Saboteurs

Bird illustrations from the Lights of Canopus (Public Domain Archive)A slightly extended version of the drabble I wrote for Writing Battle. My prompts are: Magical Mishap - Safari Guide - Shackles His royal face has turned purple; his knuckles are white as he clings to the arms of his throne. I stand still, waiting for the explosion. “You are supposed to keep my prizes safe!” he bellows. “You failed!” I drop to the ground and prostrate myself. “My deepest apologies, my liege! The shackles that held the beasts had a defect. The saboteurs exploited it.” I flinch when the whip slashes my back, cutting through flesh. “Find who did this.” “You have my word.” I shakily get to my feet and bow. After all, I already have. I intimately know the culprit. Magical shackles never could stand up to the flame of my rage, or my desire to see those animals free.