Forusian placed his hands behind his back and inspected his prisoner. With a meticulous step he circled the elf, like a snake circling its prey.
Arhdel paled, but his eyes did not betray the dread that was rising in his gut.
‘So we meet again,’ said Forusian, under hooded eyes. A smirk slid across his tight lips. ‘I didn’t expect you back so soon. Tell me, did you enjoy my hospitality so much that you just couldn’t wait to come back and taste more?’
Arhdel pulled at his shackles and he winced when pain pierced his cut wrists.
‘Oh, behave and stop that,’ said Forusian, sounding irritated by his prisoner’s attempts to break free. ‘I hear you have been snooping around my castle uninvited; not something one does really, is it? A little birdie’s told me how you’ve stumbled upon my little secret. That’s a shame, you know, because now I won’t be able to let you go.’
‘You had no intentions of letting us go!’ Arhdel roared, still pulling at his chains. ‘That’s why we’re down here!’
‘Ooh my, we are a little touchy today, aren’t we?’ Forusian teased, enjoying Arhdel’s outburst. ‘A right little tiger you’re turning out to be. Still, not to worry, if you cooperate with me then I promise I won’t give you too much of a painful, slow death; however, if you do decide to be tiresome and difficult, then I will pay back the favour by torturing you for at least a week, so, tell me, what will it be?’
‘Go to hell!’ Arhdel shouted, his fury rising. ‘I will tell you nothing you piece of scum.’
Forusian’s smile dropped.
‘Mmm, that’s not really a good start, is it? Perhaps I should concentrate on the boy, maybe try and loosen his tongue?’ he said, turning his eyes to rest on the tongue slicer. ‘It’s your choice, Arhdel, how shall we play this?’
‘Leave the boy alone,’ Arhdel hissed, gritting his teeth, ‘your fight’s with me.’
‘Now, that’s not quite true, is it? You’re in this together, partners so to speak. So, tell me, why are you both here? Did you accidentally stumble over my secret or were you sent as a spy?’
Arhdel turned his head and stared at the wall, knowing his silence would seal his fate. Forusian’s face changed to a fireball of anger. He moved towards the warrior with fury burning in his eyes and he came so close to his face that their noses were almost touching; Arhdel noted he had minty breath and he couldn’t help but give a chuckle.
‘I asked you a question and I expect an answer,’ Forusian shouted; his hand flew under his tunic and a second later he held a knife to Arhdel’s throat.
‘Cat got your tongue, eh?’ he asked, with a devious smile. ‘You’re not so cocky now I hold a blade to your gullet.’
‘Tell him what he wants to know!’ Matt shouted, unable to keep quiet when he saw the flash of steel. ‘It doesn’t matter if he knows why we’re here.’
‘Wise boy,’ said Forusian, flicking his gaze to the cage. ‘He’s a bit brighter than you, isn’t he, Arhdel?’ he scoffed, sliding the blade out of sight.
Arhdel clenched his fists. Hatred for the evil king seeped once again through his throbbing veins, his blood curdling at the thought of what atrocities Forusian was planning to do to them.
‘Alright, this is your last chance,’ Forusian warned, finally losing his patience. ‘If you don’t cooperate with me this instant then I’m going to persuade you the hard way.’
A dark shadow crossed his face, changing his handsome features to a vision of pure ugliness.
‘I’m up for it, are you?’ he growled, loosening his tight-fitting tunic and freeing himself from the bounds of the bright, crested fabric.
Matt stared down from his cage and watched in horror as Forusian took a coiled whip down from the stone wall. The whip was curled in a spiral of leather and Forusian unravelled it before he gave it a flick with a twist of his wrist, making it crack when it hit the floor. The ‘thwack’ of the whip when it connected with the ground made Matt almost quake in his boots.
‘I’ll ask you one last time,’ Forusian roared, circling the whip around his head like a lasso. ‘Tell me what you are doing here!’
His arm pulled back ready to strike and Arhdel’s skin glistened with uncontrollable sweat. The soldier closed his eyes, ready for the first lash to strip his back of its flesh, but Matt was shouting for Forusian to stop and Arhdel shook his head in despair.
‘Please, don’t hurt him!’ Matt begged, when the whip gathered speed. ‘I beg you, if you stop what you are doing, I will tell you anything you want to know.’
A whoosh filled the air when Forusian ignored his words.
‘I swear I will tell you everything,’ cried Matt, his voice rising in desperation, ‘even about Crystal!’
Forusian’s arm froze in mid-air. The boy had said her name and his brain slammed on the brakes, just in time.
‘Who are you, boy?’ Forusian demanded, lowering the whip. ‘Tell me now, before I strip the skin off your friend’s back!’
‘Matt, my name’s Matt.’
Recognition crept over Forusian’s face.
‘Surely you’re not the same Matt who is the mortal friend of Crystal?’ he gasped aloud, dropping the whip to the floor.
Matt nodded, looking forlorn.
‘So, YOU are the friend she speaks so highly of?’ he asked, when his curiosity ignited. ‘This is all extremely interesting and I have to say changes all my plans. Pity, I was so looking forward to seeing Arhdel scream a time or two this night,’ he added with an exaggerated sigh.
‘Well, well, well, this really has dropped a spanner in the works,’ he continued, refastening his tunic and heading for the door.
‘You’re not leaving us down here to rot, are you?’ Matt shouted, shaking the bars of his cage. ‘Hey, come back here and another thing, where’s Crystal? We know you have her hidden someplace.’
‘Don’t you fret, she’s just dandy,’ Forusian replied, sounding smug. ‘I’m afraid, however, that you’re going to have to be my guests for a little while longer,’ he said, securing the bolt.
‘You can’t keep us down here forever!’ Matt shouted, kicking at the bars in frustration.
‘Pull yourself together, lad,’ said Arhdel, when he saw how angry Matt was becoming. ‘It’s no use getting upset; we’ll be here until he decides what to do with us.’
Matt accidentally bit the inside of his mouth.
‘But what if he doesn’t come back? Isn’t there some chance we could escape?’
Arhdel sighed deeply.
‘No, lad, not this time. Look at me, my wrists are shackled and you’re twelve feet in the air. There’s no escape, we just have to hope that the end is quick, I’m just sorry I got you into this mess.’
‘It’s hardly your fault,’ said Matt, shaking his head in despair. ‘I wanted to help get Crystal back; I knew the risks when we set out for this place and I only have myself to blame.’
‘You’re too kind, boy,’ said Arhdel, with sincere regret. ‘You knew nothing of Forusian and what he’s capable of. I should have known better than to take you along, but now it’s too late and again, I apologise for everything you may have to endure by his hand because of me.’
Matt dropped his head onto his chest when Arhdel’s words began to sink in.
‘We’ll get through this,’ he said, with conviction. ‘Somehow I just know we’ll get away from here.’
‘Well, don’t hold your breath,’ said Arhdel, shaking his head, ‘because inevitably you may not live to see it.’
*
Forusian raced up the steps two at a time, his thin wispy legs struggling when he reached the very last stair. He extended his fingers and clasped hold of a chair sitting close to the entrance. He couldn’t decide whether his breathing was tight due to the exertion he had just displayed or the immediate flurry of excitement he felt deep inside. He just couldn’t wait to tell Crystal the good news.
He flinched when he thought back to the night she had refused his marriage proposal and his eyes
turned to slits. Thanks to the arrival of the boy, that was all about to change. He chuckled softly whilst he made his way back to his chamber. If she tried to turn him down again he would warn her of his intention to kill the boy.
A Nonhawk soldier stood on duty and when the king approached he pulled back the outer door to allow him access to the main corridor. Forusian felt a shiver of contentment. Before the moon was full he would have Crystal as his wife, of that he was sure. He wanted her by his side and he was damn well going to have her too. He stepped inside his chamber and quickly changed his clothes. He would go and see her, tell her his good news, strike whilst the iron was hot.
His nerves were taut with anticipation when he called for the guard to saddle his horse. He moved to the window; the wind was blowing, the night heavy, but he was thankful to see there was no rain. The moon was hiding between an array of thickening cloud but in a few days it would be full for all to see.
Forusian smiled and the evil in his heart deepened. It was only a matter of time before he became the most powerful magician in this world and once the marriage to Crystal was consummated, she would have to bend to his will and then there would be no holding him back…
Within minutes his horse was saddled and two of his most trusted bodyguards were ready to ride. By his side he carried the Sword of Truth, a blade he had stolen from the body of a dead goblin murdered by his own hand many years ago. The sword was enchanted and it would protect the bearer against any other sword or dagger. Forusian very rarely went anywhere without it.
The night was eerie and the riders rode like the wind, covered with black masks and long, dark cloaks to help them blend into the darkness.
Forusian’s mood was euphoric when he finally arrived at Crystal’s hiding place. He scanned the surrounding woodland for spies and when he thought it safe he climbed inside the trunk of a large burnt tree, his bodyguards close behind him. Once inside, he took a flickering sconce off the wall and used it to guide his feet along a narrow path. Tree roots sprouted unevenly under the soil of the floor, making it hazardous underfoot, and he cursed aloud when several times he almost tripped.
At the end of the tunnel was a door. He had used magic to keep it closed from unwanted visitors and it creaked loudly when it opened. He found Crystal sitting at a small table. She looked up, startled by his sudden appearance; she had not expected to see him tonight.
‘My dear, there you are,’ he said, as though he had merely stumbled upon her.
‘Good evening, King Forusian,’ she replied looking wary. ‘What have I done to deserve this honour at this time of night?’
Forusian gushed, not hearing the sarcasm in her voice.
‘Oh, my dear, I have had the most wonderful day, I really have.’
He came to sit by her side, the guards positioned outside the door.
The room was small, but adequate for one. It looked very much like a tree house, but was underground. There were two rooms at Crystal’s disposal. The first, her living quarters, was sparse but habitable. There was no fire to keep her warm, but a small stove lay hidden in the corner. The only other door in the room led to her bedroom. This room was smaller than the first, having just enough space for her bed and a water closet. It was extremely basic, with one woven rug on the floor.
‘I hope you don’t mind being down here too much,’ he said, feeling a twinge of claustrophobia. ‘I know it’s a little cramped.’
Crystal squirmed in her chair.
‘What’s wrong?’ she asked, sensing that something was playing on his mind. ‘Has something happened?’
‘I have heard people from the ordinary world like a brew called tea,’ he said, playing for time. He jumped up and walked over to a hand-carved dresser which held a few pieces of crockery.
‘Shall I make us some?’
He looked to see if she was interested in his proposal and his smile dropped when he realised she wasn’t the least bit keen. He reached for the tea set anyway, which was painted in a deep-blue design, and placed two cups with saucers down on the hard, wooden dresser. His actions were clumsy; he clearly had no idea what he was doing.
Whilst he busied himself, his mind whizzed with his ideas. He so desperately wanted to tell her about the boy he had dangling from his ceiling, but now he was here he didn’t want to upset her. He wanted to use him as a weapon to get her to marry him, but looking into those beautiful sapphire-blue eyes made him feel weak. He felt a disconcerting emotion when he realised he wanted her to marry him of her own free will, almost causing the cup to fall when he lost concentration.
‘Shall I help you?’ she asked, getting up and moving to his side. She reached out her hand and took the teapot from the shelf, accidentally brushing her hand against his. The shock of her touch forced him to pull his hand towards his chest, the power from her skin so immense that he thought she had physically burnt him.
‘Are you alright?’ she asked, unsure of what just happened. ‘Have you hurt yourself?’
Forusian’s mind flashed with the memory of her touch and he blushed before recovering his composure.
‘No, I’m fine,’ he gasped. ‘I think I just got an electric shock from you.’
‘Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t feel anything.’
‘Not to worry, I’m fine now.’
Crystal moved to the stove and put the small pot she used to heat water on to boil.
‘Would you like milk and sugar?’ she asked, pointing to the teacup.
He frowned.
‘I don’t really know,’ he said, pulling a face, ‘but I think I’ll just go with the milk for now.’
The pot was soon ready and Crystal gave it a stir. With nimble fingers she poured the dark liquid into each cup before adding a little milk to both. She offered him the drink and he bowed his head in gratitude. Crystal noticed how he didn’t hold the cup with the handle, which would have been expected with someone of his breeding. Instead, he held the rim with his thumb and forefinger, drinking his tea at a strange angle.
‘So tell me, Crystal, have you given any more thought to my proposal of marriage?’ he asked, searching her eyes.
She felt her mouth go dry and, averting her gaze, she picked up her own cup and gulped the hot liquid, causing her to burn her tongue. The pain moved to her belly, but it was a painful distraction, one which she readily accepted. Her mind whirled with a rush of excuses, like, why couldn’t he just leave her alone?
The burning sensation in her throat died away, but the fire it created would not leave her. She felt a hot surge reach her lower lip when her mind went into blind panic. An awareness of an extrasensory perception smothered her and then the room fell away.
She saw Matt in a cage. Although her mind was cloudy, she understood more of her vision this time. She knew not to call to him, already surmising that he couldn’t hear her. She saw a flash of colour, a crest of a shield and instantly recognised where he was being held.
Forusian stood up and pushed his chair aside.
‘What’s wrong with your eyes?’ he demanded, his jaw clenched. He knew she was the daughter of a powerful mage, but she was young and inexperienced, therefore naturally deemed powerless without the amulet. He unconsciously bit his lip, aware this should not be happening.
‘Stay away from me!’ Crystal shouted, when the fever left her body and her breathing returned to normal. ‘I know what you’ve done. I can see you’re holding my friend captive.’
Forusian’s resolve slipped away.
‘I’m very sorry you feel so upset and, yes, I do have your friend staying with me. How clever of you to use your power to detect him. How did you do it, did you read my mind? Nonetheless, it is all quite simple. Agree to marry me and I will free him at once; however, if you still wish to play these silly games and refuse to be my wife, then I will have no alternative but to have him executed. It’s your choice at the end of the day, take it or leave it.’
There, he had done it. He would make her bend to his will; after all, he was the one
holding the trump card and she was the kind of person who put others before herself. She would not want her friend to suffer, or worse, die.
He touched a glass panel with his fingers and waited for the door to open. He saw the glint of hatred still wild in her eyes when the door closed behind him. His two guards grunted when they saw him approach and, taking a step back, they watched him fly by like a scolded cat. He mounted his horse, pulling at the reins and causing her to whinny in distress.
‘Hurry, for I have a wedding to arrange!’ he yelled, when his guards ran to his side. He whipped the horse when she reared but she kicked out her legs in retaliation. Her hooves hit the ground and Forusian put his boot to her belly, forcing her to move on. Whilst his mind spiralled out of control, he told himself he would feel better once he had her temper firmly under wraps.
Chapter 15
After Forusian left her, Crystal sat deep in her own thoughts for quite some time. She knew she must escape and find Matt as soon as humanly possible, aware she was responsible for their dire circumstances, and she repeatedly cursed herself for bringing them to this terrifying place.
She had studied the room meticulously over the last couple of days and knew every crack and crevice, but had found no way out. The room was hidden underneath the ground, making it impossible for her to escape, having no windows to break out of or roof to climb onto and as far as she could see the only way out was the same way she had come in – through the door.
She had seen how it worked. On several occasions she had watched Forusian press his thumb onto a shiny panel cut inside the wood and magic always appeared to scan the very tip. She had tried her own many times, watching the bright light skim her fingers, but nothing ever happened and to her dismay, the door always remained sealed. To make matters worse, she never saw the servant who came with her daily supplies. Forusian wasn’t stupid and had purposely built a narrow chute measuring approximately twelve inches wide, just large enough to have someone pass down her food on a rope each day. There was simply no way out.
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