The Unfortunate, стр. 15

theft was mutilation, usually with the right hand or arm being severed, rape and murder were justified with the accused’s death. One would be fortunate if his death occurred via a simple hanging or even decapitation by an axe or sword, but as many who helped to maintain Winnix’s justice could attest, the methods of some executions were unreasonably brutal. On many occasions Gildas had been witness to burnings where the guilty were chained to stakes around which mounds of wood were positioned and set alight. Another agonizing method was pressing where prisoners were slowly crushed to death as objects of excessive weight were piled on top of their bodies. A final method with which Gildas was more than familiar was known as the breaking wheel. It was a method in which the accused would be tied to a large wagon wheel and then would have his limbs beaten with clubs. The gaps between the spokes allowed the leg and arm joints to break easily.

Such torturous events still haunted Gildas’ conscience. In a metaphorical sense, his hands would always be stained with blood. It had not always been he who had swung the sword, or who had lit the pyres, or who had piled the stones, but it had always been by his order. Since his retirement Gildas had done what he could to be released from the prison of his memories and, if it was possible, to make up for the guilt that continued to haunt him. At least that was another way he justified using criminals for his fighting academy. Even when questioned he always countered that he was providing them a second chance.

Despite smaller town and city jails, the most infamous holding location for criminals was the prison of Dorstor Keep. There were a wide array of rumors about the dungeons. That rarely did any prisoner leave with his life, that the cells were small and filthier than a pox-ridden, lowest-of-the-low brothel, and that if a prisoner did not cooperate, he would be shackled in the deepest rooms of the dungeons which were infested with flesh-eating rats and other vermin. Gildas knew, however, that most of the claims were only fabrications that had originated as propaganda to deter crime—not that they had been remarkably effective, though. Despite the attempt to decrease cases of injustice, the keep’s dungeons were always occupied, mostly by those who were charged with crimes of the highest severity. These were the type of specimens Gildas needed.

As the academy’s owner approached the outermost walls of Dorstor Keep, the guard on duty chuckled, and he was quick to inquire, “Have you come for another visit, or do we keep you this time?” It was a familiar question, one the plump man offered every time the academy’s owner visited to gather prisoners.

“I could name several who would want me to stay,” Gildas answered. “But it is for a visit only.”

“You disappoint me! I even have a cell ready for you!”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. It does overlook the River Treg, but you will find it does not have all the luxuries an annoying, spoiled, pompous, power-hungry …” The guard chuckled, and his cheeks jiggled as he did, replicating the choppiness of the river he had mentioned.

“Are you nearly finished insulting me?”

“Fine. But at least I was kind about it.”

“Oh, that was kind?”

“Of course. I would never use profanity against a friend. If you would rather I speak my mind, however—”

“No,” Gildas calmly interrupted. “I would rather you keep such thoughts to yourself.”

“Come on! They are not all bad. Only most!” The guard chuckled once more, and this time even his belly shook.

“I still must refuse.” The owner of the academy offered a smile before adding, “Save your insults for the prisoners.”

“Well”—the guard huffed—“at least I phrased it kindly.”

“Yes, you did, but I believe power hungry is slightly harsh. I relinquished my judicial title over five years ago. Power hungry should be excluded.”

“But it cannot be denied that you have risen higher than you likely ever expected.” The guard smiled before furthering his comment. “If you do I shall have to add deceitful as well!”

Both men shared a moment of laughter before Gildas finally added, “Since I shall not be staying, perhaps I could arrange for you to have several empty cells.”

The guard bobbed his head slightly, knowing the request to follow. “Business as usual?”

Gildas nodded.

“Well you know the routine.” The guard wobbled toward the gatehouse, and the portcullis was quickly opened, allowing the owner of the academy to pass.

No sooner had Gildas moved past the gate before it was again closed, but his attention was elsewhere. No matter how many times he visited the capital, he was always awed, and he always hesitated to observe the distinct aspects of Dorstor Keep. First was the outer ward that encircled the entire structure. Even at its widest sections, a man grown could cross in under ten paces, but there was no reason for it to be exceptionally wide. The distance was more than enough for two wagons to pass one another with room still for pedestrians to do the same. The outer ward’s purpose was to provide an unobstructed route around the keep, but also to provide added security. Anyone trying to scale the walls, either from the outside or from within, would have to do so twice, avoiding regular guard patrols in the process.

After passing through the second gate, Gildas was led through the area that accommodated numerous structures, and the complex of buildings essentially created a city within a city. Many were multi-level barracks to provide housing for the numerous guards of the keep and the small army that always remained near the capital. Several extensive armories had also been built. Housed within them were thousands of chainmail shirts and helmets, a wide array of weapons—such as swords, axes, and bows, among others—which numbered in the hundreds for each, and even machines of war such as catapults and battering rams. There were always enough provisions to support a