‘It couldn’t be helped,’ Amella muttered, unperturbed by her furious tone. ‘But at least I got you inside the castle.’
Crystal shook her head in exasperation. Didn’t anyone born in the extraordinary world realise when someone was angry with them? It was growing obvious to her that they all appeared to possess rather thick skins.
Once dressed, Crystal and Amella made their way out of the slaughterhouse, thankful to be leaving behind the oppressive gloom and stench of death.
‘I’ve got to rest,’ said Crystal, when her legs buckled underneath her. ‘I feel really weak and my legs are like jelly.’
‘Shush!’ hissed Amella, placing a finger to her lips. ‘We can’t rest here, it’s far too dangerous.’
Crystal was too weak to argue and found herself sliding to the floor. The spell had finally given her back her hands, but in return it had taken the rest of her strength. The corridor they’d just entered was quiet, but plainly accessible to the guards. Amella’s agitation showed in her face and Crystal took a deep breath in order to try and stand.
A noise caught Amella’s attention and she grabbed Crystal’s hands, pulling her to her feet. In desperation she looked for somewhere to hide; Crystal noted the look of panic in Amella’s eyes and pointed to a large painting hanging on the wall to the left.
‘Over there, behind that picture, there’s a door which leads to Forusian’s dressing room,’ Crystal gasped, still trying to stand on her own two feet.
Strong hands dragged her to the end of the corridor; Amella cautiously opened the dressing room door and took a fleeting peek inside. The room was empty and with one swift movement she dragged Crystal inside. Loud voices could be heard approaching and both Crystal and Amella felt a wave of panic as they glanced around for somewhere to hide. In one corner stood a large satin screen and they rushed behind it, just in time to hear the door open; both held their breath, not knowing if they had been seen or not.
Amella glanced at Crystal, who was turning white, and she reached out and placed her hand on hers, giving her reassurance. She slipped her free hand into her clothing and pulled out a knife. The tip glistened when it caught the light and for a brief moment Amella feared that whoever had entered the room might have seen it glimmer.
‘So, everything is ready?’
Crystal instantly recognised Forusian’s voice and she started to tremble.
‘Yes, my lord, I have the men assembled and they await your command.’
‘Phaphos, you have done well. When I become the king of the elves I will ensure you are rewarded for your loyalty.’
Amella in return recognised the voice of Phaphos; he had been one of her father’s most trusted aides. It was clear Phaphos had betrayed him and her soul wept for his sins whilst she vowed to slice a dagger through his deserving heart. Forusian cleared his throat.
‘So, you fully understand the plan for tonight? I want no mistakes and I want no evidence either, do I make myself perfectly clear?’
‘Very clear, sire.’
‘Good, then I will see you later; now leave me.’
The echo of footsteps and the door closing told both Amella and Crystal of Phaphos’s departure. Amella raised her arm with the knife securely in her hand. She went to take a step forward, ready to strike, when a rap at the door caused her to shrink back and lower the blade.
‘What is it now?’ Forusian shouted.
‘Sire, the keeper Snitterby has arrived with more news.’
Forusian’s good mood could be heard in the trill of his voice.
‘Excellent,’ he said. ‘I will see him in the drawing room.’
The door was heard to close and it became clear after a minute or two that Forusian had left.
‘What do you think he’s up to?’ Crystal whispered in Amella’s ear.
‘I don’t know,’ Amella replied, hiding the knife back inside her skirt, ‘but he is sick and his wickedness runs deep; all he wishes to do is conquer everything in our world.’
They made it to the door and, once the coast was clear, resumed their hunt for Matt. Crystal’s knowledge of the castle was very limited because she had been restricted whilst staying at the castle and her memory failed her for she’d only toured the corridors and passageways on her first day of capture. She vaguely remembered certain areas but relied on Amella’s instincts most of the time.
Eventually they turned in the right direction and headed straight for the dungeons. Amella noted there were few guards around, which she thought unusual, then it suddenly dawned on her they could well be in the field ready to attack her father’s realm and she shivered uncontrollably.
She pulled herself together and followed the stone steps, chipped away with time, to descend into the bowels of the castle. The smell of decay stung their nostrils and Crystal found she was covering her nose to help stop the putrid stench reaching her stomach. Cautiously they made their way to the first stone cell and looked inside but to their dismay they found it was empty. No guards were to be seen and Amella started to feel slightly uneasy. They moved to the next cell and then the next, but to no avail; there were no prisoners at all in Forusian’s dungeons.
‘Where the hell is Matt?’ cried Crystal, trying hard not to become hysterical. ‘I know he’s here somewhere.’
Amella pulled a face.
‘Forusian obviously expected you to try and get him out. He may still be in the castle, but where is another story. Can you think of anywhere he may hide him? Did he show you any secret chambers or a place where he could hide someone indefinitely within these walls?’
Crystal became upset.
‘No, he didn’t show me anywhere like that, but I know he does have secret chambers inside the castle.’
‘Then we have no choice, we will have to use magic to find him and this could make us vulnerable to Forusian. Now, you must help me conjure an image of Matt to show us where he’s being imprisoned.’
Crystal shrank back.
‘I can’t do magic,’ she stammered, tears spilling down her face. ‘I don’t know how.’
‘Yes, of course you do,’ said Amella, whilst her eyes flashed with surprise. ‘The spell we will use is weak and only works within the place where the person is dwelling. We must find out where Matt is quickly, otherwise we could be searching forever.’
With some reluctance Crystal came and sat next to Amella, who had cleared away a small area of the floor and was drawing a four pointed star by scraping into the stone with her knife.
‘This is the symbol of our magic and each corner represents the four elements of life: earth, air, fire and water. The four points placed below represent the physical being, but we are unable to find the physical being and therefore we must seek the spiritual one instead.’
Amella placed a candle she’d found lying on a table inside the centre of the pentangle; she threw her hand, causing a flame to leave her fingers and the wick ignited.
‘We must hold hands and you need to visualise Matt’s face,’ encouraged Amella, grasping Crystal’s hands. ‘I will use the magic you generate to show us where he is being kept prisoner.’
Crystal was nervous. She knew she could not do what Amella asked, but was too afraid of letting her down to tell her the truth. She held onto Amella’s hands and closed her eyes. Focusing on Matt, she remembered the last time she had seen him and became overwhelmed with the pain of losing her friend once again. His image was growing stronger in her mind and she felt Amella’s grip tighten. A low chant rose from her lips and strange symbols were swimming about inside her brain and becoming entwined with her images of Matt. The chanting grew more urgent and with it her vision was more intense.
‘Open your eyes,’ Amella commanded.
Crystal did as she was told and to her amazement the picture in her head appeared to float above the candle. Matt’s surroundings had changed from what her mind had visualised and she could see he was surrounded by solid stone walls.
‘Excellent work!’ Amella exclaimed. ‘
I knew you could do it. Look, he’s in the castle, just as you suspected. Wait a while and he will walk the corridors within his own mind to show you where he is being held captive.’
Sure enough, the vision floating above them left the place where he was being incarcerated and walked the corridors to show them the way to his cell. Crystal gave a gasp of delight.
‘I know where he is,’ she laughed, jumping to her feet. ‘He’s close to Forusian’s own chamber.’ Amella smiled.
‘Well done, my sweet child, now we must hurry, the day is almost night and with it comes the danger it so willingly holds, for without the daylight I cannot use the brooch to get us out of the castle and away from here.’
Without another word Crystal climbed the stairs two at a time, her energy levels soaring in the knowledge that Matt was alive, and with added gusto she headed straight for Forusian’s corridor of vile chambers, in the hope of setting Matt free.
Chapter 23
It seemed to Matt that he had only been dozing a short while when he awoke to find it late afternoon. He forced himself out of his flea-ridden blanket, made his way to the door and looked down at the maggot-filled stew wriggling on his plate, feeling his gut retch.
The rest of his resolve slipped away. He believed Arhdel to be dead and a wave of utter despair washed over him. He fell to his knees, curled up into a ball and allowed his suppressed tears to finally fall. His cheeks burned and so did his eyes; he had never known such grief before but once his tears were spent, he rose from the floor and washed his face with the last of his drinking water.
Curious sounds were infiltrating the stone walls and he stiffened, his senses alerted when he heard a blur of female voices trail along the passageway.
‘Matt, are you in there?’
His green eyes gazed blearily at the door, his face pensive and solemn. It was obvious to him that he was hallucinating. As far as he was concerned, Crystal had no knowledge of this place and would probably never see him alive again. The metal flap at the bottom of his door flew open and he jerked his head back when two familiar eyes peered inside.
‘Matt, it’s me!’ Crystal rasped, trying to keep her voice low, ‘are you alright?’
She couldn’t reveal her name with Amella standing so close by and prayed he wouldn’t blurt it out when he realised who it was calling his name.
He blinked, focusing upon her face. She looked so real, her beauty vibrant, and he was astounded what the brain could do when suffering acute distress.
Crystal rose and her skirt swished in the dirt; she looked worriedly at Amella.
‘What’s the matter with him?’ she asked, confused, ‘why’s he acting so weird?’
Amella shrugged.
‘Wouldn’t you be a little weird if you’d been locked inside there?’
‘Damn Forusian!’ Crystal cried, her eyes blazing with contempt. She paced the area for something she could use to get the door open.
‘Here, use the brooch,’ said Amella, throwing it to her. ‘The clasp can be used as a key; it will open any lock.’
Crystal opened the pin and pushed the sharp needle inside, listening to the lock turn.
‘It really works!’ she cried, stuffing the brooch in her pocket and then pulling back the door and rushing inside. She threw her arms around Matt and hugged him tight.
‘Thank God you’re alive,’ she declared, feeling him respond to her tender embrace, and Matt came to his senses, reassured by her touch, the warmth of her skin melting into his own.
‘I can’t believe you’re here,’ he gasped, swallowing back his longing to kiss her. A sudden burning ignited in his belly before rushing through his veins as quick as fire. He tried to hold her fast but she pulled way.
‘We’ve got to get out of here,’ she told him, dragging him to where Amella stood watching them with open curiosity.
His fingers gripped her wrist, causing her to cry out in pain.
‘No! We can’t leave, not until I know for sure whether Arhdel is alive or dead. He took care of me when we became separated and I look on him as a friend.’ His voice cracked and a sob escaped his lips. ‘Forusian tortured him in ways I have never seen or heard of before. I can’t leave here, not until I know the truth.’
Amella’s expression turned to one of despair as she listened to Matt’s allegations.
‘I know Arhdel and he is a fine warrior. I must agree with you, we cannot leave until we have found him. Do you have any idea where he might be? He’s not in the dungeons; we’ve already searched there looking for you.’
Matt relaxed his grip. Crystal shuddered and rubbed her arm, shocked at the change in him.
‘No, I don’t, but he can’t be far because I was able to hear his screams clearly enough,’ he said, with a chill in his eyes.
‘Then we don’t have a moment to lose,’ said Amella, with a frown. ‘Are you fit to walk?’
‘Yes, of course. I’m a little weak, but don’t worry, I’ll keep up.’
‘Good, then follow me. I have a slight inkling as to where Arhdel might be.’ Crystal held Matt back.
‘You mustn’t call me Crystal,’ she insisted, watching Amella check for guards. ‘It’s a long story, but she thinks my name is Nienna.’
‘Who is she?’ he asked, with growing concern.
‘She’s a recluse who took me in when I managed to escape from Forusian. She found me the night I was trying to hide in the forest. She has a hut hidden within the trees and she gave me shelter. I was frightened of her at first, but I’ve come to trust her. She’s the only person I know who was willing to help rescue you.’
‘Is she an elf?’
‘Yes, I think so, but she’s very guarded about it. I get the impression something really bad happened to her like Gzhel and she never talks about her past.’
Amella turned, hearing their voices rising, and gave them a cold stare.
‘Have you forgotten where you are?’ she hissed. ‘We are not out of danger yet.’
They fell quiet, following her in silence, and when a guard appeared they flew into the safety of the shadows. The soldier didn’t see them and they carried on but Amella stopped and drew a deep breath. She turned towards them and her eyes darkened with sadness.
‘I’m guessing this is where I think Arhdel might be. I need you both to be brave when you enter here, for I don’t know what we’re about to find behind these walls.’
Matt came forward, trembling.
‘If he’s dead, I’ll –’
A wave of sympathy almost swamped Amella’s hard exterior and, shaken, she took a moment to recover.
‘You must expect the worst,’ she told him, stepping forward, and with her hand called a flame to the torch pole set outside. The wind licked at the flame when they entered the passageway and the dark walls pressed close, creating a measure of claustrophobia. Countless doors chiselled deep into the stone loomed on each side and Amella pulled the first deadbolt back to reveal nothing but bare stone walls. Each chamber was empty and Amella feared the worst.
‘He’s got rid of all the bodies,’ she whispered, when she opened yet another door to find nothing inside but cold air.
There was only one chamber left. Her hands were shaking as she stretched her fingers around the bolt and drew it back. To her horror, Arhdel lay manacled face down on a table. His back had been slashed, his skin invisible through a sea of crimson welts, and the floor was awash with his blood. Matt and Crystal froze in terror.
‘Nienna, you have the brooch, unfasten the manacles,’ Amella commanded, rushing to his side and checking his pulse. ‘Look, he’s barely alive.’
Crystal snapped into action and ran to the warrior’s side, unlocking the manacles with two swift clicks.
Matt went to help, but the blood had congealed on the floor and he slipped.
‘Get up!’ cried Amella, as she put one of Arhdel’s lifeless arms around her neck, ‘I need you to hold him for me.’
Suddenly angry shouts penetrated the corridor.
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‘Oh no, they know I’ve escaped,’ Matt blurted, dragging the unconscious body away from his chains.
‘Then we must work quickly,’ gasped Amella, already out of breath. ‘Nienna, come here and hold Arhdel whilst I use the brooch to open a doorway.’
Crystal ran to her side and immediately changed places.
‘Damn it, there’s no natural sunlight in here. We must go back into the corridor, I’m sure I saw a window out there.’
‘But the guards are coming!’ roared Matt in blind panic. ‘If they reach us they’ll kill us where we stand.’
‘Matt, we don’t have a choice. Either we head for the corridor or we simply stand here and wait for them to kill us.’
‘Get out!’ shouted Crystal, realising it was their only chance. ‘Amella’s right, if we go now, we just might make it.’
Matt felt her eyes bore holes into his and found himself heaving Arhdel’s body through the doorway with Crystal’s help. Amella ran in front and found the window. She opened the brooch, manipulating the eyes of the raven to capture the last of the sunlight. A small shimmer created the gateway they so desperately needed, and Amella crouched down and pulled open the muddy grate.
‘Hurry,’ she urged, on hearing the soldier’s shouts getting louder, ‘they’re almost upon us.’
Amella jumped into the tunnel first. Arhdel’s unconscious body was pushed into the hole and landed on top of her, winding her, and Matt followed, helping to manoeuvre his heavy frame from off her. Crystal climbed in and used her nimble fingers to lock the doorway. A cry rang out as the soldiers were heard arriving at Arhdel’s chamber and then the doorway closed.
‘They were too late,’ laughed Amella in triumph. She turned to face Crystal. ‘You must make your way to the healer, Sawbones, if you wish to save this warrior. You may find it hard to gain entry into the Palace of Nine Winters without your key, but Arhdel doesn’t need one.’
‘What key?’ Asked Crystal, feigning ignorance.
Amella almost choked with surprise.
‘Why your key is the amulet every elf from the Imperial Palace is given upon their birth. I can see the resemblance to the king himself in you; therefore you must be a child of the realm.’
Sinners of Magic Page 25