Stories thread - King of the Romans PBM

[econ21]

A cave outside Jerusalem

Horst screamed in pain. Why hadn’t he listened to Dirk? He should have known to pay attention when the fellow, normally so carefree and lackadaisical, had approached him so earnestly after the battle outside Acre. Why hadn’t he listened then?

Horst screamed again, as Dusan Kolar extracted yet another of the young Teuton’s fingernails.

*****

“It is not safe for you to stay. You must go. Leave this place - tonight!” Dirk had entreated.

At the time, Horst had been wracked with guilt and self-criticism: “No, I have failed terribly. I cannot flee. I must stay and be punished for my failure.”

“You do not know what is at stake here” Dirk had implored. “Hell, even I don’t know what is at stake here. But I do know if you stay, it will be very, very bad.”

“I don’t know what is at stake? I do not know? You have no idea what I was guarding that night!” Horst looked at his sheepish companion. “You and your drinking. I had a mission. I was entrusted with something, something more important than you can ever imagine. And I lost it, lost it because of you.”

Horst had continued, rounding accusingly on Dirk: “Yes, you must go. You should leave this place! You are not fit to be the Kaiser’s bodyguard. You are not fit to the Kaiser’s dog’s bodyguard! Go, get out! Run!”

And still Dirk had tried to persuade him, pleading helplessly: “Horst, they will kill you if you stay.”

Horst looked uncomprehendingly at the big man and then said shallowly: “It would be no better than I deserve for my failure. You said you are leaving. Well then, just leave.”

Dirk had moved away reluctantly, gave one last imploring look at Horst but been rebuffed by the young Teuton’s accusing glare.

*****

“You should not scream so much.” said Dusan patiently. “It is not that anyone will come. I chose this cave because it is far away from anyone. And very well sound proofed. The Hashashin provide such excellent facilities and for such a modest price. But you should not scream so much. It is most unbecoming for a knight.”

With heavy eyelids, Horst looked at the loathsome man in front of him. Damn it, he would not scream so much if only each act of torture was not so excruciatingly painful!

“Just tell me one thing, young knight, and then you are free to go. Who did you tell about the chalice?”

Horst’s head slumped down on his chest, his arms hanging from chains hammered into the cave walls. “I have already said a thousand times: I told no one. I swear by the virgin Mary, I told no one.”

Dusan looked at the young man, dripping in sweat and blood. He almost believed him.

“But you see, that is simply not possible. Only three of us knew. You, me and the Kaiser.” Dusan explained patiently. “Do you think the Kaiser stole his own Holy Grail? Do you think I stole it and am torturing you just for fun?”

Horst looked up hopelessly: “But I swear, I did not… AAARGH!”

*****

When Horst was revived, he had a few minutes to recuperate. Dusan was preparing to leave the cave.

"Why don't you ask me where the chalice is?" Horst asked in a moment of lucidity.

Dusan turned around surprised: "Why? Do you know?"

Horst shook his head: "No, of course not: I keep telling you, I know nothing about the chalice's disappearance! It was stolen from me! But if you suspect me, why don't you ask me where it is?"

Dusan laughed: "Does it matter? It is just a goblet. I can find another one just like it. The Kaiser will never know."

Horst collapsed in despair. He knew then he would never leave the cave alive.