The guard nodded and Shaun turned back round to face her. ‘We both want the swap but there is no way we can leave here without the Prince and lose the hammer, so the guard must move away from you with the Prince and I will walk over to him and place the hammer on the ground, then he must release the Prince at the same time. He can then bring the hammer to you, and I will take the Prince. Do we agree?’
Baba Yelka raised her wand. ‘I agree, but be sure: one false move and my wand will wreak havoc on you, the Prince and the Dwarfs.’
Shaun took the hammer from its pouch and strolled over to an area away from her, and the guard still holding the knife to the Prince’s throat walked over to join him a metre away. They stood facing each other for a moment before Shaun leant forward and laid the hammer down. The guard glanced over to Baba Yelka and she nodded her head and he allowed the Prince to slump to the ground, but before he could grab the hammer Shaun closed his eyes and pointed the ring towards Baba Yelka, who was just about to wave her wand when it, too, disappeared. She screamed in frustration as suddenly she was turned upside down and a rope appeared, whipping her up in the air and wrapping itself tightly round and round her, making it impossible to move, and a tape wrapped around her mouth, preventing her from conjuring up any magic rhymes. In the meantime the Dwarfs had sprinted across the floor and grabbed hold of her guard, and the others lifted their Prince up, wrapping their arms around him with tears streaming down their faces.
Shaun picked up his hammer and pointed the ring towards the Prince’s amulet and it fell to the ground. Slowly a glimmer of life stirred in him as he opened his eyes and smiled as he saw Shaun. He couldn’t speak, he was that drained of energy and strength – the effects of so little food and water for so long – but you could see by his eyes he knew at last he was safe.
‘Come,’ said the chief, ‘we must hurry. The Dark Wizard’s army will be arriving soon, if they haven’t already done so.’
But as he turned to leave, Shaun stepped forward. ‘Please, we cannot leave those other poor souls to die. We must take them with us: it will only take us a few minutes to free them.’
‘Very well, you are right. I don’t think the Prince would be too happy if we left them.’ Shaun moved swiftly over to each cell using his ring to unlock the doors and release their chairs and contraptions. But as he entered the last cell his blood ran cold: he was shocked at the other cruel devices, but this was so much more. He did wonder what that prisoner had done to warrant this. He was fully conscious, lying on a bed, his legs and arms strapped and connected to a huge, winding handle at the head and the foot of the bed, his limbs fully stretched. If that wasn’t torture enough, hanging above him was a thick, metal slab with razor-sharp prongs sticking down. Shaun looked down at his pitiful face and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
‘Don’t worry, we’ll soon have you free,’ he said as he proceeded to undo the straps.
‘Please don’t do that: once you release them the spiked canopy will fall on top of me. Each day they come and turn the handles which stretch my limbs, and that allows the canopy to drop a little. That in itself is torture enough without the agonising pain.’
Just then the chief entered the cell. ‘We had better move, Shaun: the guards have taken the Prince and the other prisoners back up to the surface. We need to catch them up or we will be caught by the Dark Wizard’s guards. They must be arriving soon.’
‘You just go,’ said the prisoner. ‘It’s hopeless and if the guards find you here you will end up like me or worse – he is an evil being.’
Shaun smiled. ‘Don’t worry, I won’t leave you like this. Just give me a moment to work out the best way to sort this out.’ He stepped back and rubbed his fingers through his hair, his face taut as he pondered his next move. He knew one mistake and the prisoner would die. He looked at his ring and hammer: surely there must be a way he could smash the canopy up, but would the spikes fall on top of him? But just then the canopy started to creak and inch downward: maybe the Dark Wizard had somehow detected his intent, or maybe he had decided to kill the prisoner, knowing the place was under attack. Whatever the reason, he didn’t have much time to act as he could see it moving down and getting ever so close to the helpless body, his eyes shut tight, expecting the end and hoping it would be quick. As a last resort Shaun slipped the hammer on the prisoner’s chest, and using his ring released all the straps at the same time. He struggled to drag the screaming prisoner away from the falling canopy, but there wasn’t enough time. Suddenly the spray of golden rays flooded from the hammer, arcing across the prisoner and protecting him in a transparent, golden shield. Shaun and the chief gently lifted him from the bed and he slowly opened his eyes.
‘How? What happened?’ he spluttered. ‘How was that possible?’
Shaun smiled. ‘I’ll explain on our way out: we haven’t got much time.’ He bent over and lifted up his hammer and the golden rays disappeared back inside.
They moved quickly along the tunnel, coming to a halt at the blind bend. Shaun peered around the corner before waving them on and as they passed the caged monster the prisoner slowed down, his eyes transfixed on the cage as he virtually tiptoed past, half-expecting it to jump out. Shaun gave out a huge sigh of relief as he led them into the burial chamber to find all the zombies had returned to their resting place and there was no sign of the Dwarfs. They had all returned to the portal, so it was just those three left to escape that hell-hole. But as they left the chamber and moved along the tunnel, they could hear the sound of loud banging echoing through, and as they approached the junction they could hear voices coming from the other side of the blockage that Shaun had created with his hammer.
‘It must be the Dark Wizard’s guards,’ Shaun whispered. ‘That leads to the main entrance: we will have to move quickly if we are to reach the secret tunnel before they break through.’
‘Go back to the burial chamber,’ said the prisoner. ‘I know another secret exit which leads to the surface.’
‘How do you know that?’ said the chief. ‘Is there something you haven’t told us?’
‘Please, just trust me, we haven’t got many options. I will explain once we are safely out of here.’
The chief turned to Shaun. ‘How can we trust him? He must be one of them if he knows of their secrets.’
The prisoner looked at Shaun. ‘I understand your doubts, but do you think I want them to catch me and put me back on that torture contraption? You asked me to trust you when you released me. I’m saying the same to you.’ But while they were discussing the next move the prisoner suddenly lurched forward and pushed the chief to the ground, grabbing his sword just in time as one of the Dark Wizard’s guards had broken through and thrust his sword towards the chief’s back. The prisoner attacked the guard with lightning speed and deadly skill, smashing his sword from his hand before running him through. He helped the chief to his feet and returned his swords.
Shaun patted the prisoner on the back. ‘You have proved yourself: lead the way and we will follow.’
The chief gave the prisoner a warm embrace and smiled. He saluted him with his sword. ‘Very impressive: you are certainly a true swordsman: what are we waiting for?’
They turned back towards the burial chamber, running as fast as they could in the dim light. Suddenly there was an almighty crash as the stone from the blocked junction fell into the tunnel and the Dark Wizard’s guards flooded through, hollering some kind of war chant and brandishing their swords.
Shaun stopped and shouted to the chief, ‘You two continue. I’ll try and delay them!’
Reluctantly the chief paused for a moment before moving on. ‘Very well, but don’t take too many risks: we need you. We will have the escape door open ready for you.’ He pushed the prisoner forward and they disappeared into the gloom.
Shaun turned to face the advancing guards, his mind racing in overdrive as he searched desperately for his next move. The guards slowed down and came to a halt a few metres away, somewhat
bemused by the fact that this young, strange-looking being had stood his ground.
The leader glanced back at his army. ‘Don’t kill him: our master will want to question him.’ He turned back to face Shaun and raised his sword, but before he could move, Shaun closed his eyes and pointed his ring in their direction. He had no idea if that would do any good, he just hoped the Great Wizard would help. And as the army surged forward a huge stone wall suddenly appeared, rising from the floor and shooting up to the roof, blocking the tunnel off completely.
‘Thank you,’ Shaun whispered before turning and moving quickly along the tunnel.
When he entered the chamber there was no sign of the chief and the prisoner. He walked quietly and continuously forward, his head spinning from side to side, searching every inch, his eyes wide open and his hammer ready for action. As he passed the racks of corpses and approached the far end of the chamber, he could hear voices. He was sure it was the chief but he could not see him. ‘Is that you!?’ he shouted. There was an agonising silence before the chief stepped out from behind a stone-coloured veil.
‘The door is over here but we cannot open it.’ Shaun hurried over to join them. The veil looked part of the stone wall: a perfect shroud. The prisoner popped his head around it.
‘I’m sorry, I have seen it open many times but I cannot even find it now. It is just part of the back wall.’
‘You had better tell us exactly what you know and when you have seen it opened,’ ordered the chief.
‘My name is Garoob. Me and my brother Garushe were the personal guards of the Dark Wizard. One day when he was in one of his foul moods, he told my brother to kill his youngest offspring to prove he would obey any order, but my brother said he could not. The Dark Wizard made an example of him to warn others: he condemned him to die in the torture chamber on the contraption you freed me from. I helped him escape with his family: the Dark Wizard found out and made me take his place.’
‘And when have you seen this door open?’ said the chief in a sharp tone.
‘The Dark Wizard would pay fleeting visits to the dark side and used this to enter and leave. Me and my brother always accompanied him and each time the door was open he must have used his magic to open it before we arrived.’
Shaun walked up to the wall and felt along its surface. ‘Whereabouts would you say it was – just some idea.’
Garoob moved along the wall, coming to a halt before turning to face the chamber. He shuffled down a little and nodded. ‘Yes, I would say this is it: when we walked through we were approximately in this area.’
Shaun waved him away from the wall before closing his eyes, but he was disturbed by the sound of the Dark Wizard’s guards running into the chamber.
‘It’s now or never,’ Shaun said again. He closed his eyes and pointed the ring towards the wall, imagining and praying the door would appear. There were a few moments of anxiety at the sound of the guards’ boots stamping across the floor towards them. Just then there was the sound of grating and creaking as the part of the wall opened up: without a word, or indeed a sound, the three grateful warriors rushed through. Shaun turned and pointed the ring at the opening and they watched the wall close just as the guards appeared. They scuttled down the tunnel and laughed and hugged each other when they emerged into the open air.
‘Where now?’ said the chief, scanning the area.
Shaun looked around, trying desperately to find his bearings back to the portal. Suddenly his waystone lit up and flashed to the right. ‘It’s the Grey Elf,’ he said with a relieved smile. ‘He never, ever fails us. Come, we are safe now, or we soon will be.’
‘Grey Elf,’ said the chief, shaking his head in disbelief, ‘is there anyone in Colgilor that is not an ally of yours?’
Shaun laughed out loud. ‘Only the Dark Wizard and the wicked witch.’ They all joined in with the laughter before following Shaun along the side of the mountain. They travelled along the base of the mountain as fast as they could and Shaun gave out a huge sigh of relief as they turned a bend to find the side of the mountain Shaun recognised as housing the secret entrance and, more importantly, their portal.
Without saying a word he led them over to the portal, glanced around to check no one was watching before ushering them through.
As they stepped into the Dwarf King’s room they were greeted with loud cheers as the King and the Prince sat waiting for their return with the door open and the army of guards and the released prisoner gathered in the hallway screaming with delight. The King stood up and wrapped his arms around Shaun.
‘We were beginning to wonder whether you would escape. We know you wouldn’t leave until you had rescued the last prisoner. I cannot thank you enough for saving my son: you always seem to succeed in anything you do. But enough of my thanks. I think there are another few waiting.’ He turned to see Louis, Shaun, Geriba, Ferreira and of course the Prince coming towards him, tears streaming down their faces. They all gathered around him, hugging him so tightly he could hardly breathe. Not a word was spoken: they didn’t need words.
After several minutes Shaun broke free and turned to the King. ‘I cannot take all the credit, your army and your chief showed so much courage and skill: they are the ones to thank and of course our friend, Herne – he played his part. I was proud to help them and the main heroes are the Great Wizard’s golden ring and of course your mighty hammer: without them, we would have surely failed.’ He reached down and unhooked the hammer in its pouch from his belt and handed it back to the King, kissing it before he did so, and again the room was filled with cheers, laughter and lots of tears.
‘Come,’ said the King, rising to his feet. ‘I have laid on a banquet fit for a King’s hero. I just hope there is enough food to go around the other guests: your appetite is legendary in Colgilor.’ He threw his head back and roared with laughter and everyone joined in. The crowd in the hallway opened up to allow the King to escort his guests through and along the passageway to the banquet room. Shaun’s eyes popped out of their sockets as the doors opened to reveal table after table of sumptuous food; he was so hungry he forgot his manners and rushed over to the first table, sat down, and started tucking in. The King put his arm around Louis and Ava, and his face broke into a huge, warm smile. ‘That’s the Shaun we know and love.’ They nodded and walked over to join him. The army of guards and the prisoners stood in the hallway outside, peering in. The King waved them over. ‘Come in, take a seat, enjoy this special day. I was only jesting: Shaun won’t be able to eat it all.’ He glanced over to Shaun but he didn’t respond as he was too busy. ‘Well, maybe not all, just most of it.’ They all laughed as they flooded into the room and quickly took seats: this was indeed a special day, the first time the guards had shared a meal with the King and probably the last. It was a real honour for them and they were soon diving into the food heartily, laughing and chatting: the whole room filled with a warm, happy buzz.
After they had finished eating, the guards left the room, patting Shaun on the back as they passed by. Once they had all gone, the King turned to the freed prisoners. ‘You will all be free to return to your kingdoms. Our guards will escort you there. And what about you, Shaun? What will you do?’
‘I will return to my world but I will visit all my friends once they have returned to their kingdoms. I would like once again to see those who made me so welcome and helped me when I was here the last time and of course I will spend some time with Ava and Louis. We have so much to catch up on. But first I must go and speak with the Grey Elf, then return the magic ring to the Great Wizard.’
The King shook his head. ‘You are the most loved and respected person in Colgilor: every kingdom owes you a debt of gratitude, not just for what you have done for them, but the fact that you do it out of the goodness of your heart and seek no reward is something unheard of, and you have even won the trust and faith of the Grey Elf and the Great Wizard. This is unbelievable, more so because you are a stranger to our land. I doubt the Great Wizard would tru
st any of Colgilor’s leaders, me included, with his magic ring. Who would want to give up such great power once they had tasted its capabilities?’
Shaun lowered his head modestly: he could feel his cheeks blushing. He wriggled uncomfortably in his seat. ‘I have all the reward I need just seeing my friends and the other poor souls who were suffering so much, now all free, and as far as the ring is concerned I will be pleased to return it. As you say, the powers are frightening but there is also a great deal of pressure to control that power, a huge sense of responsibility: used wrongly, it could do unrepairable damage, something I wouldn’t want on my conscience. I’m just happy to be plain old Shaun.’
A broad smile spread across the King’s face. ‘That’s something you will never be, with or without the ring. You are a very special person.’ He could see his compliments were embarrassing Shaun. He leant forward and took Shaun’s hand in his. ‘Just remember wherever you are you can always rely on my help. You have saved my son’s life twice. I will forever be in your debt. We will say no more, but I do hope you will be able to visit our land from time to time.’ He stood up. ‘I will leave you now to let you speak with your friends. Tell me when you want to use the portal back to the Grey Elf. I will be in my room.’
Shaun stood up and bowed his head. ‘I won’t be very long. I need to speak with the Grey Elf as soon as I can.’ The King turned and strode out of the room. Shaun turned to Louis and Ava. ‘I’m so looking forward to spending time with you both: maybe we could spend that time in the elves’ kingdom, a truly magical place, my favourite in all of Colgilor. Can you remember when we first saw the lake and its surroundings? I think I have that picture permanently imprinted in my mind. They both closed their eyes and a dreamy expression appeared on each of their faces, and they stood up, touched wristbands and hugged each other. All the time that was going on, Garoob was watching. He was so impressed by the King’s words and felt Shaun was a really special person. He had proved that when Shaun had put himself in danger to remain with him while the Dark Wizard’s guards were nearly upon them, so he could rescue a perfect stranger – yes, he was very special.
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