"Hah!" Davious said.
The Shade lunged toward him attacking furiously with her twin knives. Davious expertly evaded each attack. She knew he was slowing down. She saw her opening and kicked at him. She hit him squarely in the ribs and heard bones cracking. Davious flew backwards from the impact. The soldiers rushed to Davious’ aid. She ran through the gap. Arrows flew everywhere while she glided through the soldiers. She saw the walls of the city before her. She smiled. She was going to make it. She was at the last building when she jumped over the wall and stopped in mid-air. She was encased in a magical globe. She couldn't move. A black mage was standing on the wall pointing at her.
•••
After the warship went up in flames, Darrin swam looking for Charles. He looked back at Renoir’s ship fleeing further away from them. He remembered Charles was toward his right before he dived underneath the waves. The roar of flames made the night almost as bright as the day. With powerful strokes, he swam toward the burning ship. Men were screaming and jumping off the stern of the vessel. Debris and pieces of burning wood floated around him. The smell of charred wood wafted under his nose. He saw several bodies floating face down in the water stirring around the waves. The flames still smoldered on the boat. He felt the flames touch his skin. He reeled around the area and turned several bodies over. He had to check each body and make sure Charles was not one of them. It was bloody nasty business, but he had to make sure. When he was a captain with the Royal guards, he had a battalion of men under his command destroyed and blown to pieces by magic. They won the battle, but they took heavy losses. He had to identify his men who died.
Darrin moved to the next body. It was another badly burned sailor. He was young, too young. Half of his head was charred. He pushed away the dead sailor. He started noticing the clothes of the bodies, which helped him navigate through this mess. The smell was getting nauseating. He found a large piece of wood and rested on it. He restarted his task. The moon above seemed to laugh at him. Nobody was alive. He kept looking for Charles as the morning dawn came. He found many bodies of adolescent boys. He was sad that these boys would never get married and sire young ones. The wreckage of the ship sank below the waters. He almost abandoned his search, when he saw Charles bobbing along the waves. He was looking at the sky.
"Charles," Darrin said.
Charles did not stir, but he was breathing. Darrin wondered how many times he passed this area. He grabbed hold of Charles and started the long trek to shore. He headed north away from Hudric. Darrin was exhausted but he pushed on holding on to the piece of wood. He must have fallen asleep because he found himself onshore with the water lapping at his legs. Charles was nowhere to be seen. Darrin weakly scanned the shoreline and saw him further down the beach. Darrin tried to get up but collapse on the shore.
Something nipped him. A sea gull bit his arm. Darrin yelled and the bird flew away. He stood up and shooed away the gathering of birds. The sun blazed overhead. He walked toward his comrade.
Darrin said, "Charles."
He opened one eye and weakly tried to move. Darrin seized him and placed his arm around his shoulder. They moved up the slope into the forest. He placed Charles underneath a large tree. He heard the rustle of birds squawking behind him. He turned to find the seagulls fighting for a piece of something. He realized they were fighting over the pieces of the dead.
Darrin wondered where he was and where he could find some food. Yet, the sounds of the birds in a feeding frenzy dissuaded him to look. His body ached and he still wanted to rest. He scanned along the forest. He wouldn’t be surprised if the Royal soldiers were searching for them. They needed to move further away.
Charles stirred. "Did we destroy the ship?"
"Yes," Darrin said.
Charles said, "You came back for me?"
"Well, do you think I would leave you behind?"
Charles said, "I do not feel good."
He said, "Can you move? We have to get out of here."
"I think so."
Darrin pushed into the forest. They had to stop several times because Charles was weak. Darrin touched Charles’s forehead and found it to be a little warm.
Darrin said, "Charles, here is my dagger. I will scout around and be back in few hours."
Charles nodded. Darrin placed him in a group of bushes and located a few leaves and large shrubs to cover the area. He looked around making sure nobody would find Charles here. When he was satisfied, he walked a league south and discovered a stream, which flowed into the bay. The small river should lead them to Druthic. He went back. He would need to find some medicine for Charles soon.
He said, "Charles, we are going north. We will follow the stream and hopefully make it to Druthic."
Charles looked terrible. He skin was pale and he barely looked at him while he spoke. Darrin grabbed Charles and held him upright. They staggered up toward the creek.
CHAPTER 22
The Shade was imprisoned in a globe of red fire. She couldn’t move or speak. Stalagmites peppered the cave’s floor. She tried to shift her vantage point but to no avail. She was stuck.
The emperor said, "So we finally get to unmasked the person called the Shade."
She squirmed. The emperor smiled a crooked grin and nodded to a black mage next to him. The wizard waved his arms and the red fire disappeared. He bowed to the emperor and withdrew into the shadows.
"Do not resist, Princess. We know about your nightly sojourns," Barthrow said.
"Princess! How can you help Cyrus?" the emperor blurted out.
"We wondered if you are a rebel," Barthrow said.
The emperor flicked his hand, and the Shade’s cowl and mask disappeared. The princess stared defiantly at them. The emperor smiled.
"Speak!" the emperor said.
Narah said, "How long have you known?"
"It was easy, Princess. Only you have the necessary skills to fight against my soldiers. I just want to know why?"
The princess said, "You should know."
The emperor paced around the room.
He said, "You fool! You should have never helped Cyrus. He is a murderer and a traitor to the crown."
"He is not," Narah said.
"You love him," Barthrow said.
"What should we do?" the emperor said. He stopped pacing and looked into the shadows.
"Sire, she cannot be trusted," Barthrow said.
The emperor shook his head. "Our plans are ruined."
"The plans will still go forward. Yet, we have to change a few things," Barthrow said.
"She was supposed to marry the prince."
"Yes, yes," Barthrow said.
The emperor rung his hands.
"Sire, let’s discuss this somewhere else," Barthrow said.
They left the cave. She concentrated on moving her fingers. Nothing happened. She relaxed and remembered what Darrin taught her. He told her to concentrate on her life energy. It was located in her lower belly. Everything has a weakness, even magic. She slowed her breathing. She felt her energy start to flow within her. She concentrated and her fingers started to move.
"Stop!" Barthrow said.
The black mage came out of the shadows and pointed at the princess. Red fire erupted around her.
The emperor said, "Hah, there is no escape for you. And we think we have an idea what to do with you."
Barthrow said, "You like to hide behind disguises."
The emperor nodded and the black mage chanted a spell. The white mask that she wore as the Shade appeared on her face. More dark magicians came into view, and an eerie chant began. The princess wanted this nightmare to end, but she knew this was no dream. Yellow fog poured into the large cavern, and her instincts told her to flee, but she could not. She squirmed in her bonds. The flames burnt more brightly. The fire almost touched her skin. The mages ceased their intonation, and the fire faded. A powerful wind blew around her. The emperor lifted his hand and pointed at her. The mask singed her skin. She screamed. She wanted
death to take her. After an eternity of suffering, she fell to the floor unconscious.
The princess awoke to the sound of barking dogs. She felt heavy and moved as if she was stuck in molasses. She looked through her mask and saw metal bars. A jolt made her hit the floor and slide toward the rails. She tried to take off the mask. It wouldn’t come off.
"Look men, the Shade is playing the fool," a soldier said.
She was in a prison cart similar to the one Cyrus had been carried in.
"Where am I going?" the Shade said.
The soldier shrugged and said, "You are going to the prison mines."
The princess slumped to the bottom. She knew going to the mines was a slow death. The emperor should have killed her outright. She placed her hands on the bars and watched as the trees and bushes passed by.
•••
Cyrus sensed something was wrong but he did not know what it was. He couldn’t place it. He wanted to get out of this perpetual dark underworld and see the sun. He moved around the corridors staying clear of the sewer waters. He travelled all the byways and tunnels. There was no way outside. Meza was content to wait for his leader to help him. He was not.
Cyrus walked along a path, just to keep him busy. He thought about the princess. He thought he would never see her again. He clenched his fist and felt his magic infuse his body. The power flowed in torrents out of him.
"What are you doing?" Meza said.
He was startled but he did not want to show it. He almost shot out a spell. His body strained to release the spell.
He said, "Meza look at me. I am strong enough to defeat the Clandestines."
Meza shook his head and said, "Your magic is too strong. It will enslave you or ..."
"Destroy me."
Cyrus let the magic dissipate. He realized Meza was right.
"Where are the Clandestines?" Cyrus said.
"I do not know. Maybe they are using too much energy to keep the magical field working," Meza said.
He said, "Sorry, we will wait for your leader to contact us. I don’t know what came over me."
•••
Cyrus murmured something in his sleep. Meza couldn’t understand the words Cyrus was saying. Meza was concerned. Cyrus didn’t understand the magic he possessed. He could teach Cyrus about using magic, but trying to teach him the Drakus Vinnikai magic was something entirely different. Meza had seen powerful master mages before but they were not as strong as Cyrus was. There was an ancient prophecy, which foretold a great evil would destroy the world. He wondered if Cyrus was that great evil. Meza fingered his dagger. It would be easy just to kill him now.
Even though he had not seen Cyrus since they were boys, he knew he was an honorable man. Meza would not kill him for fear of the future. He noticed Cyrus’s magic had been growing stronger each day. If Meza could help him find the Drakus Towers, maybe Cyrus could learn about his magic and use it for good. Yet, Meza’s instinct was telling him to plunge the dagger into his heart. He hoped Darrin would answer his letters soon.
CHAPTER 23
Darrin and Charles followed the stream until they arrived at a small lake. Darrin was scared Charles was catching a fever. He needed a bardra fruit. It was an herbal flower that if cooked correctly would bring down Charles temperature. He left him sleeping near the edges of the lake while he scouted around.
He couldn’t find what he needed to help Charles. He headed back. Darrin knew something was wrong the moment he walked into the glade. Charles was gone. Before he did anything, he calmed himself and looked around. He saw two sets of footprints, one small and one large. Darrin first thought these prints were made by Trollics but realized the larger set of prints might be from an ogre. The slight limp indicated that this beast was carrying Charles. These tracks were partially covered, as if they were trying to hide their footsteps.
He headed north following the tracks for a few leagues. These intruders were tireless. They never stopped for a moment. Night was settling in. He might lose them in the dark. He heard a faint rustling noise up ahead. Darrin approached the area and crept between some dark bushes. He heard a voice. It was too deep and guttural to be human. A creature held Charles over his right shoulder. The beast was tall, thick and very hairy. The face was almost human in appearance except it was large and abnormal. The beast’s clothes were a mismatch of fur and cloth. It snorted and smelled the air. Another figure came into Darrin’s sight. It was smaller, about a child’s height, and its ears were pointy. It wore a dizzying array of bright colors.
The small figure said, "I think we lost him a league ago, Craigon."
"Why do we carry him?" Craigon said, indicating toward Charles.
"Money," the little one said.
"Huh, we get money for this one? He sick. We get more money from other," Craigon said.
"Craigon, the soldiers said we will get money for any humans," the little being said.
The beast laid Charles on the wet grass, sat on a large boulder, and scratched its head. His muscular arms were as big as boulders. Darrin didn’t know how to rescue Charles. He gauged the distance he was from the small being. He circled behind them moving as quietly as he could. The big beast, Craigon, took out a small round object. He palmed and placed it to his mouth. Music permeated the air. Darrin was surprised this beast could produce such sounds. The small being gathered some roots and berries. Darrin waited in a patch of shrubs. The small being came closer to him.
Darrin grabbed the small man and said, "Aha!"
The little man’s face was shocked and his eyes loomed large as moons.
"We didn’t mean any harm," the little man said.
"Stop squirming or I will harm you," he said.
Craigon stood up.
"Stay back," Darrin said. He held the little man closer. "What do you want with my friend?"
"We are just traveling performers from the circus. Our troop was ambushed by wolves in the deep woods. We are starving," the little man said.
"Did you snatch my friend to sell him to the soldiers?" Darrin said.
"We had to," the little man said.
"What is your name?" Darrin said.
"My name is Crokus and the large fellow is Craigon," the little man said.
Darrin said, "I will make you a deal. You give me my friend, and I’ll feed you and take you to the nearest city."
"Yes," Crokus said.
Craigon also nodded. Darrin pushed Crokus away and went to Charles. He felt his forehead.
"He is hot," Darrin said, "Where is the closest stream?"
Crokus pointed to his left.
"Will you carry my friend?" Darrin said. He grabbed his dagger from Charles and held it toward them. "Do not try to deceive me."
"Do as he asks," Crokus said.
Craigon picked up Charles and carried him toward the stream. Darrin did not know if he could trust these people. He was angry with them, but they were starving. Darrin always thought he was a good judge of character and realized this odd pair was just down on their luck. Craigon stopped by the stream and placed Charles down. Darrin knelt by the water and ripped some of his clothes. He placed the cloth into the stream and placed the cold compress to Charles’s head.
Craigon said, "You care for friend."
"Yes."
"Our circus troop was my family," Crokus said. "We cared about each other like you do for your friend. Most of them are dead now."
Darrin thought wolves were not known to attack people but times had changed.
He said, "Crokus do you know where I can find a bardra fruit?"
"I have one," Crokus said.
"Can I have it?" he said while looking at the little man. He needed a rag to place it in the medicine so he ripped some of his tunic.
"Here, you can also use my pot," Crokus said.
Darrin started a fire and filled the pot with water. When the water was boiling, he added the fruit. Darrin boiled the water until it turned a dark purple color. He let it cool for an hour.
C
raigon said, "Friend looking bad."
Darrin gave Charles a sip. Charles head started to get cooler. Darrin also soaked the rag in the medication and applied it to Charles’s forehead.
Crokus said, "Are you a healer?"
"No, but I have learned a few things during my travels. He should be better by morning," Darrin said.
Charles’s fever finally broke in the middle of the night. Darrin sat watching him and finally fell asleep near dawn. Darrin awoke. He frantically looked for his dagger. Crokus and Craigon were nowhere to be seen. Charles was still asleep. He thought it was well those two left. He hoped they would not alert the royal soldiers of their presence.
Darrin took hold of Charles and moved him farther north. Charles was still semi-conscious. They stopped during midmorning. His arms were aching. He watched as the stream widened and plunged behind him. Fish jumped over the water and down again. After a few hours, he caught some fish and started a small fire. Charles couldn't eat the food. Darrin just gave him sips of water.
•••
After a few days, Charles recovered almost to his full strength and started to walk by himself. Darrin told him about Crokus and Craigon. He didn’t remember anything. He was mostly unconscious. All he remembered was the burning of the royal ship and sleeping on the beach. Everything else was just a blur. They took turns keeping watch while the other person slept. They lived off the land eating berries, nuts and fish. Charles kept a vigilant eye out for any trouble. They walked near the water’s edge. The stream widened to a large river, big enough for ships to sail through. Charles wanted to ask him if he was his pupil but Darrin kept talking to a minimum. In these woods, voices could carry for leagues. Darrin touched his shoulder.
"Somebody is following us going against the wind. Can you run?"
Charles nodded and they set off in a small trot. They hike along the river and stopped near the mountains, which was the border Druthic. They ate sparingly and set out again. Charles could see the lanterns stationed on top of Druthic’s walls.
Darrin stopped and said, "They stopped."
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