“I have to talk to him," Rose breathed. "I have to, and I sense he won't speak to them."
"I know. One of the first things I noticed was that he kept looking over at you."
"Really?" Rose said. Aware that she should have paid more attention, wondering what that meant.
"Yes, I was watching."
“And did you see the way he looked?”
“The exact same," Lena agreed. "It was the strangest thing I have ever seen.” "I'm going to talk to him no matter what happens."
"You should, but not now, wait till it dies down."
"I can tell Ana you plan on visiting," said Aylea walking in.
Rose shook her head, considering that Aylea would be on Ana's side if she said no. "I'll do it. You probably need special permission, so I want to ask her myself."
Lena sat on her bed and said, "They probably won't let me there."
"We'll see."
Rose tried not to display her anger for the rest of the day, but failed drastically. Whenever someone from Vister's team approached her, she gave them a death glare.
When the sun began to go down and Aylea and Lena were seen yawning, Rose decided it would soon be time to go. She secured Daniel's watch, announced her leave quietly after they had fallen asleep, and crept down the stairs. No one downstairs seemed to be in the mood to talk, and even the friendliest ones walked past without stopping to speak. There was no need to ask why, because she knew it was because Ana and Vister had had a fight. When the hall cleared down to one person, she stood outside the door to the counselor's room, pretending to be going in. After that person disappeared, she took off outside as fast as she could.
It was a stupid idea, and yet she felt she was better talking to Artisan before she talked to anyone else.
When she got to the yard, she looked around to make sure it was empty and used earth magic to feel beneath the ground. She felt that the prison was close, but that didn't help her, as she had already knew that - it was all they ever talked about in Trearce Many had said it wasn't a good idea to keep criminals near the one to put them away. Ana insisted that that was exactly where they'd be most afraid, and kept them there. The ones so crazy they tried to escape, were always caught and severely punished, or they were trapped in the forest and eaten by monsters. Monsters….
She began running as fast as she could in the opposite direction just to put some distance between her and the forest but was stopped by Lena saying, "Wait." Rose stopped, deciding to play dumb. "What?”
"Are you going where I think you're going?"
“Why do you need to know?” she asked.
“Just answer.”
"Probably," she sighed, she couldn't lie to her.
"Are you or are you not?"
Rose kept walking, making sure to keep bugs away from her face. "I am."
Lena pulled her to a stop and then put her hair up in a ponytail. "You can't go by yourself."
Rose shook her head, for this would be too much when Lena said the oath. It was one thing to say rebellious things and another to act on it. "You don't have to go too, I don't have permission-"
But Lena shushed her. "Keep your voice down. I'm coming too. Besides, do you even know how to get there?”
“Probably.”
Lena smiled. "Come with me."
She went west of where Rose had been headed. Past the garden they went, and past the hall to parts that Rose had never seen before. The area around the house stretched on forever. Rose searched and searched, but the other four houses, one for each counselor, that were supposed to be close by, were never spotted. Lena's feet stayed at a steady pace, and yet Rose could tell she was more eager than she to get there, as the light reflecting on her face showed hints of excitement. Perhaps she had already seen all this before. “This,” she said as she pointed down towards a long beautiful glistening river "is where you're supposed to go in.”
Rose stared in disbelief. "But it's right in front of the house. And it's... well, it's just water.”
It was suicide; the fact that someone would try to break out was obvious.
"That's just what it looks like at first glance, there's plenty of guards and protection underneath."
“Those guards must be amazing,” Rose decided.
“We are,” Lena agreed.
“Will we be able to get past them?”
Lena seemed a little unsure as she dipped her foot in the water and stared down, but she said, “Of course, my dad has been taking me here for years.”
“So they know you?”
“They love me.”
“How do we get in? Do we jump?"
“You have to clear the water to get inside, of course. This particular prison actually goes down to three hundred feet below the surface, a very high jump.”
Rose wondered why Lena talked about that as if it helped. Three hundred feet seemed far, and yet that was nothing to a person with rock or air magic. People flew distances that far to break records and for fun. Surely Ana knew that. Rose drained the river of everything until it was scraped clean, letting her skepticism show.
“There's nothing under it?” she pointed out.
“Did you think the water would just be floating on top of a door, or a bunch of air?”
“No, but I'm confused.”
Lena tapped the ground with her foot. “It's dirt, but it's more like an illusion. Completely solid if you're coming up, easy to fall through if you're going down. You can even see through it if your eyes are good enough.”
“What now?" Asked Rose, a little frightened.
"We jump down.”
“Just jump into there?”
“Yes, and it'll let us fall right through.”
“Will you catch me with air?”
“Of course I will, but I shouldn't need to. You go first just in case.”
“Wouldn't you go first?” she suggested.
“It's better that I keep you in my line of vision since I'm not very skilled yet.”
Rose breathed in and then jumped, followed closely by Lena; the fall was deeper than expected. It felt at least two times as deep as Lena said it would be. When they reached the ground, however, their crash was very light, as Lena had put them in an air bubble. Lena heard voices, yanked Rose behind a big column, and told her to be still. There were many huge columns Rose saw - a very beautiful prison if not a nice place to be in. When they settled, she peeked and made out that three guards, two men and one woman, stood at a set of doors a long hall away from them, all wearing plain black pants and a black shirt. They were surprisingly skinny, except for one who had obvious muscles bulging through his shirt. Although they were the only guards, they looked as if they knew everything would be perfectly fine if something should happen.
"Air sensors," Lena said, answering the question she had been about to ask. Rose could barely make it out, but there were patches where the energy moved faster and the second they'd touch them, the guards would know and probably kill them on sight. There were no arrows or knives on them; they were the type to kill with elements.
"How do we get in?"
"Well, they'll let me in easy, but I don't know about you, you could sneak around the-"
Rose stopped listening at sneak, as that was one thing Daniel always told her not to do. Instead she took her chances and stepped forward into the light. As soon as they stopped talking, she pronounced, "I came here sent by Ana," trying to copy the sure way Lena spoke.
"And who would you be?" asked the woman.
“Her niece," she gulped. At first she worried it might mean nothing, but then she watched as realization dawned on them and they gave her full attention.
"Oh, hello, my lady.”
“Hello. I hope you're all enjoying your evening.”
"What are you here for?" grouched the muscley guard.
She gulped again. "I can't tell you what business I'm on."
“Sent by Ana, hey?”
“Yes.”
“And why couldn't she
have sent one of her fighters?” The other two looked at her expectantly, waiting for her answer, so she said, “It won't do you any good to question the queen, or her family for the matter.”
He looked taken aback. “I'm not questioning her, I'm merely asking. You are a kid.”
“It's something she specifically wanted me to do,” she said in high and mighty tone. “How will knowing what it is help you?”
The woman nodded and nudged him. “Will it take you long?”
“No, not long,” she responded, relieved.
“Is Ana aware of the new update added to the third level?”
“Why, of course, and she told me all about it.” Rose panicked. New update.
"Good, I'll send you in, all by yourself?"
Lena stepped forward into the light. "Nope, with me."
"And who would you be?"
“Lena Marie, Orion's daughter.”
The muscley one stood up taller. "Of course," he muttered, "of course. No person better to do such a task.”
“It's only the two of us.”
“The greater pair I've ever seen.”
“How much time will we have?” asked Rose, already not liking the compliments. “Well, it's after hours, so no one is really allowed in there long, but I guess we could open up for an hour or two?”
He nodded to the woman, and next thing Rose knew, the door was opening. A sharp scream heard from inside, scared her; she felt a moment of unease and stepped away. "Are you ready to go in?" Lena asked.
"Yeah." She cracked her knuckles dramatically.
Lena smiled at her. "Then let's go."
"Be safe on the fourth floor too," they called after them.
“Why, what's there?”
”The new back up monster.”
While Lena pondered over what the new systems could be, a moment of reflection hit Rose. She was Ana's niece, true, but she made sure to note that Ana must also send people here often, since they let them in so easily. She tried to walk ahead; however, as the door closed, Lena pulled her back and said, "whatever you do, don't scream.” Rose wondered suspiciously why she might, for there seemed to be nothing to scream about. The prison looked just like a maze, which of course would be to trip people up. She already knew there were a variety of levels that held different types of criminals. It shocked her to see the first few cells empty, spotless as if they had been bare for years, still that leveled out as they walked. People who were likely liars and robbers and thieves were seen. You could tell they were the lightest of the criminals because their cells were kept clean and many of them just sat reading or looking for other things to pass the time. It soon started to change, as men and women were seen bound in mercury bracelets, which was the worst thing to have, as they blocked powers, and they were left with little resources or distractions. They were higher liars and thieves so still, certainly not that much unusual. But as they walked deeper, she saw something off about some of the people's milky eyes and blank stares. It could be a coincidence, but no.Some of them are blinded,she discovered with revulsion. Others had had their hands broken or were deaf. Rose tried to reason, even though she knew it was to ultimately block their powers. What had they done? How could they possibly deserve this? In the beginning they had tried to cry out for help, but soon they gave up hope. "Your father did this," a man yelled to Lena, and she made no move to shut him up; he could barely move his legs.
“The more dangerous ones are upstairs."
Rose pondered over what the security measures could possibly be. They moved in silence, which made things ten times easier to hear.Is Artisan upstairs?The stairs were stone, but only a little steep, so you heard a continuous echo. It seemed to provide the most comfort they would receive. Something about the second floor made her feel like doing something crazy, and she wondered if she was going mad; the floor seemed to be for the mad. There was some sort of ongoing conversation that made no sense between the inmates. Someone would say something unintelligible, and the other would respond, and then another until they finished their conversation. Then it started over. The first door she saw was where a ring leader seemed to be. The ringleader yelled the loudest, and the others would stop to listen when they heard her. As they moved closer to the door, Lena crouched down lower as if hoping she would not be seen.
"Can I ask?" said Rose.
"An old friend, her name is Carla, and she gets a little worse when she sees me. They completed ruined her mind so, in the end, I had to stop visiting."
How was she so calm about all this? And how did she have friends in prison when that alone was enough to get you reported? Again, it didn't seem like her, but did Rose even actually know who she was? She began to wonder if Lena truly knew what saying the oath would mean.
"If he's here and they really think he's dangerous, he's on this level somewhere."
Rose walked faster. The one thing she knew was that Artisan was completely sane when he arrived here and so, she prayed that was still the case. As they walked through, the yelling grew louder, or at least, more common than usual. These inmates recognized them and they made no attempt to hide it. In fact, they seemed to think it would get them let out. Finally, after Rose realized all these inmates had had things happen too, she could not take it anymore, and she said, “Maybe we can ask for help or come back tomorrow.”
Lena looked slightly irritated, but she did not argue. “Yeah, Artisan probably isn't up here anyway.”
That idea was proven wrong, as "Rose, Rose,” the voice behind the closest door said. It sounded like Artisan.
"There he is," Rose urged.
"I doubt that's-" Lena began, but Rose was already turning away.
Before she could hear the arguments, she opened the door, and the man inside looked at them. It was not Artisan. Most of him seemed normal, except his eyes were a bright black, and parts of his body looked somewhat skeletal.
"Sorry," Rose said.
"Oh god. No, not him. Henry, please don't panic. The door will be open for a second, but you know what they said."
Lena got no further, for behind them, one of the columns exploded.
"Henry," Lena said, exasperated. "Come on, close him back up.”
"Take me with you. Take me with you," Henry choked, and Rose's heart broke. For an instant she thought of breaking him out.
By then Lena was already pulling a very confused Rose back and closing the door.
"He’s scared of people."
The next thing happened so fast; he jumped and lunged for them only to be thrown back against the wall.
"What the-?" Rose searched till she found the source of it. A boy was standing behind them with bright blue eyes and flaming red hair.
"Who-" but it was too late. He was thrown against the wall, and Rose almost lunged for him.
"Henry," Lena yelled, and she suspended him in an air ball, but he broke through it and began trying to break other columns. “Henry, no.” He caused a ripple to go through the floor. Lena pushed him with wind back into his room, and Rose put a thick layer of ice over his door. Next thing Rose knew, she was being yanked into the air by a metal chain.
"I am Elesto, and I ask WHAT is the meaning of this and who the hell are you?" He said, looking at the boy.
The boy did not try to break out, even though he was struggling to breathe. "Noah."
Another man, wearing all black, came from the shadows "he's obviously Artisan's boy.”
"No, I didn't mean to. I didn't blow the stuff up, if that's what you think. I just wanted to speak to an old friend and I saw him attack her, so I helped." He nodded in Rose's direction.
"Talk? Did you know that's forbidden at this time of night?"
"I was slightly aware, but-"
"But what?" Elesto pulled the chain harder.
"I was on my way out when I saw more people coming in." Rose felt bad, he had seen them.
"Where is my aunt?” she asked.
"So then you are Ana's girl." Elesto’s voice and face soften
ed, and his iron grip on her chain loosened. He turned to talk to one of the other guards. Things like “let her in” and “why would you” were overheard. He was so engulfed in the conversation that he barely paid attention to other things going on; the moment of distraction was all she needed. With her mind she swung Noah's chain down over the stairs and let him go, since she knew she could get herself and Lena out of this, but not him. Noah would have taken the brunt of the abuse. When Elesto turned back and saw the empty chain, he became dangerously angry.
"That's it," he yelled, "we're leaving," and he let her go, but made it very clear that she could easily get picked up again.
He sent her to go to her room alone when they grew close to the house, but made sure she had guard escorts who followed closely behind. Lena, on the other hand, was forced to stay. Once inside, free to think to herself, Rose paced the room thinking about the prison and everything she had seen. If Artisan really was there now, they had no right to put him through those types of punishments until he was proven guilty. She waited for instruction, thinking of Lena.Would this be too far for her? The door opened, and it was Aylea who came to get her, and her face made Rose feel bad.
"Ana wants to speak with you."
Rose walked right past her down the stairs, bravely ignoring stares. Of course they were meeting in the counselor's room. Her aunt was standing when she walked inside, looking stern and angry. The second the door closed, Rose hurried to get the first word in like one might see a small child do. "He was taken away wrongly." But Ana put her hand up and said, "Did you even bother listening to what else happened?"
Rose grew frustrated. Had she wanted her to? She did send her away after all and made a big show of it.
"Listened to them blame him for everything."
"If you paid attention you'd know I got them to let him go."
"You did?" she gasped; she couldn't contain her smile. So Artisan was safe? She felt no need to argue now.
“Rose, sit down.” Her aunt's tone grew softer. “I don't know what Daniel taught you, but you can't do whatever you want around here. Artisan is safe, and that won't change, but even if it did, it's not your concern.”
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