by Unknown
She was confused at first because she didn't feel the cold. It actually was calming and invigorating, as though her synergy was in sync with the water. She walked down the slimy steps, and plunged into the water. The faint light of her air bubble shone around her and she was able to find Shaz in front of her. Barrick plunged in behind her. He gasped a few times as the cold shocked his body and flailed around. The fear of drowning nearly overcame him.
"Breathe."
Serin pointed to her mouth. He took in the needed breath. They swam to the bottom of the stairway. Shaz pointed in the direction the map led to. The cold muted almost all of their sensations. They couldn't sense their limbs anymore and were surprised that they kept moving. Stopping at the end of the hall, Shaz frisked the ceiling. He came up with nothing. He then searched the end wall. He shrugged and swam back.
"You take that wall, I'll take this one, and Serin you take that one." Shaz said.
They felt around as they swam, but found nothing. Shaz pointed downward to search the lower level. They turned toward the stairs but stopped. The stairs were no longer there, instead there was a wall.
"Shifting Halls." Barrick mouthed.
He pointed back the other way. Serin noticed the water flowed through a small hole. She reached to touch the hole and passed through the shadow. She waved her arms at Shaz and Barrick who hadn't noticed. She yelled and Shaz heard her faint voice from outside his bubble. She pointed to the hole and started swimming through it. Shaz signaled Barrick, who followed.
Serin swam through and toward the next staircase, leading the way. 'Shape the water' her mind repeated as if something was telling her. The longer they were in the water the stronger she became. But after several minutes it became harder to breath. Shaz and Barrick were having a hard time breathing too. Serin hovered in the middle of the path until they reached her. She swooped her arms around like she had before, letting the magic light grow. After refreshing their air bubbles, Shaz breathed in and threw up his thumb to say things were good again.
Shaz swam slower. The cold started to wear on him. Barrick too was slowing down. Serin, however, had kept up well. Shaz hovered, slowly moving his arms and legs. He peered through the darkness. Something shiny, gold perhaps, caught his eye. He dove through the water until he reached the floor. He picked up a gold ring. Half buried under years of moss and slime. He removed the stringy green moss and slipped it onto his middle finger. A familiar sensation tickled his nerves as strength overcame him. A magical ring, I wonder who dropped it here. At the end of the corridor they found the grate. They managed to pry the grate open and slid it out of the way. Shaz motioned for Serin to go first. She swam toward the hole but when she got there she was stopped by an invisible shield.
"I can't." she said.
Shaz tested the hole and slipped right through. He thought for a moment then gripped the center of the shield. With great effort he managed to peel the shield apart, enough for Serin to squeeze through. Shaz's face contorted as he struggled with the weight of the shield as Barrick tried quickly to swim through. He made it half way and became stuck.
Serin grabbed his arms, put her feet against the floor, and pulled as hard as she could. She tugged a few times then let go. She swirled her arms around her head. The water built up pressure behind Barrick. Within a minute, he shot straight through. Shaz let go of the force and swam through easily. He slipped the cover back on and swam to the surface. Barrick burst through the water. Still being propelled by the water and scared Deagan as he sat, quietly staring, into the night. He was watching for anyone who might come near. Deagan nearly peed his pants and squealed like a girl.
"Shhh boy." Barrick barked, splashing in the water. He grabbed onto the edge of the boat and searched for the others.
"Are you alright?" Deagan asked.
Serin popped through the water, the light blue fading from her face.
"Where's Shaz?" Deagan asked, helping her into the boat.
"He's coming" she said, she saw his lighted air bubble.
Shaz popped through the water’s surface.
"How in the world did you make it out?" Deagan asked handing a blanket to Serin.
Barrick dipped under the boat and climbed in as Shaz climbed in on the other side, equalizing the boat.
"Get us out of here." Shaz said his teeth chattering.
Deagan shoved away from the end of the canal. The water waved up against the wall, splashing gently. Soft whooshing sounds echoed as the boat made its way from the dock. Once they had moved away from the old castle wall of the dungeon, Shaz pulled out a dry cloak from his pack and wrapped it around himself.
"Sorry, I didn't expect you or I would have brought you some dry things." Deagan said.
"I couldn't be better." Barrick said, a huge smile covering his face.
Deagan’s face twisted, but he kept pushing the boat farther and farther. The lights of the city filled the space with only a few people out this time of night.
"Back to Lucien?" Deagan asked.
Shaz grabbed at his temples and squeezed as hard as he could. The pain gripped his mind with such intensity he nearly fell over.
“What’s the matter?” Barrick asked.
“Blast, another headache.” Serin said. “We need to get him somewhere fast and get some medicine.”
“We’ll take him to my place.” Barrick said.
Serin gave him a wary glance, but decided she had no choice.
“Ok, how far is it?”
“Not far, you will be safe there, and we can help you get the medicine you need.”
“Thank you.” She said.
"Drop us off at the corner of Pinket and Barrow" Barrick said.
Deagan nodded but didn’t like it. They continued in silence until they reached the intersection. Deagan pulled the boat next to the ramp. Barrick helped Serin get Shaz out of the boat while Deagan tied it to the landing. When they arrived at Barrick’s place, Serin gave Deagan a list of supplies. Serin walked down the small stairs and overheard Barrick and his wife talking in hushed tones.
“You can’t be serious.” Barrick’s wife said.
“It’s only for a few days, I promise, besides they got me out of the dungeons, I owe it to them.” Barrick said.
“Fine, but then we are leaving to my mother’s. I won’t stay here while they haul you back and put you in the choker.”
“Deal, don’t worry things will be fine.” he said, and kissed her.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Escape from the Sqwall
Three days later, Serin listened to children play outside as she finished packing the supplies Deagan brought for them. She wondered what she was going to do next. She knew she couldn’t stay here, again she had to leave. She hated the fact that she was never able to stay in any one place for long. It always worked out that her magic would cause a commotion and she would have to leave.
Shaz had slept for three days with the headache. Serin wondered why, when he used his magic, this always happened. It was almost as if the shadow magic required a payment. He woke several times, needing her healing touch to ease the pain. He must have had to use a tremendous amount of shadow magic to cause this much pain and Serin felt guilty. After all, she was the reason he had to do it in the first place.
“Are you ready?” Shaz asked.
“Almost, just a few more things.” Serin said.
“Good.” Shaz said.
She met Shaz and the others downstairs, carrying her pack over her shoulders.
“Are you going to be ok?” Barrick asked.
“We’ll be fine.” Shaz said.
“It was a pleasure meeting you.” Serin said to Barrick’s wife.
“You too, thanks for teaching me how to make that pain medicine.”
“You’re welcome.” Serin said and gave her a hug.
“We are going to my mother’s in the grasslands. If you ever need us, that’s where we’ll be.” she said.
“Thanks again.” Shaz said.
; Shaz and Serin started toward the outskirts of town.
“Deagan said he would meet us and take us to the edge of the city.” Serin said.
“We need to be careful that we aren’t spotted by the guards.” Shaz said.
They walked in silence for several minutes until a loud CLANG echoed from around a corner. They gently slipped passed an old man hobbling down the side passage. A large pile of pots were strewn along the cobble paved corridor. Several people stood nearby a small café.
Townsfolk whispered speculations. Shaz found nothing, but a familiar fading hue of color. He remembered what it felt like when it attacked his home when he was a child and again when he saw it at the tavern.
"A sqwall." he sneered.
He furrowed his brows while looking up.
"A what?"
"Never mind."
"Where are you going? We need to turn here." Serin said as he passed by her. Serin tried to get his attention but he was focused. She shrugged, half-walking-half-running into a common area with merchants. "Shaz wait."
The sqwall barreled in on them. Shaz ducked and pulled Serin to the ground as it swooped over.
"What in the blazes is that?" Serin asked as it soared back into the sky.
"You see it?"
"Yes, why?"
"Well look, no one else sees it or they would be running for cover."
"Good point. What is it?"
"It’s a sqwall."
"You've seen it before?"
"Yes. Come on, let’s get out of here. I don't want to alert the guards and risk getting caught again." he said.
They didn't make it far when the black bird descended upon them.
"Run!" Shaz said,
He pointed toward the outer ring of the city. Serin darted forward avoiding the people milling about the square. Shaz rounded a corner with precision and passed through the square quickly. He leapt over bushels and barrels scattered over the uneven road. One poured a green liquid from the spout and another, with the lid broken off, let out a pungent odor of cabbage and vinegar. Shaz wrinkled his nose as he trudged through the cabbage.
"Serin over there." Shaz called, pointing to a small stable.
Serin tried to veer to the right but got caught in a heavy throng of people, shoving their way up a ramp to a stone bridge. Shaz searched the sky for the sqwall. The streets here intertwined and often times were only separated by half a wall. Alleys connected in maze like patterns around the larger common areas. He sped up and ran through an archway in time to reach out and grab Serin as she was shoved off the bridge on the other side, nearly lifting her from the ground.
Serin darted through the doorway behind him. Once in a less traveled alley, the sqwall caught up to them and descended from the sky. Its wings stretched, lowering itself as it released its small razor sharp talons. The sharp beak pointed downward, his black beady eyes locked on Serin. The beast neared only a yard or so above them. Shaz drew his sword and reflected the sun into the creature's eye. It squealed and pulled back.
Serin reached for some water in a nearby fountain. The water obeyed and leapt into the sky, covering the bird with a splash. The sqwall sputtered and shrieked, jerking upward. The weight of the water made the coal black feathers stick together, leaving it flightless. A loud CRACK pushed from behind them as the sqwall transformed from the large crow like bird to a human like figure. The wings shifted from feathers to a cloak. Its legs were thin and twisted sideways. It was only able to hop like a bird in a somewhat sideways fashion.
Serin wrinkled her nose in disgust at the sight of the ugly creature. With a puzzled expression Shaz tried to rationalize and analyze what had happened. In his mind that was impossible. That's the same sound I heard in the tavern. It must have shape shifted out of the tavern that night too, he thought.
"Over there." Shaz called to Serin, pointing to a small archway.
Serin grabbed the edge of the large wicker basket and threw it to the ground. The sqwall tried to flap his cape like wings, but tripped on the basket and went flailing to the ground with a shriek of anger. Shaz squeezed through the small opening and peered down the lane. From around the far corner, the large hooves of a guard’s horse stood at the end. Large men who sat in pitch black saddles with brightly shinning heavy armor that clanked and rattled as they rode.
"Blast." he said under his breath. "This way."
Shaz slipped into a side alley. Wide eyed people scurried up against buildings as they ran by. When they reached the next corner, they stopped to rest. Serin leaned on her knees. Shaz perked his ear and listened. The clopping of the horses faded into the distance. Shaz searched for a way out of the alley but there were only small shops.
"Let’s go." Shaz said.
He started back toward the outer alley. Shaz hadn’t paid attention to the hairs on the back of his neck or the pit in his stomach and they nearly smacked into the sqwall. His blank stare sent shivers down Serin's spine. Shaz touched Serin's shoulder.
"Back up." He whispered.
Serin slowly backed up. The creature lowered its beak and raised its arms, holding out the cape like wings. He opened his mouth and hissed, letting drool drip off his beak like lips.
"When I say. Run" Shaz said. "NOW!"
Serin dug her toes into the cobblestone and darted down the alley. The sqwall's eyes shot after her. The cold steel of Shaz's blade on his neck stopped it dead in its tracks.
"Who are you and what do you want?" Shaz asked through gritted teeth. "You’re after the girl?" The sqwall expressed a hint of frustration over who to choose. "Or both?" Shaz asked.
Serin ran through the dress shop to the other side, opened the door and veered to the right but only made it a few feet and came to an immediate stop. Another sqwall was standing in the center of the street only feet from a horse bound guard. She screamed. The guard and the sqwall cringe from the ringing in their ears and the guard put his finger in his ear to soften the discomfort. Shaz jumped when he herd Serin's scream echo across the sky. The sqwall shape shifted with a deafening crack jolting Shaz backward.
"Stop this at once." called the guard.
"Kill it, please I beg you, kill it." Serin pleaded, pointing to the sqwall.
"Are you crazy?"
"NO, can't you see it?" Serin said.
Her lips tightened with anger.
"No, I can't see anything but an unruly girl causing trouble."
"It’s right there." She said. Serin glared at the sqwall, "What are you going to do with me?" Serin questioned the creature.
It hissed, letting its long pink tongue flicker in the air.
"Well, that depends on you, are you going to keep causing trouble or go about your way?" the guard said.
Serin looked up at the guard, and then back at the sqwall.
"I won't give in without a fight." she hissed back at the sqwall.
She clenched her jaw tight, her hands balled in fists. She reached for the blade she kept on her thigh.
“Hey aren’t you the girl the Commission is looking for?” he asked.
The guard jabbed his heel into the side of the horse enough to get it moving. The sqwall attacked.
"Blast, walls all around her." Shaz cursed.
He leapt over the short wall and sprinted to a horse in a nearby stable.
"Hey, that's my horse." a man yelled from a little café across the corridor.
Shaz leapt onto the horse and dug his heels into its side. The horse shot out of the stable and veered to the right as Shaz yanked the lead. Shaz maneuvered around people and baskets or barrels sitting around the market place until he found Serin. He raced toward her leaping over the small wall right in front of the sqwall. The creature jumped back and tried to leap into the air. Shaz held onto the horn of the saddle and leaned over the right side. Serin raised her arm for him to grab onto. She bent her knees and thrust her legs against the ground propelling herself up into the air. Shaz grabbed her arm and yanked her upward.
She threw her leg out to catch t
he back of the animal and grabbed onto Shaz's waist. The horse leapt over the three foot wall on the other side of the corridor and raced away. The guard called after them. A bell at the top of the city guard tower sounded. They reached the last twenty feet or so as the gates started to close.
"Oh, no, you don't, not this time!"
Serin threw her arms and blasted the gates with a burst of air. Guards shouted and leapt away from the assailing shattered wood. She sent a torrent of wind to block the flying sqwalls. The wind picked up the dust the horse kicked up, and sent it into the sky. They heard the screeching of the frustrated sqwalls’ in the distance. Shaz kept the horse at a steady pace for several miles into the forest. The deeper they went the more Shaz felt calm. It wasn’t long however that he sensed the presence of other beings. He wasn’t sure what it was. He didn’t get the pit in his stomach but more like when he was with Jagwynn. He looked around scanning the distance but didn’t see anything.
"So now what?" Serin asked "Where do we go now?"
"We take you home."
"I've been thinking-" she said, "I think I am supposed to go with you."
"What makes you think that?"
"Well I don't know. It just feels like that is what I should do."
"Just feels like?"
"If you don't want me to, then just say it."
Shaz stopped the horse and turned in the saddle, "No, that's not what I mean. I just want you to be sure and ‘just a feeling’ doesn't sound real sure to me."
"I am sure. I want to help. Besides you need me." Serin said, turning to face him.
She’s right, I do need her, he thought, "Ok, then we go west." he said.
Serin opened her mouth, ready to blurt out her reasons then shut it quickly. Shaz maneuvered the horse into a heavy thicket, and helped Serin down. He slid off the horse and studied the forest. Jagwynn trotted out of the trees and purred loudly.
“I knew you were around.” Shaz said ruffling her head.
Serin smiled at the large cat and stroked her fur, which she replied by rubbing against her leg nearly knocking her over.
"I wish we had a map." he grumbled.