‘That one opens everything down here.’
Gambon looked at Dani and raised his eyebrows. Dani nodded. Gambon grabbed the guards’ heads and clonked them together. They groaned – almost in tune – and collapsed, unconscious.
Dani hurried into the corridor. Gambon followed, locking the door behind him. Soon they found cell eleven. Gambon unlocked the door, pushed it open and there was Bart, sitting on a mattress with his back against the wall.
‘Bart,’ Dani rushed to him as he stood. They hugged.
‘You found me again,’ said Bart happily. ‘I really owe you now.’
Even in her relief, Dani couldn’t stop herself thinking, You have no idea how much you owe me.
‘Let’s go,’ she said.
‘What about Jonas?’ said Bart.
Dani stared into Jonas’s blank eyes. ‘What’s wrong with him? Can he walk? If he can, then we can take him with us.’
‘I think he’s been drained, just like I was,’ said Bart. ‘Randling must have done it.’
‘Randling?’ questioned Dani. ‘From the forest?’
‘He’s here, in charge of the castle,’ explained Bart. ‘And draining people gives him more power.’
‘All the other orphans are locked up down here too,’ said Gambon.
‘Randling must be going to drain them all,’ said Bart slowly.
‘The guards just took two more to the roof,’ added Gambon.
‘We have to free them,’ said Bart. ‘Then we have to stop Randling, or else he’ll just find other people to drain.’
Dani was sick of rescuing people. She just wanted to go. She had never wanted to return to the city. Now that she had found Bart, she wanted to get far away as quickly as possible.
‘Bart, we have to get out of here,’ she said firmly. ‘We can take Jonas with us, but if we try and save everyone, guards will spot us when we go upstairs and . . . we’re unarmed. We won’t have a chance. We’ll just end up back here. I don’t want us to spend the rest of our lives in a cell.’
‘But, D –’
‘No, Bart,’ continued Dani forcefully. ‘Listen to me. We have to save ourselves. Do you know what I’ve been through to rescue you? Do you know how much I’ve sacrificed? We can’t waste all that.’ Dani took a deep breath and tried to calm down. ‘Listen. I chased you across the kingdom, I found you, I got your brain fixed and now I’ve found you and rescued you again. I’m the one who takes care of you, Bart. I make the decisions and I say we need to go. Now.’
Bart looked back at her, hesitating. Then he took a deep breath and did something he had never done before.
‘No, D,’ he said softly but firmly. ‘Randling is doing something bad to our friends and I’m going to try and stop him.’
They stared at each other, neither willing to back down, but also unsure of what to say or do next. Eventually the silence was broken by Gambon. ‘Come on, Dani. We can’t let Randling keep doing this. Even I know that.’
Chapter 28
On the Roof
Edward pushed the trapdoor open and stepped onto the roof. Ahead, their backs to him, two guards stood either side of a boy and a girl – orphans, Edward guessed – who were tied to chairs. Facing them stood Randling, with Wanda next to him.
Edward took a few steps towards them, uncertain as to why he was there, or what he was intending to do. For once, he didn’t have a plan.
Randling saw him. ‘Why, your Majesty, welcome.’ He bowed deeply. ‘What brings you up here on this fine day? Fancy a spot of sunbathing?’
‘No, I . . . I . . . what are you doing?’
‘What do you think I’m doing, your Majesty?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Maybe it’s best we leave it that way.’ Randling fixed Edward with a stare. Edward felt an urge to turn and head back down the stairs, but fought it. ‘You’re doing to them what you did to Bart in the forest, aren’t you?’
Randling paused for a moment, as if weighing up what to say. ‘I am.’
‘There was never any plot against you by the orphans, was there? You just had them put in the dungeons so they were available whenever you wanted to drain them.’
‘Again, correct. But didn’t you know that my story of a plot among the orphans wasn’t true?’
Edward hesitated.
‘You did, didn’t you?’ smiled Randling. ‘And yet you still ordered the guards to bring Jonas up here. What does that say about you, Edward?’
‘I think you should stop.’
‘Oh, no, your Majesty. There’s no need for me to stop. Why would I? Every time I drain someone I gain more power. And young minds are the best ones to drain. They’re so full of hope and energy and potential. Older minds become so rigid and unimaginative. Of course, it’s rare to find a mind with the wonderful powers that Bart’s had, but every one that I drain increases my ability to control people. And I need to control people, so I can keep ruling the kingdom. Making you King has helped to keep the people content, but I need more power. Just then, I tried to persuade you to leave the roof. Did you feel it?’
Edward nodded.
‘But you’re still here. You were able to resist, because I don’t have enough power yet. To get it I must drain more minds, and it makes sense to start with the orphans because they don’t have any family to make a fuss.’
‘But it’s . . .’
‘. . . cruel? Wrong? Horribly mean? Is it, though? Let’s think it through. You were happy enough to force these poor orphans to wait upon you, to serve you, to work for you. You and your family pretended you were taking care of them, but instead you used them as slaves.’
‘But it wasn’t . . .’ began Edward.
‘. . . your idea? You didn’t start it? But you didn’t try to stop it, did you? Did you ever tell your father the King that exploiting innocent children was wrong?’ Randling stared accusingly at Edward. ‘Well? Did you?’
Edward looked away.
‘All I’m doing,’ continued Randling, ‘is offering the orphans some peace. After they’re drained, they’ll never feel tired or sad or cold or anxious or alone ever again. They won’t feel anything. They’ll just be at peace. In fact, with the power I gain from draining them, I’ll be able to control the entire kingdom and ensure that everyone lives in peace. Soon I’ll drain Bart again and that will give me a big boost. It was so good of Melindarah to restore him. Then I can change this kingdom from the unfair, cruel place that your family made it, into a place where everyone will lead a better life. Is that so bad, your Majesty?’
‘You can’t suck people’s brains out.’
‘But making them slaves is all right?’
‘This is . . . worse.’
Randling laughed. ‘My boy, don’t pretend that you care about the orphans. You care about you. You want the same thing as me. Power. Anyway, if draining the orphans is such a bad thing to do, why did you order it?’
‘I didn’t order this.’
‘Didn’t you? Think about what you have done over the past two days, Edward. First, you led me to Bart, knowing that I would capture him. Then, you ordered him to be put to death. After I pleaded for his life, you ordered him to the dungeons. You drew a picture of Dani to help us find her. You ordered the guards to bring orphans up here, and to obey all my commands regarding them. You’re a part of this, Edward. You’re responsible.’
Randling paused, studying him. ‘Why don’t you just be honest about what sort of a person you really are?’
He took a step forward and spoke softly. ‘All your life, you’ve been afraid, haven’t you? Afraid of your brother, afraid of riding horses, afraid of your father. Edward, if you drained someone, all that fear would go. Instead, you’d feel powerful. I can teach you how to do it. Imagine never being scared again. Imagine being strong, not weak. Do you want that?’
‘What are
you suggesting?’ asked Edward uncertainly.
Randling spread his arms wide. ‘Join me. Properly. Not just as a figurehead. You are cunning and clever, Edward, and I can teach you, just as Melindarah taught me. Once you drain your first mind, you’ll understand how wonderful it is. Edward, together we could be so powerful. If you give me your loyalty, you will never know fear or weakness again. We can build an empire, and control everyone around us. Or . . .’ Randling shrugged.
‘Or . . . what?’
‘Oh, come now. You can work that out.’
‘I . . . I’ll remain as your puppet King until you’re so powerful that you don’t need me anymore. Then . . . you’ll get rid of me.’
Randling smiled. ‘Clever boy. I would have thought it was a pretty easy decision.’ He raised his eyebrows. ‘Well?’
Edward weighed up his options. If he wanted to survive, it was pretty obvious what he had to do.
‘If we’re going to do this,’ said Dani to Bart and Gambon in the cell, ‘let’s leave the orphans here. They’ll just get in the way. The guards said they were taking Sophia and Sam to the roof, so we’ll go up there and . . . I really don’t know what then.’
They made their way back to the guards’ room. The guards were still unconscious, and Dani relieved them of their swords and knives. She gave a sword to Gambon, a knife to Bart and kept one of each for herself. They re-locked the door behind them, hurried to the stairwell and climbed up to the trapdoor that opened onto the roof. Dani pushed it open. Ahead she could see the backs of two guards and Sophia and Sam, who were tied to chairs. Past them was a table and in front of it stood Randling, Edward and the woman who had been with Randling in the forest.
Dani stepped out onto the roof, Bart and Gambon behind her. Edward took a step back. The two guards drew their swords. Dani and Gambon pulled their own swords from their belts, and Bart a knife. Wanda stayed at Randling’s side, still but watchful.
‘Well, well,’ said Randling. ‘A reunion. How nice to see you again.’
‘You tricked us into coming back, you rat,’ Dani sneered at Edward. She pointed at Randling. ‘You were working with him the whole time.’
‘No,’ began Edward. ‘It’s not like that.’
‘Spare us,’ spat Dani. ‘You betrayed us and now you’re helping him. You’re a traitor to your own people.’
‘Dear, dear,’ chided Randling. He turned to Edward. ‘Now you know who your real friends are, my boy.’ He addressed Dani. ‘Congratulations, Dani. Once again, you have rescued Bart. You do so much for him.’
‘Let Sophia and Sam go,’ said Dani.
Randling ignored her. ‘Let me ask you something. You do so much for Bart, but what has he ever done for you?’
‘He doesn’t have to do anything for me,’ Dani replied. ‘He’s my brother.’
‘Of course,’ said Randling. ‘That’s why you’ve been prepared to sacrifice so much for him, isn’t it? Because he’s your brother.’
‘Yes. So what?’
Randling started to chuckle, and then it became a full-throated laugh. ‘Oh, dear,’ he said, wiping his eyes. He looked at Bart. ‘You didn’t tell her, did you?’
Bart looked quickly at Dani and then away.
Dani thought Randling was trying to trick her somehow, but then she looked at Bart and knew immediately that there was something he was keeping from her. ‘Bart? What is it?’
Bart stared at the ground. Dani grabbed his upper arm. ‘What is it?’
‘Well, dear boy,’ prompted Randling. ‘Are you going to tell her? Or shall I?’
Bart twisted his hands together nervously, but stayed silent.
Randling rubbed his hands together. ‘Oh, goody. I’ll enjoy this. Dani, you know how the one certainty in your life has always been your brother Bart, and because he’s your brother . . .’
‘Stop,’ said Bart.
‘. . . because he’s your brother, you’ve protected him, and rescued him, and given up so much for him.’
‘Please,’ begged Bart.
‘Here’s the thing,’ said Randling. ‘Bart is not your brother.’
Dani didn’t take her eyes off Randling as she said, ‘Bart. Tell me it isn’t true.’
Bart kept looking at the ground.
Dani turned to him. ‘Bart,’ she said urgently. ‘Tell me.’
Bart lifted his eyes. He looked as if he were in agony.
Dani knew then that it was true. ‘When did you find out?’
‘I told him in the forest,’ said Randling. ‘You see, if you were really siblings, then you, Dani, would have the same powers that he has. But you don’t, do you? So you aren’t. Even after you helped him up that cliff, and battled the soarers, and persuaded Melindarah to restore him, Bart didn’t tell you. Even after all the sacrifices you made for him, he didn’t tell you.’
‘Who is he, then?’ asked Dani shakily. She felt dizzy. The need to protect her brother was what kept her going. It was what had always kept her going. It was as if someone had just removed the glue that held everything together, and now it was all collapsing.
‘Bart is the son of the Queen of Pirainia,’ said Randling. Dani could hardly take it all in. ‘He was kidnapped by King Corolius just after he was born and held hostage here to prevent the Pirainians from attacking Tintarfell. Bart arrived at the castle around the same time as you, Dani, and as you were of a similar age, the King decided to keep his identity secret by pretending that he was your twin. It seems to have worked.’
Randling spoke softly, even sympathetically. ‘How do you feel, Dani? You gave up such a lot for your brother, and it turns out that he isn’t even your brother. And he didn’t even have the decency to tell you. Of course, as you know, it’s not irreversible. There are ways of undoing the sacrifice that you made.’
‘What . . . what sacrifice?’ asked Bart.
‘Oh, don’t you know?’ asked Randling gleefully. ‘Goodness, you two have been keeping secrets from each other. What Dani didn’t tell you, Bart, is that for Melindarah to restore you, it required someone to give up a good part of their life. And your sister – whoops, sorry, I mean, that girl standing next to you – agreed to do it.’
Bart turned to Dani. ‘How much of your life?’
Dani stared straight ahead, stony-faced.
‘All of it, bar three years,’ said Randling. ‘In the next three years, she will age, wither and then, sadly, die.’
‘No,’ said Bart, his face twisted in pain.
‘Oh, yes,’ said Randling. ‘All that can save her is if you or someone else performs a genuine act of self-sacrifice for her.’
Dani stood still, unable to find the will to speak or move. Bart was all she had. He was her family. Except . . . he wasn’t. She felt numb. Suddenly, all the dark feelings she had experienced in the forest came rushing back.
‘I didn’t know how to tell you,’ stammered Bart. ‘Not after all you’d done for me. I was going to tell you . . . later.’
‘So now the truth is out,’ said Randling. ‘Take them to the dungeons.’
Dani wearily raised her sword. She didn’t think they could win, but if she was killed, she didn’t much care.
Wanda grabbed a bow that was leaning against the table, loaded it with an arrow from a quiver on her back and pointed it towards Dani. ‘I can put arrows through all three of you before you take a step. Drop your weapons.’
Dani let her arm fall, and then released her grip on the sword. Bart let his knife go. Gambon growled in frustration, and then his sword clattered to the ground. A guard removed the knife from Dani’s belt.
Randling signalled to the guards. ‘Make sure Bart and Dani share a cell. They have a lot to talk about, while they still can. After I drain them, conversation may become more difficult.’
The guards started to move towards them.
‘Wait
,’ said Edward. ‘Lord Randling, I have an idea. You asked me whether I wanted to join you, and we were interrupted before I had a chance to respond. I believe that what I do now will make my answer clear. We can all see that Dani is in great pain. Perhaps you can provide her with peace, right now.’
Randling frowned, and then his eyes lit up. He gave Edward a small nod. Edward turned to Dani. ‘Dani, I know what you’ve been through. You’re in pain. Finding out that Bart isn’t your brother must have hurt you tremendously. But there’s a solution. You have seen those whose minds have been drained. They are at peace. All their pain is gone. Their life becomes simple and easy. Remember when we found Bart in the forest? He wasn’t upset, or scared or sad.
‘Dani, let Lord Randling give you that same peace now. Afterwards, I will make sure that you’re taken care of; you’ll have a room in the castle, a comfortable bed, good food, and you can live out the time you have left in comfort. You won’t go anywhere near the dungeons. Lord Randling agrees to this.’
Randling nodded solemnly.
‘Let Randling drain you, Dani,’ continued Edward, ‘and the pain will be gone.’ He beckoned her closer. ‘This is your chance for peace. Come.’
Randling stared hard at Dani, concentrating on her.
Dani was exhausted, and still in shock from what she had found out about Bart. If she only had three years of life left, what was the point of spending them in a dungeon? Randling was going to drain her anyway, so why not get it over with now? Then she could finally find some peace.
She took a step forward.
‘Dani,’ said Bart anxiously, grabbing her shoulder.
Dani shrugged it off and took another step.
‘No,’ cried Bart. He started after her, but the guards grabbed him. Gambon moved forward, but Edward held up his hand. ‘Stop,’ he cried. ‘Or Wanda will shoot you.’
Gambon stopped.
‘Step forward, Dani,’ urged Edward.
‘No,’ shouted Bart again, struggling without success to free himself. A guard brought a knife to his throat. ‘Silence,’ he hissed.
The Twins of Tintarfell Page 21
