The four of them stumbled uneasily further into the seemingly never-ending cave. The only thing that saved them from their exhaustion was the strong smell of rotting sea animals and the volcanic heat that told them they were close.
The psyrens had come thick and fast and it had taken a lot of energy to defeat them and knowing this was only the beginning was not doing much for their optimism.
The Trio was leading them, his body rigid and ready for their next confrontation. His sword still dripped with blood, something that Bri found hard to see, after all she had been taught to always keep her blade clean, but for him it was the mark of his kill and once spent the sword would be discarded with its last victim.
Days ago, Surrial would have been stuck to Xander’s side like glue, now he towered over them both as supreme protector. His wings hung limply at his side, but there was still rigidity and tension in his stance and body.
Xander, however, had turned quiet and withdrawn. Bri sensed he felt useless to the group because his weakness to do earth magick could not help them. But soon, the path became much easier to walk and lighter.
'I don't like this,' Surrial said.
Bri knew he was right, things had been far too quiet since the psyrens.
‘I have found a door,’ the Trio said gruffly.
They all huddled closer and saw with the help of Surrial’s glowing orb a tiny wooden door. Bri automatically reached out to open it but was stopped by the Trio.
‘I will go first,’ he said.
For a brief moment she thought that the Third had come forward, or even the Second. It was not like the First to be so protective, especially of her. But in the light she glimpsed the colour of his eyes and satisfied that they were red, stepped back and allowed him to take the lead.
Xander gasped at the size of the room as the door was swung open. He had felt nothing but relief at the sight of the door. The time spent inside the tunnel had been difficult. He had never felt so useless in all of his life. He could not even do the simplest thing and summon the powers of earth to help them fight the psyrens. He was more of a hindrance then a help and he now wished that he had stayed on the Crux. The only driving force was the thought of revenge on the man that had killed his family and tried to destroy his kingdom.
Bri looked around at what she guessed was the throne room. Pools of lava gave the room a warm glow and the marble stone floor shone in the flickering flames, which came from a fiery waterfall at the back of the room. In the middle of the room a richly dressed chair sat empty of its occupant.
The occupant Bri was eager to have had in the room.
‘If this is the throne room where are the salamanders?’ Bri wondered out loud.
‘Well let them bring it on,’ the Trio said boldly.
‘Are you ready for them?’ a voice said from behind, causing them all to jump round.
From behind the throne a large bulky man came into view. The fire pools caught the man's eyes causing a wave of familiarity to hit Bri. But she had no idea where she knew him from.
‘Dryad,’ Surrial hissed.
The man smiled as he walked further into the light. ‘Long time no see Surrial. How is life treating you?’ Bri heard Surrial snort with disgust. Dryad’s eyes turned on her. ‘You must be Princess Briganti. Your reputation precedes you.’
She opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by a flash of red light going past her head.
‘You evil bastard,’ Xander shouted.
Dryad coolly reflected it back, turning the ball of flame into a pool of water at his feet. Xander paled at the sight, however it did not stop him from trying again.
‘Water!’ he shouted.
But Dryad was quicker and a ball of light flew towards Xander, yet as it flew to its target, the ball disintegrated into showers of dust. Surrial took his place in front of Xander like a protective lioness over her cub.
‘Where is Orlson?’ Bri demanded.
Dryad turned his head towards where Bri stood and the smile returned to his face.
‘I am surprised you care after the decision you made.’
Bri tried hard not to let the flinch inside show; however, she could tell by the raised eyebrow on his face that she had been unsuccessful.
‘You’re right. I don’t care. I came here for the Scales,’ she answered playing devil’s advocate.
Her mouth was dry as she saw Surrial make slight movements, she had to keep Dryad’s attention on her. She moved closer toward the dark alchemist. Where had she seen him before?
‘Don’t be so coy, princess, even your future husband knows how you feel about your guardian,’ Dryad taunted as he too began to circle the red-headed princess.
‘And how do I feel Dryad? Because I have spent most of my life and this journey trying to work that out,’ she replied.
In the corner of her eye, she glimpsed the brightness of Surrial’s orb and stepped quickly out of the way as it made its way past her. A sudden flash of light blinded her and turning she saw with surprise Surrial was now on the floor looking dazed.
She looked up at the Trio, but instead of a fired-up being ready to defend them, all she saw was a look of shock and dismay. Turning to where his attention was focused she felt her heart drop.
There was another angel in the room with them. An angel that looked just like her once friend and guardian. The only familiar thing about him was the smell of immense power. Instinctively, she touched the shell round her neck. She had to keep her cool. She was in control of every part of herself, mer or gypsy; however, she could not stop her legs feeling like jelly. Every part of her was attracted to the power that was emanating from him. All she wanted was to be consumed by him.
Dryad strode towards Orlson, his face filled with pride. ‘Princess Briganti may I introduce my son, Prince Orlson.’
Bri stepped back. Her heart was pounding so hard she feared it would jump from her chest.
‘What do you mean son and prince?’ Xander asked from behind Surrial. ‘He’s an angel? Angels are not of royal blood.’
‘I am your mother’s cousin, Prince Xander. I am of your royal blood,’ Dryad answered.
‘But angels are forbidden to mate with others,’ Surrial said quietly.
Bri could tell that he was just as shaken as she was, and she was finding it hard to form her own words. There in front of her was her beloved guardian who had been with her since birth. She had never known anything, but him at her side. All she could think about was the word prince.
He had been called Prince Orlson. This was beyond anything she could ever dream of, yet, there was an icy chill running through her body. All her danger receptors were on high alert.
‘Take a closer look Surrial. Does he remind you of Clara?’ Dryad said.
‘Who is Clara?’ Xander asked.
Surrial moved away from his post beside Xander. His once armed wings were now hung limply at his side. He looked as though someone had just punched him hard in the stomach. Bri had never seen him look so defeated and weak.
‘Clara was my sister,’ he whispered. ‘Surely she would not have been so stupid, not with you,’
‘As the princess is fully aware, we cannot control who we fall in love with. And yes Princess, Clara and I were in love, but Surrial here and Prince Xander’s family tore us apart.’
‘It was forbidden,’ Surrial said with more firmness in his voice.
Salamanders and psyrens had started to fill the room and with a sinking heart Bri saw that they had prisoners. Clues’ and Decks’ clothes were smoking from the salamanders’ touch and they looked as if they had taken a beating. It took them a moment to take in the scene and soon their own faces paled as they recognised Orlson’s new form.
‘Well, we didn’t see that coming,’ Decks said light-heartedly.
‘WATER!’
Xander’s voice echoed as a gush of water took out a row of salamanders. Suddenly the room was filled with chaos as the Trio acted
on the war cry and taking his already blood drenched sword threw himself into the psyrens. Xander, full of confidence summoned up more water and with Surrial armed with orbs they worked their way through the salamanders. The smell of sulphur and putrid water filled the room and in the chaos no one noticed that Dryad and Orlson had taken Bri and were dragging her towards Tatiana’s cave.
‘Orlson,’ Bri whispered, as he dragged her through the slime-riddled corridors.
His blue eyes found hers and she could see under the power there was hurt.
‘I had my reasons,’ she continued. He kept his silence. ‘Orlson, did you hear me?’
‘I heard every word,’ Orlson replied evenly.
‘I think you misunderstand Princess. Orlson is not angry with you. He is doing this for you. For your hand,’ Dryad said over his shoulder as he led the way.
Bri stopped so suddenly that she pulled away from Orlson’s grip.
‘For my hand? Are you kidding? Being a royal, Dryad, you should know that once promised, a betrothal cannot be broken,’ she said.
Dryad stopped and grabbed her arm. Pulling up her sleeve, he exposed the gold and silver band on her arm. She noted Orlson’s face flinch at his father’s roughness. There could be hope. He was not totally under Dryad’s spell.
‘You are right Princess, however, while defeating Zolar, the wizards there told me your betrothal can be broken if another prince challenges Xander.’
Bri turned toward Orlson. ‘And this is what I mean to you. I am nothing but a prize to feed your ego.’
Orlson turned away and this time Dryad took her arm and began to drag her to the end of the tunnel. Bri felt her stomach heave as the stench of the cave hit her. Dryad dragged her into the cave and she saw that there was a psyren in the room. A psyren that looked different from the ones she had ever encountered.
‘Princess Briganti,’ the psyren sang.
Bri pulled away from Dryad. ‘How do you know who I am?’ she asked.
‘Because it was I that gave you your hair,’ Tatiana sang.
Bri frowned. ‘What do you mean?’
Tatiana smiled as she clicked her fingers. Out of the darkness of the cave an old woman shuffled.
‘I think you should explain.’
‘Mother,’ Bri rushed to her mother’s side. ‘What are you doing here? And what does she mean, you explain?’
Magda lifted her tired eyes to look at her daughter’s. ‘I am so sorry my child. I never for one moment thought this would happen.’
‘That what would happen?’ Bri pushed.
‘I wanted to marry your father so much. Tatiana offered me a way and I took it at the price.’
‘And what was the price?’
‘The price was your mother’s blood and as you’re the only child from your mother and father’s union you belong to me,’ Tatiana sang.
Bri looked around to Orlson and Dryad hoping they knew what Tatiana was talking about, but they seemed blank.
‘I don’t understand,’ Bri said.
‘When I made the deal with Tatiana all those years ago I agreed that by giving my blood I would allow my first born to carry the blood of a psyren,’ Magda said, her eyes filled with tears.
Bri licked her already dried lips. She could tell by Dryad and Orlson’s face that this was news to them.
‘You mean that I’m a psyren?’ Bri whispered.
‘The blood I hold in this vial will start a chain reaction with your own and you will become a full one of us.’
‘Your plan was always for her to rule. A psyren High Queen, how clever and deviant,’ Dryad laughed softly.
‘Psyrens have always been robbed and I was robbed of the throne because of who I was. Magda here was my golden ticket,’ Tatiana sang.
‘I am so sorry,’ Magda sobbed.
Rage began to fill Bri’s body. She lifted her fist and smacked Tatiana clean in the face until she fell to the floor. Dryad grabbed her and pushed her hard toward Orlson.
‘Keep your betrothed under control.’
Bri turned so she faced Orlson. She could not believe he was allowing them to do this to her. What had happened to him? Where was the man she knew?
‘Orlson, please, don’t do this, I love you. I have always loved you.’
He looked down at her and a single tear fell down his face. ‘I have to kill Xander in order to have you,’ he replied.
‘You don’t have to kill anybody. The wizards will find a way to break the bond. Just stop this. You know you can,’ Bri begged.
‘There is no use begging Princess. We have worked our own magick with your guardian. We cannot have someone so powerful fully reigning. He is under our control,’ Dryad interrupted.
Bri turned to him and tried to move toward him, but Orlson’s grip tightened.
‘You have no idea what is going on,’ Bri raged. ‘The only person in this room that has not been played is that wytch over there.’
Dryad opened his mouth to answer, but he knew she was right. His mother’s revenge had been planned for some time and this pact she had made with the queen had brought this to light.
‘That wytch is holding your life in her hands,’ Tatiana interrupted. ‘Once you marry my grandson you will be crowned queen and your children will be the most powerful beings in Celestia.’
‘I may love Orlson, but if you think I would ever consider having his children then you are sadly mistaken,’ Bri said. ‘I cannot as queen, subject my people to having psyrens and angels as rulers.’
She noticed Orlson’s face twitch. She had hit a nerve. It was one thing to have her as his wife, but knowing that she would not have children with him was almost insulting. It was a lie, a blatant lie. The times she had dreamt about her and Orlson running through the rocky beaches of Zilva with their children, but she needed to keep her head together. She needed them to believe she would not do want they wanted.
A noise from outside broke the room’s tension. A flash of light lit up the room and Bri saw her chance and taking her sword made her way towards Tatiana. The Trio entered the room and their first aim was for Dryad. Bri looked for the others and guessed they were still busy with the salamanders.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Celestia's Tales: The Lybiria Scales Page 29