“Ah, so you are aware of the legend?” he asked.
“I just know it was a crown worn by the kings and queens of the Old Kingdom,” she replied.
“It was far more than that!” he exclaimed. “It was one of the most powerful relics ever made. It was forged to protect the kings from the dark arts. It can not only prevent, but reverse any kind of black magic. Not only that, but the ancient power it was created with protected it from spells such as these. In other words, this spell would have no effect on it.”
“What if Alden already knows about this Celestial Crown?” Aliana asked.
“From the research I have gathered, Alden is not aware of the crown. In fact, he wasn’t even wearing it today.”
“This is great! We get the crown, reverse the spell and everything goes back to normal!” Alec smiled.
“We are very lucky that the Remlock found its way to you. Without it, the crown would be impossible to find. So, where is the pearl?” the gray man asked.
Irene paled, her very throat running dry. “It was in my bag,” she choked.
“The bag Alden took?” Conner finished for her. Irene hung her head in shame, the feeling that she had once again failed her comrades coming to the surface. The old man released a string of curses, his dissatisfaction clearly evident.
“Where did you find this Remlock?” Archer asked.
“I found it in the ruins of the Old Kingdom, back when it was still was ruins,” Irene mumbled.
“Then there is still a chance,” Archer began. “It is obvious that the Remlock was hidden inside the castle centuries ago. If what this man says is true and the crown and Remlock will remain unchanged, then it’s still hidden in the castle.”
The old man took a swig of his ale, the bubbly liquid following into his beard and trickling down his chin. “I guess our next course of action is quite obvious, isn’t it? We need to get inside that castle.”
Never expecting to have to return, Irene uneasily rode the Red Raven to the cave’s entrance. Everyone dismounted and followed the old man whose named Irene learned to be Thornhill, Master Thornhill he fervently reminded them.
“Why should we trust you?” Alec viciously spat. “From what we understand you use to be the Longfellow's Port potions master, that is, until you killed that woman.”
Except for the subtle falter in his step, Master Thornhill did not react. They congregated in the throne room, or at least, that’s what Irene secretly called it.
“We know our next step is to get inside that castle, unobserved preferably, to find the Remlock, “ Master Thornhill instructed.
“Unfortunately, our enemies know what Irene and our prince look like so moving around inside the castle may be harder than we originally planned,” Archer remarked.
“I will go, “Aliana stepped forward.
“I’m afraid that won’t work, “Thornhill informed. “The Remlock will only appear to Irene, who is a true descendant of the ancient bloodline.” Irene could feel the weight of their eyes on her and she dropped her gaze to stare at her feet. “So, we’ll just have to change not only hers, but the boy’s appearance as well. We will need as many of our people on the inside as we can muster.”
He plucked a hair from Aliana and Irene’s heads before scurrying off to the far end of the cave where he opened a cabinet full of glass vessels and bowls. Combining several ingredients, he ground them into a find powder while softly mumbling some gibberish that Irene did not understand. He poured the substance into two leather pouches before placing Aliana’s dark hair into one and then Irene’s bright hair into the other.
“You--take this,” he handed a pouch toward Alec before shoving the other pouch into Irene’s face. “Put it on.”
Irene placed the soft bag’s strap around her neck and then turned to Alec, his chestnut hair fading into a bright blonde. Irene touched her own hair, the black strands sliding through her fingers.
“Inside those pouches are fire stones, “Thornhill began. Irene enclosed her hand around the bag and felt the warmth from the stone envelope her skin. “The heat from those stones coincides with its magic. The hotter the stone, the stronger the magic. As the magic fades, the stones become colder. Your true identity will return when the stone goes cold, so tell me the moment you feel its magic fading.”
“I guess this takes care of Alden and Sora recognizing us,” Irene remarked. “But just how do you plan on getting us into the castle?”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
They stood patiently outside the castle gates, the same gates they had crept through just a few hours ago. A guard stopped them, a bored expression on his face. “You are?” he asked.
“A devoted follower of our most honorable king, I have brought him my best servants as a gift.” Thornhill bowed respectfully and the guard, giving them weary glance, allowed them to pass.
The castle was even more impressive than Irene had remembered, the bright sunlight flooding in through the stain glass windows only adding to its angelic beauty. The guard met with a rather large woman and, after a few brief exchanges with their escort, beckoned them closer.
“I have been informed of your visit,” the woman wheezed, but I‘m afraid we have no use for them. Take them and be on your way.”
“But my lady, they have long awaited to serve their king,” Thornhill hastily began when he saw his plan beginning to crumble. “Perhaps the fields or the stables? They would be happy stationed anywhere.”
“No.”
“Oh please, my lady. I am afraid I can no longer afford their care and you wouldn’t want to be responsible for turning away three poor, young souls.”
The woman sighed before relenting, “I suppose we could always more help in the kitchens, so your servant girls will be stationed there. As for the boy, all physically fit men are obligated to report to the general for military training.”
Alec gave Irene a confident smile before whispering into Aliana’s ear and Irene couldn’t help the stab of jealously she felt as Alec leaned in closer to their comrade.
“You may also go,” the woman gestured to Thornhill and he, too, departed with Alec.
“Change of plan,” the woman interjected as a fellow servant handed her a message. The large woman opened the parchment, her eyes wildly scanning the white paper before pointing a cubby finger toward Irene. “You go with Lady Laurel.”
Irene was now on her own, the haunting feeling of dread uneasily settling in the pit of her stomach. She just prayed no ill-will would befall her friends as she longingly watched Aliana disappear around a corner. Her next destination, Irene did not know.
“You’re a young one, aren’t you? The Queen will be delighted to finally have such a young, pretty lass around.” Lady Laurel lightly chuckled. “I’m sure she gets tired of conversing with old cronies such as myself. So, you shouldn’t worry. I’m sure you will find it quite pleasant being a lady in waiting to Queen Eldora.”
The servant quarters were a sight to behold, the rich woods and richer velvets reflecting the majesty and wealth of a lady in waiting’s station. Lady Laurel closed the door as she exited, leaving Irene to explore her surroundings. Two beds were nestled against the wall, suggesting to Irene that she would not be sleeping alone. She had nearly summoned enough courage to touch a glass figurine quietly resting on the nightstand next to her when the door flung open again. Irene tried to contain her joy as a familiar face walked inside.
“I thought rooming with your sister would make settling in easier, “Lady Laurel offered. “You will report to your stations first thing in the morning, so get some rest.”
“Lady Laurel, “Aliana quickly began, “is it all right if my sister and I explore the grounds? We wish to familiarize ourselves with the castle’s layout to help aid us in the undertaking of our duties.”
The older woman squinted her eyes in thought before bursting into a bright grin. “I suppose that would be acceptable, but the southern wing is off limits. Only a select few are allowed access there. If you
are discovered in that area, it will be immediate grounds for execution,” she too happily replied.
They wanted until she was gone, listening to the echo of her footsteps fade before setting out on their mission. They wandered the castle for hours, inspecting endless corridors and small, insignificant nooks in hopes of finding any clue. This task proved to be very difficult, not only because of their lack of knowledge of where or how to find their desired target, but because of the numerous guards stationed around every corner.
The portraits hanging from the walls did not offer them any help either. Irene studied their pale and regal faces, wondering who they once had been. With their feet aching, they returned to their quarters with heavy hearts and empty hands.
“I have a feeling the Remlock may be in the one place we aren’t allowed,” Irene mumbled.
“That possibility has also crossed my mind.”
“You don’t suspect Alden and Sora actually know about the crown, do you? Perhaps Thornhill was wrong.” Irene sat up from her position on the bed. “What if he knows about us?” It was a question they left hanging in the air, both pondering its answer.
Lady Laurel called upon them early in the evening, bringing with her a tray of delicious treats and hot tea.
“So you will see your mother tomorrow, “Aliana began as she nibbled on a biscuit. “How are you feeling?”
Irene dropped a cube of sugar into her porcelain cup, staring as the white substance dissolved into the steamy liquid. “I really don’t know what I’m feeling,” she honestly answered. “My heart is still very overwhelmed at the moment. It’s almost laughable, really. Not only have I helped to bring about a false reality where my once dead mother is still alive and married to our enemy, fate has decided to mock me even more by making me her personal servant.”
Aliana dropped her gaze from Irene’s face to stare blankly at her knees. “My mother was a harsh woman, not at all the way a loving parent should be.”
“Did she die, too?” Irene asked, finally beginning to see a way to break through Aliana’s hard exterior.
“No, I ran away nearly five years ago and have been surviving on my own ever since.”
“How did you get by?”
“I came across a hunter in the woods to the west. He took me in and taught me how to hunt, how to fight, and the art of archery. He said he did not remember his name or where he was from, only that he was a warrior on a quest he couldn’t recall.”
“I never met my father and my mother did not like speaking of him.”
They sat comfortably, reminiscing of earlier days from their childhood and, although their pasts were not pleasant, they could feel a hopeful bond begin to connect their spirits as they expressed their most painful memories.
Conner appeared as the sun vanished and softly rasp at the window, informing the inhabitants of his arrival. A harsh, cold wind blew from the north as Irene helped Conner inside, reminding them all that winter would be arriving soon. Irene took her mother’s diary from his mouth and set it on the round table by her pillow, and the pair joined Aliana by the fireplace.
“Any luck?” Conner asked and the two girls wearily shook their heads.
“How is Alec?” Irene asked, wrapping herself inside of a thick wool blanket like a caterpillar in a cocoon.
“He’s surviving quite well. Epona has been keeping an eye on him. By the way, Thornhill sends a message. He and Archer are searching for any clue about the Celestial Crown in his throve of books and scrolls. He says you two should go to the castle’s library to see if you can find a map of the castle. It may reveal some clues.”
The fire crackled, the embers slowly taking to the air, making their journey to freedom through the chimney’s black mouth.
“It’ll be winter soon,” Irene absent-mindedly whispered. An image of a snow covered cabin appeared in her mind, her mother walking through the heavy white blanket as relentless flurries twirled around her elegant form. It had been the last winter before her death. Suddenly feeling tired, Irene retreated to her bed with Conner close behind. Her mother’s diary caught her eye and, finally deciding it was time to continue her investigation, opened its tattered cover.
I will start from the beginning, my daughter, so that you may better understand when and how things have come to be. I was born to a very wealthy family. My father was a famous traveler and well to do merchant. I enjoyed a life most dreamt of, and a position that granted me very few hardships. My mother, your grandmother, was a gentle woman who was a pillar of strength for me and countless others. Many leaders from our town would often visit our homestead for advice and guidance from her. I do not know what ever became of them, but I can only guess they would have passed on many years ago. I loved them both very much, and they loved me. I was much like you as a child with a fiery spirit and dreamy eyes. Never lose your fire or forget your dreams, my love. They will help you survive desperate heartache and dreary days. I am sure you have many questions about me and your father, Jamison. As you know, it was always very difficult for me to talk about him. He was a wonderful man with blue eyes as bright as the sea and unruly blonde hair, just like yours. The minute I met him, I loved him and I could tell he returned my feelings, but my father did not approve of our relationship. Not only was Jamison the son of a lowly fish monger, but my hand had been promised to another, a man by the name of Alden Kingsley.
The book dropped from Irene’s hands and she hastily stood. Aliana was stoking the fireplace, pulled from her own musings when Irene’s feet loudly hit the floor.
“My mother was engaged to Alden,” she blurted, “before she met my father.”
“What?” Aliana breathed. “Don’t tell me Alden did all this just to have your mother!”
The fire was slowly dying. Aliana had retired many hours ago, her chest rising and falling in a deep slumber from underneath her lace covering. Conner, too, had fallen asleep but Irene was not as fortunate. Rest would not come for her tonight.
The fire stone around her neck strongly pulsed with magic as Irene’s battling emotions waged war. Was this reality really so awful, Irene pondered as she clutched the end of her blanket. Was it really a crime to allow this world to remain? These questions plagued her mind as she tried to discover the answer deep within herself. She dare not ever voice her concerns out loud, not even to Conner. In this world she was free from Sora, she had friends, but most of all, she had her mother. She could finally have her mother again. It would not be the same as when she was a child and Irene knew this, but at least she was alive. She was a living being that she could touch and hold. The others would not understand and fear prevented Irene from revealing her true feelings. She hoped they would not hate her when they discovered the daunting revelation, the truth that Irene wasn’t so sure if she wanted to help them reverse the spell.
LOOK FOR SPELLSEEKER: BOOK TWO! THE NEXT INSTALLMENT OF IRENE’S ADVENTURE!
Spellbound: Book One (The Spell Series) Page 10