Fabled

by Vanessa K. Eccles

  What will it be like after tonight? Will I be running forever?

  No. Life here can be great if you’re the one in control.

  How could I ever be in control of anything? I can’t even control my own breathing?

  If the royals are defeated, their power is relinquished to the next heir — the victor.

  How can we defeat them?

  Take down the one that’s in power — Dresdem. He wears a band on his right arm. If you take it, all his family will lose their royal, magical privileges, and you will become the next royal leader.

  Like a bracelet?

  No. It’s an inked printing of our ancestor’s crest. All royal blood can be traced to Father Merlin. He sought the stars and found the key to Earthbound magic. It had never been done before him. He grew tired of mortal kings and decided that his family would forever rule the Earth with magic. There are two members of our family at all times that are carriers of the ink. The sign of the crest marks the most powerful beholder of magic throughout the land. It can be stolen only with magic.

  I’m not royal; therefore, I don’t have magic. Besides if they lock me away, what would happen to us? To them?

  “Is everything okay?” Chester interrupted.

  I nodded as he approached. We stared over the rail and looked out at the town. The rain pelted us.

  “You know, Roe, I knew when I first saw you that you would forever change my life. Something deep within me knew you were going to make everything better. I know I haven’t always done the right things, and my fear has often led me astray. But I believe it was meant for me to meet you, and I cannot thank you enough for showing me what it feels like to be alive again. It’s been decades since I thought that Mezzanine was anything but horrid. Now, despite its wretchedness, you’ve opened my eyes to bravery, friendship, and love. These things still exist here despite the royals. No matter what happens tonight, I know that this is what it feels like to be in awe of someone.” He took my hand and placed it on his heart. “You’re my music.”

  I couldn’t resist kissing him. Passion overwhelmed me; our hearts and souls collided. Every worry I possessed faded. All I wanted was to live in his embrace forever. I ran my fingers through his wet hair while our lips rhythmically caressed. I felt like we were indestructible — like nothing could ever crush this beautiful young love.

  We lingered in our perfect bliss for as long as we could. As midnight approached, we knew we had to join the others and get prepared. He went with me downstairs into the front room and joined the others. Heaviness hung in the air, weighed down with all our fears. Everyone was quieter than they had been all day, paralyzed with fear.

  Cale rehearsed with us what we were to do if we came in contact with a royal. The short answer — run. He also went over and over the plan to get into the gates. He wanted the sequence of events to be branded into our minds and become second nature. I had memorized everything he’d said, and I’m sure the others had too.

  This was it. The moment we’d all been planning for. There was something terrifyingly magical about it.

  “It’s time,” Cale said.

  The calm before the chaos.

  We each pulled up our dark hoods and followed him into the empty streets. There was a short time before the sun met the horizon. As we approached the gates, we each faded one by one into dark corridors and shadows. Chester gave me a quick tug on my hand before letting me go into my own hiding spot. I watched as he bravely neared the gates and disappeared.

  It took longer than I had expected, or maybe it only felt like it did. It felt like I’d been standing there for hours before I heard the commotion.

  “Quick! Get that man!” A guard said to another. Then I heard Cale’s taunts. “Do you need your masters to come help you?” Their boots clanked on the stone road after him. I worried about Cale, especially since I knew Chester was with him. Even though he was invisible, anything could go wrong. I peeked around the corner and saw two other guards on the inside of the gates peering suspiciously through the iron bars. There was no sign of Cale or the outside guards who had followed him.

  The plan was to lead them down the road, turn into the beast, and keep the men down until Chester could grab their keys. Chester would return to unlock the gates, and we were to crowd inside and overtake the other guards.

  We waited.

  It was taking too long, and my heart pounded through every part of my being. I stared at the gate, forgetting to blink. That’s when I saw the key appear in the lock and turn. I breathed a sigh of relief knowing that Chester was there and okay. He hesitated and then opened the gates wide. Beasts flew from the darkness through the gates. The guards inside didn’t have a chance to scream. The pack attacked their throats and wounded them so badly they couldn’t do anything but gurgle for help. Two beasts dragged them away. The instructions were to take the guards to the blacksmith’s where they’d be locked in Mack’s storage and guarded until all of this was over. Cale was probably there now with the other guards. Before I could make it out of hiding, I felt something grab my hand. He appeared.

  “Are you ready?” Chester whispered with a smile.

  “As ready as I’ll ever be.” He grabbed my hand tighter, and we both ran towards the castle and through the gates. The remaining beasts scouted out the front garden to see if there were any other threats. The morning guards weren’t expected to show up for another hour, so we had some time before we knew trouble would find us. Chester and I ran straight into the garden. The hedges were like a maze, nearly nine feet tall and so thick that no one could walk through them. Every few minutes we’d pass through a square. It would be in the middle of the hedges and offer four paths for us to take. There’d be flowers and a bench in every square. Everything looked the same, and it didn’t take me long to realize we could easily get lost.

  Two wolves were with us, which made me feel somewhat better. One led the way and the other followed. When we’d arrive at a square, they would wait on me to choose a path. I pulled Humbert’s block out of my satchel and made my choice.

  We went on like this. With every moment that passed, panic took more and more root into our minds and bodies. We began to run faster and choose quicker.

  Finally we approached a square that looked different. A glass coffin sat in its middle. I approached it slowly. The others stayed back and watched. It was the first time Chester had let go of my hand.

  “Madeline, can you hear me?” I asked while placing my hands on the casing.

  She had grown frail and every bit of color had left her body; she was ghostly white. Her lips were purple and her blonde hair had faded into a dull gray. She was barely recognizable. Looking at her frightened me.

  “We need to hurry,” Chester whispered.

  I started to run my fingers across the ledge of the door, looking for some way to open it. I located a button and pressed it firmly. The door opened. A whiff of decay filled my nostrils. I gagged.

  “Hurry! Just grab her,” Chester screamed.

  I wrapped my arms around her and tried to pull her out; Chester assisted. Her tiny body seemed to be affixed to the coffin.

  “What now?” I asked, panicking.

  “I don’t know.”

  I then remembered what Riddler had said to Chester. I held my breath, leaned in, and kissed her forehead. I watched as her eyes lifted, then her hand, and then her voice. “I knew you’d come for me,” she said with a gentle smile.

  “Of course,” I nodded. “Now we have to go. Quickly. Do you think you can walk?” I helped her to her feet. She took a step and wobbled. Her muscles were weak.

  “We’ll let her ride back,” Chester said while helping her onto one of the wolves. She straddled his back and wrapped her thin arms around his neck.

  “Hold on tight,” Chester instructed.

  We were off again. We ran back in the same direction we came, reading Humbert’s block in reverse. We all knew that the chances of getting back without mistakes was unlikely, but we were going
to give it our best shot. The first few turns went well, but the feeling of impending doom quickly caught up to us. My legs screamed in fatigue. Madeline’s eyes had trouble staying open, and I knew holding on was about to become impossible for her.

  “They’re coming!” we heard Cale’s voice scream. It was unsettling hearing him so far away. He wouldn’t yell and expose us without knowing we were in serious trouble. Fear stopped us in our tracks. We knew he meant the royals. Chester once again took my hand, and we ran faster. So fast that my legs were moving quicker than I could think. I tripped, and the fall broke Chester and I’s grip. I plummeted into the dirt, dropping Humbert’s block. Chester stopped to help. But before he could reach me, what looked like lightning, streaked from the sky and broke through the hedges. The massive shrubs collapsed in-between us.

  Chapter 24

  I hesitated a minute. My knees and hands bleed and ached from the impact of the fall. When I finally pulled myself up, I saw him. He was just a kid — maybe thirteen-years-old or so. I had no idea where he’d come from.

  “So you must be Rowena?” He grinned. I didn’t say anything. Instead, I ran just like Cale had said for us to do. There was no doubt this kid was a royal. His immaculate three-piece suit and piercing eyes gave it away. I ran as fast as I could, but with every step I realized more how much trouble I was in.

  Another hedge flew onto the path, blocking me. I quickly returned to the last square and ran in a different direction. No matter where I went, I felt the boy’s presence. I heard the breaking of more limbs and saw another bright flash, and I knew he’d blocked my escape again.

  After fully exhausting myself, I propped on a bench in the middle of another square. Everything looked the same. I was running in circles. I knew there was no chance of escape.

  “You know it was inevitable,” he said, seemingly standing on the hedge tops. He began walking down and towards me, as if he was trotting down invisible stairs. I struggled to catch my breath. “We’ve been looking for you for a long time now. Father is going to be so pleased with me delivering the portal jumper that he’s likely to give me a new wife.” His smile stretched across his face revealing his pearly, perfect teeth. “Perhaps even you’d do.” He removed my hood and unclenched my caramel curls. He took my chin in his hand and studied my face. I snatched it away. His touch made my skin quiver. “Let’s get on with it, shall we?” He grabbed my wrists and led me towards a garden wall. The tip of his finger lit up and he pointed it towards the wall. Lightning shot from his index to the wall, and he traced a door into the hedge. The bush quickly shriveled and browned, as it was being cut off from its life supply. He puckered his lips and blew the dead wall away revealing a doorway through the maze. When we walked through, we were standing at the base of the castle’s steps.

  I tried to wiggle my wrists out of his grip, but I couldn’t. He clasped down on them more every time I resisted. Panic surged through my body. I knew that walking through those doors was going to be the end of me. From everything I’d heard about the royals, there was no chance I’d make it out.

  I began to shake violently in rebellion. The boy dragged me up the steps. I struggled against him and suddenly felt my eyes blur until all I saw was black.

  Then I saw myself being taken up the stairs. It was strange. How can I be watching myself? Am I dead? I stood at the base of the steps and watched him tug my body towards the door. I didn’t appear to be dead. Frozen and helpless maybe, but still standing. I looked into my vacant face and realized I’d never really saw myself before until now. Within seconds, everything was normal again. I was back in my body — the one that was about to be forced into the castle.

  The boy opened the door with a small flick of his wrist; it flew back and slammed against the wall. The smell of old flooded us. Rooms lined the long, dark corridor. We walked past several of them, and I could see through the doorways that they were adorned with silk draperies and artisan rugs. All the rooms were dimly lit with candle sconces or candelabras. I would have been creeped out even if it weren’t the royals’ castle.

  I continued to tug my arms to no avail, and I couldn’t help but constantly look behind me to see if another part of me was somewhere back there again.

  Maybe everything is just different here. I mean, I am in the midst of magic.

  We finally came to a closed door, which he again opened effortlessly with the waving of his hand.

  “You’ll wait here. It shouldn’t be long,” he said as he sat me in an armed chair. I could barely see anything in the dimly lit room. I heard him blow and a low flame appeared near his face. He stood there for a moment and smoked a cigar and admired me — his morning hunt. “Sit tight, ya’ hear?” He smirked, walked out the door, and locked it.

  The room was black now. My mind immediately roamed in search of a way out. After all, I wasn’t locked away in a dungeon — yet. I went to stand up, but the chair’s arms grabbed me. I heard the creaking wood wrap, warp, and squeal. Completely bound, there was nothing I could do but wait.

  I thought about the others and hoped they all made it out safely. I wondered what they were going to do now that the royals obviously were onto them. I imagined they’d be already out of town with Madeline in tow.

  No matter what, I’m glad I came to help her.

  Now we just need to help ourselves to the royal’s power.

  Slivers of light shined through the heavy drapery as the sun came up. I saw that I was in a study. Minutes passed, but my fears didn’t. I heard the sound of footsteps outside the door. There was a pause before the door opened.

  It was him — Dresdem. I’d recognize his face anywhere. His black eyes were empty and soulless.

  “See Father, I told you it was her!” the boy said, nearly giddy. Dresdem waved his arm and all the curtains pulled back. Light flooded the room. I squinted in response. Dresdem took a seat in front of me on a loveseat. The boy stood behind him, reminding me of a dog awaiting his treat.

  “I’m pleased to officially meet you,” he said in a manipulative tone.

  Pleased to meet me? Creeper.

  And so we meet again…

  “I think we have quite a lot to discuss, but I’m sure you’re tired from this mornings… excursions. I’m delighted you finally accepted my invitation.” His mouth curled on one side as he exchanged glances with his son.

  “Invitation?” I asked.

  “Oh, but of course. I had thought you’d come to see your friend earlier, but there’s no time like the present, right?” He crossed his legs and leaned back into the sofa. His nonchalant demeanor frightened me. Everyone told me how dangerous he was, and I’d already seen what he was capable of. But his relaxed expressions and speech juxtaposed that. I questioned everything he said. “Dekel will take you to your room. I trust you’ll find him more than accommodating. Breakfast will be served within the hour. We’ll talk later, yes?” The question was obviously rhetorical, and he didn’t wait for a response. He walked away.

  Dekel approached me, placing a finger on each of the chair’s arms, causing the chair to recede back into its normal positioning.

  “Come,” he said.

  I had already gathered that not only were the royals against me, but the house and everything in it were under their command too. I decided I had no other option but to follow.

  After walking up several flights of curling stairs, we arrived at a single large, wooden door. He opened it, and motioned for me to go inside. After my back was to him, the door slammed closed and locked. I jerked in response but was thankful to be alone.

  The room’s iron bed was similar to the one I’d slept on at my grandma’s house. The bedding looked to be hand-quilted. A small sofa sat on one side of the room with clawed feet. In the center, directly across the room from the door, was a single ironclad window. I went to it and looked out. I saw the entire court from the height of my room. There was no glass in the window. It reminded me of primitive prisons. I reached my hand through the opening and waved it in the
morning breeze. The bars reminded me that I was no guest here; I was a prisoner.

  Chapter 25

  Breakfast, lunch, supper all came without any word from Dresdem or Dekel. I didn’t eat anything. I couldn’t; I was too nervous. The servants never said a word to me, and a growing sense of loneliness enveloped me.

  As darkness fell, I tried to sleep. I closed my eyes but couldn’t help but replay the day’s events. Every dream ended the same — with me locked in here.

  It was also hot. The room had no breeze because of the small size of the window, and there were no other windows to allow for circulation. I, miserable in every sense of the word, finally lay on the cold stone floor in search of relief. It helped, but not by much.

  The next morning, the door opened. It was another servant with breakfast.

  “Wakey, wakey!” she squawked.

  “I’m not going to eat as long as I’m here,” I told her. She stared at me blankly.

  “You know you can’t die from starvation here, don’t you? You’ll merely suffer the effects of it.” She rolled her eyes and turned to leave.

  I hadn’t thought of that. They won’t care if I’m suffering. What am I trying to prove? I should probably keep myself healthy in case there’s ever a chance for escape.

  “Wait,” I said and took the plate from her. She shrugged and scurried out.

  It could be poisoned. What if I eat this and something terrible happens?

  I reluctantly ate. There was nothing else to do anyway. I munched slowly on my apple until every morsel was devoured.

  I stared out the window and watched the townspeople go on about their lives in freedom. But I mostly watched the Blacksmith’s shop. I worried they’d find out Mack and Cilla were helping us, but I hadn’t seen anyone approach the home yet. I also hadn’t seen anyone leave, which made me wonder if the pack were already gone or if they’re stuck there. I hoped for the best.

  Lunch came and went. Finally right before dark, I received a visit from one of the servants. The same one from breakfast. She handed me a letter with a wax seal on the back. I opened it quickly. It read: