Irene could not read any further as tears consumed her vision. She could, however, see the white blur racing towards her.
“You came back,” she whispered.
“Of course I did!” Archer called. “And I’ve returned with reinforcements.”
A blanket of floating lights descended, covering them in a sea of colors. Epona appeared among the dancing orbs, coming to rest on Irene’s knee.
“Are these…fairies?” Alec asked as one playfully bounced off his nose. Aliana, too, was entranced by their unnatural beauty.
“It’s time,” Archer announced. “The spell has almost reach completion. Every come!”
They obeyed, the veil of fairies encircling them.
“Brace yourselves!” Epona screamed.
The tremor started at their feet before traveling to the tip of their heads. With the speed of a cat, Aliana crouched to stable herself as Alec and Irene fell to the ground in a pile of limbs and grunts. The shaking escalated and Irene thought the earth, itself, would crumble to pieces. The fairies were swirling faster, encasing them in a barrier of light. Suddenly, a groaned consumed their ears and the fairies slowed, calming floating on the breeze as the agonizing roar came to an end.
“Is it over?” Aliana asked.
“Yes,” Archer answered. “The fairies’ power hindered the spell from changing us along with the rest of this reality.”
“Thank you,” Irene whispered to Epona. “I know you help convince them to do this.”
Epona’s yellow light briefly changed to a soft pink, as if she were blushing. “Well, I can’t have the only human friend I’ve ever had disappearing or, worst, becoming just like all the other dimwits of your kind.”
“I’ll let that backhanded compliment slide for now,” Irene giggled as Alec touched her shoulder.
“You may want to see this,” he stammered.
Sora’s cabin was nothing but rubble, an outline of its former glory as it lay in a pile of decaying wood and brick.
“That’s not the only thing that’s changed.” Archer said as a monstrous tower was rose from the south, casting a foreboding shadow.
“That was definitely not there before,” Conner joked. “I’m fairly sure of it.”
Irene gave him a look and he awkwardly laughed, “Just trying to lighten the mood.”
They entered the forest, venturing closer to the unknown structure. Irene knew this route. She had traveled this same path, herself, only a few days ago.
“That was definitely not there before,” Conner repeated, but this time all humor had left his voice.
“Wasn’t this the ruins of the Old Kingdom?” Epona asked. No one responded, everyone already knowing the answer.
“So, he’s resurrected the ancient city,” Archer whispered. “I wonder what he’s up to.”
The wall sparkled as it cut through the trees, a great divider in a once unified land. They heard a muted yell and ducked from sight as a solider came into view lazily pacing along the wall.
“Find the entrance,” Archer began. “I’ll distract them and meet you back up with you once you are inside the city.”
Before anyone could mumble a protest, he was gone.
“Hey, Aaron come and get a look at this,” a rather burley solider bellowed and another metallic warrior joined him from the adjacent wall.
“A silver fox? What a sight! How much do you think we could get for such a fine pelt?”
The first solider armed his bow. “A pretty fine price, I’d say!”
Irene held her breath as the arrow hurled toward Archer and pierced the earth mere inches from his radiating mane.
“He’ll be all right,” Alec whispered as he cupped Irene’s hand to pull her away.
The entrance was heavily guarded with men and beast of every kind. A black dog that Irene nearly mistook for a bear jumped to his feet and raised his wet snout to catch their scent. Irene could feel a low rumbling from Conner’s belly as the dog snarled and roared, thundering his alarm.
“It’s quite odd, isn’t it?” Aliana asked. “He has so many guards. What does he have to fear in a world he’s created?”
“He has us to fear, and soon he’ll know it,” Alec said as he retreated back into the forest. “Follow me.”
Both girls hesitated to look at each other curiously before proceeding.
Alec did not speak as his eyes wildly scanned the forest floor. He crouched to allow his fingers to fumble along the dead leaves and straw.
“This is the spot, I know it…” Alec mumbled before releasing a cry of victory when his fingers found its desired object, the door creaking in protest as Alec threw it open and stairs, descending into deep darkness, greeted them.
“Don’t you remember? We fell through this passage the first day we set out on our journey. It’s a secret escape path for the king and his family. In case of a mutiny, the royals could escape the castle and enter the forest to flee.”
“Are you mad?” Irene protested. “You just said it leads us directly into the castle! What if we run into Alden or Sora?”
“She’s right, Alec. They may realize something is not right if they see us lurking about, let’s wait until nightfall to try our chances.” Aliana said.
They did not have to wait long for sunset and many hours after the moon had made it appearance, they vanished into the bowls of the passage. Their eyes hungrily sought Epona’s yellow glow as she led them deeper inside the forgotten tunnel. A thin slither of light, as bright as a beacon, peered at them from beyond the cracks in the wall and they knew they had almost reached the end. Alec brought his hand up to halt them as their next obstacle emerged. The obscure entrance blocking their path did not budge as Alec tried to forcibly push it open.
“Locked,” Alec whispered. Aliana brushed pasted him to kneel in front of the jagged mechanism. Her heads stealthy maneuvered around the iron cast as Irene and Alec strained to watch her movements. The lock retreated, admitting defeat, and they entered the castle.
The pure white marble pillars shone like glass and Irene could not resist gently touching the smooth, white exterior as she watched the golden accents shimmer in the fire light. Alec dismounted a torch and brought it to his face, the metallic silver feeling cold to the touch.
No one dared to speak, worried that the soft whispers would echo through the corridors and alert someone to their presence. Irene, too proud to admit her fear, busied herself by counting her footsteps and once she reached fifty they turned to head down another endless passage. The torch flickered from a gentle breeze blowing and, hoping to find the source of the chilly draft, they veered left. Another twenty paces and they found themselves entering the kitchen, the smell of butter and wine still hanging heavy in the air from some elaborate feast.
A rack of pork was displayed tantalizing across the center table while wild herbs hung from the ceiling adding to the already delicious aroma. Conner was the first to act, his piercing claws digging to the moist meat of a pig as six hands latched onto anything that was not too heavy to carry. They slipped through the kitchen’s exit, Conner happily humming while a rather large piece of pork comfortably lay cradled within his fangs.
A damp fog covered the castle gardens as the soft sound of thunder rumbled. Guards were scattered everywhere, some with bows, others with swords. If they were to be seen, there would be no way of escaping.
“I’ll take care of this,” Epona said before vanishing.
Irene almost felt sorry for unsuspecting soldiers as she watched Epona work her magic. If they only knew that a tiny fairy was the mischievous entity behind their terror, they would not have been so quick to shake in their armor. The floating glove was the last straw for the patrol men as they fled, screaming nonsense about ghost and demons.
They raced through the damp grounds coming to stop at the castle gates, the city laying stretched out down into the valley. Aliana took her familiar place to disable the gate’s lock. She pulled a small contraption from her pocket to show to Irene b
efore directing her attention back to the task at hand.
“My own invention,” she smiled. “It’ll fit any lock.”
Archer was waiting for them on the other side.
“I have found a place for us to take shelter for the rest of the night,” Archer said. “I would also greatly like to know how you got into the castle.”
Alec revealed the whereabouts of the hidden passage as they ventured through the city. It was not like the other villages Irene had seen. The streets were impressively clean and spotless, the normal trash and debris that had been littering the other village’s streets were not present. The rows of houses and shops stretching out before them nearly molded into each other, their forms the same brown color and box shape. The other town’s had displayed much more diversity, their homes exploding with different colors and shapes, staked on top of each other like a child’s toy blocks. Everything here was a little too structured, too perfect.
Archer entered a horse stable, the mare occupying the last stall kindly stepping aside as Irene took her seat on the dry, warm straw covering the ground.
“ello’ deary,” the mare warmly greeted. “Your friend tells me you are in need of a place to stay for the night. It’s not much but you’re welcome to share my little nook of the barn. I’ve always believed in helping those poor, unfortunate souls who have no home. It’s a crying shame that in this day in age a young lass like yourself doesn’t have a warm bed…”
The mare’s voice drifted away as Alec nudged Irene to give her a foreign, green bottle. The liquor burned her throat as she swallowed, but it was not altogether an unpleasant experience. The dark liquid warmed her limbs and brought a fire to her belly. They ate their bounty, offering Archer some of their well-deserved spoils.
“You lot get some rest. I will wake you before my master comes for his morning rounds.” The mare said, settling down next to Alec who had already fallen asleep.
Irene tried to focus her gaze on Aliana, who was still lightly snacking on her dinner. Whether it was the alcohol or her own curiosity, Irene thought it the appropriate time to learn more about the mysterious newcomer.
“Who are you?” Irene asked. “How did you come to find us?”
“I will tell you what I told your prince. I am a friend and that is all you need to know.”
Not the answer Irene was hoping to receive, she could feel her annoyance rising.“Can we really be allies if we keep secrets from each other?”
She hadn’t meant for the question to be harsh, but it obviously hit a nerve and Aliana retreated to the back corner, leaving Irene without an answer. Her mind became slow and numb as she tried to think of what to say, the liquor’s side effects already taking full affect. Irene did not speak again as her eyes closed.
Her head ached. She could feel the pressure pounding inside her skull even before she was fully awake. Alec was hurrying Irene to her feet, his lips moving but Irene could not understand his words. She rubbed her eyes, focusing her vision.
“That’s the last time I ever give you liquor,” he chuckled.
They graciously thanked their hostess and set out into the bustling city. As they exited the stable, Irene caught Aliana’s cloak.
“I’m really sorry about last night, sometimes I don’t think before speaking. I guess the alcohol played a small role, too.” Irene awkwardly laughed.
“I suppose so. You don’t look like one who downs the hot water often.”
“Hot water?’
“It’s what we call booze back home in the northern lands.”
Irene felt her heart swell with warmth. Unveiling this little bit of information, whether Aliana realized it or not, revealed that she was beginning to trust her. “Don’t tell your prince. As I’m sure you already know, his people and mine are not on good terms.”
Irene vigorously nodded, promising to keep her secret.
Stepping out into the street, they had to shield their eyes from the sun rays reflecting off the golden cobbles. They had not noticed this small detail last night, but now in the clear light of day, it was hard to miss.
“The streets...” Alec breathed.
“Are made of gold!” Irene exclaimed.
A church bell began to toll and their group followed the moving townsfolk. The city, itself, was not only rich in wealth but in size and people, its boundaries reaching far and wide down into the valley and mountain side.
A majestic balcony emerging from the castle was their destination, the people taking their spots, almost mechanically in front of the entrance. Irene tugged at Alec’s sleeve.
“The people seem weird, don’t they?” Irene whispered.
A face appeared on the marble balcony, a face that Alec knew well. Dressed in dirty servant’s clothes, the once proud King Launder dropped to his knees to hastily bow before a procession of fancy pants royals. Irene glanced at Alec to see a mixture of shock and anger written across his face.
“Don’t worry, we’ll put things right,” Irene whispered. “At least he doesn’t look sick anymore.”
Trumpets blared as Alden made his grand entrance. Cheers roared as the people showered their “king” with shouts and praise, but for Irene the world had gone still. Just at that moment, Alden out stretched his hand as a woman shyly ventured out from behind the silk curtain. Dark auburn hair cascaded to her waist, her green eyes sadly resting on the people below. Irene had seen those same green eyes every time she’d ever dare glance at her reflection.
Alec steadied her as she began to sway. The new found discovery such a shock that Irene could barely answer Alec’s questioning voice.
“Irene!” he pleaded, another wave of cheers from the crowd nearly drowning out her feeble reply.
“That is my mother.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The cold water splashing across Irene’s face did little to help stimulate her senses. Alec and Conner anxiously watched her as the glistening droplets gently slid down her face and dropped onto her damp clothing. As she caught sight of her image in the soft ripples, Irene could only think of her mother.
“What is happening?” Alec roared. “Alden has turned my father into a sniveling coward and raised Irene’s mother from the dead!”
“He didn’t raise her from the dead, nor did he change your father. In this reality your father never was king, and Irene’s mother never died to begin with,” Archer answered.
His answer did little to appease Alec’s frustration. “It’s the same thing!”
“I don’t understand. How did he even know of my mother?” Irene whispered.
The crowd was beginning to disperse. The overly excited townsfolk returning to their mundane activities, but one man fought his way through the sea of people, his gray bread dangling freely as he caught sight of Irene and quickly redirected his steps. Irene swooped down to retrieve her mother’s diary before turning to hide her face. Feeling foolish, Irene released a ragged breath. Surely, he would not recognize her now; after all, he had surely been altered.
“So, you do recognize me.”
Irene would never forget that raspy voice. She did not have time to answer, before the voice spoke again.
“I find myself curious about how you were able to spare yourselves from that spell.”
“Who are you and how do you know about the spell?” Alec asked.
“You aren’t the only one with magical abilities. As master of the Red Ravens, I knew from the moment this girl came into my domain that she was not collecting a curing potion as she so believed. So, I took the appropriate measures to protect myself.”
“Master of the Red Ravens? You’re the one who took Irene from the docks!” Alec roared, his face turning red with rage.
“Stay calm, young prince. Now is not the time to make any more enemies. He may be the only other person alive, besides Sora and Alden, who knows this is a false reality.” Archer wisely advised.
“You are quite right,” the old man began, “for right now, we must work together. Luckily, this girl ma
y hold the key to reversing our most unfortunate circumstances.” A horde of soldiers began their march through the city, their stampeding feet drawing nearer. “Let us continue our meeting somewhere else, shall we?” the old man advised.
They sought refuge in a rundown pub on the edge of town whose inhabitants were not of the friendly sort. A thick cloud of smoke burned their eyes as they ventured to an empty table in the far corner.
“Whatcha want?” The hostess asked, the older woman clearly tired and ill-tempered, no doubt as the results of her surroundings.
“We’re all right, thank you.” Alec answered.
“Order something or get lost, I need this table for paying customers,” she snapped.
“We don’t have any money,” Irene whispered.
“Four mugs of ale,” the old man nodded.
The woman rolled her eyes in annoyance, but left to retrieve the glasses. Archer and Conner peaked from their hiding place underneath Aliana’s cloak, making sure not to be seen. They had a suspicious feeling their gracious owner would not take too kindly to their presence if they were to be discovered. The hostess soon returned, slamming the ale down onto the table.
“Now, down to business,” the bristly man ordered. “There is a way of reversing the spell and this girl holds the key to making it possible. The little pearl in your possession, remember?”
Irene nodded, “The Dragon--I mean, a friend told me that it would lead me to the Celestial Crown.”
Spellbound: Book One (The Spell Series) Page 9