Edge remained silent throughout the entire, torturous trip to Evercrest. His feet were full of blisters, and injuries marked his knees, chest, and hips. His back was the worst of all. It was still smoldering from the severe whipping he had received the day before. As he walked in the scorching sand, with no shoes on his feet, he nearly felt like collapsing. He spat out saliva as thirst pangs assaulted his throat.
'What did I do to deserve this?' Edge thought in despair as he nearly felt like crying.
They had treated him like an animal, like he was no more than a wild beast. How could they be so cruel? Was there no ounce of humanity in them? The thought that had swarmed into his head in jail had come back again. Was he being punished for how he behaved in his own world
He needed to know. There was something wrong here. What cosmic entity had brought him here? Was it for amusement? Or he was here to play a purpose in this world. He never knew something like this was even possible.
As the gates to Evercrest opened, the carriage rolled in and began its ride down the long cobbled road.. Edge stared at the huge town where the family of Evercrest resides. He saw people walking, some on carriages, some selling goods in bustling stalls. It was the typical setting he had always seen in past movies and animations in his past life. Now he was experiencing it and not in a good way.
As the carriage drove, people began to be aware of him, tied to the back, extremely naked and embarrassed, and then the citizens' faces transformed into shock. Most couldn't even believe their eyes at the huge spectacle they were seeing.
Edge's heart sank further as their shocked face transformed into anger as the citizens began to rain curses on him. Stones, sticks, leaves, and fruits assaulted him from left to right. It hurt so badly, especially when a huge rock, the size of a fist, slammed into his forehead with a sickening thud, blood gushing out of the wound and sliding down his forehead.
Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" One whispered.
"Absolutely." Another replied. "The Duke's bastard son is being dragged as a criminal. You don't see that every day. He must have committed a terrible crime in the town he journeyed down to be degraded as this."
"As expected of an animal!"
"How did the Duke not kill him at birth?"
"To this day, it still baffles me and now he has brought shame to Evercrest ."
"He'll face the punishment he has coming to him. The Duke won't hold back, I'm certain of that."
Edge swallowed saliva in fear as he heard what the citizens were saying. He had read about Duke Evercrest in the story. He was a minor character, only seen a few times, but he was a strict, fierce Duke who did everything to make sure Evercrest was a powerful stronghold and made sure no Shanes were being brought into the family. His punishment was extremely fierce and he was a lord who was extremely racist toward all folks different from him. From the black race down to the underwater race, he did everything to keep them below him.
"That man is my father?" Edge couldn't believe his thoughts as he muttered. "That was never in the story."
But Edge knew that he wanted to exist here, so could that mean that his existence could change the story? He looked up as the carriage reached the gates to the mansion of Evercrest. He watched as two guards of Evercrest appeared, took one look at him, and then quickly opened the gate allowing the carriage to pass.
The carriage took off, driving down the pathway until it reached the huge mansion. The carriage stopped and one of the guards came down and uncuffed him and threw Jim down onto the cold floor.
Suddenly, the huge doors opened and Edge could see an old man in a distinct black suit, looking displeased as he held the doors safely. Then Duje Evercrest stepped out in his royal attire, his face as dark as thunder, his eyes blazing with fire as he came down the stairs, and the Duchess came down, looking very stunning and beautiful, then out came the five children of the Duke, looking very dignified and real as they all came down the stairs.
Edge swallowed in fear as the guards who had brought him bowed in respect. One of the guards got up and began to speak.
"Greetings, my lord Evercrest. It is an honour to be in your presence." The guard spoke with respect, making Edge sick by the minute. "In very sure, my lord, that our Duke has informed you 9n whg your son is in this unsightly way and why we brought him. We have fulfilled our duty and we'll be returning to our Dukedom. We shall take our leave now if you're done with us."
Duke Evercrest nodded as he spoke. "Thank you. You may take your leave, please give my regards to Duke Rutenaria."
The guard nodded and he and his guards bowed before entering the carriage and driving off. Edge heart stopped for a dreadful moment as the carriage had driven out of sight before slowly turning back to the Duke and as he saw the Duke's face, his blood ran cold.
The Duke was staring at him with controlled anger, his eye looking at him with rage and contempt. It was looking into an enraged beast, controlling itself before it ripped apart its prey. In this instance, he was the prey and he knew he was in trouble. Huge trouble.
"Guards," Duke Evercrest spoke softly. Edge watched as guards appeared out of nowhere. "Take this animal and lock him in the dungeon."
'What!' He thought in shock. 'Again!'
It was no use. He watched as the guards came up to him and grabbed him roughly and began to drag him on the cold hard floor and Edge knew it was going to be a long day.