Chapter 4
Deep in the depths of the Crawgon castle, in a dark, cold, merciless dungeon Chikorai awoke slowly.
Where am I?, he thought, feeling the pain from the whelp made on his head.
Sore from sleeping on the hard stone floor, he struggled to prop himself up against what he assumed to be a wall. Chikorai glanced about sleepily at his surroundings. Judging from what he could see, smell, and logically conclude; he was in a Crawgon prison cell. His skin shuddered at the thought. He had heard numerous horror stories about this place, and the keeper's dealings with the prisoners.
Looking around his cell Chikorai noted the chains protruding from the walls, and the heavy cannon balls that were attached to them. Luckily, the soldiers had not put him in such bonds, and he could move about freely; even though the cell was about the size of a small bedroom, it would be better to walk within your boundaries, instead of the latter: being chained to them.
By now, the question of where he was, was obvious. However, why he was brought here, and who had sentenced him to this place was quite another problem. He knew he hadn't committed a crime, especially against the Crawgons. There had to have been a higher, more persuasive authority involved in this, but who? And more importantly why? These questions lingered in Chikorai's mind, plaguing him with dread and worry.
What about Dixie?, he thought sadly, I might never see her again! Oh, this is just too awful to be true! And my friends! What's become of them? I sure hope they're alright , and that all the Crawgons wanted was me. *sigh* Maybe Benji will recall what happened, and lead the Doggons to rescue me!
This thought cheered him up a bit.
Benji old pal, you've never let me down before. Even in this time of trouble, I shall not doubt your allegiance.
Suddenly, Chikorai was distracted from his thoughts, as he heard the sound of foot steps and muffled voices coming towards him.
*********************
A new countenance masked the face of Benji Sakka. The once loyal friend of Chikorai, had, by means unknown to the rest of the world, turned his back on him. He paced back in forth nervously inside a small, dusty cabin not far from town.
Where could he be? He's late! , he thought impatiently.
Just then, the rickety wooden door to the cabin creaked open, as a fat pudgy man entered. He wore a rich man's clothing, and seemed to carry a proud, and admonishing look upon his face. His beard and mustache were well trimmed, and his brown beady eyes seemed to be constantly looking about, as if he were a fugitive. He spoke cautiously to the ragged country boy, "You are Benji Sakka I presume?"
Benji grit his teeth. "Of course I am! Do you think anyone but me would be waiting for the mayor in a dumpy ol' shack?"
"(Cough) Well.no.", he continued, "But moving on to business. I hear you have an eye witness account of how the Sakka's carriage driver was murdered?"
"Too true Mayor Conwe." Benji's eyes seemed to light up with an almost evil glow to them. A sight none, and certainly not Chikorai had ever seen in him before.
Conwe pulled up a chair to the dusty table in the middle of the cabin, Benji following his example. "Now,", he folded his hands, "Let me hear your story."
The albino grinned deviously. "Well, it all started when I went along with my friend Chikorai for a dinner invitation at the Collins' house."
"And for what reason were you invited may I ask?"
"Oh, well, its quite simple. Chikorai had a date with Stone's daughter Dixie."
The mayor smiled in contempt. "Ah, yes.as I recall, the two had been getting along all too nicely at the Sumono ball."
"Yes. Well, anyway. the dinner was over, and I, out of courtesy had gone ahead to the carriage so that he might bid her goodnight privately. Dixie had already gone inside, then suddenly, I saw Chikorai make a mad dash for the carriage, pure anger covering his face. I saw him leap for our driver, and punch him mercilessly. I don't know why he did it; but I jumped out of the carriage and tried to stop him. That's when he turned on me as well! And I was his best friend! He slugged me hard in the jaw.and I do not remember much after that, other than when I awoke, not only had the horses ran away with our buggy, but the carriage driver and I had been placed inside it. When finally the ceiling stopped spinning I tried to awake our driver.but he would not come to. I figured that he must have just passed out.but that is when I discovered.he had no pulse. Naturally, I panicked and fled from the carriage to find help. I told Chikorai's parents of what had happened.and they cease to believe that their son would have just suddenly gone into a mad fit of rage. I believe..that , however odd it may seem, that he was blinded by jealously. Chikorai was undoubtedly in love with Dixie Collins.but I'm not sure why that would have possessed him to kill our driver. Or even stranger, the fact that he killed only one of us. I suppose. somewhere deep within his crazed mind he remembered I was his friend, and did not beat me to death, as he did with the driver."
"Well,", said Conwe, astonished, "that is quite a story. I find it so hard to believe that a "kind and gentle" boy like Chikorai would injure, much less kill someone. But; I suppose. all things are possible."
Benji nodded with fake melancholy, " Yes.and to add to our suspicions he has disappeared. I worry, for I do not know what has become of my, so called, friend Chikorai. I should suppose that we have no choice but to consider him a fugitive?"
The Mayor pound his fist upon the table. "Yes! And a fugitive that has earned himself a sentence of death! We must find him! I will put out a warrant for his arrest as soon as possible." He stood and shook Benji's hand firmly. "I thank you for your time, and your honestly Mr. Sakka. I bid you good day."
And with that Mayor Conwe exited the cabin swiftly, as he continued to string along more promises to find that 'Insane Man'.
Benji waved good-bye to him, and slumped back in his chair, a look of sincere sadness playing his face.
That.felt so weird. I know what I saw Chikorai do.and I'll testify to it.but why can't I shake this awful feeling of betrayal? I'm doing the right thing aren't I? *Sigh* This is all so confusing.why would he go crazy all the sudden.it seems too strange to be true; but I can't deny.what I remember.
******************************
Chikorai pressed his back hard against the stone wall, as if perhaps by clinging to it the prison guards, or whoever it was wouldn't see him.
As the voices drew closer, one sounded oddly familiar.too familiar.
Horror shot across his face like a bullet, as he recalled a thought that had come to him before the Crawgons had knocked him out.
NO! Its impossible!
Suddenly the muffled foot steps came to an end.directly in front of his dark cell. Chikorai held his breath for what seemed like forever, as silence passed between the prisoner and his guests.
He lurched back against the wall, re-injuring his head, as a human hand suddenly clung to one of his bar cells. The frightened Chikorai looked up to the one who owned the hand, and nearly felt his heart freeze over and stop. He was right. None other than Raiford Raleigh stood, looming over his cell, his eyes and smile bearing nothing short of pure evil.
"So,", started his enemy, whom was accompanied by a Crawgon prison guard, "how do you like your living quarters?"
Chikorai found it no where within himself to even mutter a word to this wretched man.
"Oh, tsk tsk, I see that you are shocked to see me here. Guard, may I have a moment alone with the prisoner?"
The Crawgon nodded respectively, and marched down the hall.
By this time Chikorai had slowly gathered his wits about him, and could now find his place to speak. He struggled to stand, as he grasped the cell bars, a look of certain rage on his face.
Raiford couldn't stop himself from smiling. "So, have you figured out why I've put you here yet?"
Chikorai's face swelled with even more anger, "You want Dixie you selfish son of-"
"My, my, no need to loose your temper.and go around calling people such awful names. However, you are correct. I do want Dixie."
He spoke softly, desperately trying to hold back tears. "But she doesn't even love you."
"She doesn't does she? Well, I'm sure that will all change once she finds out how you murdered your cab driver."
"What?", he gasped.
"Oh, yes.I forgot to mention. me and a friend of mine mixed up some little potions for your friends. One for Benji, one for the driver."
"What did you do to them?!", Chikorai yelled, unable to stop the tears from streaming down his face.
Raiford tapped his chin with his index finger. "Well, lets see.we gave the driver a simple potion that killed him, as for the one for Benji, we twisted his memory into thinking that you killed the driver. I know for a fact by now he has testified against you in front of the mayor, and the court room. Its quite funny actually, I'm the true bad guy, but you're the one with a price on his head!", he laughed maliciously.
Chikorai shook the cell's bars furiously, "You monster!!! How could you?!"
The evil man smiled almost giddily, "You got in my way boy, so I wanted to make sure you suffered the consequences."
Chikorai remained silent, as he struggled to stand from the sudden burst of anger, and energy that had begun to exhaust him.
Raiford could see the loss of energy and sudden shock beginning to take a toll on his prisoner. "Oh, don't pass out yet.I'm not finished telling you my plan."
"You see, " he continued, "I have. oh, lets just say 'connections' with the Crawgons, and I shall soon be in control of this whole region. Of course..why would you be interested in that."
The angered youth tried not to stammer, "You mean you're planning to dethrone King Ganko? W-Why?"
He laughed uproariously, "Power! Might! Money! What other reasons do you need, you insolent little rat? And besides.who wouldn't want to own half of a planet?"
"And what magic potion do you plan on making for this one?", Chikorai retorted coldly.
Though slightly offended by his words, Raiford went on. "No. No potion for this one. I will take out Ganko myself."
"Only a human with a death wish would challenge the King of Crawgons to a match.on second thought, go ahead, I want you to die."
"Such cruel words. But don't worry, I'll win. Remember.I have 'connections'." That being said Raiford turned to leave his prisoner, but stopped short.
"Oh, yes.", he grasped the cell bars, and leaned in close to Chikorai, "When I do become King.I will make Dixie my queen.I'd love to watch you squirm as we reign on high together.but I'm afraid you'll be much too dead by then!" Raiford dug his hands between the gaps of the bars and shoved Chikorai to the ground, then with a final smile of melee, turned and strolled casually back down the hall, laughing madly all the way.
Chikorai didn't bother to budge from the spot he had landed. He was letting it all sink in.
No longer ashamed, the dejected boy, hung his head low to cry. No.this is too awful. This just can't be happening! My best friend has been tricked to betray me, I'm sentenced to death even I were ever to escape.and worst of all.I'm loosing Dixie., tears poured down the young man's face.
Chikorai looked to the ceiling, examining the confines of his cell. A new found feeling of determination filled him. No. I'm not going to let Raiford win this one. No. Never. I have to get out of here. even if I die trying.
Deep in the depths of the Crawgon castle, in a dark, cold, merciless dungeon Chikorai awoke slowly.
Where am I?, he thought, feeling the pain from the whelp made on his head.
Sore from sleeping on the hard stone floor, he struggled to prop himself up against what he assumed to be a wall. Chikorai glanced about sleepily at his surroundings. Judging from what he could see, smell, and logically conclude; he was in a Crawgon prison cell. His skin shuddered at the thought. He had heard numerous horror stories about this place, and the keeper's dealings with the prisoners.
Looking around his cell Chikorai noted the chains protruding from the walls, and the heavy cannon balls that were attached to them. Luckily, the soldiers had not put him in such bonds, and he could move about freely; even though the cell was about the size of a small bedroom, it would be better to walk within your boundaries, instead of the latter: being chained to them.
By now, the question of where he was, was obvious. However, why he was brought here, and who had sentenced him to this place was quite another problem. He knew he hadn't committed a crime, especially against the Crawgons. There had to have been a higher, more persuasive authority involved in this, but who? And more importantly why? These questions lingered in Chikorai's mind, plaguing him with dread and worry.
What about Dixie?, he thought sadly, I might never see her again! Oh, this is just too awful to be true! And my friends! What's become of them? I sure hope they're alright , and that all the Crawgons wanted was me. *sigh* Maybe Benji will recall what happened, and lead the Doggons to rescue me!
This thought cheered him up a bit.
Benji old pal, you've never let me down before. Even in this time of trouble, I shall not doubt your allegiance.
Suddenly, Chikorai was distracted from his thoughts, as he heard the sound of foot steps and muffled voices coming towards him.
*********************
A new countenance masked the face of Benji Sakka. The once loyal friend of Chikorai, had, by means unknown to the rest of the world, turned his back on him. He paced back in forth nervously inside a small, dusty cabin not far from town.
Where could he be? He's late! , he thought impatiently.
Just then, the rickety wooden door to the cabin creaked open, as a fat pudgy man entered. He wore a rich man's clothing, and seemed to carry a proud, and admonishing look upon his face. His beard and mustache were well trimmed, and his brown beady eyes seemed to be constantly looking about, as if he were a fugitive. He spoke cautiously to the ragged country boy, "You are Benji Sakka I presume?"
Benji grit his teeth. "Of course I am! Do you think anyone but me would be waiting for the mayor in a dumpy ol' shack?"
"(Cough) Well.no.", he continued, "But moving on to business. I hear you have an eye witness account of how the Sakka's carriage driver was murdered?"
"Too true Mayor Conwe." Benji's eyes seemed to light up with an almost evil glow to them. A sight none, and certainly not Chikorai had ever seen in him before.
Conwe pulled up a chair to the dusty table in the middle of the cabin, Benji following his example. "Now,", he folded his hands, "Let me hear your story."
The albino grinned deviously. "Well, it all started when I went along with my friend Chikorai for a dinner invitation at the Collins' house."
"And for what reason were you invited may I ask?"
"Oh, well, its quite simple. Chikorai had a date with Stone's daughter Dixie."
The mayor smiled in contempt. "Ah, yes.as I recall, the two had been getting along all too nicely at the Sumono ball."
"Yes. Well, anyway. the dinner was over, and I, out of courtesy had gone ahead to the carriage so that he might bid her goodnight privately. Dixie had already gone inside, then suddenly, I saw Chikorai make a mad dash for the carriage, pure anger covering his face. I saw him leap for our driver, and punch him mercilessly. I don't know why he did it; but I jumped out of the carriage and tried to stop him. That's when he turned on me as well! And I was his best friend! He slugged me hard in the jaw.and I do not remember much after that, other than when I awoke, not only had the horses ran away with our buggy, but the carriage driver and I had been placed inside it. When finally the ceiling stopped spinning I tried to awake our driver.but he would not come to. I figured that he must have just passed out.but that is when I discovered.he had no pulse. Naturally, I panicked and fled from the carriage to find help. I told Chikorai's parents of what had happened.and they cease to believe that their son would have just suddenly gone into a mad fit of rage. I believe..that , however odd it may seem, that he was blinded by jealously. Chikorai was undoubtedly in love with Dixie Collins.but I'm not sure why that would have possessed him to kill our driver. Or even stranger, the fact that he killed only one of us. I suppose. somewhere deep within his crazed mind he remembered I was his friend, and did not beat me to death, as he did with the driver."
"Well,", said Conwe, astonished, "that is quite a story. I find it so hard to believe that a "kind and gentle" boy like Chikorai would injure, much less kill someone. But; I suppose. all things are possible."
Benji nodded with fake melancholy, " Yes.and to add to our suspicions he has disappeared. I worry, for I do not know what has become of my, so called, friend Chikorai. I should suppose that we have no choice but to consider him a fugitive?"
The Mayor pound his fist upon the table. "Yes! And a fugitive that has earned himself a sentence of death! We must find him! I will put out a warrant for his arrest as soon as possible." He stood and shook Benji's hand firmly. "I thank you for your time, and your honestly Mr. Sakka. I bid you good day."
And with that Mayor Conwe exited the cabin swiftly, as he continued to string along more promises to find that 'Insane Man'.
Benji waved good-bye to him, and slumped back in his chair, a look of sincere sadness playing his face.
That.felt so weird. I know what I saw Chikorai do.and I'll testify to it.but why can't I shake this awful feeling of betrayal? I'm doing the right thing aren't I? *Sigh* This is all so confusing.why would he go crazy all the sudden.it seems too strange to be true; but I can't deny.what I remember.
******************************
Chikorai pressed his back hard against the stone wall, as if perhaps by clinging to it the prison guards, or whoever it was wouldn't see him.
As the voices drew closer, one sounded oddly familiar.too familiar.
Horror shot across his face like a bullet, as he recalled a thought that had come to him before the Crawgons had knocked him out.
NO! Its impossible!
Suddenly the muffled foot steps came to an end.directly in front of his dark cell. Chikorai held his breath for what seemed like forever, as silence passed between the prisoner and his guests.
He lurched back against the wall, re-injuring his head, as a human hand suddenly clung to one of his bar cells. The frightened Chikorai looked up to the one who owned the hand, and nearly felt his heart freeze over and stop. He was right. None other than Raiford Raleigh stood, looming over his cell, his eyes and smile bearing nothing short of pure evil.
"So,", started his enemy, whom was accompanied by a Crawgon prison guard, "how do you like your living quarters?"
Chikorai found it no where within himself to even mutter a word to this wretched man.
"Oh, tsk tsk, I see that you are shocked to see me here. Guard, may I have a moment alone with the prisoner?"
The Crawgon nodded respectively, and marched down the hall.
By this time Chikorai had slowly gathered his wits about him, and could now find his place to speak. He struggled to stand, as he grasped the cell bars, a look of certain rage on his face.
Raiford couldn't stop himself from smiling. "So, have you figured out why I've put you here yet?"
Chikorai's face swelled with even more anger, "You want Dixie you selfish son of-"
"My, my, no need to loose your temper.and go around calling people such awful names. However, you are correct. I do want Dixie."
He spoke softly, desperately trying to hold back tears. "But she doesn't even love you."
"She doesn't does she? Well, I'm sure that will all change once she finds out how you murdered your cab driver."
"What?", he gasped.
"Oh, yes.I forgot to mention. me and a friend of mine mixed up some little potions for your friends. One for Benji, one for the driver."
"What did you do to them?!", Chikorai yelled, unable to stop the tears from streaming down his face.
Raiford tapped his chin with his index finger. "Well, lets see.we gave the driver a simple potion that killed him, as for the one for Benji, we twisted his memory into thinking that you killed the driver. I know for a fact by now he has testified against you in front of the mayor, and the court room. Its quite funny actually, I'm the true bad guy, but you're the one with a price on his head!", he laughed maliciously.
Chikorai shook the cell's bars furiously, "You monster!!! How could you?!"
The evil man smiled almost giddily, "You got in my way boy, so I wanted to make sure you suffered the consequences."
Chikorai remained silent, as he struggled to stand from the sudden burst of anger, and energy that had begun to exhaust him.
Raiford could see the loss of energy and sudden shock beginning to take a toll on his prisoner. "Oh, don't pass out yet.I'm not finished telling you my plan."
"You see, " he continued, "I have. oh, lets just say 'connections' with the Crawgons, and I shall soon be in control of this whole region. Of course..why would you be interested in that."
The angered youth tried not to stammer, "You mean you're planning to dethrone King Ganko? W-Why?"
He laughed uproariously, "Power! Might! Money! What other reasons do you need, you insolent little rat? And besides.who wouldn't want to own half of a planet?"
"And what magic potion do you plan on making for this one?", Chikorai retorted coldly.
Though slightly offended by his words, Raiford went on. "No. No potion for this one. I will take out Ganko myself."
"Only a human with a death wish would challenge the King of Crawgons to a match.on second thought, go ahead, I want you to die."
"Such cruel words. But don't worry, I'll win. Remember.I have 'connections'." That being said Raiford turned to leave his prisoner, but stopped short.
"Oh, yes.", he grasped the cell bars, and leaned in close to Chikorai, "When I do become King.I will make Dixie my queen.I'd love to watch you squirm as we reign on high together.but I'm afraid you'll be much too dead by then!" Raiford dug his hands between the gaps of the bars and shoved Chikorai to the ground, then with a final smile of melee, turned and strolled casually back down the hall, laughing madly all the way.
Chikorai didn't bother to budge from the spot he had landed. He was letting it all sink in.
No longer ashamed, the dejected boy, hung his head low to cry. No.this is too awful. This just can't be happening! My best friend has been tricked to betray me, I'm sentenced to death even I were ever to escape.and worst of all.I'm loosing Dixie., tears poured down the young man's face.
Chikorai looked to the ceiling, examining the confines of his cell. A new found feeling of determination filled him. No. I'm not going to let Raiford win this one. No. Never. I have to get out of here. even if I die trying.
