Entangled web of destruc.., p.7
Entangled Web of Destruction, page 7
“You are not a failure or a wrath of destruction. Let me help you, please.”
“Don’t touch me!”
He holds up his hands, backing away slowly.
“Punishment for everything I have done or have not done as a guardian. You cannot help me, not now, not ever. My body is riddled with darkness, and the memories of tonight plague my mind. Nothing can stop the images, nothing but mortality.”
“Your queen requests your presence.”
“I can’t see her, not after I have failed her. I could have tried to prevent everything, but he stopped me.”
“Who?”
Tears stream down her cheeks as she accepts the locket; an electrifying energy surrounds her body, and a gush of wind collides with Charnell, almost knocking him back. The hum of the wind decreases as it fades away, and light flashes across her face, highlighting the bruises.
He clenches his fist to control himself, and he wants nothing but revenge on whoever hurt her.
The door creaks.
“Lord Charnell, is everything okay?”
“Yes, Kennard, we will be out shortly.”
Nelia’s eyes glaze over, a sight that Charnell has seen too many times, a warning that she is receiving a vision, but this time it is different. The color of her eyes turns onyx. Swallowing, he continues to watch her, not fearing her but concerned the darkness will consume her as she has warned.
“Kennard is the traitor who allowed Richard through the lake’s gates with the warlock.”
The vision fades as Nelia’s blue eyes stare back at Charnell.
“In tough times, we always stick together, right?” he asks.
She nods.
“I need you to trust me and let me escort you to the queen. I will stop at nothing until we take care of those who did this to you.”
“That is a promise you cannot keep. You will find two traitors who will fall ill with a plague like no one has ever seen. I will be condemned for using black magic on civilians, something not even you can protect me from.”
“This will be our secret; no one else needs to know.” Tears burn in his eyes as he fights the temptation to cry and brushes her tears away. “I will not lose you again, my love.”
“I am already lost.”
ALEXANDER STOPS CHARNELL IN the hallway as Nelia enters the royal chambers.
“What happened?”
“You knew about her black magic, didn’t you?” Charnell fumes as he clenches his hands into a fist. “We have several men in our ranks that she cursed with a plague. We must locate them before anyone discovers she used black magic against them. You must also locate Sir Kennard, who allowed Richard and the warlock on the castle grounds.”
“Yes, I knew. The sorceress has been unpredictable since we arrived at Port Welch. There was an incident I covered up to protect her and our kingdom.”
Charnell grabs Alexander’s tunic, pushing him against the wall. “Don’t keep things from me that hinder my protection of her or the royal family. Do you understand?”
“You are taking your anger out on the wrong person. Get your hands off me now!”
Charnell pushes Alexander as he steps back.
“You need to talk with her if you have a problem. I will not have you upsetting the queen after everything she has gone through tonight,” growls Alexander. “We don’t need two erratic people who could endanger everyone. Do you understand me?”
Charnell rubs his tongue over his upper teeth, clenching his jaw as he crosses his arms.
“Understood.”
“Now, if you are done, let me clean up this mess.”
Charnell paces back and forth in the hall. He punches a door, cracking the wooden frame. Aaaah! Shaking his hand, he wraps a sash around his injury before entering the royal bedchamber to see Constantina holding her daughter and talking to Nelia.
“I told Nelia I need you both to travel to Orchard Ridge to bring my son home. My ladies took him out of the castle as the battle started.”
“I will ensure she accompanies me if she is up to traveling.”
“Nelia?” Constantina asks as she rests her hand on hers, instantly generating a sequence of visions.
“Your Majesty, your son is in terrible danger.” Nelia trembles as she pulls away from her grasp. She gets to her feet, stumbling, and Charnell catches her. “Richard’s troops are going to attack Orchard Ridge.”
Constantina wails, “What have I done?”
“Charnell, I need to clean up, and I will meet you in the courtyard,” informs Nelia.
“I will update Alexander, Your Majesty. We will bring your son home.”
Hopefully, Nelia’s predictions of the events have not unfolded yet, and their arrival will occur before Richard’s army. Even though he is furious with Alexander, he trusts him with his life, and he will protect the royal family with his. He hopes Lord Mitchell has not departed, and he can gather others to assist him.
15
Aurlynn
Plains
Dirt flies up as Aurlynn’s horse gallops through the open field, and she hammers her feet against the gelding’s side. The two scouts have tracked her, since she and Roselynn left Splintered Vale. Aurlynn drew the scouts toward her as she maneuvered around them, drawing their attention in the opposite direction from her friend. She shakes her arm to relieve the pain and grips the reins tighter. It’s been hours since they left the castle; darkness has faded, and the sun’s rays are bright.
Thundering hooves stampede closer.
Her hair crosses her face as the breeze collides with her body, and her cloak flutters in the wind. Orchard Ridge is hours away, and she knows there is no way she can make it safely, but she must keep the scouts busy to allow Roselynn to arrive there with Kyle. Water splashes against her body as they race through the creek. She wipes the dampness out of her eyes, refusing to give up.
Two scouts appear on either side of her.
Gritting her teeth, she yells at the horse to go faster, but a scout pulls the reins, from her hands and abruptly stops her horse.
“Sorceress, we have finally caught up to you,” a scout says, his voice rustic and stern.
“I must reach the next town for a sick friend,” she lies, refusing to look at them. “Please release me.”
The other scout pulls off her hood, revealing her identity.
“It’s our pleasure to meet you, Aurlynn,” Cade says.
“Where is the sorceress?” the other man asks.
He grabs onto her cloak, and they struggle.
“Get your hands off me!”
Aurlynn falls off her horse.
“Why did you do that, Zerk?” Cade teases as he jumps down from his horse. “Aurlynn, you have nowhere to run.”
Tears blur her vision as she tries to scramble away, but he is too fast and grabs her ankle. Her body imprints the soft soil as he pulls her toward him. Drawing a small knife from her dress, she slashes Cade’s arm. He screams, releasing her, but not for long, and she kicks him in the face as the other scout watches.
“Aurlynn, stop!”
“Cade, please don’t do this. You’re my brother’s friend.”
She continues to kick her legs, but a movement catches her attention, and he overpowers her, sitting on her. She grabs a rock, trying to hit him, but he blocks her arm.
“Stop! I don’t want to hurt you.”
The other man comes out of nowhere and moves too fast for her to block him. An object collides with her skull as pain radiates through her head and darkness overcomes her.
AURLYNN LEANS AGAINST CADE against Cade as he escorts her down the hall; mold and mildew assault her nose, causing her to sneeze. She can’t figure out how long she was unconscious or the time of day because of the lack of windows. Dust sits heavily on the old armor, and the tapestries look damp. They enter a large room with seating, rugged tapestries, and faded portraits, and in the front sits Richard on an old wooden throne.
“Why is she here?” he harps as he drinks wine.
“She was a decoy to protect your nephew,” says Cade.
Aurlynn tumbles forward, her knees colliding with the floor, cringing in pain and refusing to make eye contact with him.
Richard kneels, and his alcoholic breath brushes against her skin.
“No one will be here to rescue you. Your king is dead.”
“You lie,” she says, spitting in his face.
She cries as his palm collides with the side of her face. Tears peak on Aurlynn’s eyelids, as she tries to control her composure and refuses to show weakness.
“My queen will rescue me.”
“Who said she was alive?” Richard presses a dagger to the side of her throat. “Are you going to tell me the plan, or do I need to force it out of you?”
Aurlynn freezes, unsure if he would follow through with harming her, or if he is telling the truth about her king. The room is quiet, and a few men stand against the wall behind Richard, observing the scene. She studies the vein on Richard’s forehead throbbing and the scars on his face. The likeness to King Jonathan is too authentic for her to comprehend.
“You might as well kill me. I will not tell you anything,” Aurlynn says.
“So brave and beautiful. Let us see, if you can fool the warlock.”
Aurlynn laughs softly. “Do you think the sorceress would not have a backup plan? You are a fool if you believe otherwise.”
Richard smirks at the sound of heavy footsteps entering.
“We will see.” He smirks.
The warlock’s six-foot frame towers over both her and the king.
“Warlock, who was with Aurlynn, and where is my nephew being taken. She claims the sorceress has done something to prevent you from reading them.”
“A challenge I accept,” he advertises as he kneels.
His large hand wraps around Aurlynn’s head as she wiggles free. His grip only tightens, and his stench makes her stomach turn.
“Your Majesty, the sorceress has cast a concealment spell. It’s going to take time for me to break.”
Aurlynn grins, pulling away from the warlock.
“I don’t have time!”
Aurlynn crawls backward as Richard draws his sword. She bumps into someone as the sword blade slightly pierces her skin.
“Do you not fear death? I will give you two sunrises before we meet again. At that time, you had better disclose everything you know about my nephew. Get her out of my sight!”
Cade’s rough hand tightens on her arm as he escorts her to the dungeon. She wants to beg him to let her go, but she knows he has already committed treason. She never would have expected this from him, not after the years of his loyalty. Richard must be holding something against him.
“Cade, I will not disclose your defiance. You can run away and never look back.”
“We have both made a decision that will affect our lives. If you’re lucky, His Majesty will take pity on you.”
“You’re hurting me.”
“I advise you to keep your feet out of the water and not drink the contamination.”
“It sounds like you care,” she says. “Cade?”
He refuses to answer her as he continues to drag her down the winding stairs to the dungeon. The large gates open by a knight at the bottom of the steps. Neither man says a word, as Cade ushers her down a dark hallway partially lit by torches. Opening the cell door, he pushes her inside.
The cold water quickly saturates the bottom of her dress, and chills consume her body. She climbs on a stone slab to get away from something in the darkness. Aurlynn cradles her legs against her chest, trying to figure out how to escape, hoping she will be rescued soon.
16
Roselynn
Orchard Ridge
“We made it,” says Roselynn as she hugs Kyle.
Orchard Ridge appears over the highlands as Roselynn travels up the hillside. Light reflects off the lake’s surfaces as the dew shimmers in the sun’s glow. The two scouts following her for the last few hours seemed to have disappeared, but she is not second-guessing their decision they may be setting a trap for her.
The town is quiet, with a few people in the distance attending to their crops and livestock in the early morning hours. The horses in the stables get restless as she ties her horse to the watering trough.
“Kyle, I need you to stay hidden until I return. Can you do that for me?”
“Yes.”
Once Kyle climbs behind the crates, she turns to see someone entering from the street. She cringes at seeing the red eyes of the dragon, a haunting image of the knights of Broken Rest, Richard’s insignia. Reaching into her pocket, she finds that her dagger is not there and must have fallen out. She can scream but doesn’t know if anyone will hear her at the edge of town.
Roselynn makes eye contact with the knight.
“Where is the prince?”
“I don’t know what you are talking about.”
He grabs her upper arm, pulling her toward him. “I don’t have time for your tricks. My orders are to kill anyone who stands in my way. Do you want death to greet you?”
“I will scream.”
“Scream! You will be dead before anyone arrives. Now, where is the prince?”
Roselynn stomps on his foot, but he doesn’t flinch and only grits his teeth, pulling her closer to him. His rough hand grips her chin forcefully, and she struggles to free herself, but he overpowers her by pushing her against a post.
“There will be no violence in my town,” Lord Ryan says. “Let her go.” He pulls his sword from the sheath. “I will not ask again.”
“This is not over, Roselynn.”
He brushes past Lord Ryan, leaving the barn without hesitation.
“Roselynn, are you?”
“Go! Make sure he leaves town,” she says.
Roselynn crouches in front of the watering bin; her elegant dress rests in the mud as she tries to catch her breath and weeps. She can’t control her emotions as her lips and chin tremble. Kyle snuggles against her chest and wraps his arms around her.
“Roselynn, what’s going on?” Lord Ryan demands.
“Her Majesty sent Aurlynn and I away with the prince to protect him. Aurlynn drew the men away from us, so we could flee, but two more scouts tracked us here, but they disappeared.” Roselynn pulls her arm back to reveal the prince. “We can’t let anything happen to him. I promised Her Majesty.”
“We must get you both out of sight,” he urges.
“Her Majesty wanted me to give this to you.”
He accepts the letter.
“I will ensure that you and the prince return safely to Splintered Vale as soon as I know the castle is no longer under siege. Did you leave during or before the battle?”
“We left as Richard’s army arrived.”
Kyle holds Roselynn’s hand as they follow Lord Ryan.
“You can stay with me until we can figure this out.”
RYAN’S TWO-LEVEL HOME SITS on the edge of town, a short distance from the stables, and nestled among several trees. He was never a man for luxury or an extravagant lifestyle, according to Aurlynn, his cousin. The home is cozy, with a fire in the fireplace and the smell of food boiling in iron pots. Roselynn allows Kyle to explore the room under her watchful eye.
He finds some wooden blocks to play with.
“There is a room upstairs you can stay in until your departure. My room is down the hall, but due to the circumstances, I will remain downstairs, until I can gather a few men to join us for added protection.”
“Is that Richard’s men?” Roselynn grabs Kyle in her arms as horses rush into town. “Ryan, I can’t go through this again.”
He peers outside. “My men have returned from Splintered Vale. Please take the prince upstairs, until I know what is going on. Keep quiet.”
Roselynn sprints upstairs, carrying Kyle to the room that Ryan had instructed her to go to. She places the child in the corner with some odds and ends she finds for him to play with. Gasping for air, she peers out the window and sees two men walking toward the house, but she can’t make out their faces. She sneaks into the hallway to find out what is going on.
“There are rumors that the king is dead, but we are unsure because we left quickly after Richard’s army. We were concerned they would attack our village, and we need to protect our family,” Michael, a nobleman, says.
“Is anyone left at Splintered Vale?” Ryan asks.
“A few of our men.”
“Let’s not panic or inform anyone else of what you told me until we know more. Michael, I want our archers in the towers. Lukas, gather a group to ensure our townspeople know the evacuation plan, if our home is under attack.”
After a few minutes of silence, Ryan continues, “Aidan, Flynn, I need to talk alone with you about your cousins in Splintered Vale.”
“What’s going on?” Flynn asks.
“Neither of you can disclose what I am about to say. I need you to swear an oath to our family.”
“I swear, but what does this have to do with Aurlynn and Alexander?” Flynn asks.
“We don’t betray family,” Aidan reminds.
“Prince Kyle is upstairs with Roselynn. Aurlynn’s whereabouts are unknown. They fled the castle as Richard’s army attacked, and they both were followed, so we need to be prepared because Richard is more than likely to attack. We had a scout flee here earlier, and it is only a matter of time before he reaches Broken Rest.”
“What do you need us to do?” Flynn asks.
“Aidan, find the rogue and take care of him. Flynn, I need you to stay here to protect the prince. Once we know Richard’s army is not retaliating, we can send word to Alexander, but no one else. We can’t trust anyone but family until we ensure the prince is safe.”
“Father, please tell my wife and children I love them,” Aidan says.
Flynn warns, “We will be outnumbered and have no resources to send out reinforcements, if the army attacks.”
“We need all available fighters ready to prevent the army from advancing to allow Mitchell to return with more men.”
