How long has it been since I've last uploaded this story? I sincerely do not know how to apologize. Without further ado here is the next chapter! Granted it is extremely short (again my apologies!), this chapter was meant to be longer...A LOT longer. However I've decided to post it anyway...to say that I will not abandon this story (unless my fellow readers want me to of course).
Chapter 14
OMNISCIENT POINT OF VIEW
Erik gave a nod and without giving Nadir a second glance he walked out the door the guard was holding open. Walking down the lavish staircases as smoothly as if flying, Erik managed to calm his anger, slowing down his pace as he neared the great hall; Erik took a deep breath and pushed open the door.
Walking in Erik was greeted with silence, thirteen pairs of eyes were on him as if they expected him to explain a felony. Erik was not in the least bit uncomfortable however, for he knew that they feared him. Well, all of them…except the Shah.
"Erik my friend," the Shah raised his arms in welcome, a devilish smile on his face. "Such kindness of you to grace us with your attendance." His hands waved to the rest of the council.
Erik bowed, "Likewise. You requested my presence?"
"Ah yes," the Shah stood and walked down the throne, his feet trailing smoothly along the fine Persian carpet. Once he reached the main flooring he started walking around Erik in a giant circle, always keeping the distance of three meters. "You see Erik, I require you to speeded up the building of the contemporary torture chambers, have them done by sunset of the next morrow perhaps?"
Erik raised an eyebrow, "What motive insists on their hasty construction may I ask?"
The Shah chuckled, "What else Erik? I need the torture chambers for what they do best; to kill, and in an amusing fashion nonetheless."
Erik thought back to the last time his torture chambers were used, frowning, he realized that something does not add up. "According to my summation, there are currently no prisoners of the right rank to be confined in a torture chamber."
Giving a cruel laugh, the Shah walked up to Erik and put both hands on his shoulders and spoke with a pleasant demeanor as if talking of a dinner party, "No there are none, Erik you are correct. However they do provide such a great degree of entertainment that the council and I decided it has been much too long since we last used it."
Taken back, Erik was silent for a few seconds. "And who shall be the victims?"
The Shah smiled, his perfect white teeth showing. Taking his hands off Erik's shoulders he walked back up to his throne. "I have decided that we shall simply order guards to scour the villages, fetch some arbitrary peasants. They won't be missed." He added with a wave of his hand as if nothing.
Erik was appalled, suddenly he understood what Nadir was trying to tell him; working for the Shah is a very perilous burden indeed. "The innocent? Arbitrary? Women and children included?"
The entire council this time laughed, "Well they would provide the most gratification no? The screams for mercy would be quite delightful." The Shah answered.
Clinching his fists, Erik refused. "I had agreed to your previous demands your highness, and that is to only kill those who deserved it. This request however, I will desist." Looking the Shah straight in the eye, Erik once again bowed, then turned and walked out of the great hall, leaving the Shah and the council confounded.
Back at his chamber that very night, Erik received a surprise visitor.