The Secret Dungeons of Camelot

  The torches flickered with fire along the path leading deeper into the dungeons. Queen Belladonna glanced over her shoulders at the two guards escorting her. She stopped in front of a plain oak door. She pulled out a small iron key from a pocket and slipped it into the lock. She turned the key to the left and heard the click, announcing the lock was unlocked. She grabbed the large circle handle and pulled on the door.

  She fought to keep her face straight and emotionless as she ordered over her shoulder, “Stay here.”

  “Yes, my queen,” the guards replied as they stood on either side of the door.

  Belladonna looked forward before she went through the door and a smirk crossed her face. She entered a separate hallway, strolling down it to another door and pulled it opened. Beyond this door, there was several cells on either side of the door. She turned to the first one on the left hand side.

  In the cell, a creature, a simple human, would call a man. The former High Queen knew better. It was known as an Elf. The ville creature had pointed ears, sticking out of its matted discolored hair. It raised its head to glare at Belladonna with a pair of striking blue eyes. Its lips curled back in a snarl. Belladonna raised her right hand and waved her fingers at the Elf. It had been chained to the wall of its cell for the better part of four months.

  “How are you doing, Prince Oaken,” she started. It had been a while since she had visited her private dungeons she had commissioned during her time as High Queen.

  “You damn well how I am doing,” Prince Oaken growled, “I’m guessing the reason why my father hasn’t sent an army to retrieve me yet is the fact you or one of your family lied saying I didn’t arrive at Camelot.”

  Belladonna laughed softly, “You are correct.” She titled her head to the side, “It was so easy to deceive your so called intelligent people. It was amusing.”

  The Prince growled.

  She moved onto the next cell. She ran her eyes over the male demon with bat like leather wings. The demon had pale skin, black hair that hung limply around his head, and a pair of purple eyes that shone with hatred and the promise of revenge. This prisoner had been living in the cell for nearly 2 decades. Belladonna had been surprise and impressed the Bat like demon had been able to live that long without proper meal. She really thought he wouldn’t survive at long as he has. Now, she was able spot the creature’s hip bones at its waist line where his pants hung off him.

  “Save your energy, Battie, there is no need to address me,” Belladonna giggled as she noticed the Bat Demon’s glared deepen. She could almost feel the hatred and the rage directed at her. Almost. “I see you are doing just fine.”

  Stolen novel; please report.

  “That’s a load of bull shit,” a gravely voice rang out. It came from the cell across from Prince Oaken. Belladonna half turned to see the Dwarven King. He came to Camelot nearly six months ago, claiming to be on a diplomatic mission to increase trade between his Kingdom and Camelot’s.

  However, Belladonna’s forces managed to catch him before the Dwarven King could reach The Camelot Castle and met with King Uther. The Warrior Queen had ordered the Dwarven King to be taken to her private dungeon and killed the guards in order make sure the news of the King of a Dwarven Kingdom had arrived, but was taken captive. “In my 250 years, I have never met a more cruel woman then you.”

  “I take that as a compliment,” Belladonna smirked at the Dwarven King. He had lost weight as he hung from the chains a foot above his head.

  “It wasn’t supposed to be a compliment,” he spat a word causing Belladonna to frown. She knew he had spoke in his native tongue, but she didn’t understand what the word meant. She could take a guess as she cocked her head to the side, studying the Dwarven King. His bead, once taken care with pride, lay limply on the King’s chest and messy. She could cut it. The thought cause her lips to twitched with amusement. It would hurt his pride more then anything she could do to him physically.

  “You should have been struggled in your crib when you were born,” another voice rang out. She turned to see the large red skinned Tiefling sitting in the far corner of the dungeon. He was chained to the wall and the floor. A part of Belladonna was surprise he didn’t try to escape. He was strong enough to do. Another part of the former High Queen worried the reason why he didn’t try.

  “Just like you should have been,” Belladonna purred, “Maybe I could do it right now and leave your corpse for the others to feed upon.”

  The silence in the dungeon was pleasing. It was something she had done before. The only one who didn’t take part of that carnage was the Bat Demon.

  “Aren’t you nice,” this voice belong to the newest demon in the private dungeon. She turned to view the blue-black haired male with blood red eyes. He looked bored as he stared at her. “I think I have seen the Hell Demons with more compassion then you have shown us when they take people captive.”

  Belladonna cocked her head to the side, “Hell Demons?”

  The New Demon snorted, “Hell Demons are our cousins, if you want to think of it as a family tree. They are cursed to roam the pits of Hell with the Fallen Angels.” He paused, “Even our Kings and most powerful demons take pause and hide when they hear about the Hell Demons roaming in our Countryside.”

  The Warrior Queen rolled her eyes in annoyance. She ignored him as she ran her eyes over her collection of creatures who were illegally in her Kingdom. They were progressively declining in health. Soon they would be ready to raze her enemies to the ground. Soon, she would take her rightful place. She grinned as she left the dungeon, pleased. The dungeon door shut and she locked before she tucked the key away.

  Meanwhile, in the dungeon, the locked up creatures breathed a sigh of relief. They never knew when she would reappear. They did wonder who will end up joining them.

  “So, why does she leave us locked up,” The newest demon to the collection asked.

  “Who knows,” the Bat Demon replied. His voice was hoarse from disuse.

  “She is the reason why Camelot has become unfriendly to the non-humans in the last couple decades,” Prince Oaken replied, “This Kingdom was one my people used to count on until half of century when she became High Queen. Then relations went south.”

  https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B08MBFS53L . The Paperback is available for purchase: . I am working on a Hardcover edition, which I am hoping to have out by the end of February 2025, as long as there is no trouble. If you want an autographic copy of the book, please check out the link to my etsy shop where you can get an autographic copy with a bookmark.

  https://ko-fi.com/valeries26

  https://www.amazon.com/stores/V.L.-Souders/author/B08QJQ7KGJ

  https://www.etsy.com/shop/Vals3C