by V F Sharp
Ezstasia shrugged. “Maybe. They do have an awful lot of knights outside. But either way, he should’ve told us something. He wasn’t like that before. He was more… open.”
She started thinking back to her last conversation with the prince before she’d left for the Cottages. She remembered him saying that there were strange sightings in the forest, but he hadn’t mentioned any specific details.
“Maybe he’s just being cautious,” said Lanzzie, interrupting her thoughts.
As they reached the top of the stairs, Randin caught up beside them.
“You know what I think?” he said, apparently eavesdropping on their whispers. “I think he may be behind it all.”
“Randin!” said Ezstasia in the loudest whisper she could muster. “Quiet!” She motioned toward the servants just ahead of them, hoping they didn’t already hear him.
“We can all meet in my room after we check into our own rooms,” said Lanzzie. “Randin, tell the others.”
* * * *
Once Ezstasia got to her room, she saw that Miss Tee had left a tray with some pastries and a note that read, “Welcome back, dear.”
The others had already gone to their rooms. Exhausted, she fell back on the bed and began trying to make sense of everything that had happened. Why had the prince been so aloof? Why hadn’t he wanted to hear the stories, or the many reasons that brought them here? He’d seemed far more forthcoming during her last visit. Now, in front of her friends, he’d made her look like a fool. She began to wonder if coming here was one huge mistake.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.
“Are you coming?” said Lanzzie, through the door. “We’re all waiting for you.”
Ezstasia took a deep breath and rose to go to the door. She was almost embarrassed to see her friends. After all, she had led them here into nothing but uncertainty. She opened the door and silently followed her sister up the long hallway. The next room on the left was Lanzzie’s.
As she entered, she was surprised to see the size of the spacious, circular room. It was even larger than hers, though more sparsely decorated in natural wood and white linens. Everyone was sitting around on benches and chairs, the sun’s ray’s beaming down through large windows, high above them on the walls.
Ezstasia took a seat next to Lanzzie on one of the benches.
“We were just saying that the prince is probably responsible for all of the dark magic in the forest,” said Zander.
“Well, we didn’t say that exactly,” said Fin. “But it does look suspicious.”
“Yes, his response was a bit odd,” said Randin. “That’s why I brought it up.”
“It’s not the prince!” said Ezstasia. She didn’t know why she was defending Prince Alazar, but she still didn’t think he was the cause of the magic. It just didn’t add up.
“Whoa, a little defensive, are we?” said Zander. “How do you know he isn’t?”
“Because it wouldn’t make sense if he were. Why would he bother to save me and care for me? And then let me go back to the Cottages? I just think maybe he knows something, but he doesn’t want to share it right now.”
“She has a point,” said Pallu.
“You’re all listening to the girl with a crush,” said Ithron, sitting with his arm around Jezreel.
“You’re one to talk,” said Pallu.
“I do not have a crush, Ithron!” said Ezstasia. She could feel her face getting red, though she wasn’t sure if it was from embarrassment or anger.
“Can we get back to the issue here?” said Meldon. “Let’s talk about what we know so far. The prince has a lot of magical artifacts and history in this castle. That much is clear.”
“That doesn’t mean he’s responsible for the magic,” said Ezstasia.
“I didn’t say he was,” said Meldon. “But when you combine that with the fact that he knows we’re all witnesses to the magic, that he specifically asked if we told anyone else about, and that he’s holding us here, it sure seems like a possibility.”
“You don’t know that,” said Ezstasia.
“That’s why it’s called a possibility,” said Meldon.
“You haven’t seen how he treats his people,” she said. “They adore him.”
“Well, who else anywhere, has that much access to magic?” said Zander. “He’s not far from the forest. He’s mysterious. He keeps everything to himself. It has to be him.”
“Then why would he be training knights to get ready for whatever is in the forest? He told me himself that he was concerned about it.”
“Pardon me,” said Meldon, “but I have to raise a small concern with that.”
“Which is?” she said, defensively.
Meldon pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose. “If you suspect magic, why would you train knights? No knight in the world can fight the things that I saw. Or shall I say—the things that I didn’t see? That begs the question: What exactly is he training for?”
“I’ll tell you what he’s training for,” said Zander. “He’s training to fight humans. I bet he wants to take over all the Human Lands. And he’s using magic and knights to do it.”
“Yeah,” said Ithron. “You could’ve brought us straight into a trap.”
“Stop!” yelled Ezstasia, making Zander jump. “Just stop. I hear all your theories, but the fact is that you’re all wrong. I told you already, he made a point of telling me he was concerned about the strange sightings in that forest. He didn’t have to tell me that, but he did. Why would he do that if he was the one causing it? And aside from that, he was trying to get me to shed light on what was happening in there and wanted to know if I was the one behind it. It doesn’t make sense that it would be him.”
She wasn’t sure if she was angrier with them or with the prince. She even began to doubt herself. Could Prince Alazar really be the cause of this? Why would he have rescued her? Was she an unintended victim and he simply felt guilty? Her mind began to wander back to the Black Castle. Something was going on inside of that castle. She just knew it. The prince said they were using the castle for training, but there must be something he wasn’t telling her. She had to find out what was happening there, if only to ease her mind. And that’s just what she was going to do—she was going to visit the Black Castle.
“Let’s talk about this like the respectful young ladies and gents we all are,” said Fin. “Nobody’s jumping to any conclusions. We’re only discussing possibilities.”
Ezstasia stood up.
“You can all discuss it without me,” she said. “I’m tired.”
“Ezstasia, please don’t do this,” said Lanzzie.
“Do what?” she said. “I’m seriously tired.”
“Since when do you go to sleep this early? We haven’t even had dinner!” said Lanzzie. “Not to mention, you’ve always had more energy than all of us. This is important.”
“Now she’s acting like the prince,” said Ithron. “Just walking away at the most crucial time. Yes, I’d say it’s a crush all right.”
“Maybe you all forgot I had a head injury,” she said. “I’m going to my room to lie down. If you all want to continue discussing these things, be my guest.”
She turned and left the room, fully aware that everyone was staring at her like she was crazy. But there was no choice. One way or another she was going to visit that castle and find out exactly what was hidden behind its walls.
* * * *
Lanzzie looked at Fin. “Something’s not right,” she said.
“That’s the understatement of the year,” said Ithron.
“There’s no way she’s going to sleep,” said Zander.
“I have to say, I agree,” said Fin. “It’s not like her at all. She was acting a bit peculiar.”
“A bit?” said Zander.
“Maybe she really is just tired,” said Pallu. “We did have an awfully long walk. I’m tired myself. And I have to say, a little hungry.”
Zander looked at him an
d rolled his eyes. “I think she’s up to something.”
“Well, I’m sure it’s nothing bad,” said Pallu, as he stood. “And there’s nothing we can really do now anyway. Now if you’ll all excuse me, my cooking skills are about to be sharpened with the help of a pretty little lady who has the same love for food as I do. And so, I bid you adieu.” Pallu mockingly bowed and waltzed out of the room.
“Pallu, wait,” said Ithron, who rose up and helped Jezreel stand to her feet. “We’re going outside, too.”
“I’m not sure we’re quite ready for double dating,” said Pallu.
“Don’t flatter yourself,” said Ithron. “We just want to explore the village. Maybe annoy the villagers a bit.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” said Fin.
“Calm yourself. I was kidding. Mostly.”
As the three of them left, Meldon stood. “Well, if we’re done here, me, myself, and my mind are going to go map out the coordinates of this place. We may as well get familiar with our surroundings. Plus, the architecture here is superb. I wouldn’t mind getting a better look.”
As he left the room, Lanzzie thought more about Ezstasia and quickly made up her mind.
“I’m going to go check on my sister,” she said, standing. “I want to find out what she’s really up to.”
“Not without us, you’re not,” said Fin, jumping up.
Randin and Zander looked at each other as if they silently came to the same conclusion.
“We’re joining you,” said Randin, as they rose.
Lanzzie nodded and headed into the hallway, the others close behind her. When she got to Ezstasia’s door, she knocked quietly.
Nobody answered.
“Ezstasia,” she called.
They knocked several more times. No answer.
Lanzzie slowly turned the knob.
“You wait here,” she said to Fin and the twins.
She slowly walked into Ezstasia’s room. She didn’t see anyone on the canopy bed. As she walked further into the room, she realized it was empty.
“She’s not here,” she said loudly enough for the others to hear.
Fin, Randin, and Zander entered.
“Wow, will you look at this place!” said Zander.
“I wonder if she would consider switching rooms,” said Randin.
“I guess she wasn’t tired after all,” said Fin. “Wonder where she went.”
Just as they stepped back out into the hall, Pallu came running back from down the corridor.
“What’s wrong?” said Lanzzie.
“Nothing,” said Pallu, out of breath. “I got halfway there and realized I forgot my cloak in case it gets chilly later. What are you guys up to?”
“Looking for Ezstasia,” said Fin.
“I just saw her on the stairs. She was heading down while I was coming up.”
“Did she say where she was going?” said Lanzzie.
“No, she just said she was thirsty. But I must say, she seemed to be in a big hurry for that water. Sorry to cut this short, but time is a tickin’. See you later.”
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” said Fin to Lanzzie with a large grin.
“Yes,” said Lanzzie. “Let’s go follow her.”
CHAPTER TEN
Once outside the castle, Ezstasia unfolded the long, hooded cloak Miss Tee had given her and draped it around her shoulders. She fastened it to cover her clothing, trying to inconspicuously make her way through the villages toward the Black Castle. It helped that the sun had set and brought upon her a cover of darkness. She didn’t want to run into any more of her friends, who may have been out exploring the village. She was lucky it was Pallu that she’d encountered on the stairway; he was too wrapped up in his new love to care about anything else.
She could feel the gentle breeze blowing her braided hair as she made her way through the dirt road, the path illuminated by tall torches on both sides. She could see candles flickering in the windows of many of the homes, and human silhouettes moving about. Each home had lanterns mounted on their outside walls and on their porches. The cottages back home were more spread out, whereas this felt like a festival of lights.
Along the way, she could hear laughter and shouting coming from the homes. As she continued, rich aromas permeated the air. The heavenly smells of meats and vegetables, seasoned with the most delectable spices wafted past her, reminding her that dinner would soon be served at the castle. She still had an hour or so to get back. The last thing she needed was for her friends to try and wake her for dinner, or worse—for the prince to call for her before she had returned.
She passed one establishment that was particularly loud, with people pouring out onto the porch. They danced and drank to what sounded like an old pub song, though she hadn’t heard it before. A wooden sign swayed in the gentle breeze above the porch that read, The Crazy Root. Then, just after passing the riotous pub, she spotted them.
Ithron and Jezreel were sitting alone at a small wooden table on a white porch. Even though dusk had fallen, the brightly lit village allowed Ezstasia to see the colorful flowers that hung from the porch’s roof and overflowed from wooden pots mounted onto its balusters. They appeared to be in deep conversation. Ithron must have been telling a funny story because Jezreel laughed every time he gestured with his hands. As he spoke, she sipped from a dainty teacup and looked up at him with such awe and fascination. Ezstasia noticed the small sign that read Flowered Tea ‘n Honey sticking out of the ground next to the white fence that marked the entrance. She couldn’t believe how much Ithron had changed. She never thought she’d see him in any place that had the word ‘flower’ in it and she never expected to see him open up the way he had.
Ezstasia picked her hood up to block her face and continued walking, although, even if Ithron or Jezreel had spotted her, they probably wouldn’t think it so unusual. Besides, they were too wrapped up in each other to care about anything she was doing.
She was about to pass one of the bakeries when she heard an unmistakable voice, quickly followed by a delicate female laugh. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Pallu and his new girlfriend emerging from the bakery. If anyone deserved to be happy and in love, it was Pallu. She wondered how he got to the bakery so quickly from the castle; he was on his way upstairs when she ran into him earlier. But at least this proved that, with the proper motivation, Pallu could move pretty quickly.
She held her hood up and kept moving.
Ezstasia left the Eastern Village and made her way through the field of wildflowers which she remembered seeing earlier. The mountains were visible to the left, as were the majestic Falls of Allura. Before long, she came to the Road of Sorrow.
The tree-lined dirt road was even scarier in the dark, but she walked quickly through the eerie path and emerged. She had reached the steep decline which led to the Western Village. She made her way down the hill and up to the pebble path that led through the quieter village and could finally see the imposing Black Castle on her left. Its tremendous stone buttresses pierced the night sky. She continued toward the castle and saw the long bridge that led to its massive doors. The bridge extended over the large moat surrounding the castle and led to the guarded gate. She thought it odd that this castle had a moat and Valorian’s Castle didn’t. Why did this castle go through such great lengths to have protection?
Her heart pounded as she approached the bridge, not only because of her trepidation about the guards, but also from her fear of heights. She stepped onto the bridge and continued slowly, daring to look down into the moat only once. As beautiful as the moonlight was on the flowing current below, she immediately regretted looking. It made her realize just how high up she was. Glancing ahead at the castle’s entry gate, she could see the guards questioning two figures dressed in black, head-to-toe uniforms. She realized they were also trying to enter. Their faces were covered with form-fitting black cloth with narrow eyeholes, just like the man she had spotted in the castle window the day before. A
fter some questioning, the guards let them pass. That’s when she noticed several similarly-dressed, masked men coming in and out of the castle. The uniforms must have been a form of protective gear. But protection from what?
As curious as she was, her bigger issue at the moment was to determine exactly how she would get inside the castle. She could lie and say Prince Alazar gave her access or had sent her for training, but the guards would no doubt question her. Or maybe she could cause a distraction and lure the guards away, but that, too had risks.
She took a deep breath and made her way toward the guards. The closer she got, the more she wanted to turn around, but she was determined to try. She needed to find out what was in that castle.
As she approached, the guards stared intently at her. She immediately realized she still had her hood over her head, which must’ve looked awfully suspicious. She lowered her hood and kept moving toward the guards, her long cloak dragging along the ground. One guard stepped forward.
“Entry is off limits,” he said in a strong, firm voice. “You should know that.”
“I’m sorry. I’m a guest of Prince Alazar.”
He turned back to the other guards, then back toward her.
“Guest or no guest, you need orders to enter. Do you have orders?”
“Orders?”
“If the prince sent you here, he’d have sent you with written orders. A parchment. Do you have it?”
“No, I’m afraid I—”
“Then you’ll need to turn around.”
She pointed to the men dressed in black behind the gate.
“I didn’t see any of them with a parchment,” she said.
“They’re with the Valorian Order. They’re authorized to be here. Now turn around.”
“What’s the Val—”
“Enough questions. Now move.”
She turned to leave, but then the guard yelled out from behind her.
