Echidna (Chapter 2: The Punishment)

Syte wrote:((Although I wrote the first chapter in a third person PoV, I considered experimenting and using a first person PoV, instead. I may go back one of these days and write either chapter 1 or chapter 2 in a different PoV. I'm just saying this in case you've already read my first chapter.--Syte))

The interior of Lord Grabbler's manor was decorated with nice (writers dont use the word nice often) red wallpaper embroidered with golden threads which formed a curvy pattern at the bottom. Candles line the wall, held on golden sockets. They were unlit, however, because the manor got plenty of sunlight through the large windows.

As the man and I made our way, I complained and made excuses for myself. Usually the man in the cloak ignored me, but sometimes he would laugh at the remarks I made.

The man in the gray cloak brusquelly (sp?) dragged me by the ear. It worked like pulling a bull by its nose ring. My ear was red, and it smarted like a hornet's nest, because not only was the man's handling rough, but he strode forward at an incredibly brisk pace. I stumbled along as best I could, only catching sight of the wall of the corridor as the man pulled me by my side.

I heard, but didn't see, one of two large chamber doors opening up. (how does he know theres two?)

The next thing I knew I was thrown face down into the chamber. The middle of the chamber, I immediately noticed, was lined by a massive red carpet. I picked up my face to see a portly man with reclining hair, a brown pointy beard, and a handle bar moustache seated on a large chair. I picked myself up. I heard the man in the cloak smirk. (you han hear people smirk?) The man in the chair fiddled with his moustache.

He shortly (badly used word to describe) stopped fiddling with his fingers and rested his chin in the palm of that hand.

"What have you brought me, Gerald?" the man demanded restlessly. "What's this? A peasant? Where'd you find this boy?"

"He was found in your yard, my lord." the man in the gray cloak said. "It's my suspicion that he intended to steal from you."

I cried out in indignation, but Gerald promptly hit me on the back of my head.

"Silence!" the man in the cloak declared.

Lord Gabbler paused, apparently unconcerned with this harassment. "Did he have a pass?" he asked.

"No," said Gerald.

"So," he said to me with a tone and look of strong diapproval, "you come to rob your lord, is that right? And after all I've done to protect you and your family. This is how you repay me? Humph!"

I tried to explain again that I didn't mean to steal from him, but Gerald hit me on the back of the head again. Lord Grabbler held out his hand.

"Let him speak, Grabbler. I'm a fair and reasonable man, and I'll hear what the boy has to say." He positioned himself in his chair as though he were really proud of himself.

I glared at Gerald darkly. He returned my expression with a condescending smile.

"I did not mean to steal from you, my lord," I explained.

"No? Than what were you doing on my manor without a permit?"

I was reluctant to tell him, but I figured that it was better to be thought of as a rascal than a thief.

"I snuck into your woods, my lord," I said honestly.

"And why is that?"

"I, uh-"

"I assure you, my lord. Listening to him is not worth your time," cut in Gerald. He clutched my face. "This boys a liar. What other reason would he have for sneaking into your private wood?"

"No!" I cried. "You don't understand! I do this all the time!" I just realized I had said the wrong thing.

"Ah ha! This ruffian admits to it! He's stolen from you before!" cried Gerald.

I wanted to scream and hit the cloaked man in the face.

"I've never stolen from you!" I cried in dismay.

"Don't address your lord protector in that tone!" said Gerald. He made his arm for the back of my head again, but I ducked under it.

"You insolent-" (fuse with line before)

"That's enough, Gerald." the lord held out his hand. "I've heard your story, and the view of this insolent lad as well. And I must say, even if he's not a thief-which I doubt-" he glared at me. "he has commited the crime of intrusion. He has no permit, and yet he dares to encroach not only in my woods, but on my own manor!" He gestured for one of his servants. I found myself shaking apprehensively. I had never been this scared, because I have never been in this much trouble before.

Your curiousity will get you into trouble someday, the words of my parents rang through my head. I realized that this was proving true. I got angry. What crime had I committed, I thought to myself. Why should the lord close these woods to us? It wasn't fair!

A lanky man wearing a blue uniform approached the lord. It was a color I hadn't seen on clothing before. i was used to the coarse green and brown that the commoners of the estate wore.

Lord Grabbler whispered in his servants ear. The servant looked at me with no expression on his face, than nodded, and scurried off. I grew more apprehensive. Lord Grabbler exhibited another disapproving glance in my direction.

The servant returned with-to my utter dismay-a leather whip. He curtly handed it to Lord Grabbler. The lord of the estate took it, and held his head up high, looking at his man in the gray cloak.

"Gerald, would you please?"

"I would be an honor, my lord," a crooked smile spread across his face, and I realized just then how muched I loathed this man.

Two servants came to me and held me by my arms. One of them brusquelly took my shirt off. I was so scared, I threw a fit. The (sp?) didn't falter. They pulled me to the wall, and had me bent over, facing it. I heard Gerald's footsteps approaching. The lashing began.

I didn't count the number of lashes. I just endured, always hoping that it would soon end. I would hope that each lash would be the last, or that the experience was about done. I'm not sure how long the punishment was, but it may have lasted three minutes. Maybe five.

When Gerald was done, my back was severely sore, and bleeding. I couldn't see it, and I was glad that was so. I wondered how my parents would react, and then I realized that the punishment really hadn't ended, it had in fact, just begun.