This is a short story, two or three chapters max, inspired by a picture by Skating Jesus as you will understand in part 2...
I have led a rather splendid life.
My father is (was?) a barbarian who plundered much of what would be known as Europe but in his late year he sought stability and peace. He secured it with a certain charm but also an iron fist. Those who opposed him were judge and dealt with firmly. I often sat in his court as he condemned yet another man or woman to death… not mercifully but flogged and crucified!
I loved watching the crucifixions but mostly the women’s. They seemed so surprised and almost shamed as they were marched to the hill. What did they expect for standing up to my father?
I tried to get the feel for this and ordered my servants to bind me and flog me in my private chambers.
…It was fun but they really they dared not flog as I would them even if I would punish them for displaying mercy.
As strong as he was even an old oak dies and so did my father. The peace he had held for all the years I can remember quickly failed as the lords over the conquered fiefdoms joined to insure King Arbor’s sole heir would not take the throne.
Primus, Wragg, Admihoek, MontyCrusto, Q. Paul, and the Top Cat formed a coalition to overthrow my ascent to the crown. Their combined forces easily toppled my father’s armies. What the hell do I know about leading an army? I am placed in a cage in the dungeon’s deep cellars that I have never seen before. My fine clothes were torn from my body and I am bound in irons and my thighs soiled.
These bastards are barbarians! I have never been down here in this stench-filled pit yet I know I have agreed with my father to send many here. You do have to keep ‘the peace’, don’t you?
TREE
I have led a rather splendid life.
My father is (was?) a barbarian who plundered much of what would be known as Europe but in his late year he sought stability and peace. He secured it with a certain charm but also an iron fist. Those who opposed him were judge and dealt with firmly. I often sat in his court as he condemned yet another man or woman to death… not mercifully but flogged and crucified!
I loved watching the crucifixions but mostly the women’s. They seemed so surprised and almost shamed as they were marched to the hill. What did they expect for standing up to my father?
I tried to get the feel for this and ordered my servants to bind me and flog me in my private chambers.
…It was fun but they really they dared not flog as I would them even if I would punish them for displaying mercy.
As strong as he was even an old oak dies and so did my father. The peace he had held for all the years I can remember quickly failed as the lords over the conquered fiefdoms joined to insure King Arbor’s sole heir would not take the throne.
Primus, Wragg, Admihoek, MontyCrusto, Q. Paul, and the Top Cat formed a coalition to overthrow my ascent to the crown. Their combined forces easily toppled my father’s armies. What the hell do I know about leading an army? I am placed in a cage in the dungeon’s deep cellars that I have never seen before. My fine clothes were torn from my body and I am bound in irons and my thighs soiled.
These bastards are barbarians! I have never been down here in this stench-filled pit yet I know I have agreed with my father to send many here. You do have to keep ‘the peace’, don’t you?
TREE