by Jenni James
Brielle saw a flash of light before crumbling to the ground.
“Brielle!” the prince shouted.
She felt Corrian’s arm cradling her head and prayed he would be safe, before all went black.
Chapter 7
B rielle blinked awake and tried for several times to adjust her eyes. Her head was pounding and everything was so dark it was hard to make out where she was. The ground was solid and damp beneath her, as if she were merely tossed in a cave. And then she noticed her gloves were gone! Hastily she moved her hands away from her skirts before she accidentally touched her dress.
She laid in silence for several minutes and didn’t hear a sound. Not a scrape, or scrambling, or even footsteps. She must have been all alone. Thankfully she wasn’t bound.
“Hello?” she called out. “Is anyone there?”
When no one replied, she cautiously rolled over on her side and pushed her way up. In the dark she blindly walked to find a wall, or anything to catch her bearings. Obviously she was somewhere that was secure and the witch had no fear of her escaping.
With her hands in front of her attempting to find a wall, she had not thought to reach above her to see how low the ceiling was. It only took about ten steps before she whacked her forehead on an overhang of the low ceiling. As she felt it, the whole roof shifted and slid into a cool smooth gold. Brielle paused and rubbed her head and again was careful not to touch her own clothing.
It was only another eight steps or so before she found the wall and even that transformed beneath her hand. Gratefully she followed the wall, feeling it slide and change beneath her fingertips as she walked in the dark.
After about twenty more steps panic began to creep in. She had hoped she would run into a doorway soon. But from what she could tell, it really was like being in a long cavern of sorts. And it was dark. So dark she couldn’t see her own hands in front of her face. What if she was walking in the wrong direction? What if she were walking deeper and deeper into the side of a mountain, or something? Where was she?
Brielle took a few deep breaths to calm herself and then think of where she could be. There was no use in panicking when she needed to escape. Obviously, the witch, or someone, had most definitely put her in this hideous place, so there had to be a way out. She didn’t feel bruised or beat up as if she’d been dragged or dropped. So they couldn’t have walked this far. She halted and then began to retrace her steps. Smooth gold met her palms for several feet.
She walked until she felt the wall shift to gold again beneath her hands and then began to count her exact footsteps, so she could return to her spot on the ground if she needed to. After walking only eight steps she came to a corner of the room and began to feel her way down that wall to her right. And then suddenly her hand slipped through the wall. It was a break! A doorway. Slowly she began to feel her way around the opening. There was about three feet between the two walls, it was a hallway of sorts.
It took her about ten minutes to reach the other end. She found another room. As she was exploring the left side of the room a light appeared. It was distant but moving quickly. It took Brielle a moment to realize it was coming down yet another long hallway. And with it came the mutterings of the witch.
Brielle quickly moved toward a corner of the room and prayed that when the light came, it would keep her hidden in the shadows. She crouched as small as she could make herself while keeping her arms up near her face and away from her clothing. Within the next moment the witch lit up the room. It was a cavern! There were chains and shackles mounted on the opposite wall, but otherwise it was barren.
“She should wake up in about ten more minutes and then the fun will begin,” said the witch as she passed right by Brielle’s hiding spot and continued down the long hall.
Brielle didn’t waste any time as she bolted down the hall the witch had just come from. She ran blindly with one hand in front of her, and the other skimmed along the wall. With luck she found another doorway, but passed it for a moment as she continued to the end of the hallway and into another large cavern. Doubling back she went into the first doorway just as the witch screamed. Her voice echoing eerily through the chambers. “I’ll find you, you little brat! Thank you for the trail of gold, it shouldn’t be that difficult!”
Brielle was careful not to touch anything near the doorway as she walked into the room. Thankfully, the sound of rushing water greeted her. There must be a way out! Excitedly she continued through the darkness until she could hear the roaring water right in front of her. Her hands shook as she bent over and silenced the top of the water, turning it to gold. With her heart pounding and cautious steps she began to walk on the golden water.
She walked as far as the gold had spread. Crouching down, she touched the water again and then walked some more. It wasn’t the quickest way to escape a madwoman, but it was working. The roaring water beneath the gold muffled any sound the witch would’ve made anyway. The cavern grew tighter as she continued forward. Eventually she was sitting down, sliding along the gold, and pushing herself from the tight walls around her.
Then the first flickers of light began. The reflection of the running water pinged off the golden walls, and then the gold below her, until eventually she turned a corner and found the hole the water was escaping from. In fact she nearly slid right out of it!
Brielle braced herself against the ledge and then peered below. The waterfall exploded down into a pool of water. Across from her was a tall castle high upon a ledge. It was spectacular in the daylight. The surrounding forest and trails leading to the fortress were lush and very beautiful. In fact, it was some of the most stunning countryside she’d ever seen.
How in the world would she get down without harming the natural beauty around her? She was trapped. Unless she created a large golden slide there would be no way out. And with a gold slide, everyone would know exactly where she’d been.
Holding on the to edge Brielle looked above her. There were sturdy rocks if she attempted to climb up. However, the moment her hands touched them they would become smooth and slick. And then there was the matter of her clothes. With a sigh, she looked down at the silly ball gown and wished it miles away. How was one to climb in such long skirts? And how could she tie them up without becoming trapped in her own gold clothing statue?
Chapter 8
B rielle’s heart raced as she debated her dilemma. She brushed her hair away from her face and looked down. It was there that she noticed a thin jagged rock, lying near the ledge of the waterfall. Grabbing it, she watched in dismay as it, too, changed into gold. However, it remained strong in her hand and when her fingertip touched it she was surprised to feel it prick her skin. Perfect!
Before she lost her nerve she reached down and began to slice the skirts of her gown. The gown she’d spent forever creating. It hurt, a little. But the silly frock was too treacherous to consider wearing longer. In less than a minute her skirts and petticoat were both gone. All that remained were her breeches. Her poor mother would probably swoon at the sight, but Brielle couldn’t think of that. She had to find a way to escape as soon as possible.
She bounced the golden knife in her hand, pleased with how well it worked. Then she poked her head out of the cavern again and looked up. If she held the knife and lodged it between the rocks to pull herself up and then used her feet to push, it might be possible to climb the eight or nine foot ledge above her. But she needed a knife for her other hand, or it would be turning everything to gold, causing her to slip off the ledge. That’s when she noticed the strips of fabric around her.
Carefully she used the knife to fold a particularly ragged one until it resembled a thick sharp knife. With a shrug she touched it and was pleased to find it was much stronger than she imagined and work just as she’d hoped. –As if the gold understood what she needed it to be.
Brielle took a shaky breath. She’d never been more grateful for farm chores than right then. Had she not lifted such heavy buckets of grain, bales of wheat, and h
auled water to the animals, she most certainly would not be strong enough to pull herself up any ledge.
After studying both sides, she determined that the left would be best for climbing. Then, before she lost her nerve, she reached as high as she could and forcefully stabbed the ledge above her. She bounced a couple of times, testing the strength of the blade. It seemed incredibly strong. Strong enough to hold her small frame. It should have been impossible, and yet, it was working. With another nervous breath she threw caution to the wind and went for it.
Holding the wedged knife with her left hand, she lunged from the cave upwards and over, slamming the other knife a bit higher than the first into compacted dirt around the rock. Swinging her feet up and under her, she used the swift motion to yank out the left knife and slam it higher above her. As soon as her feet were secured, she yanked out the right knife and climbed higher up the side of the mountain.
It was slow going but when Brielle crested the top, it was an amazing feeling. She was careful not to touch any of the grass or foliage around as she continued to pound the knives into the ground and pull her way over the edge. Beads of sweat dripped from her face and down her back, but she’d made it.
She collapsed onto the ground, heaving. Then for no reason at all she began to chuckle to herself. She’d done it. The impossible had happened and she’d figured a way out and saved herself. What an adventure! Immensely proud, she privately challenged any prince to do what she’d just accomplished. Closing her eyes, she let out a sigh and then looked up at the bright sky.
Where the sun was positioned it looked to be nearly three in the afternoon. How long had she been in that cave? And how far away was she from her own kingdom? She’d heard of a kingdom to the north that had a majestic waterfall and she wondered if that’s where she was. If so, then she would need to travel south to get home. Luckily it was merely a four or five hour journey.
Brielle smiled and then her smile fell. By coach. She had no idea how long it would take to get home on foot. With a few choice words, she got to her feet and stood up. Keeping an eye on the sun, she slowly made her way down the mountain, heading south. It was imperative that she stay away from actual paths and roadways and instead charter her own journey through the forest. She really didn’t want the witch to find her.
She’d traveled for several minutes before her adrenaline waned and the first real pangs of thirst and hunger hit her. Thirst was much more prevalent, but she wasn’t certain when the last time she’d eaten was. She’d been too excited to eat before the ball. The ball—where she’d met Prince Corrian. That seemed as if it were ages ago now. A stab of fear coursed through her. What had the witch done to him? Did he follow them? Was he even now down in the caverns where she’d escaped? Or was he home?
Brielle paused and looked around her. There had to be some sort of water near. The trees were too green, the ground too lush. She headed toward a dip in the mountain, hoping there would be a stream. When she found one she excitedly made her way to the fullest part and dipped her hand in to collect a small pool of water to drink. Forgetting for a moment that she didn’t have her gloves on.
With frustration, Brielle moved up a few feet and this time balanced on a newly golden rock to drink with her face in the water, nearly drowning herself. When that didn’t work she found a leaf that, once gold, made a perfect cup. Eagerly she drank. But she knew she needed to keep moving.
Suddenly Brielle heard footsteps moving in the brush behind her. She froze as the sound grew louder.
Chapter 9
B rielle’s heart pounded as she scanned the area for a possible hiding spot. As the steps grew closer she knew there wasn’t anything nearby large enough to conceal her. She crouched and reached for a large stick that immediately turned into gold.
“Princess Brielle?” whispered Prince Corrian as he stepped from the brush.
“You?” Her mouth dropped open in relief. “How did you find me?”
He stepped forward. “I followed you after I heard the witch screaming.”
Brielle stood up. “Wait. You were in that cave too?”
Corrian stepped closer. “The dungeons? Yeah. I was in a completely pitch black room. I woke up to the witch screaming that she’d find you. And I knew you must have escaped somehow. So I made my way out of the room I was in and stayed in the shadows while the witch attempted to find you, following the gold. She walked into the room that led to the river several times, but never made it all the way to the water like I did. I figured you couldn’t have gone far.”
He shook his head. “I was right. The gold on top of the river was a good touch. Especially since the roar of the water that could be heard convinced the witch you didn’t go that way. I jumped on it and pretty much slid the whole way. Took me a lot longer to realize you went up, and not down, the waterfall. Spent a good twenty minutes debating how to get down without the gold before I realized there wasn’t gold. Which meant you went up. Pure genius. It was a tough climb and I had no idea how you accomplished it until I found your gold knives at the top. Since then, I’ve been following your golden trail .” He held the knives out.
She glanced around and saw small shimmering evidence everywhere. “Oh dear! Was it obvious?”
He shrugged and grinned. “Just a leaf or twig here and there. Nothing the witch would’ve found unless she knew you went up and not down to the bottom. Oh, here. Before I forget.” He reached in his suit pocket and pulled out her gloves.
“You are a saint!” she said as she pulled them up her hands. “I’ve been so worried.”
“I can see why.” He then looked down at her lack of dress. “Used a knife to cut it?”
Brielle nodded. “If it turned to gold I would’ve never been able to get it off. And it would have been way too heavy.”
“You are incredibly intelligent.” He shook his head and his grin turned into a smile. “I would dare anyone to be as clever as you are.”
“Are you not in the least disconcerted to find me in my undergarments?”
“Should I be?” He turned toward her. “Isn’t this about survival?”
She sighed in relief. Thankfully, she was with a sensible man.
With gloves on, Brielle could finally brush at her clothes, or lack of them. “And how did you get to the dungeons?”
Corrian walked over to the stream and drank. “I made as much noise as possible, jabbering to the witch until she brought me with her. I’d figured it would be the best way to save you. Little did I know you were a genius and wouldn’t need my help.” He wiped his wet hands on his shirt and grinned. “Though I can’t guarantee this won’t compromise you. Again.”
It was all too heavy, too fast. Brielle began to walk away and Corrian was quick to follow. “What do we do now?” she asked.
“We outwit a very angry witch and get you home.”
“You say it so matter of fact.”
“I’m more worried that the witch will be there waiting for you.”
The witch at her house? Fear gripped Brielle as she spun around. “I didn’t warn my parents!”
He held his hands out. “There was no warning even for yourself. How could you have helped anyone else?”
Her stomach began to twist in knots. “Oh, Prince Corrian, I cannot bear to think of them in peril.”
“There’s no use panicking until we know where she is.” He walked up to her. “Just how wicked is this witch? And do you think she was telling the truth? Are you really from the Wallsbury kingdom?”
“Is that where this is?” She glanced around. “I was trying to remember which kingdom had the huge waterfall.”
“Brielle, they are a very powerful kingdom as well.” He glanced her way. “Though I have never heard of them searching for a missing princess. Perhaps they gave up looking for you long ago.”
“I still cannot believe I’m a princess.” She began to walk again, this time past a small hill. “It seems ridiculous.”
Corrian caught up with her. “Yet, with your
gifts, why wouldn’t you be? To me, it makes perfect sense.”
With her gloved hand she touched the shrubbery as she passed by. “What do you think the witch wanted from me?”
“I assume the same as everyone else, unmatched wealth and power.” He tossed a small rock onto the grass in front of them. “Though let’s not think of such things. Let’s move forward and think of ways to thwart this witch of yours. It will not do to have her continuously meddling in our lives.”
Brielle shook her head. It would seem she would have to live forever worrying about her meddling. “I fear I may have to kill her.”
“Witches are incredibly difficult to kill. And just when you think you’ve done the job, she’ll pop up years later, tormenting you all over again.”
“Oh, don’t tell me that! I don’t know if I’ll ever sleep properly again.” They walked closer to the hill.
“Then perhaps you may wish to stay here and take care of the witch now.” He touched her arm. “Trust me. She’ll come to wherever she thinks you are. Staying here will guarantee your family won’t be harmed.”
“Of course, she wishes to stay here where she belongs,” came a sinister voice above them.
Chapter 10
B rielle moved back. Prince Corrian grabbed her gloved hand and together they began to flee. However, the witch was much faster.
She appeared in front of them. “One game of cat and mouse is all I prefer to play today.” She rose her hands and pointed to Brielle. “Now, take the gloves off.”
“No.” Brielle hid her hands behind her back, but against her will her arms were forced forward and she watched in horror as the gloves removed themselves from her.
Corrian lunged to grab the gloves but they dodged him and flew to the witch.
