by Sarah Coley
"Oi Dearg, do we need to clean up all of your me.."
Before the Goblin could finish his sentence, Vincent's hand had shot up and plunged straight into the Goblins chest, ripping a hole and punching it's heart through the other side. The Goblin took two desperate gulps before dropping to the ground.
Vincent quickly removed his fangs from Eleanor’s neck. She could feel the blood still flowing from the wounds as the warmth of it pooled at the back of her head. She figured that Vampire venom must have some sort of anticoagulant in it. Eleanor could have almost laughed comparing Vincent to a mosquito.
Vincent leant down and whispered in her ear as shouts from both the Goblins and Brennus became closer.
"You're going to be fine Eleanor. I'm going to heal you and then we need to run."
Vincent bent his head down and licked the spot were the wounds where. Eleanor instantly felt intense tingling as the wounds began to close and heal, and she felt her strength return to her.
" You called me Eleanor!" She whispered.
"That I did,” Vincent said with a grin.
He leapt from her in a flash and started to attack a Goblin
that was closing in with his daggers drawn.
Eleanor sat up and was amazed by what she saw. There was a battle going on all around her between the Goblins and her companions.
Brennus was shooting arrows faster than Eleanor could count, taking down Goblin after Goblin, whilst he tried to close in on Eleanor’s position. She could clearly see the silhouettes of Astel and Owen in the distance. Owen was in a sword fight with a Goblin and getting the upper hand, whilst Astel was shooting pure balls of blue electricity from her staff, incinerating everything it came into contact with.
"Eleanor, are you ok?" Brennus shouted, running over to her and placing his hand on her back. Owen ran to her from the front.
"We need to get her out of here," shouted Owen over the noise.
Owen and Brennus pushed Eleanor to her feet but she still felt light headed. She could clearly see that the majority of the Goblins were either injured or dead and the occasional swift blur would shoot past her which Eleanor presumed was Vincent.
Eleanor started to limp her way over to the road leading to the woods, lashing out with her dagger when she thought the enemy were to close. She looked ahead and could see the tree line gradually becoming closer.
Astel stood in the path with her staff drawn and smiled openly at Eleanor, when out of the shadows a large and grotesque Goblin appeared, his sword drawn.
Astel hadn't seen him approaching and turned too late as he hit her square across the face, knocking her to the ground and forcing her to drop her staff.
Brennus and Owen had seen it to and the three of them ran towards Astel with Owen taking the lead. With each foot fall Eleanor could feel her energy slipping away. Vincent's venom might have healed her physically, but mentally she was left feeling drained.
No sooner had she lifted her knife from her side, than a blast of pure light irrupted from nowhere and cascaded out in Astel’s direction. The Goblin shielded his eyes from the shear illumination of it before he disintegrated into nothing more than dust.
No sooner had the light begun as it dissipated into darkness as night encroached on them once more. Eleanor looked quickly around but could see only her companions were left. Vincent was stood on top of a nearby tree, obviously in an attempt to escape the magic that had consumed the monsters.
Brennus and Astel stood where they had been fighting, and Owen was slumped on the floor. Whatever the light was, it had only seemed to effect creatures that had been born into darkness, leaving the rest of them unscathed.
Eleanor felt the world beginning to spin and distort. Her legs gave way before darkness took her.
Chapter 22
"Eleanor! Eleanor can you hear me?"
"What did you do to her? She's not even conscious Dearg."
"Brennus she will be fine. I healed her. Sometimes it just takes time for someone to come around."
Eleanor slowly opened her eyes, squinting at the light as her vision whirled around. Her eyelids felt like lead weights as she tried to keep them open, but she gradually began to make out the shape of a face and as her vision began to clear further, Astel's warm smile was looking down at her.
"She's awake once more. Eleanor it's good to have you back,” Astel spoke with delight.
Eleanor was confused. Where was she and how did she end up here wherever here was? When she first came round, she was sure that the events of the last 2 weeks had been nothing more than an elaborate dream, and that she would open her eyes to find herself back in her bed at her apartment in Manchester, but the damp smell and chill in the air had told her otherwise.
She started to sit up gradually but as soon as she righted herself a second wave of dizziness took her, threatening to make the world black again so she laid her head back down.
"Where, who?" If she could just have a few moments she could get her bearings.
"What's wrong with her? She seems confused." It was Owens voice that she could hear in the background. Everyone seemed to pause in anticipation of Eleanor’s next move. She gradually sat herself back up again, this time without the dizziness and could just make out shadows in the near distance.
"Wait, I've got an idea,” Brennus spoke breaking the tension.
Eleanor could see the outline of someone approaching her who she presumed was Brennus, although her vision was still clouded. He walked over to her and bent down giving her a glorious grin. God, this man was an arse at the best of times, but he had a stunning smile. What was Eleanor thinking? She hadn't felt this out of it since her 16th birthday party when she'd had 5 shots of absinthe followed closely with a cider.
Before her vision had properly cleared, two strong hands cupped the sides of her face and Brennus pressed his lips to hers in a kiss. Eleanor was so shocked that for a moment she kissed him back, thankful for the warmth and connection, but it was the jolt she needed.
How dare he take advantage of her in a deluded state.
She did the only things she could do. She pulled back her hand, pushed her head back and slapped Brennus hard across the face.
"What the hell is wrong with you?” she chastised whilst pulling herself to her feet. Her vision had corrected itself now, and she could see that she was in some sort of cave with a fire lit in the centre which illuminated the surroundings, sending flickering shadows across the walls.
"Knew that would do it,” Brennus announced whilst rubbing his jaw. " I really need to learn to watch that right hook of yours."
"See, no harm done,” said Vincent with a smirk. He was sat in the corner on a rock, bound around the wrists by chains again, although Eleanor had a suspicion that if Vincent wanted to break free, he could easily do so.
"If it wasn't for you, she wouldn't have been hurt in the first place,” shouted Brennus.
"And if it wasn't for me she'd already be dead."
Brennus launched himself across the cave floor and punched Vincent square in the face. The attack didn't seem to effect Vincent much as he didn't even flinch, but Brennus was now cradling his hand.
"Well this is ridiculous,” muttered Owen, “maybe everyone should stop hitting each other and sit down like grown ups for a moment so we can discuss our options from here."
"Owen's right,” declared Eleanor. “Brennus, did you get the supplies we needed?"
Brennus made a huge grin and opened his arms jestingly. "Course I did. What do you take me for?”
"An arrogant idiot that let our plan down by shouting and balling through the streets,” Vincent commented flatly.
"If I hadn't shouted you’d have killed Eleanor."
"I had everything under control,” Vincent argued.
"Whatever happened, we're all alive and we have the supplies,” Eleanor surmised eager to defuse the situation.
"Yes, whilst letting every dark spawn in a twenty mile radius know where our location is,” "Vincent chast
ised. “The key to survival is to remain hidden for as long as possible. "
"I agree,” Astel interjected. "We compromised our position tonight, but the conflict was somewhat unavoidable. "
"Didn't I tell you and Owen to stay at the rendezvous point?" Eleanor said with a smile.
"You did. We ignored it,” Owen answered.
"Well nothing new there then,” replied Eleanor. “To be honest Astel, that sunlight spell you cast was a life saver."
" Eleanor, I would take the credit for it if it was me but alas, it wasn't,” Astel Declared.
Eleanor was lost for words and paused before she spoke, "Well if it wasn't you then who was it?"
"It was me,” Owen announced. Eleanor’s jaw dropped and everyone was now staring at Owen. The silence in the cave was deafening. Owen could hardly make a decent mug of coffee never mind create magic.
"How could it be Owen? We're both from our Earth. Magic doesn't exist there,” Eleanor said.
"But it does in Rogardium and you are no longer in Albion. Whatever talents Owen possessed have only come into fruition because you are here."
"What does that mean?" Eleanor and Owen both asked at the same time.
"It means the boy is a mage,” Brennus announced.
"And a powerful one as well. What I witnessed tonight in Brackon was just pure energy. It takes years to learn to control and use magic. What Owen did happened through pure instinct,” Astel said.
"So what happens if I don't control it? If I ignore it?” Owen asked whilst looking into the fire.
"This won't go away because you want it to," Astel said softly. "If you don't master the magic, it could be unleashed when you don't mean it to and destroy the people you love."
"And if you are untrained, you are a target to Balor,” Vincent added. “He will have felt the shock wave that ricocheted from that spell. He'll be searching out it's source. It's not safe to stay here."
"I agree. We'll need to leave this place as soon as the sun sets,” Astel announced.
"Well I'd love to be a fly on the wall when you tell your master how you managed to aid his enemies and disintegrate 20 of his armed forces,” Brennus chuckled. Vincent looked at Brennus and growled.
Eleanor was coming to realize that Vincent had had the opportunity to escape and kill her many times before, but he had done neither. He had put a target on his back by killing those Goblins, and despite what he may have done to Eleanor as a decoy, he had not intended her to be harmed. If they were to rescue the Prince, they would need an ally not a captive.
"Why is Vincent still tied up?" Eleanor declared.
"Mostly because he decided to make you his main meal,” Owen said matter of factly.
"He did it as a decoy so that Brennus could collect supplies. He healed me and fought those Goblins which won’t have gone unnoticed by Sleugh and Balor. I think he's earned our trust."
Vincent was looking over at Eleanor with a humbled look in his eyes. Eleanor knew that if this mission was to succeed, they were going to have to start trusting each other.
"What about what the Goblins had said,” Brennus announced. "I heard it clear as day before I shouted. He asked Vincent whether he had already tired of torturing the Prince.” Vincent had a look of shock and fear in his eyes.
"What is this, Vincent?” Astel shouted whilst raising from her seat. Eleanor had heard this statement to, and knew this would be the catalyst of Astel. She would need to defuse the situation fast.
No sooner had Eleanor stood to intervene than Astel stretched her right arm out and started to grab at the air in front of Vincent, forming a claw with her hand and twisting it with such malice it made Eleanor cringe. Vincent started to scream and flail around.
"I asked you about the Prince and you assured me that you had no part in his capture,” Astel shouted twisting her clawed hand sideways, making Vincent scream louder. Eleanor had seen enough. She leapt from her position and stood directly in front of Astel.
"ASTEL STOP!" Eleanor shouted. " I don’t know what Vincent’s part was in the Princes abduction or why he was sent here, but I do know that if we are going to get through this and rescue Elian whilst keeping our heads, we’re going to have to start trusting each other.”
Astel kept her grip on the air for one more second before releasing her hand. Vincent fell forward.
"Very well,” Astel sighed before giving Vincent a murderous look and returning to her place by the fire. “Depending on his responses depends on whether I kill him now or later. "
"Vincent, tell us what happened. Everything, and make sure it’s the truth,” Eleanor commanded.
Vincent coughed and shook from his torment, but after a few moments managed to regain his composure.
"The Goblins grabbed the Prince when they attacked near the border. I was ordered to go to Sleugh’s layer and guard Elian until Balor could arrive. I made sure he was fed and unharmed, but I never had any part in his torture."
"And who has him now?" Astel barked through gritted teeth.
"Balor does. Balor has him now but he's still in the Goblin caves to the North. Balor knew that you were approaching to the South, and he sent me here to kill you."
"And what's to say you won’t just kill us?"Owen asked.
"Because, despite my devils, I am a Dearg of my word. I said I would take you to Sleugh and help you rescue the Prince, and that is what I will do."
"Why?”asked Owen. “What’s in it for you?"
“A part from the binding spell, I'm intrigued by your company. Even the stinking one over there,” Vincent stated whilst nodding his head Brennus’ way.
"Hey it rained on me yesterday. That's a bath enough if you ask me,” Brennus retorted.
"Why wait until now to tell us this? " Eleanor asked.
"I didn't think sharing this information when I'm at your mercy was the best course of action if I wanted to stay alive, plus the Prince awoke a humanity that’s be niggling and growing in my chest. It’s very frustrating and disappointing to be honest, but nevertheless I have to pursue this." Vincent had a pained look in his face like he was fighting his own nature as he said it.
Everyone was silent for a long while.
"Very well,” Astel suddenly declared, " Brennus, remove his bindings. Vincent will walk amongst us as equals for now."
"Are you insane? He can't be trusted."
"I say he can,” announced Eleanor with a hint of finality in her voice, “and I take full responsibility for the consequences.”
"In that case, I hope you know what you are doing,” Brennus sighed and stood up and collected a key from Astel. Before Brennus could reach Vincent however, Vincent pulled his hands apart sending metal links everywhere.
"You mean to tell me, you could have done that all this time?" Brennus asked in an exasperated tone.
"Yes,” Vincent answered with a smirk. Eleanor found herself smirking as well.
"So, what's the plan from here?" Owen asked.
The new found knowledge that he possessed magical abilities was clearly effecting Owen. He fidgeted constantly, running his hand though his hair and biting his fingernails. He tried to hide his anxiety as he spoke but Eleanor had known him long enough to know better. She knew that as soon as she had chance to speak to Owen alone, she would have to discuss this with him.
"Where is here exactly?" Eleanor asked in response. She knew they were in a cave, but where that cave was in relation to Brackon, and how long she'd been unconscious remained unclear .
"These lovely caves you find yourself in are one of several caves around Brackon that I used to use when I was smuggling in the North. We'll be safe here for a while,” Brennas announce.
"How long was I out?"
"Not very long,” Astel answered. "The light was just appearing in the east as we entered the caves. There were Goblins everywhere. Once night has again distended, it will be safer move once more."
"Plus the fact that we need to move at night because of our friend here becoming a littl
e char-grilled,” Brennus grinned. "We cut it a bit fine this morning. I've never seen a Dearg hop before."
"It was a bit hot under the collar for me I will admit. I'm not a fan of self combustion or of Brennus' joy at seeing me burn,” Vincent glared at Brennus and Eleanor could have sworn that his eye glowed just a little bit reder.
"How far does that put us from the tunnels?" Eleanor asked with a sigh.
"Two days if we walk all night," Vincent answered, " the tunnels are located under the wall near to the village of Isla. Even with the cover of darkness, it will be difficult to get in unseen. We may need a disguise."
"Ok, we take down any Goblins we come across on our way and steal their clothes. We keep the helmets down and they'll be none the wiser," Brennus said.
Astel shuck her head. "That isn't going to work. Even if we can procure amour without alerting the Goblins to our movements, none of us look, act or even smell like a Goblin. There's no magic that I could do that they wouldn't be able to detect, and even if we did get close enough to Balor in disguise, he would know instantly."
"We could create a divergence at the entrance to the tunnel and then just slip in. Kill any Goblins that we come across," Owen said with a concentration.
"That would not work child,” Vincent responded.
"I’m not a child Vincent. I'm nineteen ," Owen protested.
" I'm five hundred years old. You are a child," Vincent interjected. " It would not work. For a start, creating a divergence would draw attention to the fact that we have found the tunnels and are trying to stop the Goblins from guarding it. Sleugh would figure that out a mile off; and secondly, if we leave a trail of dead Goblins in our path, Sleugh will know that we not only know the entrance to the tunnels, but what route we are taking. We'd walk straight into an ambush."
"So what do you suggest old man," Owen said with a hint of sarcasm.
"I've got a plan," Eleanor announced, " but you're not going to like it.
Chapter 23
"What do you mean get ourselves captured? You clearly hit your head harder than I thought," Brennus declared whilst pacing up and down the small cave and shouting.
