CHAPTER THREE

The globin chuckled, steepling his sickly fingers together. One hundred gold coins from the Dragon King? What a fortune he'd fetched for a mere peasant girl he paid three silver coins to get rid of.

But the globin doesn't kill, no—not directly—although, selling her to any king in this cavern was as good as a death sentence. He grazed his tongue at the back of his teeth, already tasting the gold in his mouth.

King Kaelric had no intention of participating in the auction, he had only come to watch and remind his enemies that his throne still held weight among the kingdoms.

Yet as the goblin paraded the slave girl in her chains, Kaelric’s eyes lingered from desire to possess her. Better him than Gryphon. Better him than Lord Orc.

"The g-girl goes to King-g Kaelric Dragonblood for one hundred gold c-coins." A measly chuckle escaped the goblin's thin lips, his pointed ears twitching in excitement.

Kaelric sat up, his head inches away from the roof of the cave as he strode towards the front, his iron armor clanking with each step he took. He grasped and wrapped the heavy chain around his knuckles, claiming ownership from the goblin.

The cave erupted in cheer as Kaelric walked back to his seat, unmoved by their raucous celebration as the slave girl dragged her bruised heel behind him, avoiding hands that mockingly reached for her.

"I'm leaving." King Gryphon stood from his seat, patting Lord Orc on the shoulder. "We need to talk."

"Thank you-u, my es-steemed kings for y-your wonderful p-presence," the goblin bent his stiffened head in a bow, "till another time, I promise more precious items."

The auction ended and Kaelric called over his captain to bring the satchel containing the gold and paid the globin the agreed price, plus a little extra. "O-oh, you're s-so kind Dragon King." The goblin nearly knelt to kiss his feet but Kaelric stepped back.

He gave a curt nod and walked out of the cave, his grasp still on the chain that leashed the slave girl around her neck. Upon sighting him, his soldiers stood upright, surprised he'd paid for a mere girl rather than a new sword or powerful armor.

"Tie her over the horse," Kaelric instructed and they moved to his command, throwing the girl over and binding her with ropes at the back of his steed. He didn't need her bruised heel delaying the journey back to Arkenholt.

The ride to Arkenholt was quiet except for the incoherent mumblings from the slave girl. Kaelric's temple itched with irritation as he wanted to permanently silence her with his sword to her throat.

However, he decided to keep his mind on the one thing that mattered, hoping the last maiden he laid with had conceived and didn't lose the pregnancy in another miscarriage.

As the birth of an heir and the well-being of Arkenholt swarm his thoughts, the girl's delirious mumbling intensified as she fell with a loud thud on the ground.

He sighed, a searing exhale and glared at her body lying helpless on the ground before he climbed down from his horse. His captain jumped down as well, following behind his king as they approached the girl.

Kaelric picked up the rope used to bind her and noticed the ends were cut. Inquisitive, he rolled her face upwards from the dust, and silver tears escaped the blue of her eyes, her cracked and wilted lips still mumbling.

She nibbled on air, a frail attempt to speak but a sound barely left her mouth as she blanked out unconscious.

For one unguarded moment, Kaelric froze at the sight of her salty tears against the dust of her cheek, stirring a memory he did not want.

He crushed it.

"Pathetic." Kaelric gritted through clenched jaw, enraged to have wasted one hundred gold coins on a hoax. “Give me a cloak.” He ordered and grabbed the thick garment, wrapping her cold, frail body with it.

Once again, he threw the girl over the horse and bound her tighter, tying a piece of cloth around her mouth to muffle out her mumblings in case she woke up.

The village people of Arkenholt stopped to stare as their King rode through the town towards the castle. He didn't expect praises for he had failed his kingdom, observing the silent sadness on their faces, the weeping and pain in their eyes.

Nothing cultivated on Arkenholt soil thrived, the fish died as the rivers ran dry and King Kaelric wondered how much more food and water he'd have to source from neighboring villages before his enemies finally formed a rebellion against him.

Arriving at the castle gates, he got off his horse and brought down the girl. "Take her into a chamber and chain her there. No one goes in without my permission." He handed the chain to his captain, who gave a sharp nod and heaved the girl over his shoulder, walking away.

The other soldiers took the reins of the horses and strode down to the royal stable while Advisor Maevin hurried into the courtyard before Kaelric could reach the doors. "My king, I'm sorry to inform you of bad news."

"Speak." King Kaelric didn't stop walking as he pushed through the doors.

"The last maiden lost the child this morning." Advisor Maevin said, trying to keep up the pace in his overflowing noble robe. Kaelric nodded grimly, climbing up the granite stairs to his chamber as Maevin's report was hardly news.

"That's not all my king." Advisor Maevin added and Kaelric halted, anticipating his next words. "She bled to death…and her father, the town's blacksmith hung himself on the castle gate."

Despite being the customary harbinger for misfortune, Kaelric went over the brink this time and lost whatever hope was left as the veil of darkness over Arkenholt thickened.