Realising his disposition, Reece felt compelled to help the stranger, who, in the short time of their acquaintance, had become his ally. ‘What can we do?’ he finally asked, catching the Warlock’s eyes looking back at him, in the mirror.
‘Help me escape from here.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Escape?!’ cried Reece, rising to face him. ‘Believe me when I tell you, Warlock’—he shook his head vehemently— ‘if I cannot leave this forsaken place, it is extremely unlikely you will; here, the Sorceress controls everything, and everyone.’ He approached the Warlock, drawing dangerously close—the growing energy dividing them, warning of its menace. ‘Look at it!’
Oran stared, feeling its ominous surge of death, willing them to touch it.
‘It was she who created this,’ said Reece, feeling its heat. ‘And it is she who only has the power to remove it.
Composed, and appearing unperturbed by the fatal barrier, Oran raised a finger, commanding the Dhampir’s attention. ‘Not quite,’ he replied.
Reece threw him a sideward glance.
‘Though we may be her prisoners,’ Oran went on, ‘it is here, we shall help each other.’
‘How?’ said Reece, unconvinced.
‘I make a solemn vow to you, Reece—on my son’s life—may he live long enough to experience it. Should you do as I say…’
Reece raised his brow at the Warlock’s suggestion.
‘… I will free you from this place. Time is marching towards Gill’s coming of age, when he will turn seventeen. We still have a few months yet. He must be brought before the Elliyan, who are waiting for him.’ He hesitated. I only hope I’ve prepared him enough, he thought, reluctant to openly admit his possible failing. ‘It is my fear L’Ordana may soon discover its secret, and take it—perhaps even…’ His words trailed, recalling the images the Ushabti had shown him. ‘I will not let my son die by her hand! Nor shall I let his mother mourn for the son, who is on the brink of discovering his new life.’
‘If you say you can free us… then we will do what we can,’ Reece told him.
‘We?’ said Oran, momentarily forgetting the Dhampir’s colleagues.
‘I cannot do this alone,’ said Reece. ‘If you seek my help, it will involve Asai and Tam.’
‘I must confess, Reece, I have my misgivings about Tam and his “arrangement” with the Valkyrie.’
‘He can be trusted,’ Reece voiced, with staunch determination.
Oran felt difficulty in accepting his word. He sighed, making no effort to hide his reluctance. Reece held the Warlock’s look of doubt, in protest of the importance of his colleagues’ vital role in their plans. Realising the Dhampir’s defiance, Oran felt he had no choice, but to surrender to it.
‘If you insist!’ he finally agreed, before detecting the sneer of victory on his ally’s face. ‘Now, listen carefully.’
‘You must go to L’Ordana’s chamber. There, you will find another one.’
‘There is no other chamber,’ Reece replied, with certainty, prepared to challenge him again.
‘Ah, but that is where you are wrong, my friend.’
‘I am in no doubt of it, Warlock,’ he persisted, his frustration mounting again. ‘I know this for I—’ He stopped, as a vivid reminder of a particular rendezvous teased his thoughts. He shook his head in annoyance, attempting to cast it away.
Oran raised his brow and laughed.
Reece grunted with disgust. ‘It is an encounter I would rather forget.’
‘Yet, we are still men, making it difficult to resist. True?’
Reece cast him a searing, sideward glance. ‘How do you know there is another chamber?’
Oran grinned. ‘Because, she told me!’
Reece stopped, his green eyes sparkling in the dim light. ‘Why tell you, when—’
‘Because she cannot help herself. I’m her prisoner, and she is under the pretence I will remain so… until her choosing. Yet, hidden beneath her cold exterior lurks much weakness.’
Reece hung on the Warlock’s words, waiting.
‘She is sentimental and—’
‘Inconceivable!’ the Dhampir snapped back, refusing to believe the Sorceress was anything but sentimental.
‘Am I not alive?’ said Oran, pointing out the obvious.
‘You have a high opinion of yourself, War—’
Oran glared at him.
Reece rolled his eyes. ‘Oran!’
‘You forget, Reece… I know her. I see it in her eyes when she looks at me.’
‘And her other weaknesses?’
‘I taught her the good ways of our magic, before Magia Nera changed all that. She was a bright student, eager to show what she had learned.’
And eager to please her teacher, no doubt, Reece thought.
‘And though she had imprisoned me,’ Oran continued, ‘she still could not help but boast of her triumph, by throwing everything I had taught her in my face. I can still see the complacency on hers when she said, “Shall I tell you how I know your movements, Oran”?
Reece narrowed his eyes. ‘How could she possibly know that?’
‘Because… she watches me—from that hidden chamber.’
Reece quickly glanced around him with a sudden sense of unease.
‘Perhaps she watches us now,’ said Oran.
Suddenly the Dhampir felt the need to remain still.
Oran threw back his head laughing. ‘Sit, my friend,’ he insisted.
‘Is it possible she can see us?’ Reece enquired, returning to his seat as his eyes surveyed the chamber.
‘See—but not hear,’ Oran stated.
‘I fail to understand…’
‘In her bed-chamber, there hangs a long set of heavy drapes—you may have seen them.’
Reece nodded, listening attentively.
‘Good. Behind them is a great window. This, however, is an illusion, to fool the inquisitive eye. Instead, you will find two wooden doors.’
‘Sealed?’
‘No, but only she can enter.’
‘Our first obstacle,’ said Reece.
‘You may think it,’ said Oran smirking. ‘But remember, it was I who tutored her. And I can teach another. All they require is an open mind.’
‘And what shall we find in this… chamber?’
Oran regarded the Dhampir for a moment, before stepping back. Reece tilted his head, suspicious, as the Warlock grinned from ear to ear. Slowly, Oran spread his arms wide, in self-adoration.
‘You!’
Oran laughed out.
‘Now you do mock me, Warlock!’ he retorted, jumping to his feet. ‘No-one can be in two places at one time.’ Reece felt his body tense as rage began to take over. Oran sensed the Dhampir’s rising anger, noting the veins in his throat pulsate as he ground his teeth.
‘Forgive me, Reece,’ he begged, realising the delicate line between his conflicting emotions. ‘It was not my intention to mock you.’
‘Then, do not try my patience,’ he warned.
Oran lowered his chin. ‘I shall do my best.’
Reece grunted, sliding his eyes away. ‘How can you be here… and there?’
‘’Tis an illusion—a mirage—a deception. Call it what you will. It is her way of keeping a watchful eye on me.’
Reece stared at him. ‘Then this changes everything!’
‘Why should it?’ Oran replied, shrugging. ‘She can’t hear our conversation.’
‘She may question them.’
‘Has she done so yet? Or questioned the conversations I’ve had with the others, who are sent to tend to my needs?’
‘Not that I am aware.’
‘Shall I tell you why, Reece?’
‘Do I have a choice?’
‘Although Kris—L’Ordana needs you and Asai, for your skills, she sees you as nothing more than a servant—bound to her for as long as she sees fit. She thinks you are simply an emotionless object, used to fight her battles…’ Oran paused, hearing the Dhampir�
��s grinding teeth, as he glared back at him. It was clear Reece was feeling the insult, of the perfect description of his miserable life.
‘And this, my friend, is another advantage.’
Reece slowly lifted his eyes, sceptical.
‘She sees me as her vital source, while holding a sentiment that runs deep. I believe the young woman I once knew as, Kristene, is still very much alive inside our Sorceress.’
‘Keeping you from the clutches of Kara.’
‘Let us hope so,’ said Oran.
‘But if she watches us…’ Reece added, remaining still.
‘Until now, Reece, you have acted naturally, or as natural as you can towards me,’ said Oran. ‘However, you may bring attention to ourselves, should you remain… so,’ he stated, indicating his reluctance to move.
The Dhampir breathed out, trying to relax.
‘We must be vigilant,’ Oran continued, and yet there was a hint of doubt in his voice. He regarded his ally. ‘I don’t doubt your word when you assure me of Tam’s loyalty… but… I feel it necessary to limit his knowledge… for now.’
Reece frowned, vexed by the Warlock’s persistence to question his companion’s loyalty.
‘As a measure of precaution… you understand.’
‘If you insist!’ the Dhampir mumbled, unable to hide his annoyance.
‘And, as much as I do not wish to insult you again, Reece, I am of the opinion’—he hesitated, taking a deep breath— ‘that Asai is the right choice, to undertake the first task—if we mean to escape.’
As he contemplated the Warlock’s advice, Reece glanced over his shoulder, towards the door, having noticed the light in the chamber had dimmed slightly. ‘I am in agreement,’ he promptly returned, to Oran’s surprise. ‘Asai maintains a calming demure—one of disciplined control—unlike myself.’
‘I applaud you for recognising it,’ Oran replied, with admiration. ‘You have retained so much of your human qualities, Reece—more than you know.’
‘They have been hibernating for far too long,’ he returned.
‘Then… my friend, it’s time to reawaken them.’
When Reece promptly rose, Oran followed him with observant eyes. The Dhampir appeared content, and accepting of his plan, despite being aware of the immense risk: of taking him into his confidence. Nonetheless, he felt it a great accomplishment, having done just that.
‘Your light will soon fade,’ Reece stated, taking note of the torches, as he approached the door. ‘I will send Asai.’
As the Dhampir made to leave, he wavered. Then, turning to face the Warlock, he narrowed his eyes, reminded of something.
‘The first task, you say?’
Oran grinned.
‘What is the second?’
DAGGER
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Asai’s presence in Oran’s glowing chamber contrasted greatly with that of his previous visitor. The great Samurai’s engaging character returned Oran to a feeling of restfulness, giving him hope. His movements had a sense of ritualistic purpose. Oran could not help but admire the gracefulness he displayed, in the simple act of sitting on the same seat his friend had occupied, during the previous hours. Before doing so, he bowed respectfully to the Warlock. It was evident they had made the right choice.
‘He has referred to you as our “Tomodachi”,’ Asai began. ‘It appears you have made a great impression on him, to call you our “friend”.’
Oran raised his brow. ‘Now I feel I have truly accomplished something.’
‘We have a long path to tread, Oran-san, before we can claim self-praise.’
‘Indeed, we do, Asai. And are you prepared to walk it?’
‘From the moment I was bound to her.’
‘Then begin by taking note of her movements,’ Oran began, ‘until such time you are satisfied with her habits and routine. Let’s just us hope she keeps to them.’
‘We are all creatures of habit, regardless of whom, or what we are,’ replied Asai, answering his concerns. ‘It is instilled in us from birth.’
‘’Tis logical to assume it,’ said Oran. ‘However, we cannot presume. She is extremely clever.’
‘She cannot maintain her guard with consistency. We have already been observing her nervous movements.’
‘But of course!’ Oran exclaimed, recalling Reece’s words. ‘She is becoming distracted. It’s only a matter of time before she succumbs to it.’
‘What would you have me do?’
‘Monitor her increasing visits to her chamber where, secretly, she visits Magia Nera. You are aware, no doubt, of his lingering presence beneath her rooms?’
‘Hai,’ the Samurai returned, with a sharp nod.
‘If her aids are not to be seen about the citadel, then they are likely to be with her. It is then you must enter her chamber… alone. Once inside, you will see a long set of drapes. Behind them is a glass window.’
‘Glass?’
Oran nodded. ‘You will simply… walk through it.’
Asai frowned.
‘Do you fear you will fall to your death, Asai?’
Oran watched the Samurai’s confused expression soften to a smile. Raising his forefinger, he wagged it at the Warlock.
‘Ah! You mock me, Oran-san.’
‘You hold your humour well, Asai… considering.’
‘It is difficult to do so within these cursed walls. However, since Tam has come into our trust, he has brought with him a… strange humour. He claims it to be inherited from his roots. His acquaintance has been quite refreshing. His family’s loss has been our gain. They, however, would not forgive me for making such an admission. It is a shameful guilt.’
‘How did he end up here?’
‘By misfortune,’ said Asai. ‘He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Warreshta
had already chosen her victim, only to be disturbed by Tam. He intervened, to save the individual’s life. Perhaps he should have left them; his interference led to their final demise. And, as they were of no use to her dead, Wareeshta felt it was Tam’s duty to replace him.’
‘Do you trust him, Asai?’
‘I have been expecting you to ask me this.’
‘No doubt Reece told you to say “yes”.’
‘On the contrary. He asked me to be truthful.’
‘Then you do trust him.’
‘Hai.’ The reply was defined, and honest.
‘Then… your word is good enough for me.’
‘What lies beyond this… window?’ Asai enquired, absorbing his instructions.
‘An illusion, making one believe it offers a view,’ continued Oran. ‘Keep an open mind. Pay no heed to what you may see, and you will pass through it with ease. Remember, it is simply an illusion, nothing more. Do not be fooled by it.’
The Samurai nodded in understanding.
‘You will then be met by two great doors. I will instruct you how to open them, where you will then discover her secret chamber. Inside, you will find an orb.’
‘An orb?’
‘Aye, ’tis what keeps me here. I had told her about its existence, but never imagined she would go to such lengths to find the Orbist. Yet again, I underestimated her. Concealed inside the chamber is an amulet.’
‘How will I find it, if it is hidden?’
‘Trust me, my friend, it will let you know of its presence,’ said Oran, removing his.
Asai narrowed his eyes from the stone’s radiance.
‘The one you will find is similar to this one. She stole it from Magia Nera—a long time ago.’
The Samurai nodded.
‘Ah! Now I begin to understand,’ he replied.
‘The amulets are bound together,’ Oran went on. ‘You may call it our means of communication. When you take it into your hand, I will know it is in your possession. I will sense it, as will you. Hold the stone to the orb—it must touch it. That is when their energy and power will fuse.’ Oran hesitated. ‘Whatever you feel, do not let it go. Do you underst
and?’
‘Clearly,’ Asai returned, confident of his ability to succeed.
‘It will enable me to call on their combined forces to break our bonds.’
‘What of the other Dhampir? Will it also release them?’
‘If I choose to speak their names—which is not my intention. But we must be alert; when the bonds are broken, there can be no delay. The opportunity given to us will be short. We must remain one step ahead of her, otherwise she will discover our plan and make us suffer the consequences.’
‘It may be weeks before we escape,’ Asai informed him.
‘I am aware of it,’ said Oran. ‘Time is what is important here, and if we need it… then, we must wait… until it is right. In the meantime, we must find our route of escape.’
‘I discovered a maze of passageways,’ Asai casually revealed. ‘It was some time ago—by chance,’ he added, recalling the time when he had to rescue his colleague from the complex labyrinth. ‘We have Tam to thank for it.’
Oran’s eager eyes lifted. ‘Where?’
‘Beneath the citadel. But I am wary of it; it has its risks, and we cannot venture beyond our restraints.’
‘Let that be my concern,’ said Oran. ‘I vowed to free you from them… and I will.’
The Samurai stared intently at Oran, evaluating everything he had instructed him to do. Rising, he bowed, signalling his departure.
‘I have every faith in you, Asai,’ said Oran.
‘Do you require the amulet she stole from him?’
Oran stared at him, musing over what he had asked, reminding himself; We need all five.
Confident the Samurai would be capable, he replied, ‘Take it! We will be long gone, before its absence is noted.’
‘As you choose, Oran-san,’ he answered, bowing again, before taking his leave.
‘But…’ Oran added, hesitating.
Asai turned to face the Warlock.
‘There is something else.’
L’Ordana stood alone in her chambers, quietly laughing to herself. Moving towards the hanging window, she felt the heat from the sun’s rays filter through. The looming summer was finally making itself known; the woods and forests were already bulging with new life, after the buds of spring opened themselves to embrace it.
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