Chapter 33: SCAPEGOAT (PART 1)

# The Next Day At Orion's House.

Joda and Bello were going at it in the training hall when Orion burst into the room. Fury had twisted his otherwise handsome visage and his body shook as he gazed upon the two youngsters.

Despite his angry Outlook, Orion's voice was steady and betrayed no hint of his smoldering rage.

"What happened yesterday in the market,and how come no one informed me?" Orion asked.

Joda looked at the royal trainer with unease. Orion looked and was acting so much like his own father from his past life. Joda could tell the royal trainer was angry from his twitching eye but he was well comported.

"Oh, just one incident we didn't see fit to worry you about." Bello answered, trying to appear nonplussed but failing woefully as his arms shook from nerves.

"You didn't see it fit to tell me you killed someone?, You didn't see it fit to tell me you were involved in a scandal along with the Princess? How wise of you." Orion replied sarcastically and Joda shuffled his feet.

"Im sorry Father. We really didn't want to worry you-"

"Of course, you didn't want to worry me, but you sure made me look like a fool Infront of the king today. Even though you did the right thing by protecting the princess, the king isn't happy about how things played out. You know how he is. Instead of thanking you lot, the first thing he thought about was punishment for blowing the princess' cover.

I had to go out of my way to calm him. Unfortunately for Lief Ozark, he isn't going to get anyone to defend him from the king's anger. The king needs a scapegoat and the personal guard fits that criteria perfectly." Orion told Joda and Bello.

"What is going to happen to Lief?" Joda asked and Orion shook his head sadly before replying.

"If I know Erlick, which I sure do. The guard's demise won't be enough to sate his anger. I wager that Lief Ozark is in for a world of pain before his death takes place." Orion answered ominously.

"The princess promised him she was going to do her best to protect him. I believe her. Ivana can be stubborn when she wants to." Bello said and Orion shook his head before replying.

"I know Ivana. I know she's stubborn. I teach her. But I doubt her stubbornness can rival her father's. I just hope your belief in her Is proven right. Else, Lief is a dead man."

# Deep under the king's castle, That same morning.

In a deep and dark room, two heavy set men wearing masks were taking turns as they roughed up another thick and very tall man who was bound to a pole and looked to be on the verge of collapse as he bled all over the dark floor.

"Boy, how I love this job. Its like my dream job. Hehehe" executioner 1 said as he waited his turn whiles twirling a heavy stick.

"Yeah, brother." Executioner 2 replied just as he delivered a heavy uppercut to their victim's chin which caused him to cough up blood.

"Oleeee!!! That was one shot, man. One more,one more." Executioner 1 cheered and executioner 2 delivered another hook to the giant.

Lief Ozark,for that was who the man being beaten up was, was now regretting coming back to the castle. He was in his office when the royal guards had barged in and dragged him to the executioners torture room. He had been here for hours and the two executioners had been playing with him since. He could beat the two men up if he could free himself from the chains binding him but then what?

The castle was the most secure place in the entire viking kingdom and entering or leaving it without meeting a hundred or so guards was impossible. He wouldn't move two steps before he got shot down. He didn't fear death, but torture was another issue altogether and he knew the two big men were just warming up. They could do far worse than beat him up.

"This guy is no fun. He doesn't shout like the others." Executioner 2 said a Little bored.

"Too bad we can't use our tools on him." Executioner 1 sighed. "I believe he's ready for the king. Lets call him."

"Yeah. He will do the rest. Maybe he will even do the execution himself. I am tired of removing heads from shoulders. I want to try new ways of executing people." Executioner 2 replied as he made his way to the door and called someone on the other side.

"Hey, go tell the king the man is ready for him." Executioner 2 told one of the guards who immediately made his way towards the king's throne room. On his way there, he met the princess running towards the torture chamber.

The guard bowed in respect but the princess did not even acknowledge his presence as she made her way to the chamber. The guard just shrugged and continued on his way.

Back at the torture chamber, the two executioners were pummelling Lief for the last time when they heard the princess's voice. She sounded more than angry as she ordered the guard at the gate.

"Open the door!!" The Princess screamed and the guard complied. The door flew open and the Princess walked in with a look of thunder on her face as she looked at the bloody and weak Lief.

"What in Odin's name do you think you're doing?! Free him this very instant!!!" Ivana yelled her order and the two executioners gave each other a look of confusion but made no move to obey her.

"Didn't you hear me?" The princess asked in a low, dangerous tone and unsheathed a sword from it's scabbard by her side. "Remove those chains now!!!" Ivana shouted and started advancing on the two executioners with her sword held tightly.

A few feet from the executioners, another voice carried over to her from behind and Ivana froze whiles the executioners exhaled in relief as they bowed to the newcomer and the already pitiful looking Lief started shaking visibly as he heard the newcomer's voice.

"You forget who owns this castle and all its inhabitants. There's one king, Ivana and it's not you. Don't ever forget that." King Erlick announced his presence as he walked calmly into the torture chamber with his own torturing instruments. Ready to release some pent up anger.