Disclaimer: Noblesse isn't mine.
Broken Glass (Part 2)
The lock snapped sharply, and the door rubbed against the floor. No one should be here yet. His guard had just arrived. There were only four shift changes a day, one every six hours. Gejutel didn't seem surprised by the interruption. Had he expected it? Frankenstein listened for the footsteps, the pattern, of the intruder, but no sound came. Whoever it was didn't enter the prison. Chains jangled near the entrance.
"Have you finished your meal?" Gejutel's voice broke through the sound.
He hadn't. Frankenstein absentmindedly set the tray on the slot in the bars. Why would there be chains? This was not part of the pattern. There had never been chains before. Footsteps reverberated through the cell as the intruder finally started to move. No distinguishable pattern. Was it someone new?
Gejutel took the tray and walked out of sight, meeting the intruder in darkness beyond the torch's faint glow. No words were exchanged. A moment of silence then one set of foot steps left and the other approached with the noise of metal striking metal.
What did the chains mean? If they had wanted to restrict him, they would have done that from the start. He had made no attempt to draw upon his powers ever since the moment he had entered this place. To escape by force would only cause him to be hunted. Freedom required an escape by logic.
"Are you ready?" Gejutel reappeared with a set of shackles in hand.
"Yes." Frankenstein forced certainty into his voice as if he had expected this as well.
"The lord has agreed to meet with you," Gejutel produced a key and opened the cell door, "but your request for information has been denied."
Had this been arranged before he asked? No, such a specific coincidence was unlikely. They were able to communicate without his knowledge. But how? His captor had never left him. Never made any sign of exchanging information. No one was even present to communicate with. Such an exchange was impossible. No, not impossible. If he had believed in the impossibility of these things, he would not have been able to ascend this far. How did they do it?
"You may come out."
Frankenstein stepped forward, passing through the bars for the first time in months, and patiently stood still as Gejutel clasped the shackles around his wrists. "Are there any formalities I should be aware of when addressing the lord?"
"Kneel, cross your fist over your chest, and say your name followed by saluting the lord." Gejutel grinned, taking Frankenstein by the arm as a precaution, and lead him out of the prison. "You have gained this much information, even learning our language, and you are unaware of something so simple? Perhaps you should have waited longer before requesting to meet with the lord."
Eight hundred seven paces to what must be the throne room. Frankenstein memorized the path, cautiously marking possible escape routes, and looked for faces that could be of value. Gejutel waited outside the massive doors, his silence foreboding. No, now was not the time for speech. He must gain the information he needed through observation.
The doors swung open, and Gejutel strode forward, still holding the prisoner's arm. He released it ten paces from the stairs and kneeled in the aisle. "I, Gejutel K. Landegre, salute the lord."
"I, Frankenstein," he dropped to one knee, chains clinking as he held his hand over his chest, "salute the lord."
"Well trained, isn't he?" The lord thrummed his fingers against the arm of the chair. "Gejutel, has someone been working with him?"
"No, my lord."
"Then, he achieved this much on his own. Even leaning a language?" The lord shifted forward, and long strands of blonde hair coiled with the movement. "You are quite interesting for a human. What is it you want?"
"I wish to file a grievance." Frankenstein tried to meet his eyes, but shadows hid the lord's face.
"You start off with a complaint?" The lord asked dryly, the corners of his mouth turning up in a faint smile. "Not even a little flattery?"
Did he sound hopeful? Frankenstein glanced away from the lord and watched Gejutel from the corner of his eye. The man looked exasperated but restrained. Was this common behavior, then? Best to overlook it for now. "Yes, I believe my treatment here is unjust. Namely, my imprisonment without trial."
"Trials are always so dull."
"They are still pertinent." Gejutel sighed.
"Hmm?" The lord disregarded it with a flick of his wrist. "I have heard the account from two clan leaders, yourself being one, as well as his testimony."
"I understand."
Understand? That explained nothing. Frankenstein's eyes narrowed into a glare as they returned to the lord. "Perhaps my testimony would be of value in my own defense?"
"Are you claiming you are able to give testimony?"
"I am able to put up a defense."
"A defense is not a testimony." The lord smirked, leaning back into the darkness. "I have been told that you lost control of your powers. There is no denying that you caused a great commotion in the human world. As such, I cannot simply let you go free even if you could feign your innocence. If I did not sentence you to imprisonment, I would have executed you. I have spared your life. Aren't I compassionate?"
"Is this a joke to you?" Frankenstein rose to his feet despite Gejutel's protests. "I am not some peacock you can cage on a whim!"
Gejutel clabbered to his feet as well, taking hold of Frankenstein's arm. "I will return him to confinement."
"I have not finished here." Frankenstein shook off the hand, never taking his eyes from the lord. "What right do you have to interfere with me? I am not a member of your race. Humans have their own laws to abide by and their own courts for judgment. Either permit me freedom or-"
"Is it your freedom or your trial that you wish to attain?"
The question was asked so patiently that Frankenstein softened his voice as well. "My freedom, of course."
"Gejutel, return him to the room of discipline."
"Yes, Lord." Gejutel grabbed his arm again.
This time, Frankenstein did not resist. This was a setback, not a complete failure. He needed to use this time to strategize a new course of action. If he could not gain freedom through a trial, there must be other means. Through friendship? Through trust? The clan leaders were at his disposal. Would it be possible to turn their allegiances? It would take time.
"It is in your best interest not to seek a trial." Gejutel waited until they were within the safety of the prison. "Trials are rarely held. It is to your benefit to accept the judgment of the lord. A trial would have meant a much harsher sentence. The lord has been very benevolent considering your crimes. Accept his generosity."
"A life in prison is merely a living death. Is that generosity?"
"There are worse fates." Gejutel removed the shackles and locked Frankenstein inside the cell once again. "You will see soon enough."