Bacara led Lucan down from the High Commander's office to the best cell in the jail. "Do I get a meal?" he asked. Bacara laughed. "No, you don't. I don't care what the High Commander said, you're not getting anything." he said. Lucan then knew that this fortnight, was going to be very long indeed. He was basically thrown into the cell. Lucan wanted to fight the man, but decided against it.

He settled down on the cot and almost immedietly fell asleep. He dreamed of many things. But when the first sun rays of light, filled the cell, and hit his face, he awoke remembering nothing. He stretched, and yawned. He stood and walked to the water basin and splashed his face. Feeling refreshed he found himself facing Bacara once more. "Good morn..." he was suddenly cut off. "Ya ya c'mon you lout." Bacara said.

Lucan gave the man a dangerous glance and as he walked by, Bacara hit him in the stomach. Lucan, having expeirenced this many times, grimaced alittle but kept walking. Bacara sniffed and they walked out. It was a nice day, blue skies, white dotted clouds, and a warm sun. They walked to a nearby bakery, had some juice, cheese, bread, and fruit. Then they walked around Olencia.

Lucan soon found the Bacara was a horrible guide. But Lucan found exploring Olencia rather fun. Bacara found Lucan's skill of remembering a cit layout remarkable. Although he didn't say so. Lucan looked around and indeed, he found a library! He had heard of things and read of them, but didn't think they existed. He walked in... quickly.

Bacara grabbed his shoulder roughly and told him to slow down. Lucan, reluctantly did as he was told. They entered the library and found that he could read books without buying them. Lucan was (for lack of a better word) overjoyed. He went to different areas, picked out a book, and skimmed through it.

After four hours of this, Bacara told him to hurry up. They left shortly after that. The had a late lunch, and made it big so it counted as dinner as well. They walked out and Bacara put him back into the cell. He left Lucan on the floor after hitting him hard on the knee. Lucan was going to get annoyed... very easily.

The next thirteen days... were very very similar to this one. He sensed that Bacara was getting very agrivated. He knew Bacara wanted him to assault him... but Lucan wouldn't give him that satisfaction. So for thirteen days it had been getting harder and harder for Lucan to keep his temper. But he did! He was proud of himself. Lucan then on his last day...

They had started out the same as usuall. After the library though... he had seen a woman being infringed upon. Asking Bacara if he would stop them he just laughed and shook his head saying he doesn't care. He wasn't on duty. That sent Lucan over the edge. His temper released, he called Bacara a coward and took out his twin daggers and went to help the poor girl.

He took one by surprise, hitting him over the head with the hilt of this left knife, with a diagnol slash from top right to down left. He then ducked a blow from one, and punched with the hilt of his right dagger into the man's stomach. He dropped gasping for air. The last two, just stared. "Take those two and leave. Don't ever do this again!" he said harshly.

He helped the girl up and she thanked him. He told her she should go home and she nodded. Her mother came up and took her home after thanking him twenty times. As he walked away he saw Bacara grinning. Lucan put away his knives. "What are you grinning about coward?" he asked him.

"Your one way ticket to the gallows." he said. "Those were officers of the Captains Guard. Your in for it now." he said laughing. He took Lucan roughly by the arm. Lucan wouldn't resist, it would only help Bacara. As they walked up the steps to the High Commander's office, Lucan hoped that things would go alright.

Bacara knocked, they heard a 'Enter" and opened the door. He shoved Lucan into the room and closed the door. He took Lucan's arm again and said, "Sir, he assaulted two Officers of the Captains Guard after they protected a girl from being infringed upon. Two other officers broke it up and I took him here sir." he said.

Lucan began, "Thats not all true." Lucan said. But before he could say anything else the High Commander put up his hand for silence. Lucan closed his mouth and did as Lord Hadrian gave the silent order. Lucan just wanted his say, nothing more, nothing else. But he would wait for the High Commander.

The report from the Eastern district wasn’t so good, but at least the Southern quadrant had calmed down. It was pretty good progress since last time. Hadrian lazily stamped it. While he loved being High Commander, sometimes the paperwork just got to you. He set that pile aside. Now where did the other one go…? He peered underneath his desk. There it was.

He reached out for it, gauntleted hand touching the edge when the door slammed open. Hadrian, in his shock, banged his head against the underside of his table. The result was a very colorful sentence followed by an annoyed High Commander peering over the edge of his desk.

“Sir!” The guard hastily reported, hand in a shaky salute. “Sir! A patrol just returned from the Western Quadrant sir!” Hadrian glared at him from the table. “And…?” Hadrian asked, rubbing the back of his head. Who knew desks could hurt so badly? “What made you run headfirst into my office?”

“Sir, that prisoner…” The guard trailed off. “Lucan Issod, sir. Attacked the patrol with intent to harm!” Hadrian narrowed his eyes. Hn. So he couldn’t trust the boy after all. How foolish. Hadrian stood up and sat down on his chair. “Casualties?’

“Two out of four, sir.” The guard replied. “No idea as to how serious it is, we’ve just received word from the runner they sent. Plan of action, sir?” The guard asked, blinking.

“Prepare the gallows.” Hadrian spoke as calmly as he could. “And bring Lucan Issod to me. Immediately.” His tone meant that if they did not get moving NOW, someone, or something would just happen to get thrown out the window.

The guard saluted and left Hadrian by himself to think about matters. If the guard’s report proved true, then Hadrian would execute the boy himself. Of course, if the guard’s words were false, then the gallows would have some use to them today.

Someone was knocking. Hadrian raised his head from staring pensively at the floor. “Enter.” He said, barely keeping his raging anger in check.

Bacara shoved Lucan into the room and closed the door. He took Lucan's arm again and said, "Sir, he assaulted two Officers of the Captains Guard after they protected a girl from being infringed upon. Two other officers broke it up and I took him here sir." he said.

Hadrian only gave him a stony stare.

Lucan began, "That’s not all true." Lucan said. Lies. All lies. Hadrian raised his hand sharply. Silence.

“I have been merciful.” Hadrian began, rising from the chair. “I have pulled strings in order for you to get the privileges no one in the Fort’s prison had. All for the reason that you ‘ran away’ from Maloren and made it this far to Olencia. I applaud you for your survival efforts…”

Hadrian glared at him. “… but you have been abusing your welcome I see. Tell me…” Hadrian hissed. “What is your side of the story? Let’s listen to what the liar has to say, shall we? I give you the floor, oh liar, and the longer you talk…” He gave a grim chuckle. If one listened carefully, there was a tiny hint of insanity. “… the longer you live.”

“I have been merciful. I have pulled strings in order for you to get the privileges no one in the Fort’s prison had. All for the reason that you ‘ran away’ from Maloren and made it this far to Olencia. I applaud you for your survival efforts, but you have been abusing your welcome I see. Tell me, What is your side of the story? Let’s listen to what the liar has to say, shall we? I give you the floor, oh liar, and the longer you talk, the longer you live.” the High Commander said.

Lucan sighed. He took off his shirt, revealing many bruises from small beatings from Bacara and the other guards. "Injuries don't lie High Commander. Bacara and some others didn't like how I received special treatment. Today, those four officers were infringing on a girl's rights. I was not going to let that happen. Her mother gave me their name, in case I ever needed anything. Soyna Icara of Olencia. That is the mother's name." he said.

He put his shirt back on and shrugged. "You seem to be a man set on his ways. So any more talking would be wasteful. I'm sick of running away from people like Bacara, who think they can do what ever they want, and from people like you who think that their soliders are good two shoes." he said with the utmost respect, surprisingly.

"If you truly wish me dead, then let us go. If not, then lets see what we can do about your problems with your soldiers. Who keeps making the riots? The peopel? You really think their that organized?" he asked. "No matter, I have an appointment with the gallows. Lets go... don't wish to keep the executioner waiting now do we?" he asked solemnly.

Lucan sighed. Hadrian’s eye twitched. Such disrespect. He ought to flog the boy raw, but then that thought was cut off as Lucan took off his shirt, revealing many bruises. Some looked new. Hadrian glanced at Bacara, who shrugged. The little liar…. Hadrian’s eye twitched. Another sign of his impending anger.

"Injuries don't lie, High Commander. Bacara and some others didn't like how I received special treatment. Today, those four officers were infringing on a girl's rights. I was not going to let that happen. Her mother gave me their name, in case I ever needed anything. Soyna Icara of Olencia. That is the mother's name." he said.

Hadrian glanced at Bacara sharply. “Bring her.” He snapped. “To the Fort. Now.” His tone brooked no argument as Bacara nodded and left the room. Hadrian kept his eyes on the door even after Bacara had left the room.

Lucan put his shirt back on and shrugged. "You seem to be a man set on his ways. So any more talking would be wasteful. I'm sick of running away from people like Bacara, who think they can do what ever they want, and from people like you who think that their soldiers are good two shoes." he said with the utmost respect, surprisingly.

Hadrian’s eye twitched at the last sentence. So he thought he had no control over his troops, did he? So he thought that Hadrian trusted them entirely? Partially, yes, but not all. People would DIE today.

"If you truly wish me dead, then let us go. If not, then lets see what we can do about your problems with your soldiers. Who keeps making the riots? The people? You really think they’re that organized?" he asked. "No matter, I have an appointment with the gallows. Lets go... don't wish to keep the executioner waiting now do we?" he asked solemnly.

“Five lashes.” Hadrian said, shaking outwardly as he kept one last grasp on his fleeting temper. “Five lashes for cheek, and be glad it’s only that, boy. Be glad it’s only lashes.” Hadrian rose from his seat. “The lashes will happen this afternoon. Bacara, and the patrol will die. By my hand.” He closed his eyes.

“Leave.”