The Price Of Crime

Alaric was sitting on the bed with a worried face and Damianus was standing in front of him holding a box in his hands.

"My lord, please lie down and let me do my job."

"Damianos, is there really no other way?"

"You yourself promised Monk Erastus that if he revoked your death sentence, you would give a part of your brain to the Holy Worms."

Alaric swallowed as the color drained from his face.
"Be it."

And laid down on the bed. Damianus also sat on the edge of the bed and opened the box and took out some thin metal pieces from it and placed it under Alaric's eyelids so that his eyes remained completely open and using thick ropes, he tied his arms and legs to the bed.

Then he took a bag out of the box, untied it and with tweezers took out a small black worm and placed it in the corner of Alaric's eye. The worm entered his body from under his eyelids.

Tears welled up in Alaric's eye and he shuddered in disgust. Damianus took out other worms from the bag and put them in the corners of Alaric's eyes, and one by one the worms crawled under his eyelids and entered his body.

They reached Alaric's brain and sunk their tiny teeth into it and started eating. Alaric's body unconsciously began to tremble and inaudible sounds came out of his mouth.

Sadness sat on Damianus' face. He raised his hands in prayer and asked the gods to forgive Alaric's sins for the service he was doing.

After a while, Alaric's body finally calmed down and the worms, which were now swollen, came out of the corner of his eyes and Damianus collected them in a bag and then opened Alaric's hands and feet.

Alaric was staring at the ceiling and showing no reaction. Damianus shook him gently and called his name.
"My lord, you are still there, aren't you? I'm sure you understand what I'm saying and will react soon."

In fact, he said these words to himself to gain strength. If Alaric did not regain his senses, Damianus would have to take care of him for the rest of his life.
"Gods, this was meant to be my master's punishment, not mine. Please put him out of this situation."

Then he said to Alaric with an angry face:
"My lord, you should have accepted the death penalty. Look what you have done to me and yourself."

And after a few moments started to sob.
"How unworthy and wretched I am, my lord. After all the favors you have done me, instead of being saddened by your condition, I am concerned about my own. Damn me."

Tears rolled down his cheeks and he took Alaric's hand in his and squeezed it.
"My lord, please look at me and speak to me."

But Alaric showed no reaction. At that moment, thunder and lightning appeared in the black night sky, and its roar shook Damianus' heart. It was as if the gods were telling him that Alaric had paid the price for his crime and now it was his turn.