Day 0, iteration 12

  Your rage increased by 1.

  Alastair woke on a boat heading to an island. He was shackled. He could look around. He remembered talking with the West Shackleton Mayor and his assistant, modifying the city, and being treated like an actual person. He watched Flor leave the room, thinking she would be back so they could celebrate together, but she hadn’t just gone to the loo. She hadn’t come back at all.

  The bed he had been put into was too soft, and he had tossed and turned and wasn’t sure he fell asleep. But apparently, he did enough to reset his day.

  He was alone. Thankfully. Alastair was uncomfortable with the many women that the Mayor had sent to him. “No, sorry, thanks…I’m happily married. She’s not here now. But she’ll be back any moment.” “I promise she will not be okay being part of a harem. Go away!” “Please, just leave me alone. I have…city management…duties I need to attend.”

  “Go away!” Alastair said.

  “My Lord,” the guard said, “the Mayor demands you come to him.”

  “Fine, fine. Let me fill this wine mug and I’ll be there.”

  The guard steadied Alastair as he stumbled down the hallway. And then took the mug as Alistair started to fall asleep outside the chamber.

  Alastair felt the nudge against his ribs. “Come along.” He was happy in a stupor to be assisted.

  Rosa Beatriu Meritxell-Francesc - Lady 3, sat at the head of the room.

  Alastair looked at her and blinked. Super hot. But with a funny face. Butterface…. {Yes, it’s a joke that kids tell each other. No, it’s not funny. Be nice to people. And convince your children to do so too!}

  “This is the man who restored the city?”

  “Yes, my Lady?”

  “He has refused my gifts?”

  “Well, he might be a bit drunk, my Lady. The Lord got him a bit liquored up and he hasn’t done much other than drink more and repeat the word ‘Floor.’”

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Rosa clapped her hands and an attendant came out from behind the chair. Even in his stupor, Alastair wondered if there was a secret compartment underneath there. Like a clown car. Where did that woman come from?!

  “Beatrice. Who did you send to accompany this young man?”

  The woman who must have been Beatrice said, “Forgive me, Lady, I’ve sent them all. He’s refused every single one of them.”

  The Lady Rosa looked at Alastair. “Are my offerings not of your…desire? Shall I send the boys?”

  Alastair looked around. This certainly wasn’t what he expected as the man who reorganized the city. It certainly wasn’t what he expected after an evening of congratulatory drinking with the Mayor.

  “No, my Lady, I do not want boys or women. Just my wife, Flor, who should be back from the loo any moment.”

  The Lady squinted and said, “Well be gone with you from my keep. We have work to do.”

  The headache pounded against his temples. He tried to roll but bumped into a something.

  “Off me…” Alastair’s head was pushed away and he landed on another shoulder.

  “Sleep on me and you’ll owe me…” snorted the head from the shoulder.

  Alastair snorted and fell back asleep.

  The rocking woke him. This was not a plush bed. He was not snuggled against Flor. His hands were shackled behind him.

  “Oh, damn…”

  The boat continued to rock. Two people talked on the boat deck.

  “…just think it’s cruel to level them here. Look at them. They don’t know that they’re meant for slaughter.”

  “Not for you to decide, man. They chose their fate long ago and are dealing with the consequences now.”

  “This island, though. It’s mean. It’s got a spirit to it that won’t let go. You know, I hate it, right, boss?”

  “Yes. I know you do. I do too. It’s made that way. It’s made…malicious. To absorb the life of those too weak to face its challenges. That’s why we go from the pier to the temple, then the temple to the keep. You’ve been with me a long time, Pocks. I won’t lose you or Jubs. Now, let’s get these poor souls ashore so they can determine their fate.”

  Pocks and Jubs start working smartly around the boat as it pulls into the pier. The Lieutenant (boats) 2 steps ashore and meets Rudolf, Prison Warden 4. “I’m sorry, but I was directed to bring you this scum.”

  “The island has room.” The Prison Captain leans into the Lieutenant. “Do you have news? How goes the war?”

  The Lieutenant considers…”We need more men, more supplies, more everything.”

  “I’ve never understood. Why bring prisoners here? Why not just release them on the front lines to die an inglorious death?”

  “Because here they will understand why they fight.”

  The boat knocked against the pier and the Lieutenant stepped off, followed by his two lackeys. Alastair recognized them as if maybe he had spoken with them before.

  “Off my boat, maggots!” a voice yelled. Alastair recognized it and knew to go and line up. Hectically, he looked around for Flor. She must be around somewhere, but maybe wearing a different woman’s disposition. She didn’t show up anywhere he looked.

  “Undo these shackles then go to the Guild. They’ll get you a job and you can support the war effort. Three two one. Go on!” The shackles fell off Alastair and he felt free…and alone.