Dark World Genesis

by A. R. Kingston

  “When I was little, my father used to take me on some of his rounds. The prison was one of the stops we used to make. I know it's layout. I know the guard schedules, and I can get in unseen. You’ll need my help to get him out.”

  “Lady Alexandra got a valid point.” Paul walked over and placed his hand on Isabel's shoulder. “There is a military ship from East Ashland not far from shore here. My cousin is serving on it. If you can draft Richard a letter of asylum, my cousin can get the captain to let him on board.”

  “Have the whole lot of you lost your bloody minds? This is not only crazy, but it's also dangerous. You expect me to let Lady Alexandra, the sister of my best friend, risk her life to bust a man out of prison?”

  On the floor, Isabel looked up at Henry with bloodshot eyes. She was silently pleading with him to at least try. Paul and the rest of the man gathered in a circle around them, awaiting instructions from Henry, but neither one of them was willing to answer the question he posed to them. Seems that duty would fall on Alexandra who sighed, placing a hand on Henry's shoulder.

  “Henry, please. Richard is my friend. He's done so much for me over the years, this is the least I can do for him. At least let us try. Didn't you say friends don't abandon one another?”

  Somewhat annoyed, Henry flung his hands up in the air as a sign of surrender. “I can't believe I’m saying this, but, Paul, go contact your cousin. Isabel, if you wish to say goodbye to Richard, meet us at the docks in three hours. Alexandra, you work with the men to come up with a plan. Men, you do everything Lady Alexandra asks of you, is that understood?”

  “Yes, sir!”

  Pulling out some parchment and a quill, Henry sat down at the desk to work on the letter of asylum. As soon as the room dispersed, Paul was out the door to get a hold of his cousin on board the Ashland's vessel. Standing up to her feet, Isabel wrapped her arms around Alex. Embracing the once little girl who invaded her cottage at night in a grateful hug, Isabel cried on Alexandra’s shoulder.

  “Thank you, Alex, thank you. You have no idea how much it means to me that you still care enough about Richard to risk your life for him.”

  “We never stop caring about our friends, now do we?”

  “I suppose not. But after all he did to push you away, you still find it in your heart to want to save him.”

  “I wouldn't have it any other way. Now, why don't you go home and dry off before meeting us at the docks?”

  Nodding, Isabel hugged Alex one more time before the old man escorted her out of the mill. The men gathered around Alex, waiting on the orders she would give them. First, she thought, they would need a diversion to distract the guards, and this seemed like a group who would have what she needs.

  “I don't suppose you boys got any explosives?”

  “Do we ever...” one of the men happily replied, “... anything your heart desires Lady Alexandra, we got it.”

  “Excellent, then bring me over a quill, some parchment, and the map of the town.”

  With supplies gathered on the desk, Alex and the men set off to work hatching a plan. They would need to get her into the prison and create a diversion to distract the guards long enough for Henry to break them out. Next, they would need to chart the best path to get Richard to the docks. They only had a few hours to move, but Alexandra was confident they could pull this off. Satisfied with the plan they came up with, the men set off ahead of them. The old man volunteered to take the asylum papers to the docks, in case they ran into a bit of trouble on the way, leaving Alex and Henry on their own.

  Ushering a cranky Cosmo back into her pocket, Alex left for the prison where Richard was being held. Walking through the downpour, Alex and Henry approached the citadel looming over the ocean away from the village. It's imposing stone facade told them they would have some work ahead of them, with little left to chance if they wished to succeed. Stealing a glance at Henry's pocket watch, Alex set off to handle her part of the plan before the fireworks started and a battle broke out.

  Chapter 26

  An Act of Treason

  Scampering along the outer wall as a tiny mouse with an irate Cosmo by her side, Alex was beginning to have reservations about her plan. So many variables had not been considered, such as the unusually high number of guards on duty tonight. It would appear Quinton had left nothing to chance, but she owed it to Richard to try. Squeezing through the tiny crack in the wall, Alex found herself on the inside, in the central chamber.

  Shaking the water from her fur, Alex darted around, looking for where she had to go next. They would be keeping Richard in Block D, but it was hard to read the letters when you were well above them on the wall. But, if the orientation of the central chamber has not changed, Alex would need to go northwest along the wall, straight behind the guard station.

  Taking a chance, Alex hurried along the pipe in the direction she thought she had to go. Passing several groups of guards along the way, she pondered the reason for the beefed-up security. All the men seemed on edge as well. As far as they were concerned, they were holding a dangerous criminal who required the extra guard to keep secure. Shaking her head in disgust, Alexandra paused to take in her surroundings. It appeared she was moving in the right direction, the cell of the condemned would be all the way at the end.

  Time was of the essence, so Alex pressed on even harder until the cell was in sight, separated by two sets of bars to keep the condemned man secure. Quickly making it past the first set, she climbed down the wall and through the second group of bars into a large, cold, dark room. There, at the end, Richard was chained up to the wall, looking all the worse for wear. Apparently, the guards had worked him over well before throwing him in the cell to await his execution.

  Out of sight, Alexandra changed over to her human form and crept along the wall until she was standing in front of Richard. Kneeling beside him, she took his face in her hands and started to heal him. Still groggy, Richard opened his eyes to glance at her, his eyes growing wide from the realization of who was sitting beside him.

  “Alex! What are you—”

  “Shhh...” Alex placed a finger over Richard’s lips, “you don't want the guards to hear us, do you? I've come to break you out, there is a boat waiting to take you to East Ashland.”

  “No, Alex, no.” he protested “You will get yourself killed. I'm not worth it, go be with Jay. Leave me alone. I told you I never wanted to see you again, I... I hate you.”

  “Stop Richard. That really hurts, especially since I know you don't mean any of it.”

  “Why can't you just be a good girl and leave me to my fate?”

  “Is that really what you expect me to do, let them kill you for something you did not do? You are my friend, and I don't sacrifice my friends, I don't have many to begin with.”

  “You still consider me your friend, after everything I said to you?”

  “Of course. You've had my back for thirteen years, let me get yours occasionally.”

  “I can't. I can't let you get in trouble because of me again. The last time you helped me cost you dearly, I can't... I just can't put you through that again.”

  “All these years, and you still don't get it, do you? Back then it was my choice to take the blame. I knew what would happen to me, and I still chose to do it. Just like now. This is my choice, Richard. I know the risks, I'm taking them because I care about you dummy.”

  “But, what about Jay? He'd be pissed if he knew what you were doing. What if something was to happen to you, how would you ever expect me to explain this to him?”

  “I think Jay would agree that we can't abandon our friends when they are in need. Plus, you won't have to explain anything to him, because we won't be getting caught. Now relax and let me get these chains off your wrists.”

  Rolling his eyes, Richard surrendered to Alex, knowing full well there was no arguing with her once she made up her mind. She was always a stubborn one which is precisely why Richard loved her, even if she dro
ve him insane. Smiling at his reaction, Alex reached up and grabbed hold of the metal around his wrists.

  Condalim

  The metal cuffs shattered and fell to the floor with a loud clang. Rising to her feet, Alex gave Richard a hand, hoisting him up and bringing him in for a tight hug. Reluctantly, Richard wrapped his arms around Alex, squeezing her tight. Not daring to hold her for long, Richard gave Alex a final squeeze and released her from his grasp.

  “Some things never change. You are still as stubborn as always.” Richard let out a gentle sighed. “But I sure missed you, Alex.”

  “I missed you too.”

  “I got to admit, you are not an easy woman to let go of.”

  “Idiot, I never asked you to let me go. At least not completely.”

  “I know, but I didn't want to get between you and Jay. The two of you belong together, even a blind fool could see that.”

  “Rheee.” Cosmo rolled his eyes at the amount of stupidity in the room. He never liked Richard very much, but he had to admit the boy cared about his mistress, even if it was in the most misguided way possible.

  “I would not have met Jay if it was not for you. You're my best friend, Richard. You’ll always be my friend, no matter what happens between us. I never want to lose that with you again. Understood?”

  “Fair enough. If we get out of here alive, I promise to never let our friendship slide again.”

  “Don't you worry, not only are we getting out alive, we are getting you on that ship to Ashland.”

  “But how? The guards are outside my cell and there has to be at least several hundred more around the prison.”

  “Do you happen to have the time?”

  “Why, yes...” Richard pulled out a tarnished silver pocket watch the guards failed to confiscate. “It's almost one-thirty, but, what does time have to do with this.”

  “You'll see in about a minute.”

  Moving Richard against the wall with her arm, Alex hoped the men were able to get into position in time. As she steadied her breath, an explosion rang out across the prison, precisely on schedule. They could hear the guards yelling and rushing in the blast's direction. This was her signal to move.

  Infernious!

  A quick move of Alex’s hand across the air put a bright wall of blue flames between them and the entrance into the cell.

  “Nice, when did you learn that one?”

  “Just a few hours ago.” Alex glanced at Richard, who was looking confused “Look, I'd love to explain it to you, but it's a long story, so perhaps we can save it for some other time.”

  “All right, fine. But now what? You have successfully blocked our only exit out of the cell.”

  “Did someone ask for another way out?” Henry knelt beside the barred window, smiling down on Alex and Richard.

  “Henry? What are you doing here?”

  “You didn't think Alexandra was going to pull this off all on her own, did you?” Henry grabbed hold of the bars. “Now stand back, this will get messy.”

  Pulling Richard back, Alex gave Henry a nod.

  Condalim

  The stone around the window came flying back in a plume of dust as it shattered to the ground. Coughing, Alex, Cosmo, and Richard made their way to the now open hole in the prison wall. Henry reached his arm down, and Richard hoisted Alex up for him to pull out. Giving Richard their hands, Henry and Alex pulled him from his cell to the sweet air of freedom. Getting washed clean by the rain, the trio, and Cosmo glanced about at the destruction they left behind.

  “All right,” Henry straightened out his coat, “the fastest way to the docks would be straight, through the woods to the East.”

  “Yeah, I hate to break it to you guys, but we seem to have a bit of company.”

  The panic in Richards' voice made Alex and Henry realize they now had guards rushing at them from all directions. Apparently, they were quick to figure out the diversion, and now the three of them would have to fight their way out. Not wasting any time, Henry turned to his left and put up his hands.

  Terramarus!

  The earth shook beneath their feet as a high wall of dirt rose from the ground, blocking the guards on Henry's side. Following his lead, Alex turned to face the guards on her right, putting one hand on top of the other.

  Veventius!

  Forcing a gale-force wind toward the guards, Alex sent them flying back several feet away from them. Both Henry and Richard were staring up at her with utter astonishment in their face.

  “What?” Alex frowned.

  “Nothing. It's just, you used a spell outside your element. How is that even possible?” Henry looked over at Alex with a puzzled look.

  “What can I say,” Alex shrugged, “I'm full of surprises. Now, don't just stand there, move!”

  The three of them ran forward, only to be stopped by a hail of arrows landing at their feet. Cosmo squealed with freight as he dogged the flying projectiles and hid inside Alexandra’s clock. On top of the prison towers, the guards were getting ready to fire again. They seemed to have made it to their post faster than expected, and from the sides, more guards were rushing to surround them.

  “Damn,” said Henry. “Looks like we will have to fight our way to the docks.”

  Gladios!

  “Really Henry, a rapier?”

  “Don't be fooled Lady Alexandra, I am just as skilled with my rapier as Dalton is with his greatsword. It's not the size of the sword, but the power behind it that counts. Now if you don't mind, think you can handle the guards on the towers?”

  “Can I ever.” Alex smiled

  Archanium!

  Steadying her longbow, Alex took careful aim. Pulling back, three arrows appeared on the invisible string. With the release of her hand, all three found their mark, and the guards on top of the closest tower came toppling down. The men left standing fired off shots, and Alex dodged each one without a problem. Upfront, Henry was trying to fend off a sea of guards streaming from every direction.

  “It's no use,” lamented Henry while pushing a guard from his sword with his foot. “There's too many of them, we'll never get through like this.”

  “The catacombs will be our best bet.” Richard piped up as an arrow landed by his feet and disappeared. “There is a shortcut to an entrance not far from here.”

  “Yes, except we have no way of getting to it unseen.” Henry parried a blow from a sword and stabbed the man who threw it. “I don't suppose you have any more tricks up your sleeve Alexandra?”

  “Depends.” Alex fired another shot, taking out three more guards. “Richard, how well do you know the way to the shortcut?”

  “I can get us there with my eyes closed. Why?”

  “Perfect, just what I needed to hear.” Alex shot an arrow in Henry's direction, taking out a guard behind him. “There is just one problem. I need someone to distract them long enough to pull this off.”

  Pushing Richard out of the way of an oncoming slew of arrows, Alex fell to the ground, barely dodging the projectiles herself. Behind her, Henry was not faring much better as he struggled to take on four men at once. All seemed lost. There was no way they could distract the men long enough to get away. As Alex was losing all hope, the surrounding air rippled and distorted. The strange anomaly appeared like air on a hot summer day, except tonight it was cold and rainy.

  The space around the shimmering hole changed color to various shades of gray, the trio could hear voices coming from the void. A pulse of energy burst through the air, and a mangy, black wolf emerged from the irregularity in the space. The beast had to be ancient. Gray hairs covered its onyx coat, and patches of fur were missing from parts of its body. When the wolf bared its teeth to growl at the guards, Alex could see it was missing a fang.

  Turning its head as if to look at her, the animal gave a nod of its head. Letting out a fearsome howl, it took off into the woods. The guards took off after it, eager to stop the thing that should no longer be, and in turn
forgetting all about the trio of terrorists they left behind.

  “Alex...” Richard grabbed hold of his friend and gave her a gentle shake “... now, while they’re distracted.”

  Forgetting her shock, Alex realized the wolf gave her the window of opportunity she required. Shutting her eyes, she spread her arms out and focused on a thick cover to conceal their presence.

  Nebularus

  Slowly, and steadily, a thick blanket of fog appeared under her feet, covering the ground around them and rising high into the air. Having exhausted all her energy, Alex collapsed by Richard’s feet. Unable to see more than a few inches past her face, she felt around when someone took hold of her and lifted her up.

  “That. Was. Incredible!” Richard was now holding on firmly to her arm. “All right, take hold of Henry and follow me, it's not too far.”

  Still weak from the spell, Alex took hold of Henry with her free hand while Richard kept a firm grip on the other. They followed Richard in a single line as they stumbled their way through the solid cover of fog. The guards who returned were fumbling about, trying to find them with no luck. The men’s voices grew quieter as the trio moved further away from the prison. Disoriented by the vapor, Alex lost her footing on a loose rock, almost falling over. Tightening his grip on her wrist, Henry pulled Alexandra against his body, holding on to her slender frame.

  “Watch your footing. We still have a long way to go, can’t have you getting hurt now.”

  Having lost track of time and direction, Alex nodded her head as she allowed Richard to guide them. When they finally stopped moving, she had no idea where she was or how far they had gone. Poking his head from the cloak pocket, Cosmo glanced about and grumbled at the suffocating cloud engulfing them. Kneeling to the ground by Alexandra’s feet, Richard pushed something up with a big heave and Cosmo ducked his head back into the safety of the cloth cavity.

  “There we are.” Richard stood up, taking hold of Alex by the waist. “Go on Henry, you go first, and I will lower Alex down after you.”