If Thomas stayed with them for any length of time, she would put some real meat on his bones. “Poor little dear.” He was still sleeping. Her motherly instincts kicked in. She should probably wake him and give him some of her lovely stew. He must have slept three hours, at least.
“Thomas?” Mollye knocked gently on the door of the bedroom, where Thomas slept. “Thomas, it is time to get up.” Still no answer.
Mollye pushed the door open. “Everything is ready, we must—” She stopped mid-sentence.
The bed was empty. Thomas was gone.
Chapter 74
On the cold stone wall of Darcon’s prison, a grinning skeleton hung by rusted steel manacles. Hanging next to that skeleton was another skeleton, then another. And hanging beside the final skeleton was Ellie, with manacles biting into her wrists.
She blew her red mane off her face and looked left, attempting to see Deacon.
“Do something, will you?”
Hanging next to Ellie, John also looked to his left.
“Pardon me... what was that?” Deacon responded sardonically; after all, he was in the same predicament as the rest.
“Can you do something?”
“I’m thinking!” Deacon responded.
“Well, think harder!”
Chapter 75
Mordis Saldan stepped into Daniel’s dim, musty cell flanked by his two hulking prison guards.
“Professor, I’ve come to hear about your progress.”
Daniel stood. “As I’ve told you for the last twenty-three days, I don’t know how to get through the door. I’m working as hard as I can. I will let you know when I have the key.”
“Professor, do you need more motivation?”
The two guards stepped forward, leering at him, wielding their truncheons.
Daniel locked eyes with Mordis. “Can’t do your own dirty work, can you, Mordis? Always have to hide behind the skirts of Tweedledee and Tweedledum.”
That got a reaction. A slight upturn at the corner of Mordis’s mouth.
He spun to the guards.
“Leave us.”
The guards paused but only for a moment and then retreated, closing the massive door behind them.
A glint sparked in Mordis’s typically cold eyes, like a predator considering his prey. He stepped forward, reaching into the fold of his dark cassock. His hand clutched his dagger.
Daniel stepped forward, straining against his chain tether.
Mordis smiled. He was going to enjoy this.
Daniel then shook his leg, and unbelievably the shackle released and dropped, with a clang to the stone floor.
Mordis stared in shock at Daniel’s free ankle.
He looked up to see Daniel grinning and holding an iron key in front of his face. Then Daniel palmed the key, curled his fingers into a tight fist. Mordis took a breath to scream but instead received a solid punch right to the jaw. He slumped to the floor, unconscious. Outside the prison door, hearing the thump Tweedledee and Tweedledum shared a knowing glance. Their master enjoyed taking care of prisoners.
Inside his cell, Daniel tore a sleeve from his old shirt and gagged Mordis. He quickly stripped Mordis of his cassock and dressed him in his own soiled and threadbare clothing. He retrieved the dagger that Mordis always kept secreted within his robes and carefully shaved his own head with it nicking himself a few times.
Daniel unlocked the chain from the iron ring in the center of the floor and locked it instead on Mordis’s ankle then pulled him to the wall.
He pushed the table against the wall under the window and unceremoniously flopped Mordis onto it. He grabbed his leather satchel that he had packed earlier and slung it over his shoulder.
Daniel then took the wooden chair and putting it on the table, used it to precariously reach the high window in the cell wall. He leaped and grabbed the edge and finding purchase, straining with all his might he pulled himself up into the window.
Once there, he finally surveyed the scene outside and below. He knew a fall from this height would surely kill him. On the ramparts around the castle wall, fires burned, and sentries kept their vigilant watch.
A trumpet sounded as a rider on a black beast winged toward the fortress. The sentries’ attention was drawn toward the approaching rider. Below him, by many feet, Daniel could see a balcony down and to the left. This may be his only chance. He held to the shackle that once had been his imprisonment, which now would provide his freedom. He clutched tightly, said a prayer, and launched himself through the window. The twenty feet of chain quickly clanged through the stone window. Daniel fell till he stopped abruptly held by the anchor that was Mordis’s body.
The sharp yank on Mordis’s ankle sent a shock of pain through his body, and he came too, moaning as he hung upside down against the stone wall. He attempted to scream but was prevented by the gag.
Against the wall outside fifteen feet below, Daniel began to swing back and forth like a pendulum.
Inside and hanging by his ankle, Mordis worked his chin, attempting to dislodge the gag. Almost there.
Daniel swung again, at the top of his arc, released the chain dropping to the balcony below.
The released chain zipped back through the window link by link just as Mordis attempted to scream but instead he dropped with a crash to the stone floor and was knocked out cold, again.
Hearing the crash, outside the cell door, Tweedledee chuckled to Tweedledum. “The master’s having fun today, eh.”
Chapter 76
Daniel walked briskly with his head down, hoping to find a way out of the labyrinth of halls that made up Darcon’s fortress.
His disguise of Mordis’s black cassock, his shaved head, and twenty-five days of beard growth enabled him to make it this far. Twice he had passed guards standing at their post and mumbled a greeting without raising suspicion. As he turned a corner, he overheard two soldiers talking.
“Ragnon said for us to get to the courtyard on the double. The supply wagon will be arriving later tonight, and he wants us to relieve the guards there.”
“Lazy mutts.”
“Yeah, I said we would be there right away. I don’t fancy another flogging.”
“Nor do I!”
Daniel fell in behind the grumbling soldiers, and keeping his distance, followed them through the tunnels.
The torch-lit passages finally came to an opening, and before he knew it, Daniel had stepped into the courtyard. His breath was taken away just by being in the open air. The sun was setting on the horizon. He quickly stepped back into the shadows of the tunnel to survey his surroundings. The courtyard was a large cobblestone square flanked on each side by high walls. Along the top of these fires burned with guards posted and wielding crossbows. Three hundred long feet away was the gate, which led to the outside. It was protected by a portcullis, a vertical sliding wooden grill shod with iron suspended in front of the gateway. If he made it across the courtyard without being shot, he still had to get through the gate, and the portcullis was shut tight.
Chapter 77
Daniel hid in the shadow of the tunnel that exited into the courtyard. He peered at the only way out, a gate, three hundred feet away and blocked by an iron portcullis. And between him and the gate companies of human soldiers were preparing for war overseen by shadow warriors. Orders were being shouted. Weapons were being sharpened. The busy work of Darcon’s war machine.
He had to make it. He hoped his disguise would work. Just then, a horn sounded, and the great wheel and chains that raised the iron portcullis turned and, groaning, began to recede into the wall above.
Daniel cast around, and seeing no better opportunity, said a prayer, and stepped from the protection of the shadows into the courtyard.
“You are Mordis Saldan.” He told himself as he straightened and attempted to emulate Mordis’s walk of authority. A sentry from the wall turned when he saw the movement. Daniel held his breath but kept moving. The sentry then recognized the black cassock and turned his back on th
e man and continued his surveillance of the outer perimeter.
Daniel allowed himself to breathe again.
Two hundred feet.
The portcullis continued to rise, and Daniel kept walking.
One hundred fifty feet.
It was all he could do not to make a dash for it.
One hundred feet
The portcullis continued to rise. He was almost there.
“Stop that man!” a voice rang through the courtyard.
Daniel froze and turning saw Mordis with his two guards stepping into the courtyard. He was dressed in Daniel’s tattered clothing, and his beard was cut off.
Daniel straightened and pointed at Mordis and shouted with as much bravado as he could muster, “Seize him!”
The guards on the walls hesitated. At this distance, they were not able to tell who was shouting the orders. They certainly wouldn’t shoot the black-cassocked Mordis.
Daniel turned on his heels and marched swiftly toward the gate.
Fifty feet.
“Stop him!” The command went up again.
The rising gate ground to a halt. Then to Daniel’s horror reversed and began lowering.
“I am Mordis Saldan! I command you to stop the prisoner.”
The crossbow-wielding sentries now leveled their bows at Daniel, and he took off.
The portcullis was now steadily closing as he sprinted.
Twenty-five feet.
The iron spikes were almost to the ground. Daniel heard the multiple twangs of crossbows and felt the bolts whizz by. He listened to the pounding of boots behind him. He dove and rolled missing being impaled by the spikes as they slammed into the ground.
The Sentries loaded their crossbows for a second volley.
Daniel thrust onto his feet. He thought his heart would burst with the exertion. The forest was just ahead.
Almost there. Then the forest was obscured in a rush of wind, and a wall of shiny black scales as a shadow warrior astride his black beast landed directly in front of Daniel with its wings unfurled. It opened its gaping, fanged mouth and gave a piercing screech.
Daniel skidded to a halt covering his ears in agony. He fell to his knees and screamed his own frustration. The freedom of the forest taunted him just beyond the black beast.
Chapter 78
The sun was low. Sheer canyon walls the color of scarlet surrounded Thomas and Thorn. The sky above was a thin band of azure. The boy and his dragon took turns as they drank from a cold rushing stream.
“Man, that is good!” Thomas declared, flinging water droplets everywhere.
Thomas had slept soundly for a few hours after Mollye fed him and forced him to bed. But then his eyes had popped open, and all he could think about was finding his dad.
He had lain in that soft bed a few more minutes until he became fully conscious. He could hear Mollye humming to herself as she worked in the kitchen. His mom did that.
That was all it took. Thomas got dressed, scurried out the window, and was off to fetch Thorn and start looking again.
Suddenly, here in the canyon, Thorn rose up on his haunches, at full alert. His brilliant eyes searched the canyon walls, and a low growl emanated from deep within the wary dragon’s chest.
Thomas, knowing now to trust his large friend’s senses, froze. Like Thorn’s, Thomas’s eyes searched along the dark crevices in the cliffs’ faces.
Nothing. Still, Thomas didn’t dare breathe. Then a blood-curdling screech echoed through the canyon, and two shadow warriors on black beasts swooped over the canyon’s rim and plummeted toward Thomas and Thorn.
Thomas bolted for Thorn, and the dragon launched into flight even as Thomas finished seating himself into the saddle. Thorn darted straight up in front of the darker beasts, and the chase was on!
Thorn punished the air flying faster and faster but to no avail. The dark riders were gaining.
Thomas searched the saddle for something, anything he could use against the gaining threat. There, Deacon’s sword was still in its sheath, lashed to the seat.
Thomas bravely grabbed the sword’s hilt and pulled. It didn’t budge. Struggling with both hands, Thomas slowly drew the blade. As the sword’s tip left the sheath, the full weight of all that iron pulled it right out of Thomas’s grip. “Heads up!” he exclaimed forlornly, as he watched the sword fall through the trees.
Thorn jetted out of the canyon, the shadow warriors in tow. Thomas continued searching the saddlebags. He found an apple and launched it at his nearest pursuer.
“Go away!”
The apple smacked the first rider in the chest. Encouraged by this success, Thomas emptied the saddlebag, launching the contents one by one at his chasers.
Just then, Thorn folded back his wings and dove down into the canyon, streaking toward the floor. Thomas hung on for dear life.
The ground rushed to meet them. But before impact, Thorn pulled up skimming the surface of the river along the canyon bottom. No good. The pursuers were still unshaken. It was like they were tethered to him.
Thorn flew along one of the canyon walls, his tail extended as usual when flying. The closest dark beast snapped but missed. As the creature lunged forward to try again, Thorn suddenly swung his mighty tail—slamming the zooming beast and its rider into the canyon’s wall; they fell in a spinning heap.
“Yeah!” Thomas cheered, as he watched them tumble toward the river below.
Thomas looked back for the other shadow warrior, saw nothing. Then he turned forward and was shocked to see the warrior and his beast right beside them.
This dark soldier must have used Thomas and Thorn’s distraction to fly unobserved into this lethal position.
The shadow warrior suddenly stood in his saddle, then reined his beast even closer. Its leathery wingtips almost brushed against Thorn’s. What is he doing? Then Thomas understood. The warrior coiled like a spring, then—to Thomas’s dismay—leaped!
Thomas cringed, bracing for the soldier’s impact. But Thorn suddenly braked in mid-flight, and the outsmarted shadow warrior went flailing past them, smashed into the rock wall and careened to the ground, toward his death.
Thomas breathed a sigh of relief and patted his friend’s golden neck. “You’re the greatest, Thorn!” Thorn trumpeted in agreement.
Chapter 79
Daniel drifted in and out of consciousness. Through a veil of pain, he slowly came to. Where was he? Then Daniel remembered his attempt at escape. The forest was so close! Then the guards set upon him with their punches and kicks, and he had been knocked out. He had no idea how long it had been since the beating, but the wounds felt plenty fresh. He ached all over. He must be somewhere in the bowels of the earth below Darcon’s fortress. He tried to sit up, but pain wracked across his torso. Probably have a broken rib or two. He finally managed with difficulty and attempted to take in his surroundings, which was impossible because it was pitch black. His glasses? Where were his spectacles? He moved his hand along the damp floor, searching for them and recoiled in terror as he felt something alive skitter across his fingers. Somewhere in the darkness, he heard a squeak and more rustling. Rats!
There, on the floor, he finally felt the metal frame. His hand closed on his spectacles. One lens was cracked!
Could it get any worse? The darkness, the pain, the loneliness suddenly it all washed over him in a sea of despair. He lay back on the cold, damp floor. He didn’t care anymore. This is where it would end. He pushed his spectacles back on, and squinting up saw a tiny prick of light like a minuscule North Star. A tiny hole? A crack in the wall? Unbelievably that little point of brightness gave a lift to his spirit. Even here, the darkness does not prevail.
Daniel lay still as his mind searched, then he took a breath and began:
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righte
ousness
for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil:
For Thou art with me;
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over…”
Daniel choked, overcome with emotion. He couldn’t go on. The silence bore down on him.
And then a voice spoke out of the darkness taking up the refrain:
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Was he hallucinating? But then the voice spoke again from the darkness.
“Dr. Colson, it’s been a long time.”
Daniel recognized a distinctly British accent. His mind reeled. “Who are you?” He asked the darkness.
“I was saving this for a special occasion. I believe this will do,” The voice said.
Daniel heard a sharp cracking on the stone floor and saw tiny sparks. Then one spark took hold, and he listened to the soft blow of breath, and a flame ignited, shedding light within the cell.
A shadow of a man sat huddled in the corner holding a rustic candle.
“Forgive me if I don’t stand. I’m not the man I once was.”
Daniel crawled toward the man. He was old and frail, dressed in rags. His hair was long and matted, and his face was covered by a long gray beard.
The man smiled. And his eyes lit up cheerily.
“It’s about time. I thought you would never come.”
Recognition slammed into Daniel’s mind. “My Dear God, Albright, is it you?”
The man’s smile brightened.
OTHERLANDER: A Long Way From Home Page 12