to sit the tray down. 

 

"My Prince Ash, are you okay?" He asked. 

 

Asher nodded his head yes, though he had to admit that he wasn't sure if he actually felt alright at all. He didn't even have someone like the other guards there in front of him. Even in the darkest hour Asher could hear people's footsteps outside, but now...it was just him and a guard?

 

"Where is Siena?" Asher questioned. 

 

"She has duties to attend to right now." The Butler answered. "But when she can free time then she will join you for your supper."

 

"I see...how long will I be stuck here?" Ash questioned. 

 

"Until tomorrow." The guard answered as he placed heavy chains on Asher's wrists , locking them tightly together. 

 

Asher sat still with little protest, letting the other men continue their work. His mind wandered off as he tried to think of anything else than where he was. Was this going to be it? Was there nothing he could do or say to stop these men from doing whatever they wanted to do?

 

"Do you like Siena?" The butler questioned. 

 

Ash looked up. "What?"

 

"Siena." the man repeated. "You seemed fond of her earlier."

 

"Your mother chose her for you." The servant responded. "Are you going to use her?"

 

For some reason, Asher couldn't help but blush a bit at the butler's words.

 

"No!" he said, almost too loudly. The man simply chuckled and moved to leave. He stopped near the doorway and faced his young charge once more, smiling.

 

"Get some rest, my lord." The butler said. "Tomorrow will bring another day." 

 

“What is going on tomorrow?” Asher asked. 

 

“Rian’s execution of course.” The Butler replied.

 

At first, Asher thought Rian was executed yesterday, but apparently he was mistaken. How long was he going to be kept here until Siena got back? It was starting to get late in the evening now so he should probably try and catch some sleep for tomorrow after eating. Maybe even get some proper rest if he was lucky. After all he needed it, he would need all he could get if he wanted to be able to go to Rian’s execution.

 

* * *

 

The next morning was cold and gray, the kind of sky that makes everything feel greyer. 

 

“Are you ready?” Asher heard a voice call out to him. He stood up with some effort and turned around. He saw a man wearing a brown cloak and gloves walking towards him, holding a staff in one hand and carrying two buckets filled with water in the other. Asher noticed that a sword was strapped against the man's back, just under his cloak.

 

His hair was dark and wavy, falling into his face and eyes. He looked older than Asher had initially thought, probably in his mid thirties at most. Despite being dressed like that he still appeared calm and collected. His face was kind as well, a kind and gentle expression.

 

“Who are you?” Asher questioned.

 

“The name is Jareth.” He said. “This way. We don’t have much time today so we must hurry.”

 

And without saying any further Jareth started walking away. Asher followed behind, trying not to fall into step with him and lose sight of the guard behind them who walked silently just a few feet in front. They passed many doors as they made their way down the hallways, each one with a keycard reader above.

 

They reached a large set of stairs that lead down to what appeared to be an underground dungeon. Jareth led Asher down the steps which was quite a task as they had to carefully climb down. Once they reached bottom Asher took in the large space. There were rows upon rows of cells.

 

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Each cell had bars which were about the height of an adult’s waist. A couple cells were empty, most likely because no one would want to take up space with such scum. Others had prisoners huddled around the walls and others sitting with their knees pulled up to their chest. Some prisoners just sat on the floor, staring blankly ahead.

 

Jareth led Asher through the crowd, stopping every now and then to talk to a prisoner. Most of the prisoners ignored him, but a few did look up and stare at Asher. He tried to ignore them, but it was hard. He knew he shouldn’t care about the stares or the fact that people were judging him, but he couldn’t stop himself from thinking about what everyone must have been thinking when they saw him. They finally arrived in an empty cell near the center. Jareth gestured to it. “Rian is over, Prince Asher." 

"I thought he was being executed?" Asher asked. 

 

"Not fully...you are being brought here for a reason." Jareth explained.

 

He opened the cell and stepped inside. Jareth put the water bucket on the ground, then removed a cloth covered object to find Rian staring up at them.

 

Rian stood, his arms raised. His skin looked pale and sickly and was stretched tight across his muscles. Dark circles were forming underneath his eyes and he looked weak, more weak than when he first got here. Jareth had told Asher that when Rian first woke up it was difficult to stay awake as he had not slept since being caught. Now his eyes were barely open and he swayed where he stood.

 

Jareth pushed Rian forward, making the man stumble before steadying himself with Jareth’s hand on his shoulder.

 

"My dear son you have two choices here." A voice chimed. 

 

Asher turned to find his mother standing behind him. She smiled softly at him and motioned for him to come closer. Asher walked slowly across the cell, staying a distance away from the  queen. When he finally arrived he lowered his eyes again. What was he supposed to do now? How was he suppose to react? Should he bow? Should he speak? Should he apologize?

 

"Come home with us and never return to this cruel place ever again." She pleaded.

 

Asher shook his head quickly. If he went back with them, the guards would know that something was wrong and would send him back. It would mean leaving his best friend here to die alone.

 

"Rian will go free and there will be no more nonsense from this place." Jareth insisted.

 

Again Asher shook his head. No matter how bad things got, he didn't want to leave. Even if his life meant nothing, Rian risked his life to save him. 

 

Jareth sighed before turning towards Asher's mother.

 

"I will release him if you agree to join us on our journey to the kingdom. I am offering you the chance of living out the remainder of your days peacefully by our side. With the Queen, and all of the knights and guards." Jareth stated.

 

“I chose to fight!” Asher shouted. 

 

Checking his hip he forgot how his sword was taken from him. Rian gawked at him with a blank face as he looked up at his mother and guards. Asher stared at his mother embarrassed. 

 

"You chose to fight," His mother began, looking down at Asher. "but what does that mean? You have always known the consequences of your actions Asher. This is no different. This is only a small part of your punishment. But nothing is going to save you!" She shouted. 

 

"Wait a minute-" Asher pleaded.

 

"That is enough!" Jareth ordered.

 

Rian shrugged at Asher who didn't know what to do. He flicked his fingers unlocking his chains instantly with a grin on face. 

 

A guard lunged at him, hitting Rian straight in the mouth. He fell to the floor and coughed blood. Another guard went after him once more and hit him in the stomach sending him sprawling onto his back releasing Asher from Rian's grip. 

 

Rian stood up and wiped his bloody mouth, spitting a glob of blood out onto the ground as he did so.

 

The guards glared at him suspiciously but nodded nonetheless, retreating a little bit away. "I promise to stay as quiet as possible and won’t run away!" He added.

 

His mother hesitated but nodded in acceptance, moving aside as the guardsmen left them alone. "So what now?" Rian asked once they were finally alone. 

 

“I am sorry…” Asher said.

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