by E. D. Brady
Annie closed her eyes tight. “No, Markum,” she answered after a moment. “No, he’s still alive; I know it.” She was sure that she would have felt the impact, the cruel, diabolical void of his loss, the moment he ceased to be.
“But where is he, then?” Markum asked in a desperate voice.
Annie couldn’t think straight. Her mind was blurry.
But slowly, a memory began to nudge at her. A thought struggled to break through. It pushed at her mind until it became clear: ‘Would you like to know a secret?’ she recalled Nordorum’s voice from many months earlier. ‘This is one that very few in the Citadom are aware of. Under your feet is a trap door that leads to a sublevel of the complex.’ Annie gasped. “There is a secret passage that leads to an ancient part of the complex below the basement,” she told Markum quickly. “Not many know of it, but I would be willing to wager that Lionel does. I have a gut feeling that we’re supposed to go there.”
“Let’s go, then,” Markum urged.
They ran back up the stairs and stopped in front of Borm who blocked their way. “Where is he?” he questioned.
“All three cells are empty,” Markum replied.
“What do you mean?” Danus asked, walking over to them. “How is that possible?”
“Nordorum told me of a secret passage leading to a hidden level of the complex. Markum and I are going to check there,” Annie explained.
Danus and Borm shared a look and nodded. “We’ll go with you,” Danus said.
“No, Danus,” Markum answered. “This could mean trouble for you.”
“I doubted my friend, and for that I’m ashamed. I want to make amends any way I can,” Danus replied.
“I’ll gladly risk the trouble to help Kellus,” Borm added sincerely.
Markum nodded to them. “Lead the way, Annie,” he commanded.
They ran up two flights, climbed the spiral staircase that led to the roof, and over to the tower.
“There’s a trap door under our feet,” Annie announced. “Look for a seam, a crack in the stones.”
“It’s too dark,” Danus said. “I’m going to my room to get a lantern.” He returned after a short while, holding two. He handed one to Markum.
They had run their hands over nearly every inch of the ground when Markum finally said, “I feel a hinge.” He placed the light right over the spot he’d felt. They lowered their heads; their faces were mere inches from the ground.
“I see it,” Annie exclaimed. “Now we need to find the other side. There has to be a handle of sorts.”
“I see the other end. Look here, there is a slight crack between the stones,” Danus announced. “But no handle.”
He was right; it had to be the other end. It was opposite the hinge, and would make a large enough opening for a full-grown person to climb in to, but how would they open it?
“Try pushing on the stone in front,” Markum suggested.
The first stone that Danus touched caused the trap door to pop open slightly.
They stood back and let Markum raise the trap door up. “It’s a blessing you went for the lamps, Danus. It would be impossible to see in there otherwise. The steps are spiral and very narrow, barely enough room for a foot. This will be dangerous,” he explained. “Annie, follow behind me and hold on to my shoulder. I’ll lead the way.”
Markum descended the stairs gingerly. He held onto the stone floor until his entire body was inside the hole.
Annie sat on the edge of the opening and eased herself forward until she felt Markum place her foot on a step that was invisible to her. She straightened up and put her hand on his shoulder, turning back to see Danus directly behind.
The stairwell was cold. Not a normal cold from low temperatures or a bitter wind, but a suffocating cold, a hollow, dank cold, like the air was dead, having been confined to this place for centuries.
The stairway reeked with a musty stench that floated up from beneath them—dead rodents, perhaps. Annie held her breath as often as she could.
It seemed that at least a half-hour had passed when they finally reached the bottom.
Markum took Kellus’s sword from Annie and handed her the lantern. He pulled the extra sword from his scabbard. “Danus, Borm, take these swords. We don’t know what lies up ahead of us,” he whispered.
They walked slowly down a narrow, stone passage that declined marginally. The ceiling was low and rounded—barely a foot above their heads—and the walls were much too close together. They had to walk single file.
The stench grew stronger and turned Annie’s stomach.
They walked in silence through the dark tunnel until they saw a dim light in the distance.
Annie stiffened behind Markum, afraid of what they would find in the dungeon, but Markum walked faster, urged on by the light.
When the light was approximately seventy feet away, Annie thought she heard a moan in the distance. “Did you hear that?” she whispered to Markum. The whisper carried down the hall.
“Yes, what was it?” he asked.
She listened intently and then heard it: another weak moan followed by a slight shuffling.
“Is that an animal?” Danus whispered, coming up behind her.
“Kellus,” she moaned and pushed past Markum, running forward.
Markum grabbed her arm and put his finger to his lips. “He may not be alone,” he breathed.
They walked on as quietly as possible, straining to hear any other sounds, anything that would allude to what lay ahead.
Finally, they reached another prison cell, gated with thick planks of wood. A large, ancient looking keyhole adorned the door. They had to put their eyes up to the cracks between the planks to see inside.
There was a body lying bloodied and broken on the ground. Weak, painful moans escaped from the man who was barely alive.
But it was not Kellus that lay there.
It was Nordorum.
“Master!” Danus gasped.
“Who’s there?” Nordorum’s question was barely audible. It was obvious that he wouldn’t last long in this condition.
“Master, it’s the apprentices Danus and Borm. We’re here with Annella and Markum Kir. What should we do?” Danus blurted out.
“Annella…” Nordorum mumbled.
“Yes, Nordorum, I’m here,” she responded.
“Annella…keys…desk…in my living room,” he labored to say.
“What does he want?” Borm questioned.
“I believe he wants me to go to his apartment. There is a ring of keys hanging from a nail on front of a desk,” she answered, silently thanking heaven that the memory came back to her so fast.
“Yes,” Nordorum responded.
“I’ll go with you,” Danus announced. “Markum and Borm can stay here with the Master.”
Annie placed her hand into Danus’s and together they ran back up the narrow passageway, making it up the steps in a third of the time it took to descend.
Danus jumped from the tower then turned and opened his arms for Annie to jump into. They flew across the roof and back down the spiral staircase, then down the stairs. They burst through the doors into the garden and ran to the right. They raced into the building and frantically took the stairs two at a time.
“Who’s there?” a voice called from the second floor.
Annie and Danus continued to run, ignoring the voice, hearing two more doors open.
“Two apprentices,” another voice called. “I saw the uniforms. They are running to the third floor. Lionel will be furious if they awaken him.”
“Foolish apprentices and their pranks. I’ll put a stop to this,” someone else called out.
Several sets of feet pounded on the stairs behind them.
Annie grabbed Danus’s arm. “If Lionel should come out of his apartment—”
Danus finished the sentence for her. “I’ll take him down, don’t worry.” He gripped the sword tighter.
Two more doors opened on the third floor as they ran past.
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They reached Nordorum’s apartment. Danus pushed Annie aside and leaned all the way back before kicking the door. It shook, but didn’t open.
There were at least seven peacemen running down the hall towards them. “What are you doing, young man?” one yelled. “How dare you?”
Danus kicked the door again, and this time it gave way.
“He has broken down the Master’s door!” someone yelled.
“Was that Danus?” another called out.
“Yes, but who was the other?”
Annie flew across the room and grabbed the large ring of keys.
Danus turned to face the door, holding the sword with both hands, pointing it forward.
Conor was the first peaceman to enter. His eyes fell upon the sword that Danus held defensively. “What is the meaning of this?” he asked.
“You must listen to me,” Danus called out. “Don’t take another step forward. We have found the Master, but he is near death. We don’t have time for your doubts. I will fight my way through you if I have to.”
“What are you talking about, Danus?” Conor said calmly.
“If you will simply follow us, we will lead you to the Master,” Danus replied. “But if you try to prevent me from returning to him, you have my word that I will fight you.”
Annie walked across the room and stood next to the apprentice.
“Is that Annella Derlyn?” a peaceman asked.
“Isn’t that Kellus’s missing bride?” another said at the same moment.
“It’s me,” Annie answered, nodding.
“We thought you were dead,” Conor said in a dazed voice.
“No,” Annie replied. “I was kidnapped by Lionel, as was Nordorum. I was sent away and my husband framed for the murder of Loc upon my return. Kellus was shut-up to cover the truth of Lionel’s crime against me.”
Exclamations of shock rang out among the peaceman.
“If Kellus is innocent, someone must go to the prisons and free him immediately,” a small, rounded peaceman said.
“Kellus is not in the prisons,” Annie answered. “All three cells are empty. My brother-in-law and I came here tonight to free him, but when we reached the prison, there was no Kellus there.”
“How do we know they speak the truth against Lionel?” the small peaceman asked.
“If you will follow us, we will lead you to the Master. He will confirm our story, if he still lives, that is,” Danus answered.
“Lead the way, Danus,” Conor ordered.
Danus lowered the sword and took Annie’s hand once more. They ran back the way they’d come moments before, this time with a group of peacemen on their heels.
By the time they reached Markum and Borm, Annie knew it was much too late to meet their family. She wondered what they thought had happened to them, and how much distress this was causing them.
She handed the keys to Borm who took a while to discover the correct one that would open the wooden gate.
“Who did this to you?” Conor asked when Nordorum had drunk down half a cup of water. “Was it Lionel?”
Nordorum nodded.
“We must get him to the hospital right away,” Conor told the other men. “We will need to take turns carrying him. There’s no easier way to get him back up those narrow stairs.”
“I’ll carry him first. It would be an honor,” Danus offered.
“Carefully, Danus,” Conor cautioned. “He has many injuries. His left leg is broken and perhaps some ribs. What other internal injuries he may have, I won’t know until I can examine him thoroughly.”
The journey back upstairs took ages.
Nordorum was handed from one man to another frequently, and all the while, Annie grew more anxious to find Kellus.
“Does anyone know where Lionel is now?” Conor asked. They had finally reached the hospital, and Nordorum was placed on a narrow cot just inside the door. Conor wheeled the cot towards two diagnostic machines as he spoke.
“I saw him leave by the courtyard earlier tonight. He took a horse and carriage,” a peaceman called Mandolis answered.
“Kellus…” Nordorum breathed suddenly. He grabbed Conor’s arm. “Find Kellus…in terrible danger…”
Annie’s heart thumped.
“Do you think that Lionel took Kellus?” Danus asked.
“Yes,” Nordorum mouthed.
“Did he have the young man?” Conor asked Mandolis as he pushed buttons on one of the machines.
“I saw only Lionel leave,” Mandolis replied. “But there was a pile of blankets in the back of the carriage. Perhaps he had the apprentice stashed underneath.”
Annie reached out and grabbed Markum’s hand. She noticed fear ripple across his features, escalating the dread that was bubbling inside her.
“…must find Kellus,” Nordorum mumbled again.
“Do you know where Lionel has taken the young man?” Conor questioned. He stood still, looking directly at the small crowd.
“Dinora…” Nordorum murmured.
“He took Kellus to Dinora?” Annie screeched.
Nordorum nodded.
“Dinora?” Conor questioned. “Does he mean Lionel’s mistress?”
“Yes,” Annie responded. “I believe that she was the woman involved in my kidnapping.”
“I need to stay with the Master,” Conor said. “Borm, please sound the alarm. We need to send a rescue party for Kellus.”
No!” Markum yelled, jumping to his feet. “No, please. If Lionel sees a small army coming for him, he will kill my brother. I’ll go alone for Kellus. I can sneak up on them.”
Conor pondered this for a second then nodded. “True,” he said.
“I’ll go with him,” Danus piped in. “I know the way. I’ve taken Lionel there when he’s had leave.”
“I’m going too,” Annie added. She put up her hands when she sensed Markum about to argue. “I can’t stand to sit here waiting for news. Please, Markum.”
“Kellus is my friend,” Borm said. “I would like to go also.”
“Okay,” Conor agreed. “But go wake Tilidus. He’s almost as handy with a sword as Kellus. You may need the extra help.”
Borm ran from the room, but returned minutes later with Tilidus, who looked groggy and confused.
Five people left the Citadom with the best wishes of the senior peaceman.
Annie prayed that they would be on time.
Chapter 26
They journeyed on foot, fearing the sound of horses would alert Lionel to their approach. They walked north, passed the back of the Citadom and away from the Ocean Road, towards the cliff of the East-West Crossing.
They followed Danus down almost invisible country roads, sighing with relief when the moon made a brief appearance, confirming that they were on the right path.
It was early morning, although there was no sign of dawn.
They walked as quickly as possible, needing the cover of darkness to approach the house unnoticed.
“Are you sure you know the way?” Borm asked.
“Yes,” Danus stated again. “I’ve taken Lionel this way at least three times.”
“Markum, I’m so scared that we’ll be too late,” Annie whispered into her brother-in-law’s ear.
“I know,” he said, putting his arm around her shoulder and pulling her next to him. He kissed the top of her head. “I am also, but we have to have faith. We have to hope that they haven’t given up on their plan to have Kellus father the bitch’s child. It would take them a life time and more to convince Kellus of that. That should buy us some time. They’ve gone to great lengths to get what they want. I can’t imagine that they would not give it one last try.”
“I hope you’re right,” Annie said, swallowing back a sob.
They approached the border after an hour and turned right up a narrow country lane.
The house stood alone, surrounded by large fields to the back and sides. The front was several feet from the footpath. A four-foot wall framed the entire ground
s.
“Stay down behind the wall,” Danus said quietly. “I’ll sneak up ahead to judge the easiest way in.”
He returned within moments, wearing an expression of horrified disbelief. “There are krogs guarding the house,” he exclaimed, “three of them.”
“Krogillians?” Borm asked.
“Yes,” Danus answered, fear thick in his voice.
“Have you gone mad?” Tilidus demanded. “There are no krogs. There hasn’t been a krog in Vistira for centuries.”
“I know what I saw,” Danus argued. “They fit the description.”
“But the krogillians were banished by Contitus hundreds of years ago,” Tilidus contradicted.
“You mean the krogs from the legends?” Markum questioned.
“Yes, he does,” Tilidus answered. “But I think his mind is playing tricks on him.”
“Does it matter what they are? There are three guards, that’s the important issue,” Borm chided.
“Can you three take care of the guards?” Markum asked. “I’ll take Annie with me into the house to find Kellus.”
They quickly made a plan: Danus, Borm, and Tilidus would approach the guards and draw them away from the front of the house, leaving an easy passage for Markum and Annie to enter.
Annie and Markum remained crouched down behind the wall while the three apprentices drew their swords and approached the entrance of the house proudly.
“Krogs!” They heard Tilidus confirm. Markum’s face displayed the same surprise that Annie felt.
Seconds later, the sound of steel on steel rang through the air. The confrontation had begun.
“Get ready,” Markum whispered. He leaned forward to see when they had a clear passage to the front door.
The apprentices played their parts perfectly, and soon, Annie and Markum were running towards the entrance. Three separate fights took place a mere fifteen feet from the door.
“Stop them!” a monstrous voice called out. “That man and woman there. Kill them before they enter the mistress’s house.”
Fear paraded up Annie’s spine as she ran with her back to the beasts, feeling more exposed than she’d ever felt.
