Dwellers of the New World Chapter Twenty ( Pt 2 ) Back To The Chamber

It was daylight and early morning by the time Gregor and his guards reached the entrance to the Doom Chamber, all appeared to be quiet as the master dismounted his horse. It had been many moons and suns since he'd ventured out onto the moors. Although eager to find out who these strangers were, he was also weary of what he would find as he paced up and down, watching for any movement near or far, his eyes glistening at the thought of more prisoners, for him authority was everything and although concious of having to prove himself daily, he enjoyed the fear he planted in everyones minds.

Turning to his guards, he declared. “Okay Men! We need to remove the boulder to the entrance, but we don't want anyone escaping, so be alert and ready to attack if there's any trouble.” He screwed up his scrawny fingers on one hand into a fist, punching the other hand, ready to do battle with anyone who tried to break free.

As Gregor stood watching and waiting, the guards tied rope around the huge rock, then attached the other end to a leather harness which was then fastened to their four horses, the huge boulder had been shifted so many times lately, it was becoming easier and easier to move and slid away easily, as Gregor sniggered to himself.

The guards stood at the entrance gazing down and called out. “Stay back! The Master approaches – don't try anything, or you'll all suffer the consequences.” They waited to see if anything would happen, or if voices could be heard, but all was silent.

Taking one last look around and creeping in slowly, Gregor had a weary feeling that things weren't right, it was far too quiet. He slid down the slope into the Chamber, followed by his men.

Gazing around, Gregor could see rotten apple cores lying amongst bits of old potato and carrot peelings, also animal bones with the marrow sucked out leaving a hollow inside. It was all too much for him, as he was overcome by the unbearable stench, he wretched taking a rag from his pocket, holding it over his mouth and nose calling out; “Hello! Is anyone here?” Then remembering the many places the children would cower and also the well they'd use as a toilet, he wasn't about to venture there, so calling to his guard, he ordered him to go up to the room. “Go! Check the well, see if they're hiding up there!”

The guard climbed the rocks with a torch reluctantly, he felt sick to his stomach at the thought of what he'd find. Moving the large stone aside he entered, glancing around quickly, the guard nearly passed out and so quickly left. The poor man held his empty stomach as he descended the rocks taking two at a time, glad he'd not eaten that morning. “No one here Master!” He shouted out, voice echoing around the chamber. Covering his nose and mouth with his arm, he wondered how the boys ever survived down there as long as they did. “Perhaps they're all dead Master!” He uttered.

“What you talking about you idiot? If they're dead, where's their bodies?” Gregor couldn't believe the rubbish his guards came out with at times, it struck him that none of them could survive without his leadership which made him feel even more superior.

The guard again scratched his greasy head, an action he did a lot, feeling the lumps and bumps that protruded from his skull. “Dunno Master – but we needs to get out of here; the smell is killing me.”

A thought crossed Gregor's mind! As he stood staring at the entrances. 'My crystal will be my escape. I've had enough of this world anyway, there's nothing left for me here any more!' He turned to his guard tired and weary of his company. “Are you sure people came down here? Where are those boys? Seems like there's a conspiracy going on here, I've had enough of this.”

“I've no idea where they could have gone Master, ain't no way out of this place but the entrance we came in.” The guard looked worried, he knew how bad tempered Gregor could get when things didn't go his way, thinking he was about to get the brunt of the man's anger.

But Gregor had other things on his mind. “There's nothing to be done now, I wish to be left alone with my thoughts. Leave my horse and don't replace the boulder, seems this Chamber needs airing out to get rid of the stench.”

The guard gazed at him, not understanding his Master's intentions. “But..but – don't...don't you want me to stay with yu...you, or at least keep...keep a watch out?” He stuttered very nervously.

“NO!” Shouted Gregor abruptly, wishing the man would just disappear. “NOW GO! LEAVE ME BE!”

The guard hesitated a moment scratching his head again, not sure what to do, his Master was acting very strange and it was unlike him to not want a guard in case of trouble, but then he decided to obey Gregor knowing to go against his wishes would be the wrong thing to do.

Making his way back up to the entrance and out of the chamber, with a feeling of apprehension, the guard told the others to leave, but decided to hang around just in case he was needed. If people knew about the Chamber, it would mean others might come.

Moving far enough away so as not to be seen, but still able to keep an eye out on the entrance, his horse stood obediently, unnerved by the fog, but panicked when his hoof stepped into a crevice. “Be still! Be still!” Whispered the guard. He climbed down a bank, till only his head could be seen watching and waiting.

Dwellers of the New World Chapter Twenty ( Pt 3 ) The Mystery Unfolds | ABCtales