by Unknown
Soon, all three men had removed their armor and handed the pieces over to Ulrick's second in command. He supposedly would then take the armor to where Ulrick's army had set up camp, a ways further down from the castle. "Remember, Gaston," Ulrick said as his second in command looked back over his shoulder at him, "remember to be prepared when ye see my signal."
Ulrick strode over to the secret passageway and hunched down. "Everyone, pay heed," he shouted, grabbing each one's attention. "I'll lead, then Grimmly, Gwendolyn, Julianna, and Brogden, I want ye to bring up the rear. Once inside the inner bailey, I'll get to the parapets and give my army the signal to charge. Hopefully, Ramsey's men will be too distracted on the parapets with the approaching army, and Brogden can open the portcullis." Ulrick glanced over to Gwen. "Ye and Julianna will stay in the tunnel until either myself, Grimmly, or Brogden comes for ye. Once we retrieve ye...we'll all go fetch Cain. It will take all of us to free him of the torque." Everyone nodded and drew in close to the secret entrance.
Grimmly turned to Gwen as Ulrick disappeared inside the tunnel. "Be safe, Gwen." Grimmly turned around, but suddenly turned back and added, "if anything should happen, know I love ye."
"You can tell me that when we're all safe inside Ulrick's castle tonight," Gwen said, smiling and resting her hand on her father's chest. Grimmly nodded, a faint smile hinting at his mouth. The smile vanished as fast as it had appeared, a serious facade once more. He gave one last fleeting glance toward Julianna and then hustled into the tunnel after Ulrick.
Gwen went to duck down inside the tunnel, but a grip on her arm stopped her. She quickly glanced over her shoulder. "Julianna? What is it?" Julianna's hood shadowed her face, but Gwen could still see her obsidian eyes, gleaming from the sliver of moonlight.
"Cain knows we are here."
Gwen hesitated a moment, but then looked at Julianna. "I'll go tell Grimmly and Ulrick."
Julianna stopped her once more with a hand on her shoulder. "No." Julianna sidled closer to Gwen. "I dinna think he knows we're coming through the secret passageway. If we have any chance of saving him, we need to proceed."
"Is there a problem, lassies?" Brogden said, looking quite disgruntled that he had to wait for them. Gwen quickly shook her head. "Good. Then I suggest ye get yer bonnie arses moving. Ulrick is probably to the end by now!"
Gwen crawled on hands and knees through the narrow, spider infested tunnel. Julianna and Brogden sounded close behind her as they shuffled their way through the dark. "Ouch!" Gwen yelled, slamming headfirst into a hard object. She sat back and rubbed her forehead.
"Lass, ye all right?" Grimmly asked.
"Yes. Why have we stopped?"
"We're at the end. Ulrick is giving his army the sign. Brogden and I will join him when he returns. That will be when the battle begins."
Gwen sighed. So many thoughts had raced through her head, she hadn't even realized how far she had crawled.
Without warning, a scraping noise came from the stone hatch at the end of the passageway. Grimmly had a tight hold on his dagger, ready for a fight. The stone moved aside and the moonlight silhouetted a dark figure.
Ulrick squatted down. "My army is charging," he whispered. "'Tis time."
One by one they all crawled out. Gwen breathed in the fresh night air. A welcome from the dank, musty smell of the tunnel. Grimmly held his hand out to her and helped her stand.
They were in the inner bailey in a black smith's stand. The stone hatch of the tunnel was really the back of a fireplace in the center of the smithy's stand, hidden to everyone, even the smithy. Silence consumed the eerie night sky. Even the massive army that now descended down on them had yet to be heard.
Brogden came out last, taking his place by his Laird, ready to fight. Ulrick moved forward. "Remember, stay in the tunnel until we come for ye."
"And if we dinna return," Grimmly added, "go back to the nunnery."
Gwen gave Grimmly a quick hug. "Be safe," she whispered into his neck. He nodded and let her go, only to give Julianna a hug and a long string of what sounded like instructions for Gwen's future.
"A good luck hug?" Ulrick said from close behind Gwen.
Gwen turned and opened her arms to him. "Be safe, Ulrick."
Ulrick just wiggled his eyebrows and vanished into the night with Grimmly and Brogden.
* * * * *
"What's taking so long!" Julianna cried, wrapping her arms around her knees.
Gwen continued to stare at the hatch, with a dagger gripped tightly in her hand. A small parting gift from Grimmly, before he ran off with Brogden and Ulrick. Gwen had also thought the men had been gone entirely too long, but didn't want to say anything. Not a noise sounded as she put her ear up to the stone door. "Perhaps, we should take a quick peek."
"Yes," Julianna said, edging forward. "What if they are in trouble? It feels like it's been hours!"
Gwen nodded and together, she and Julianna slid the heavy stone hatch aside. Upon opening, they realized their mistake. Armed soldiers of Ramsey's ran past in masses, heading to the parapets. Ulrick's army had entered the lower bailey and the clanging of hand to hand combat was heard. Up in the inner bailey, where they stood watching, flaming arrows, from Ulrick's army on the other side of the wall, ignited hay piles next to the stable. Gwen and Julianna crouched down, hoping to catch a glimpse of Grimmly, Ulrick, or Brogden.
A flash of white light caught Gwen's eye, and she glanced up to the parapet across the moonlit streaked floor. She discovered Ulrick using his magic to push back the enemy surrounding him. It was more like a fast flash of lights shooting out from his hands, knocking out three, or four men at a time. They appeared stunned and in pain rolling on the ground, but not dead.
A bellow sounded across the way from Gwen and she saw Grimmly sprinting toward her, oblivious to a cut on his forehead which sent blood trickling down the side of his face. With his longsword raised, he leapt over fallen bodies and slayed enemies in front of him.
Gwen heard the heavy breathing behind her and turned to find a huge warrior with a thick black beard and a bloody axe raised to strike down upon her. A sick grin fell across the warrior's face as he went to bring down the axe, but before his arm swung down, a gurgle sounded from his mouth, followed by spurting blood. Gwen glanced down and found a sword protruding alongside her hip, pierced into the belly of the warrior.
The man fell back as Grimmly pulled out his sword. "What did I tell the both of ye!" he roared as Julianna quickly hugged a shaking Gwen.
"I-it was silent inside the tunnel," Julianna whispered. "We heard none of this."
Grimmly spun and fought off two men as Gwen and Julianna picked up iron rods from the smithy's work station to use as weapons. A man to Gwen's left charged her. She raised the poker in front of her as she kept her hand with the dagger close to her side, ready to strike out.
A quick flash of light flew past Gwen and struck the man in the head. He instantly fell to the ground. Gwen turned and found Ulrick behind them, sending another flash of light to a hefty man Julianna battled.
Once safe, they came together. Brogden hustled over, after slaying two men in his way. "Stay together," Ulrick said to everyone. "And close your eyes. This will be extremely bright."
Gwen squeezed her eyes shut as they huddled together with Ulrick standing a few feet away, by himself. At the last moment, Gwen sneaked a peek and found a good number of Ramsey's men closing in on them. Ulrick bellowed a spell and an enormous flash of light covered the area. In an instant, the light was gone and so were all of Ramsey's men in the inner bailey.
Gwen blinked trying to get rid of the bright spot in her vision. "Are they all dead?"
"Nay," Ulrick said with a grin. "Just a long, long ways from here.
"What of your men?" Julianna asked.
"They had orders to stay in the lower bailey until they saw a huge flash of light. They will start working their way up to us now. 'Tis safe."
Gwen glanced around. Indeed it was. Not a soul remained
in the inner bailey except for the five of them. A low rumble of armored men and war cries sounded off in the night. Ulrick had weakened Ramsey's army by a large margin, but a battle still raged on below.
Ulrick turned to Gwen. "Now, we find Cain." He lightly gripped Gwen's shoulders. "I must warn ye, though. Cain may not recognize ye anymore. He may have already transformed with no memory of what ye were to him."
Gwen made a weak smile. "We came this far." Ulrick nodded and turned to guide the party, but Gwen quickly reached out, a hand on his arm. "Ulrick...thank you."
He drew in close. "Dinna thank me yet."
Gwen frowned as Ulrick headed for the massive keep. A sick feeling filled the pit of her stomach. She conjured a vision of Cain, one where he was a monster, willing to kill anyone for Ramsey.
"This is too easy," Brogden whispered when they reached the closed doors to the great hall. "I dinna like it."
"They know what we've come for," Ulrick said. "'Tis no surprise."
"Weel gentleman," Grimmly said, "If ye dinna mind, I have dibbs on Ramsey."
"Fair enough," Ulrick muttered, giving Gwen a small smile. "Shall we?" he said bringing his hands together, a small fiery light igniting between them. He looked over his shoulder at Gwen. "Remember. He's a monster now. Dinna be fooled."
Gwen licked her lips. This was the moment. This was what it all came down to. Was the man she loved monster, or man? She hastily nodded and repositioned her clammy fingers on her dagger.
Brogden slowly pushed the doors open. A loud creak sounded. Brogden's shoulder's sagged. "Where the bloody hell is everyone!"
All five, piled in and saw the same thing Brogden had seen, an empty great hall. All tables, chairs, and furniture were completely void of the room, except for one...a gilded chair.
"They left," Julianna said, pushing her way to the front. "No one is here!"
Gwen stood still as the others moved to the center of the hall. The air shifted. An aroma of exotic spices wafted bye. Gwen screamed to retreat, just as Cain appeared behind the small group. He effortlessly raised his hands, sending everyone flying across the great hall as if a hundred mile winds blew and they were but weightless leaves.
Gwen's eyes fluttered open and she took a small breath. Pain filled her chest. She must have bruised her ribs when she hit the stone floor. Gingerly, she rotated her head and saw all her friends also stirring. And standing above Grimmly, stood Ramsey with Cain and five guards behind him.
Ramsey laughed. He nudged Grimmly's head with the toe of his boot. "Ye dare to think ye can overpower me?" Ramsey looked like he was going to walk away from Grimmly, but quickly turned around and gave a hardy kick in his ribs, then spit on him in disgust. "I'm a fool for not killing ye the day I discovered ye filled my wife with your seed!"
Grimmly hugged his body. Ramsey muttered something that sounded like "weakling" and moved on to Julianna who still hadn't stirred. Ramsey squatted down in front of her. He carefully pulled back her hood, revealing the beautiful side of her face. He lightly rubbed the back of his hand down her cheek. "Ye look like your sister," Ramsey mumbled. Suddenly, Ramsey grabbed a fistful of her hair and pulled up her head. Julianna screamed out, clutching to Ramsey's fists. "I should have killed ye too, before ye stole the chit from me!" Ramsey let go of her head and it dropped to the stone floor.
He glared over at Gwen who sat up on her elbow. "Well...daughter-"
"-I know you're not my father," Gwen spat. "Never call me daughter again!"
An evil smile curved Ramsey's mouth. "Verra well." Ramsey turned toward Cain. He made a small nod and stepped back, only to sit in his chair and watch the games.
Gwen glanced to Cain. Ulrick had been right, Cain no longer resembled "Cain". His eyes were blacker than night. Dark, thick veins were visible through his skin, and the torque gleamed, along with some of the tattoos, which gave off an eerie red glow.
Cain peered past Gwen and over to Ulrick. The two raised their hands at the same time, but Cain was far more powerful. Ulrick flew across the room, crashing into a row of tables. Brogden charged Cain, but was instantly frozen. Brogden appeared to not be able to move, not even the most miniscule motion.
Grimmly stood, sword at the ready. "You're a good mon, Cain!" he yelled. "I dinna want to fight. Let us help ye...let Gwen help ye!" Grimmly swiped at his bloody mouth with the back of his sleeve. He gave Cain a pleading look. Cain in answer smiled. He held out his empty hand and in a blink of an eye, a longsword magically appeared.
"You-will-die," Cain gritted out. Both men clashed together with body and sword. Grimmly held his own, but he was no longer young and robust, and Cain was stronger and more powerful. Cain spun around, his muscles flexing as he met with Grimmly's sword. Over and over, the clanking of metal sounded.
Finally, both stood back. Grimmly wiped the blood and sweat off his forehead. "And to think I was going to let ye marry her!" Grimmly mumbled.
Cain smiled. "Time to die old mon." They came together again, but this time, Cain dropped his sword and grabbed hold of Grimmly's, squeezing the blade between his hand. Grimmly looked appalled. Cain pulled the sword away, tossing it across the room, only to land at the feet of guards watching in awe. Cain quickly pushed Grimmly away, causing him to slide across the floor, sliding up to Ramsey's feet.
Ramsey clapped and then bellowed, "I couldn't have done it better myself!"
Julianna suddenly screamed out in rage, charging Ramsey with a small dagger, the one Gwen had been holding earlier. Sprinting up to Ramsey, she went to plunge the dagger into him, but he was at the ready with his dagger first. It sunk deep into her belly. The dagger dropped to the floor as she gripped Ramsey's tunic with both hands.
"You're just like my dead wife," he said softly. "May ye join her in hell."
Julianna looked like she wanted to say something, but blood oozed out of her mouth before the words could. "No!" Gwen screamed, running over.
Cain held out his hand and an invisible wall appeared, knocking Gwen backwards. She pounded on the magical barrier half-way between Ramsey and Cain.
Ramsey smiled at Gwen. "Ye willna win this time, Gwendolyn...not this time." Ramsey waved to Cain. "Take her powers, then kill her."
* * * * *
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Gwen slowly glanced over her shoulder at Cain. Their eyes met and for a brief second, she thought she caught a glimpse of the man she loved looking out through the horrifying, obsidian eyes. Cain didn't budge.
Ramsey stared, anger flushing his face. "Kill her!" he roared. Cain remained motionless. Although, the muscles in his body twitched and the veins in his neck pulsed, he didn't move. Gwen realized he fought the power of the torque. It had to be very powerful. "Fine!" Ramsey yelled, sliding Julianna off his dagger and letting her fall to the floor. "I'll kill the bitch myself!"
Ramsey stormed over to Gwen. As he approached the invisible wall, he unsheathed his heavy, gold-hilted sword and swung the blade down on the barrier. Glass shards flew everywhere. Gwen covered her face with her arm and stumbled back. Ramsey rushed her, grabbing her throat with one large hand and flinging his sword off to the side. Pushing her down to the floor, he straddled her. She coughed for air as she frantically scratched and clawed at his hand.
Ramsey whipped out a dagger from the side of his boot. "Give me your powers, or I'll cut them from ye!" He raised the dagger above her heart, but before he brought the sharp glistening blade down, he was pulled effortlessly from her and flung across the room.
Gwen caught her breath, just as strong arms enclosed around her. Wind blew thorough the room as a black cloud surrounded them. The gusts of wind stopped just as suddenly as it had begun and Cain placed her behind him. They were still in the hall, but Ramsey's army was gone, only pieces of their armor and empty clothing littered the hall. A shiver ran through Gwen imagining what had happened to them.
Cain glared at Ramsey. "Ye own me no more!" he roared. Gwen shook from the fury radiating from Cain. He reached up to the torque and grow
led a horrible, guttural noise as he used all his strength and broke the torque in half. The torque immediately stopped glowing and transformed into dirty, rusty metal before her eyes.
Cain flung the rotted pieces toward Ramsey. They skidded across the floor, stopping at his feet. Ramsey stared down at the broken, useless torque. He slowly glanced up and then darted around his throne, and out through a secret door hidden behind.
Gwen released her breath and glanced up to Cain who stood motionless, watching everyone with his black eyes. At that time, Ulrick came to, shaking his head, Brogden unfroze and sunk to the floor collecting his strength, and Grimmly stood, swaying to the side. Gwen ran over to Julianna and Grimmly soon joined her.
"It doesna look good, lass," Grimmly said.
Gwen knelt down over her. "We have to save her," she cried.
Ulrick walked over, keeping a wary eye on Cain who continued to just stand and stare. "I could heal her, but not here. I need my potions back at my castle. Unfortunately, the little supreme magic I have is depleted at the moment. For me to heal her with the white light, I'd need to meditate for hours."
"We don't have time!" Gwen cried.
"It will take hours to get back to your keep," Grimmly yelled, clearly frustrated. "There's no hope."
Gwen glanced over her shoulder to Cain. "There might be," she whispered. Very slowly, she rose and walked over to Cain. His disturbing eyes seemed to follow her, yet he never moved a muscle. Gwen tried to remain calm, or at least not shake with the fear that consumed her.
"Cain?" she asked, once she stood in front of him, "can you help us?" He stepped forward and encased a strong arm around Gwen's waist before she could say another word.
Black smoke filled the air and spun around her. Her hair fluttered in her face and the thick smoke made her cough. She felt herself being whisked away. She wanted to yell out, to tell him to help all of them, not just her, but she couldn't catch her breath.
