The emperor's arrival

(Alessia) I woke to someone kicking the iron bars of my cell. Brant stood outside with a bucket in his hand, looking annoyed that I was still lying down. My entire body hurt, and I hadn't slept properly because of the wolfsbane chains. I pushed myself upright when he kicked the bars again. "Get up, you useless girl!" "I'm awake." "Then come get your breakfast." I crawled toward the bars, hoping he had brought something I could eat. My last meal had been a piece of bread before the warriors dragged me to Vaedric. Brant placed a wooden bowl on the floor outside my cell. It contained watery porridge that looked as though someone had already eaten from it. "Please, can you bring it closer?" I asked. He laughed and pushed the bowl with his boot. Most of the porridge spilled before it reached the bars. I looked at what remained and wondered whether I could reach it. My hands were still bound, making everything difficult. "That's all you're getting," Brant said. "Can I at least have some water?" "Maybe later." He walked away before I could say anything else. I waited until his footsteps disappeared before reaching through the bars. My fingers barely touched the bowl, but I managed to pull it closer. I ate what remained using my fingers because there was no spoon. The porridge tasted terrible, but I couldn't afford to waste it. My body had become so thin that my ribs were visible beneath my torn dress. I remembered when I used to have enough strength to carry several baskets of laundry without resting. Now even sitting upright required more effort than I wanted to admit. A prisoner in the next cell began shouting for food. I recognized his voice because he had been there during my previous imprisonment. His name is Garron, and he had killed two pack warriors during a fight. Unlike me, he had actually committed the crime that brought him here. "Stop making noise!" Brant shouted from the passage. The prisoner continued shouting until I heard Brant opening his cell. A moment later, someone cried out, followed by several blows. I moved away from my bars and pressed myself against the wall. I knew better than to interfere with anything happening in the dungeon. After a while, the shouting stopped. Brant returned carrying a wooden club, which he rested against his leg. He looked into my cell and noticed the empty bowl. I lowered my head before he could accuse me of doing something wrong. "Enjoy your breakfast, princess?" "Yes, sir. Thank you." "Don't get comfortable. Alpha Vaedric hasn't decided what to do with you yet." I wanted to remind him that Vaedric had already sentenced me to another imprisonment. Instead, I kept quiet because answering would only make things worse. Brant collected the bowl and continued down the passage. I returned to the blanket and tried to find a position that didn't hurt. Several hours later, I heard the guards speaking near the entrance. They sounded nervous, which was unusual because they normally enjoyed frightening the prisoners. I listened as someone ordered them to clean the cells and remove anything that might offend their visitor. I wondered who could make these men afraid. "His Majesty is already at the pack house," one guard announced. "Then why are we still standing here?" another demanded. "Because Alpha Vaedric wants everything ready before the inspection." I remembered what the guards had said about Emperor Azrael Draven. He was visiting Raventhorn, and apparently the dungeon was included in his inspection. I wondered whether Vaedric would allow him to see the prisoners who had been punished without proper hearings. Then I remembered that nobody would believe anything I said against an Alpha. Two guards entered the passage carrying buckets of water. They began washing the floor outside the cells, complaining about the smell. Brant ordered them to work faster while he inspected the locks. When he reached my cell, he stopped and looked at my clothes. "You look disgusting." I looked down at my torn dress. It had once been brown, but years of washing had faded the fabric. Dirt covered the front, and several pieces were missing near the bottom. My hair was tangled because nobody had allowed me to wash it. "Please, can I have some clean clothes?" I asked. Brant laughed. "You think you're meeting the emperor?" "No, sir." "Then stop asking stupid questions." He walked away, leaving me wondering whether the emperor would even come this far underground. Perhaps he would inspect the entrance and leave without seeing the cells. That was what most visiting officials did whenever Vaedric invited them here. Nobody wanted to spend more time in the dungeon than necessary. I heard footsteps approaching from the stairs sometime later. Several voices followed, including one I recognized immediately. Alpha Vaedric was speaking to someone, explaining how Raventhorn handled dangerous criminals. I moved closer to the bars, hoping to see who accompanied him. "Our prisoners are treated according to the seriousness of their crimes, Your Majesty," Vaedric explained. A man answered him, but I couldn't hear his words. The footsteps continued toward the first row of cells. Prisoners who normally shouted at everyone became quiet as the visitors approached. Even Garron stopped making threats from his cell. I watched several imperial guards enter the passage. They wore black uniforms with silver markings, and each carried a sword. Behind them walked a tall man dressed entirely in black. His dark hair was neatly arranged, and his silver eyes examined everything around him. I knew immediately that he was Emperor Azrael Draven. Nobody else could make Alpha Vaedric look so frightened. The Alpha walked beside him with his head lowered, answering questions whenever the emperor spoke. Several pack warriors followed at a distance. "How many prisoners are currently being held here?" Azrael asked. "Thirty seven, Your Majesty." "And how many have been sentenced?" Vaedric hesitated before answering. "Most of them, Your Majesty." "Most?" "Some are awaiting further punishment." Azrael stopped walking and looked toward the cells. I moved backward, afraid he might notice me watching. His guards continued inspecting the prisoners while Vaedric explained their offenses. I heard him mention murder, treason, and attacks against pack members. When they reached my section, Brant hurried forward to open the passage gate. Azrael entered ahead of Vaedric, looking from one cell to another. I remained seated on the floor because I didn't have enough strength to stand. My chains moved when I tried adjusting my position. Azrael stopped outside my cell. His eyes moved from my torn clothing to the chains around my chest. I lowered my head, expecting him to walk away like everyone else. Instead, he approached the bars. "Who is this woman?" Vaedric stepped forward immediately. "A prisoner convicted of treason, Your Majesty." Azrael looked at me again. I could feel his attention on my injured wrists and bare feet. He examined the chains before turning toward the Alpha. His next question made everyone stop moving. "Why is a woman in this condition being restrained with wolfsbane?" End of Chapter 2