by Owens, Wendy
“Gee, I didn’t know I was traveling with such a hardened and dangerous criminal.” Gabe muttered under his breath to Uri and the two boys snickered quietly.
“Very well, it’s your waste of time.” Artis replied turning and walking down the massive hall. Gabe wondered how she was going to get them out of this one. When they arrived at Patina’s office it would become evident very quickly that she had been lying and they would all be in trouble.
The group of four emerged from the building and rounded the massive stone wall. Artis continued to walk until she came to a split in the path. One direction led to Patina’s office and the other to the Oracle. She slowly came to a stop and looked at both paths curiously.
“Is everything alright?” The guard asked, sensing her hesitation.
“I thought I heard something.” Artis claimed, trying to rapidly devise a plan.
“What?” The boy whispered, ears darting back and forth. “I don’t hear anything. What did you hear?”
“I don’t know,” Artis whimpered as if terrified. “I think it was over there.” Artis added, pointing towards a small wooden hen house over flowing with straw.
“I’m sure it was just a hen.” The boy insisted.
“I’m scared,” Artis whined, sticking out her bottom lip and pushing the dirt around with her toe. Lifting a single finger Artis traced the outline of the boy’s muscular arm and in an equally pouty voiced pleaded. “Will you check it out, please?”
Not wanting to disappoint the sweet and precious Artis, the guard compliantly walked over to the hen house cautiously. He looked on both sides of the house and even behind it.
“What are you doing?” Gabe whispered under his breath. Artis shrugged her shoulders in response as if she were clueless of her own plan.
Before anyone else could say another word or even exhale, Artis darted across the path with great speed, coming to rest just behind the unsuspecting guard. A moment later she muttered the word “Dormio” in his ear. The boy fell to the ground with a thud.
“Oh my God! What did you do to him?” Gabe cried.
“Oh please, calm yourself!” Artis snapped. “It’s just a slumber spell.”
“Isn’t there something in Iron Gate’s rules about casting on each other?” Uri asked.
“Well yes, if you must know, but I was running out of options. I didn’t see either of you stepping up.” Artis quipped back.
“Oh no, no, I was not objecting.” Uri reassured her. “Actually, I am quite impressed with your tactics as well as stealth. Very impressive.”
“Really?” Artis chirped.
“Ugh, gross!” Gabe gasped, snapping Artis out of her starry eyed love gaze.
“Come on. Help me move him off the path before someone sees.” she commanded.
The two boys each took a shoulder and Artis his feet. With great strain, the three managed to carry the body and conceal him behind the hen house beneath a mound of straw.
“What are we going to do when he wakes up?” Gabe asked the question he assumed Artis had not thought of with such a brash course of action.
“I suppose we will all be in a lot of trouble. Instead of talking about it maybe we should hurry up.” Artis urged. She cautiously walked back to the fork in the path and after searching for any sign of other people, she took off running in the direction of the Oracle’s cottage. “Come on, we’re not going to get a lot of time.”
The two boys followed, somewhat apprehensive about the trouble their new friend might be getting them into, yet both still grateful for her own risk in the forbidden adventure.
“Are you sure about trusting her?” Gabe whispered as they followed Artis.
“Got any better ideas?” Uri asked.
“I just want to make sure you are thinking with the head on your shoulders.” Gabe growled.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Ur defended.
“Oh come on, it’s obvious you have the hots for her. You can’t quit staring at her.”
“So she’s good looking, but that would never affect my decision making.”
“If you say so.”
“Watch it Gabe!”
“What? I just want to make sure you know what we are getting ourselves into here.” Gabe asserted.
“She did knock one of her own unconscious back there. I think we are pretty safe in assuming we can trust her.” Uri argued, his voice increasing with each word.
“Hey!” Artis interrupted. “If you two ladies can quit bickering for a minute, we’re here.”
Gabe glanced up. There was a small cottage in front of them. They had travelled through the same woods that had hidden them the previous evening. They were now in a clearing; at the edge were the remnants of that same fireplace.
“Wait, this is where we were last night.” Gabe proclaimed.
“And where’s that?” Uri pondered.
“Look, right across the field; that’s the cottage of the Oracle, Katrina. Are you two ready?” Artis requested.
Gabe took a deep breath. He had never enjoyed his encounters with Rampart’s Oracle and didn’t have much in the way of great expectations for Iron Gate’s. Sophie’s motionless, sleeping body filled Gabe’s thoughts. If he didn’t figure this out soon, Gabe knew Sophie might possibly never wake up. “Let’s go.” he replied at last, walking towards the old wooden door.
Uri nodded, and followed Artis and Gabe across the tall grass of the clearing. They came upon an over grown stone path and at last to some worn and rickety wooden steps.
Artis looked at the two boys, giving them one last chance to change their minds. Gabe nodded reassuringly so she lifted her hand to tap on the door, but before she could the door opened. A woman emerged from the doorway. Her skin was a deep, golden caramel color and Gabe thought how it appeared to be quite exotic. Her hair, thick and black, was unkempt except for a small scarf tied around her hair line. The boys couldn’t help but stare as she gazed at them with bold green eyes that almost seemed to shimmer.
“Katrina, hi, we were just coming to talk to you.” Artis sputtered. Katrina had helped Artis on numerous occasions in the past so, though her new friends were not trusting of Oracles, Artis knew they could be a lot of help. “I want you to meet -“
“Gabe Harwood and Uri Withers.” The woman said, emerging further from her doorway and extending a hand in a delicate manner indicating she preferred a kiss to the back of it.
All of Gabe’s anguish about working with her seemed to disappear as he lunged forward to be the first to take her hand and deliver his lips to it.
“Yes, I should have known you would already have been aware we were coming, you are the Oracle.” Artis stammered.
Katrina looked over at Artis and with a slight eye roll corrected the young girl, “Nah, Patina told me they would probably try and come see me at some point.”
“She did?” Gabe asked, shocked by the way Katrina revealed the fact so carelessly.
“Of course, she’s out of her mind worried that somehow Michael is going to try and pin this cursing incident on her.” Katrina explained just before she turned and walked back into her cottage.
“Come on in lovelies.” she added, beckoning over her shoulder with her fingertips. “Best come in before the rain gets you.”
“But it’s not—“ Uri began, but his words were interrupted by some ominous thunder. He chose not to finish his statement.
Inside they discovered the cottage consisted of mostly just one large open room with a fireplace, table, and small kitchen area. Gabe couldn’t help but think about how small and modest the accommodations were. Glancing back at the window, he saw several carvings of snake like figures and wondered what their significance was.
Rather than already putting Katrina on the defensive like he had done with Patina, Gabe decided to remain silent and not ask about the serpent sculptures. Instead he continued looking around the room, examining everything he could to give him some sort of insight to the person he was dealing with.
&n
bsp; “Some people are not so easy to read, my dear,” Katrina said to Gabe, looking intensely at him. Gabe looked down at his hands, embarrassed by her directness. “I know why you are seeking my advice, but the person you search for is one of these illusive souls.”
Gabe quickly realized she was not speaking about him trying to analyze the trinkets around the cottage with her last statement and sighed a breath of relief.
“So you have no idea who is behind the attack on my people?” Gabe asked frustrated.
“I didn’t say that.” Katrina replied cryptically.
“Well look, you can either help us or you can’t. Which is it?” Gabe snapped, the all too familiarity of their own Oracle returning to him.
“What my friend means is we wouldn’t want to unnecessarily waste your time.” Uri interjected, glaring at Gabe. “So if you don’t think you can help us we will simply be on our way.”
“I didn’t say that I couldn’t help.” Katrina replied, still holding Gabe’s gaze.
“So which is it?” Gabe was quickly growing tired of the conversation.
“I sense the traitor is close.” Katrina replied.
“Of course the traitor is close; we already know it’s someone on the grounds.” Gabe snorted looking wildly at a composed Uri, frustrated they had not already left.
“The person responsible for switching the stones is unaware they did it. I can see a confused mind when I try and see the incident. They were cursed as well.” Katrina proclaimed, eyes closed as if she could see the scene of that fateful evening when the treachery occurred unfolding in her own mind.
“What?” Artis finally spoke. “So whoever did this wasn’t trying to hurt anyone?”
“No, they had no idea what they were doing.” Katrina confirmed.
“That’s wonderful!” Artis exclaimed, reaching over and giving Uri a brief hug.
“Why is that wonderful? We are no closer to getting to the bottom of this attack.” Gabe growled.
“Don’t you see? It wasn’t our fault. There is no reason for Patina and you all to mistrust one another. If we can work together, we can figure this out, I’m sure of it.”
“Somehow I doubt Patina would be interested in working together no matter what information she had.”
“Yeah, I have to agree with Gabe.” Uri added.
“You guys don’t know her like I do, she is strict but fair. I know she will want to help once we tell her this.” Artis pleased.
“It’s a girl.” Katrina interjected into the threesome’s conversation.
“What?” Artis asked, just as confused as the boys.
“The person who switched the stones, it’s a girl.” Katrina explained.
“And just how do you know this?” Gabe asked, not masking his skepticism.
“I can see glimpses of that day from the perspective of the person you seek. I can tell from the way they carry themselves and their hands that it is a girl.” Katrina revealed.
“What good does this do us? Wow, it’s a girl. That really narrows things down. If they were cursed, then even if we figure out who they are, they still won’t be able to tell us who put them up to it.” Gabe argued.
“Yes they can, Gabe. If we can figure out who switched the stones, Patina can do a memory regression spell and figure out where they were and what they saw when they were cursed. That should tell us who is responsible.” Artis explained.
“Well, what are we waiting for then? Can you look for a mirror or something in one of these visions so you can figure out whose body you are in?” Gabe suggested, almost panicked.
“Shhhh.” Katrina replied, her eyes still closed. “I am walking down a large corridor, it is dark. I see someone in the distance. I think I recognize them. I am walking in his direction…”
The three sat silent, mouths hanging open as they listened to Katrina relive the moments of that fateful evening. Gabe was about to have the answers he needed to help his Sophie.
The room was silent, everyone was holding their breath but Katrina just sat there, eyes closed, not speaking a word.
Gabe watched as her mouth opened again, preparing to speak, about to give him all the answers he searched for. Before the Oracle could reveal what she had to tell though, there was a loud crash behind them. Through the doorway came filtering one large muscular boy after the next. “Guards, seize them!” Patina’s voice filled the room. The guards rushed over to the table and took hold of the arms of the three teens.
“Patina, please, let us explain.” Artis pleaded.
“Save it.” Patina snapped, clearly angry and disappointed in the young girl.
“You can’t!” Gabe cried. “She was just about to tell us who switched the stones.”
“Take them to their quarters and make sure this time they stay there.” Patina shouted.
“You have to listen to them, Patina.” Artis continued pleading with her beloved leader.
“Take them away. I have some things to discuss with the Oracle.” Patina commanded, ignoring Artis’ cries.
As the three were drug from the cottage, struggling, they watched the door swing shut, Patina inside.
“Yeah, Artis, Patina was so helpful. Hell, for all we know she was the one who switched the stones!” Gabe snarled.
“Shut up! Just walk!” The large guard commanded as he shoved Gabe in the back forcefully.
“Ouch, alright,” Gabe replied, recovering from stumbling a bit. “No need to push.”
The three teens walked in silence, the guards close behind. It was clear to Gabe that they were not going to receive the assistance Artis had promised from the administration at Iron Gate. He had to figure a way out of this hopeless situation so that he could help Sophie and his other friends.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Gabe and Uri were placed in separate rooms this time and he could only assume it was in an effort to keep them from escaping again. Gabe looked around the small prison cell like room. There were no windows, the only possible exit being the door he had entered in.
With no clock, Gabe couldn’t be certain how long he had been held in this room but he was sure at least several hours had already passed since Patina had discovered them at the Oracle’s cottage. Gabe was becoming extremely anxious about lost time. Just when he decided he could take no more waiting and reached for the door handle, he saw it turn slightly.
Gabe jumped back from the door, watching to see who might be coming to talk to him. The guard who had led him to his room earlier entered and glanced around, as if expecting to find someone else with Gabe. Satisfied Gabe was alone, the guard sternly commanded, “Come with me.”
“Where?” Gabe insisted.
“Come with me.” The guard repeated, giving Gabe a shove.
Gabe decided rather than staying in that small and suffocating coffin-like room a moment longer, it was better to comply. Though he was content with being compliant for the moment, Gabe was determined to escape at the first opportunity available to him. Gabe walked out the door and turned down the hall, the guard indicating he should walk out to the main courtyard. Gabe was hopeful this would give him the opportunity for the freedom he yearned for.
Gabe continued to walk and a few moments later Uri exited a nearby door, alongside another guard, surprisingly even larger than the one escorting him. Eventually the two groups merged and were walking side by side. Gabe and Uri shrugged at each other as if to communicate without words that they had no idea what was unfolding. The addition of Uri suddenly changed Gabe’s aspirations for an escape plan. He now had to find a way for them both to be free.
The group continued walking until they entered into the main area of the courtyard. There they saw Artis already standing alone, a small group of elderly gentlemen and a guard gathered nearby her. The two boys who were leading Uri and Gabe escorted them to Artis’ side, and then took a step back.
“What’s going on?” Uri whispered in Artis’ direction.
“No clue,” Artis whispered back. “They just told me t
o come with them.”
“Same here.” Uri muttered.
“Me too.” Gabe added.
“Gabe, Uri, step away from her.” The boys heard Michael’s voice command behind them. Quickly turning around, they saw their mentor standing next to Patina.
“Huh? What are you doing here, Michael? I don’t understand, they told me you were hurt.” The confused words stumbled out of Uri’s mouth.
“Boys, I want you to come over here and stand behind me. Now!” Michael said sternly. The two did as they were told, though both were clearly confused. They had not been told of Michael’s arrival and last either had heard, he was at Rampart, on the mend.
“Artis, I want you to get on your knees.” Patina called out to her young student that was now standing all alone.
“What?” Artis asked, terrified by what was happening.
“You heard me. You need to get down onto your knees now. I don’t want to have to hurt you.” Patina repeated.
“What is going on here?” Uri asked Michael, confused as well as terrified. “You can’t let her do this, Artis was helping us.”
“Silence, Uri,” Michael hushed, not even looking in his direction.
“Please, Patina, don’t do this.” Artis pleaded.
“Guards!” Patina shouted as if giving the girl a final warning.
With that, Artis’ head slumped towards the ground though her shoulders stayed rigid.
“Artis?” Uri cried out, fearful that she might be hurt.
Artis’ fingers curled into tight balled fists at her side. Her head rotated from side to side, though her face was still not visible. The small crowd watched in silence as the veins in her arm began to protrude intensely. Her knees bent in an inhuman way as she crouched low to the ground and at last looked up at the crowd. Her face had contorted into an unrecognizable one.
“Artis?” Uri repeated, this time unsure if who he was looking at was the same small, frail girl he had spent so much time with in the recent days.
“Artis can’t come to the phone right now,” the unfamiliar voice called back, stretching her neck out and flicking her tongue wildly between words.