He stepped closer to me, and I instinctively shrank away. His breath was rancid, and his rotting teeth grinned at me through the mess of his black beard.
“You’re not taking her anywhere until you get me my money,” Christopher said, holding on to me like a lottery ticket. He started edging away from Oblek, towards the door, pulling me along with him. “I want what I was promised.”
“And you can’t take me anywhere I don’t want to go,” I added for good measure. Not that it was any help.
“Oh, you’ll get what you deserve,” said Oblek, an evil grin spreading across his hideous, scarred face. Faster than I could follow, Oblek raised his right hand, and white bolts of light shot out from his palm, hitting Christopher squarely in the chest. His grip loosened immediately on my arm, and my uncle crumpled to the floor like an empty sack.
Oblek closed the space between us in a trice. “And you, my dear, don’t have a choice,” said Oblek, as he closed his big, beefy hand around my arm.
I stared at the crumpled form of my uncle on the floor. He looked dead. Did this weird guy just shoot white light from his palms?
“You killed him?” I gasped, still shocked at what I had witnessed.
“It doesn’t matter. I just needed him out of the way,” said Oblek, not giving Uncle Christopher another thought.
All this was happening so fast; I couldn’t understand what this had to do with me. I wanted to find out more about my real parents, but I didn’t want to go anywhere with this horrible person. Who knows what he had planned for me?
“I’m not coming with you,” I said, trying to pull away from him. “You’re a monster.” But he held my arm in an even tighter grip than my uncle had.
Oblek laughed. “You haven’t seen anything yet, girl,” he said. “Where you’re going, monsters will be the least of your problems.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, my voice cracking. My legs felt shaky, and I was now bordering on the edge of panic. Where was he taking me?
“You will find out soon enough,” Oblek said, grinning.
He pulled me towards the tapestry that shimmered as soon as he touched it with his palm.
I felt like my life had just shattered all over again. My parents were gone, my uncle had just sold me like a slave, and there was no one to help me, no one on my side. I was alone, I was in trouble, and I had absolutely no idea what to do. It was all too much, I couldn’t help it; I burst into tears just as Oblek yanked my arm and pulled me into the magical, shimmering tapestry.
3
Kidnapped
For a second that felt like a lifetime, everything stopped; I felt like I was floating in nothingness. Then I blinked, and, when I finally opened my eyes and focused again through the tears, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
I found myself standing at the mouth of a small cave situated on a hill and overlooking a quiet, moonlit valley. On my left, a dark forest stretched out as far as the eye could see, treetops glistening silver in the light of the full moon. The hills around us undulated into wildflower-filled meadows that lay sleeping in the dewy night.
Far down in the valley, I could see a little village, its lights twinkling in the distance. To my right, a waterfall splashed playfully into a small river that ran down into a lake, next to which the little village was built. The moon here was fuller and larger than I had ever seen it, and the night sky was awash with a fantastic array of glittering stars.
Had I passed through the tapestry? Where was I?
I looked around, disbelief clouding my judgment. I was still trying to get my bearings after that strange moment when I had been inside the tapestry and nowhere at the same time. It gave me a funny feeling, as though I had been lifted out of my own consciousness and then put back into my body.
A warm breeze brushed past my face and played with my hair. Gone were the cloudy grey mist and the cold, nipping wind of the English countryside. I drew in a sharp breath—the air was crisp and clear, sweet smelling, and fresh. The moonlit valley was filled with fruit trees, wildflowers, and rolling meadows.
“How did we come here? Where are we?” I asked, still confused.
“You really are ignorant,” said Oblek, glancing at me. “I take it your uncle didn’t tell you anything?”
I shook my head and looked down. Oblek had tied my hands with a rope he had with him while I was still dazed and looking around. It was humiliating, and the rough ropes cut into my wrists, rubbing them raw every time he pulled me forward.
I had to find some way out of this. And, at the moment, the only thing I could do was discover more about where I was. Then, when I got an opportunity, I could escape and find my way back up to the cave on the hill, where we had arrived out of the tapestry.
But then what?
Christopher was probably dead, and Aunt Arianna would doubtless blame me for everything since I had disappeared at the same time. I had no idea what to do. I didn’t really want to go back, and, now that my adoptive parents were dead, I had nothing to return to.
I was starting to panic. I had nowhere to go, and my mind was imagining an array of horrible outcomes of my kidnapping. My palms had become sweaty, and my racing heart was thundering in my chest as I half-walked and half-ran, desperately trying to keep up with Oblek’s giant strides.
“Why are you doing this?” I pleaded with my kidnapper.
But Lord Oblek said nothing. He didn’t even look at me. He just kept walking ahead and dragging me along behind him, with no more explanations as to what he was planning to do with me.
I was terrified, and I had no idea if I was going to survive this. But I tried to be brave. Maybe I could talk my way out of this?
“You do know that this is called kidnapping?” I said, trying to reason with Oblek.
He didn’t bother to answer.
“What will happen to me now?” I squeaked, my voice breaking, as I tried not to cry.
“Queen Morgana will decide what is to be done with you,” said Oblek, finally.
Queen Morgana! The woman from my dream? It was not possible that this, too, was a coincidence. It must be the same Morgana, the one who had tried to kill my real mother.
Who the hell was she?
Suddenly all of this seemed extremely scary. I hoped that I was still dreaming and that there was no way I had actually traveled through a magical tapestry into some strange land. It all seemed very exciting in books. But actually being kidnapped and then hauled around like an animal, traveling deep into a land I knew nothing about, was not my idea of fun.
I had to get away from this horrible man, and fast.
I wanted to find out more, but I was getting tired as I trudged along behind Oblek. My legs were aching, and my fluffy slippers were wet and dirty. I wondered how much longer we would have to walk.
“Where are you taking me?” I pleaded, running helplessly behind him. “Please, you don’t have to do this, just let me go. I won’t go to the police, I promise. Just let me go.”
Oblek suddenly turned towards me to say something. I realized that was my chance, and I took it. I kicked him on his shin, yanked the rope out of his hands, and tried to make my escape, but Oblek hardly felt it; he quickly caught the end of the rope that he had tied around my hands and pulled on it hard, which made me spin around and fall forward onto my hands and knees.
Oblek sneered at me lying in the mud and held out his huge beefy right hand, curling his fingers as if he was catching something in the air in front of him. Suddenly I felt an invisible hand grab my throat. I choked and gagged as Oblek slowly cut off my air supply, clawing at the invisible hand and trying to wrench myself free. It was no use; he was using his magic again. The invisible hand was pulling me to my feet, lifting me up by my throat. I was terrified and tried to scream, but only choking sobs escaped my parched lips. I was feeling dizzy as I gasped for air, the world swimming before my eyes, and I was sure I was about to die.
Finally, after moments that felt like hours, he loosened his invisible grip
on my neck. I landed on my knees, and, with a flick of his hand, Oblek pushed me backwards. I fell on my back and clutched at my neck as I gasped for air.
He had tried to kill me. This guy was truly a monster, a real thug. What the hell had I got myself mixed up in?
“That was only a warning, you foolish girl,” said the evil Oblek. “The next time you try to escape, you will not be so lucky. The queen may want you alive, but she never specified your condition. I am quite sure she will not mind if you are missing a few body parts.”
I started trembling. This guy was serious, and he was really going to hurt me if I didn’t comply. I had no choice as he started pulling on the rope; I had to get up or risk being dragged along behind him all the way. I tried to calm my galloping heart and concentrated on just putting one foot in front of the other.
After a while, I had already fallen countless times, and my hands and knees were bleeding. Aching all over, I struggled to keep up. If I didn’t or if I tried to get away, there was no telling what Oblek might do to me. Tears were streaming down my face as I ran behind him. Shaking and sobbing, I tried to stem the flow and pull myself together.
I followed Oblek down the hill and into the valley. I could see well enough because of the full moon, but the shrubs and bushes snagged and tore at my clothes as he led me along a muddy path that skirted the edge of the woods.
“Please, can’t you at least tell me where we’re going?” I pleaded again.
To my surprise, Oblek replied.
“Tonight we will stop at my castle,” he said, “and at daybreak tomorrow we will ride for Nerenor. The queen will be eager to see you.” He turned and grinned maliciously at me. I noticed through all the confusion in my mind that some of his rotting teeth were missing.
“Will we be riding . . . horses?” I asked, understanding slowly dawning.
“Yes, of course,” he said, looking momentarily bewildered. “Why would you ask such a stupid question? Ah yes, in your world you have, what do you call them . . .” He snapped his fingers as if trying to remember. “ . . . Those funny carriages you call cars to get around.”
He yanked the rope and pulled me along again.
“Never really liked your world,” he continued. “And I seldom go there; that’s why I get people like your uncle to do my work for me.”
I looked at him, astonished, as the bitter realities started seeping into my sleep-deprived brain. This world had no cars, probably had no electricity or running water, and was ruled by a queen who sounded like an evil tyrant. It looked like I had been wrenched into the dark ages.
How would I survive here, even if I did manage to get away from Oblek?
We walked the rest of the way in silence. I was exhausted and had abandoned my wet, muddy slippers somewhere along the way. My feet were cut all over and bleeding. I couldn’t help it as big fat tears rolled down my face, but Oblek didn’t care. He just pulled me along like a dog on a leash.
It was still dark when we finally reached his castle. It was nothing like Redstone Manor or the surrounding countryside that I had seen when I came into this world through the tapestry. The castle was bleak and sinister, and it stood out like a charred, ash-covered rock amidst a green, flowering valley.
At first glance I could tell it was an incredibly ugly structure. High stone walls surrounded the main tower, and a dirty, moss-covered moat encircled the castle on all sides. The keep was flat, squat, and covered in blackened vines and creepers. I shuddered as he led me towards the terrible place. A thick, gnarled forest stretched out behind it, and numerous guards were posted on the battlements.
I wasn’t sure what to expect now. I wiped my face with my sleeve as best I could. My feet were burning, and I was not sure how much more of this treatment I could take. I wished for a warm bed and some food, but was not sure if I would get either.
A big wooden drawbridge swung down in front of us. The guards, recognizing their liege lord, had signaled the gatekeeper to lower the bridge. We entered a walled courtyard, and I stumbled to a stop behind Oblek.
I gingerly looked around. A big stone fountain of a goat-like creature spouting water dominated the central space. Looking up, I could see people peering out of the windows that surrounded the courtyard. I wondered if there was anyone there I could ask for help, but I doubted it.
“Guards!” commanded Oblek, without looking at me. “Take her to the dungeons. No one is to speak to this prisoner, or it will cost them their head. Is that understood?”
The guards nodded and scurried to catch hold of my arms, one on each side. There was no use struggling—even if I did get free, where could I go?
“The pit has other prisoners, milord,” said one scrawny guard with long, matted black hair, whose filthy hand was wrapped around my arm. “And all the other cells are full.”
“Just put her in the pit,” said Oblek. “The prisoners down there are to be executed at dawn, so anything she says will go with them to their grave.”
The guards took me down the grey stone corridors and dark steps that led to the dungeons. They shoved and pushed me the whole way, even though I wasn’t resisting. I had started crying again and tried to cover my sobs, but the guards heard me, and they sneered and laughed as they thrust me down the stairs into the depths of the stone castle.
It was damp and dark down in the dungeons, where the air reeked of rotting food and other horrible things that I didn’t even want to know about. I could hear moans and strange screeching noises coming from some of the other cells. I tried to ignore the sounds as the guards unlocked another door, which led deeper underground.
As I walked past the iron-barred dungeon cells, a thin, wrinkled hand shot out from between one of the bars and grabbed me. Shooting pain lanced through my arm as the hand clutched at me, digging long, dirty black fingernails into my skin.
A shriek of laughter made me look up. The weathered hand belonged to a gnarled, white-haired woman. Her face was brown and wrinkled like old leather, and her eyes were completely white. Was she blind?
“Finally she has come!” she shrieked.
“Shut up, old woman,” said a guard angrily. He leaned over and pried her fingers off me. I was stunned and shaken as I was dragged to my doom.
The old woman didn’t stop; she went on screaming, “She has come, she has come!”
Shrieks of cackling laughter followed me as I was led deeper down into the pit, the lowest and most horrible part of the dungeons. Obviously the old woman was mad. She couldn’t even see me, but still, I was shaking.
The guards looked at me suspiciously as they shoved me roughly into a cold, dark cell. The guards left, their booted feet thumping on the stone floor. I heard the wooden dungeon door creak and slam shut. Even the cackling laughter of the old woman dissipated, then . . . silence.
4
The Black Wolf
I was scared and alone in a dark dungeon cell, and I didn’t have any idea where exactly I was. There was no one to call, no one to help me or pronounce me missing. I sat down on the hard stone floor, huddled in the corner, and cried silently.
But I was not really alone.
I heard some scuffling.
Who else was in here with me? I started to panic all over again.
I looked around, my eyes adjusting to the darkness. Moonlight streamed in through a small barred window, which was high up on one wall of the dungeon cell.
“Who’s there?” I asked tentatively. It seemed like the smart thing to do, but who knew what kinds of criminals were locked in here with me?
A young boy about my age stepped out from the shadows. At least he seemed to be about my age. He was tall and lanky, with blond hair that was more silver than gold and that reached past his shoulders.
“Good eve to you, my lady,” said the boy.
Another person with dark hair stood motionless, leaning against a wall and hidden in shadows; I couldn’t see his face clearly.
“We mean you no harm,” said the first boy. “I am Kalen, and
the quiet one over there is my friend, Finn. Don’t worry about him, he’s just upset at being caught.” He stopped to take a breath and, before I could say anything, he started talking again. “Not to say that I am not upset too, but Mother always says there is no use worrying about something you have no control over. What is going to happen, will happen.”
“Do you have to be so cheerful all the time, Kalen? We are in Oblek’s dungeon. You know no one gets out of here alive,” said Finn from the shadows.
Kalen looked hurt.
I wiped my own tears and got up from my corner, slowly moving closer to Kalen. Finn looked a little sheepish and stepped back into the shadows.
I instinctively liked Kalen. He talked strangely and extremely fast, but I could tell immediately he was a sincere person. I looked closely at him and his friend. When the moon shone through the window, they looked alike. Sleek, silvery-gold hair, bright violet eyes, and . . . oh! Kalen’s eyes had just changed color, from violet to silver and back, while he was talking to me. And I wasn’t sure if I was just imagining it, but I could swear that his ears were slightly pointed.
I shook my head dumbly. Was I seeing things?
“What exactly are you?” I asked quietly.
Kalen grinned. “Never seen one of the fae before, have you?” he asked gently.
“Fae?” I repeated.
“Yes, fae,” he said, smiling again. “In the seven kingdoms we are sometimes referred to as fairies.”
My eyes grew wide. Fairies. Was he serious? He couldn’t be. I knew it wasn’t possible—fairies don’t exist. But I thought magical worlds didn’t exist too, and look how wrong I turned out to be there.
Why had Oblek locked them up in the dungeons? He had even said that they were to be executed at dawn. Were they dangerous? I had no idea who to trust, but, if Oblek wanted them dead, then at least I knew they were not on Morgana’s side.
Kalen started talking again. “You don’t seem to be from around these parts,” he said, looking at me more closely.
The Last of the Firedrakes Page 3
