21 February 2013
‘See you next week,’ one of the guards rumbled, as they tossed Thayne out onto the cobbled street where he collapsed in a heap. The other one chuckled and gave him a hefty kick towards the steps leading down into the city. Thayne heard the iron gate wail and then clang shut. He lay there a moment, nursing his bruised ribs. He breathed the air in deeply. It stank of shit like all the air in Thenton, but it was beautiful. He opened his eyes, and had to squint against the harsh light. It was only an hour or so after dawn, the sun still low in the sky, but Thayne’s eyes had become accustomed to the flickering light in the dungeons. Slowly, he got to his feet, laughing. He threw his head back and yelled in delight.
‘Shut up, will you?’ A guard stood nearby, eyeing him disapprovingly. ‘It’s early, and I get grouchy in the mornings. You continue to piss me off, I’ll chuck you straight back in there, mark my words.’
‘Sorry,’ Thayne said, a huge grin splitting his face. What a delightful fellow. ‘It’s just a great day to be outside isn’t it?’ The guard harrumped and his fingers twitched on his sword hilt.
Thayne turned back towards the stone steps leading away from the dungeon gate and took in the view. It was a clear summer morning, and the low sun silhouetted masts and spires against pink and yellow hues. To the West, the masts moved slowly and the faint cries of dockworkers could be heard amongst the din that the seagulls made. To the North, the spires of cathedrals and chapels rose above red sloping roofs.
‘Soon...’ Thayne whispered. ‘I’ll turn my back on you too.’ His heart dragged his eyes to the east, and he knew there was someone he had to visit first before he could go anywhere.
Release • Opuss № I