Sonja unlocked the cell and kicked the wooden door open, startling Lili from her dazed state. Her dark face was barely illuminated by the small candle she carried. Lili had no way to tell what time it was but she figured it must have been pretty late. After a moment of unnerving silence she decided to speak up.
"What do you want, Sonja?"
"I need something from you."
"Oh, you want something from me? Hah!"
Lili felt unusual courage when talking to the other girl. The reason for such a strong reaction could have been Sonja's earlier insults or perhaps it was simply the knowledge of Sonja's spitefulness that made Lili feel self-righteous. Regardless, Lili took to her feet and glared at her unwelcome visitor coldly, as if to scare her away. The other maid didn't seem impressed, though.
"I'll make this very simple for you, Lili" Sonja spoke as she walked three steps closer. "I can easily shorten your sentence by half. All I need from you is a simple favor."
The dungeon smelled rancid and Lili had no idea how long she would have to spend there so the statement caught her interest.
"What do you need from me? I'm locked up in this cell" she mumbled.
"You're not a real criminal and the castellan knows it." There was a hint of irritation in Sonja's voice when she said that. "They'll keep you here just to appease that fat priest. Sefu will summon you to his quarters, though, to hear your side of the story. When he does I want you to use that chance to steal the skull goblet from his room and give it to me."
Lili was outraged at such a proposal.
"You have to be out of your mind, Sonja! I am no thief! Besides, a mere shortening of my sentence by a day or two certainly isn't worth this kind of a favour!"
"Oh really? Do not tell me I have to inform every single male in this infernal place that the big-titted bimbo they've been drooling over the last two weeks is down here, in an unguarded cell, with her legs shackled to the wall with a 6 foot chain!"
Sonja grinned and folded her arms over her breast. She was certain she had the upper hand. What she didn't know was that, although it did sound quite scary, Lili didn't really understand the implication of her threat. Even after the recent events. |