Those were all valid questions, but I didn't like the way he was forcing me into a corner without choice. An answer came to mind and I confidently responded with, "El Elyon will make a way for me. If my mission is true He cannot fail but to provide to make a way for me."
I was proud of myself, but also a bit apprehensive as I watched the prince's smile turn sour. "Faith too, I see. You are a rare man indeed, but I have no need of faith. I've found that the proper leverage of both wealth and power can accomplish all that is needed. Outdated beliefs in a Creator are just that, outdated. You will soon learn that for yourself Benaiah. Unfortunately, along with that lesson you will also have to learn that a Prince of Thyana is not to be denied. A couple of weeks in the dungeons of the palace should be a sufficient learning experience for you to come to the realization that my offer is a good one as opposed to the alternative. Take him away!"
Several pairs of hands seized hold of me from behind and began to lead me roughly away.
I had to admit to a certain degree of profound shock as I was being led back down the ornately decorated halls of the palace. I had done the work of a hero and I was being rewarded for it by being thrown into the dungeons. Where was the justice in this?
*****
The stench coming up from the hole in the floor was awful. Hands pushed and I felt myself launched forward into the dark abyss. I screamed as I fell through darkness to only moments later land hard with an 'umphhh' as the air was knocked from me.
Hacking on stirred up dust, I tried to recover my breath while at the same time I tried to grapple with my dark surroundings and perhaps the need to defend myself.
I had heard stories of these dungeons. It was said that those thrown into them were often consumed whole by the other residents of the darkness that had been driven mad by hunger deprivation.
I heard the skitter of feet towards me from behind and I reacted by kicking out with both of my feet. My boots connected hard with something and one dungeon resident went wailing backward from me, but there was the sound of more feet coming.
I got to my feet and did my best to take stock of the situation in a hurry. In the dim glow of light given off from the lantern at the top of the dungeon enclosure I could make out at least 20 or more individuals closing in on me.