The light of dawn filtered through the small window of the dungeon as the entrance door creaked open.
Krau did not react immediately. He merely narrowed his eyes, watching the approaching shadow.
The duke.
The guard opened the gate, and the nobleman stepped forward with a confident stride, stopping in front of Krau with a smile that held no warmth.
"Well, Krau... ready for your punishment?"
Krau exhaled boredly, as if the conversation seemed like a routine of no interest to him.
"So early... I thought you'd at least give me time to eat breakfast before you tried to kill me."
The duke laughed softly, as if the response amused him.
"I've been thinking about how to punish you for the incident with the griffin. One hundred lashes: fifty in front of the townspeople and fifty in front of my guests from last night.
He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice.
"But..." His finger slid from Krau's chest to his jaw. 'It might be unnecessary if you decide to change your mind.'
The silence lingered.
Krau did not look away. He made no gesture.
The duke smiled more, with a calmness that made the air heavier.
"We don't have to be enemies, Krau. We both want the same thing."
Krau raised an eyebrow.
"Why are you being so kind to me, Duke?"
"If you scratch my back..." He winked, the gesture slower this time. "I'll scratch yours."
Krau dropped his head back with feigned exhaustion.
"This has romantic overtones."
The duke chuckled softly, but did not deny anything.
"I mean... if you accepted my proposal last time, who would it hurt?"
Krau narrowed his eyes. He was speaking too familiarly.
"Hey, is this romantic?"
The duke didn't answer right away. He just smiled, the same calculated smile as always, but now with a more private gleam in his eyes.
"After all... we can do everything together, don't you think?"
Another wink. This time, more intentional.
The implication was clear.
The duke wasn't just looking for cooperation.
It wasn't just politics.
It wasn't just power.
It was desire.
Krau let out a small, dry laugh and shook his head.
"Ah. Ah..."
The duke watched him expectantly.
Krau tilted his face slightly toward his hand, without moving it away, letting the moment linger for a moment longer.
"I'm sorry, Duke. But I don't like things that can't be said."
A slight gleam crossed the duke's gaze.
Krau smiled slightly, still without moving.
"I'm flattered. Perhaps a little curious."
He let the silence linger for a moment, just to play with his expectations.
And then...
"But the answer is no."
The duke didn't lose his smile immediately, but his eyes stopped shining.
And for the first time, Krau noticed the slight tightening of his jaw.
The nobleman took a step back, but his voice remained smooth.
"A hundred lashes, then."
He paused.
"Perhaps later I'll want to talk... when the flesh is softer."
And he left.
Later that same morning
Krau's body fell heavily onto the damp stone floor of the dungeon.
The door slammed shut behind him. The guards said nothing. There was no need.
His back was burning. The pain was a silent storm, pulsing through every fiber of his body.
Fifty lashes. Another fifty were due at sunset.
In war, it hurt less. There, the blows were for survival. Here... they were on a whim. For wounded honor. For peace.
The silence of the dungeon was a respite. The pain burned, but at least he was alone.
Not for long.
He heard footsteps. Slow. Steady.
"Well..." The voice sounded familiar, harsh as always. 'This is how peace welcomes one of its champions.'
Krau didn't move.
"I was expecting the executioner," he muttered. 'You disappoint me, Master.'
The master behind the bars laughed briefly.
"I didn't come to finish you off. Not yet. I came to give you work."
A thick paper envelope fell to the floor in front of him.
"A recommendation. Direct from the Church."
Krau narrowed his eyes, not touching it.
"What kind of work does it need from a man beaten in a dungeon?"
The man did not answer immediately.
"One that only you can do," he said finally.
There are... rumors. Massacres. Someone playing at being the hand of the Goddess Kise.
Silence returned.
"A religious madman," Krau muttered. There are many out there, what makes this one special?
"Good question. The answers... only if you accept."
The Church wants discreet results.
Krau snorted wearily.
"If I accept... will I get out of this cell and stop serving that idiot?"
The master smiled.
"Not entirely. You'll change owners, now you'll go back to working with the church."
Krau raised an eyebrow.
"Change owners? How thoughtful."
"Good. I'll be back before your next whipping session to hear your answer," the master added ironically.
Krau got up from the floor, leaving the letter untouched.
"Why don't you send your star disciple? The Champion of the Goddess," Krau's voice hardened for a moment.
Perhaps he's too busy receiving praise... or afraid they'll discover he's a fraud.
Silence fell between them once more.
"We don't need him for now, Krau. You're my best option right now."
The master turned, pausing at the door.
"Oh, and don't delay in reading the letter.
It's... personal."
The door closed with a creak.
Krau looked down at the envelope.
"Charming," he muttered. "This is getting better by the minute."