“All right, but there’s something else.” The king glanced at the Rangers. “I’ve ordered Pompano to shut down the Node Network entirely, but the Briarwood City gate seems to be out of his control. I need a volunteer to shut it down at the source.”
Ranger Flynn frowned. “I’m happy to volunteer, Your Majesty, but we’d need a platoon to retake that gate if it’s fallen into the hands of the Shadow Realm.”
“If it were nighttime, we’d only need a squad.” Ranger Delacourt’s brow furrowed. “We could take out the guards under the cover of darkness and then power the gate down.”
King Justin’s lips tightened. “Unfortunately, it’s broad daylight and we can’t wait.”
“We don’t have to.” Everyone turned to stare at Alice. “I can cover the city with pitch black clouds that will block out the sun for one hour.”
“You can reach the gate through the catacombs,” Blade said. “We’ll be passing right by the turnoff.”
Kellan cleared his throat. “In that case, I volunteer.”
“Paddy and I volunteer as well,” Ranger Delacourt added. “That’s our team”
The king nodded. “All right, then, we have a plan. Blacken the skies, Alessandra, and we will descend to the catacombs.”
She visualized the incantation a moment before murmuring it aloud. In the doorway, the open-air corridor went dark—as if Briarwood City were in the shadow of an eclipse.
Kellan beckoned. “Let us make haste.”
Rangers surrounded Alice, Sally, and King Justin when they filed out of the Royal Box. As Blade led the group along the corridor, Alice ventured a glance toward the sky. Several streaks of dragon fire were visible, and she wondered what other hideous Shadow Realm creatures might be roaming the streets by now.
Sally glanced over her shoulder. “Where did Minister Seer go?”
“I expect he escaped from the Colosseum before everyone else.” Alice glared at a Minfo camera mounted on the wall. “The man has a knack for self-preservation.”
Blade ushered them into a freight elevator, and they descended to a basement level storage area filled with cleaning supplies. After he conjured a light and lifted up a trap door in the floor, a wide stone staircase was revealed.
Alice grimaced at the dust and cobwebs. “Nobody has passed this way in a very long while. Is it safe?”
Kellan beckoned to his friends. “Your Majesty, please remain here while Paddy, Dewar, and I make sure the tunnel is clear.”
“I’ll go, too.” Blade led the three Rangers down into the catacombs.
Alice conjured a light of her own as they waited. Dust wafted through the air and Sally stifled a sneeze.
“Excuse me.” She sniffed. “I didn’t know tunnels existed underneath Briarwood City.”
King Justin responded. “They were created at a time before Colossus adopted magic.” He glanced at the two girls. “I hope you aren’t afraid of tunnels or burial grounds.”
Alice shook her head. “It does no good to be afraid since we have to get to the castle somehow.”
“I agree. I’m not fond of enclosed spaces but getting burned by dragon fire bothers me even more.” Sally bit her lip. “At least Dewar will be with me.”
Kellan appeared on the stairs. “The air is a bit stale, but the tunnel is clear.”
Alice took Sally’s arm. “Let’s go.”
Once the two ladies reached the bottom of the stairs, Sally shivered. “Ooh, it’s like a meat locker down here!”
Ranger Delacourt draped his jacket around her shoulders and Kellan did the same for Alice. Blade had thought to light the sconces on the wall, apparently, because they were glowing as far as her eye could see. The tunnel was tall, broad enough for three men to walk abreast, and small rectangular plaques of tarnished metal memorialized the people interred there.
Once everyone had descended into the catacombs, the group set off for the castle. King Justin, his castle guards, and Blade walked at a brisk pace up ahead, Kellan fell into step next to Alice, and Sally walked a few paces behind along with Rangers Delacourt, Flynn, and Alice’s bodyguards.
Kellan’s eyes crinkled at the edges. “I should probably be angry you tricked me into wearing the wizard’s shield.”
“I should probably be angry you never told me you could work magic.” She smiled. “But I’m so happy you’re alive, I can’t be angry with you about anything."
“Thank you for challenging Theissen.” Alice captured his hand with hers. “It was incredibly brave.”
Blade had reversed course and was walking in their direction. Alice released Kellan’s hand but not before the wizard noticed. His lips flattened, even as his gaze fixed on one of the flickering sconces.
“His Majesty is picking up the pace. He and his guards are moving ahead but he does not wish to rush the ladies.”
Sally moaned. “I can’t walk any faster in these shoes. I have blisters on my heels already.”
“I’ll be happy to carry you on my back, Miss Yardley,” Ranger Delacourt said.
Her response was dry. “I’d rather wait until I am married to become a burden, if you don’t mind.”
He grinned. “You could never be a burden to me.”
“You say that now.” Sally kicked off her shoes and wiggled her toes. “That’s better. I just hope the tunnel floor is smooth.”
Alice cocked her head at a faint rumbling noise overhead. “What is that?”
Sally sidled closer to Ranger Delacourt. “Sounds like a stampede of giants!”
A sprinkling of sand and fragments of rock fell from the ceiling. Blade brushed debris from his shoulders and shook sand from his hair. “I suggest we move along before the tunnel caves in.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Strange Bedfellows
As the group moved along at a quicker pace, Kellan worried about the vibrations overhead. Was the Shadow Realm using the Briarwood City gate to bring in heavy vehicles of some kind? If so, retaking a gate fortified with artillery would prove a daunting task, particularly with only three Rangers.
He touched Alice on the arm. “Forgive me but I must speak with Blade.”
The princess nodded. “Yes, of course.”
Kellan sped up to join his brother, who was striding along several yards ahead. “Could you teach me any spells to warp metal or perhaps neutralize an opponent?”
“If I could neutralize an opponent that easily, I would have accepted Theissen’s challenge.” Blade shrugged. “And as to the other, it would be irresponsible to teach you an enchantment you don’t fully understand. It would be like giving your sword to a child and expecting him to use it properly.”
Kellan’s chin lifted. “I understand.”
Blade gave him a sidelong glance. “Look, if you want my help with your mission, just ask.”
Kellan peered at him. “Would you be willing to risk your life?”
Blade’s eyes narrowed. “Are you calling me a coward?”
“No, I’m not.”
Blade made a sound of disgust. “In light of recent history, I suppose you have good reason.”
“I don’t think—”
“Stop it.” The wizard scowled. “Everyone in Colossus views me as coward now—including me. I volunteer.”
“I accept your help, gladly.”
They walked along without speaking for a short while until Blade chuckled.
Kellan gave him a puzzled glance. “What’s funny?”
“It feels peculiar to have a civil conversation with an enemy. I suppose an invasion makes for strange bedfellows.”
“We are not friends, to be sure, but…” Kellan cast about for the words to express himself. “I’m not your enemy.”
Blade’s only response was to point to something up ahead. “The catacomb branches off toward the Briarwood City gate shortly.”
“Will the others have trouble making their way to the castle without you?”
The wizard shook his head. “They just have to follow the lights.
”
A few minutes later, the group paused at the fork in the catacombs.
“Blade has volunteered to come with Paddy, Dewar, and me.” Kellan nodded at Alice’s bodyguards. “You two are tasked with guiding the princess and Miss Yardley to the castle grounds.”
“Just follow the lit torches,” Blade added. “You’re halfway there.”
Rumbling vibrations sent waves of debris falling from the ceiling.
Kellan reached out to touch Alice’s face. “Go quickly. I’ll see you soon.”
“Let me give you back your jacket.”
“Keep it.” His mouth quirked up at one side. “I’ll trade the wizard’s shield for the jacket later.”
“It’s a deal. Stay safe.” Her gaze settled on Blade. “All of you.”
Sally returned Dewar’s jacket to him, pulled him into a kiss, and then burst into tears. As she and Alice hastened down the corridor with the bodyguards, Paddy punched Dewar’s arm. “For shame. You kissed a girl and made her cry.”
He grimaced. “The last time that happened I was eight years old. I thought I’d improved since then.”
Blade lit the torches up ahead with a wave of his hand and the four men set off running up a gently sloping corridor
Blade gave Kellan a puzzled glance. “Did I hear you mention a wizard’s shield?”
“The red sash on my arm.”
“How extraordinarily clever.” Blade’s chuckle was cut short when the rumbling intensified. “I wonder what’s coming through that gate. It feels like bull elephants.”
“What? Oh, no.” A horrible thought flashed into Kellan’s mind. “Do you know any magic to fight trolls?”
“Be serious.” Blade scoffed. “Trolls only come out at night.”
“It might as well be nighttime.” Kellan frowned. “The rumbling started after Alice cast her spell to darken the sky.”
The four men slowed their pace and then stopped altogether.
“Wait…you’re joking, aren’t you?” Paddy’s question was uncharacteristically humorless. “How are we supposed to fight trolls?”
“I must have missed the class on troll eradication at Ranger school.” Dewar stood with his arms akimbo. “From what I’ve heard, their skin will break our swords.”
“That’s right.” Paddy peered at Kellan. “We’re Rangers, not troll-hunters.”
Kellan held up his hands. “I don’t know for sure we’re dealing with trolls. Let’s wait to form a plan until we have more information.” He glanced at Blade. “How much further until we reach the gate?”
“We’re nearly there.”
As they went on, cracks appeared on the walls and the ceiling released more soil and debris with every strong vibration.
Kellan grimaced. “This section of the catacombs must be older than the rest.”
Blade nodded. “It was built first, when—” he broke off when large chunks of ceiling began to fall. “Run!”
He and Kellan sprinted forward. Although Kellan narrowly avoiding the massive cave-in, he was knocked to the ground and couldn’t free his arm. “Gah! I’m pinned under a slab of granite.”
Blade coughed as he scrambled to his feet and tried fruitlessly to move the slab. “It’s too heavy.”
Kellan made a sound of frustration. “Can you levitate it out of the way with magic?”
The wizard’s eyes were streaming from the dust. “Sure, if you want this section of the catacomb to collapse entirely.” He brought a torch over to illuminate the area better. “Looks like if I cut that sash, you might be able wriggle free.”
“Do it.”
Blade used his sword to slice the fabric and Kellan managed to stand. “Thanks.” As he glanced up and down the corridor, his stomach tightened. “Where are Paddy and Dewar?”
His brother frowned. “Looks like they went in the other direction.”
Kellan faced the mountain of soil and rocks. “Paddy! Dewar!”
The reply was barely audible, but Kellan was relieved to know his friends were alive. Although he couldn’t be sure they could hear him, he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, “Get to the castle!”
“Sorry about your friends.” Blade coughed. “You’re stuck with me.”
“If we’re dealing with trolls, it’s better that way.” Kellan drew his sleeve across his face to remove the dirt clinging to his skin. “We’ll have to fight them with magic somehow.”
“It’s the somehow that has me worried.” Blade frowned. “I might be able to use a sticking spell to keep a human in one spot, but a troll might break free. I just don’t know what to do.”
“Can you reverse Alice’s spell to bring back the sun? If trolls don’t like light, they would be forced to hide.”
Blade shook his head. “I can’t reverse her spell, but it should be expiring in about twenty minutes.”
They struck off once more but very shortly after, Kellan caught a whiff of putrid air.
“Ugh!” His pace slowed. “Something smells.”
Blade grimaced. “A dead animal, perhaps?” He pointed toward a branching corridor up ahead. “The exit we’re looking for is through here.”
Once they turned the corner, however, the passageway appeared to be blocked by a huge carcass.
“Great.” Blade gestured toward the creature. “We found the stink.”
Kellan muttered an oath. “What sort of thing is that?” He drew his sword and gave the animal a poke.
When the creature moved, Kellan and Blade stumbled back.
“It’s not dead,” the wizard muttered. “We’ll have to kill it…whatever it is.”
The thing turned toward them, and Kellan spoke through gritted teeth. “It’s a troll.”
“What should we do?” Blade whispered.
The troll leaned forward on its hairy knuckles and roared.
Kellan smacked Blade on the shoulder. “Run!”
∞∞∞
Sally began limping in earnest. “I’m sorry, but I can’t go much further. My feet hurt.”
Alice glanced down and gasped. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
On one foot, several of her friend’s toes were smeared with dark red and the sole of her other foot looked angry and raw.
Sally gave her an apologetic glance. “I didn’t want to complain.”
Alice frowned. “I wish I could perform healing magic like Blade.”
Sally bit her lip. “Why don’t you go on to the castle and send someone back to me with a pair of boots?”
“We don’t leave anyone behind, Miss Yardley.” The tallest Ranger bodyguard knelt in front of her. “Climb on and I’ll carry you the rest of the way.”
Before Sally could respond, the echo of footfall reached Alice’s ears and she cocked her head to listen. “Shh.” She peered down the corridor. “Someone is coming.”
The Ranger stood and drew his sword. As he and the other Ranger stood in between the ladies and the threat coming up from behind, Alice tried to decide what magic she could use to defend them. Just as she prepared to block the passageway with a wall of ice, a voice rang out. “Hey!”
Sally’s spine straightened. “That sounds like Dewar!”
When Rangers Delacourt and Flynn appeared, they were covered with dirt and debris.
“There was a cave-in.” Ranger Flynn bent double to shake clods and pebbles from his hair.
Alice’s heart sank. “Where are Kellan and Blade?”
Ranger Delacourt responded. “Uninjured, as far as we could tell, but they were on the other side.”
Flynn straightened. “I’m sure they’ve gone on with the mission.” He frowned. “Kellan thinks trolls are coming through the Briarwood City gate.”
Trolls? Alice braced herself against the wall. “Oh, no.”
“Between dragons and trolls, Colossus is going to need a miracle,” Sally whispered.
Alice took a deep breath and threw back her shoulders. This was no time for a princess to show weakness or fear, despite the fact that s
he was filled with both. “Once we reach the castle, we’ll see what each of us can do to help.”
Her words had the effect of galvanizing everyone to action. Sally asked Dewar to carry her on his back and the group moved forward. The torches brought them to a staircase which opened into the center of the labyrinth. The sky overhead was still black from the heavy cloud cover, the klaxon was still raising the alarm, and the castle was in chaos.
“The castle is under siege.” Ranger Flynn pointed toward the sky, where odd splotches of fire were exploding here and there. “It appears Pompano erected a security dome over Briarwood Castle, but dragons are trying to breach it.”
“I can’t look.” Sally whimpered and ducked her face against Ranger Delacourt’s back.
Alice made a sound of frustration. “A protective dome is all well and good but why hasn’t the wretched wizard managed to shut down the Briarwood City gate?”
“Sabotage, I imagine.” Flynn shook his head. “The Shadow Realm didn’t invade Colossus without inside help.”
The thought of traitors in the castle infuriated Alice but she kept her attention focused on the task at hand. When they emerged from the labyrinth, people ran past with lanterns or flashlights. Large groups of people were sitting on the grass, seemingly in shock.
“We have evacuees from the Colosseum and the surrounding neighborhoods.” Alice turned to Ranger Delacourt. “If you would be so kind as to bring Sally to my room, I’ll find bandages for her feet.”
Once they reached her suite, her bodyguards took up positions outside the door. Ranger Delacourt deposited Sally into a chair and Alice went into the bathroom to rummage for ointment, bandages, a towel, and a basin of warm water.
As Alice tended to Sally’s wounds, Ranger Flynn terminated a call on the comscreen.
“Dewar, we have orders to join our regiment at the castle gates.”
“Right.” Ranger Delacourt gave Sally a kiss on the cheek before crossing toward the door.
Ranger Flynn gave Alice a sober glance. “If all else fails, Princess, we’ll be back to evacuate you and Miss Yardley.”
After the Rangers left, Sally met Alice’s gaze. “Evacuate us to where?”
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