by Unknown
“She won’t eat you. She might nibble a little though.” Shaz said
“Shaz, don’t be rude.” Serin said.
The men looked between Shaz and Serin. Serin smiled at them reassuring them he was only teasing.
"I’m Ladtwig and this is my brother Turkill." Ladtwig said bursting out.
"Shhh, are you daft? You don't just go giving out our names to complete strangers, you numb skull." Turkill said, and covered his brother’s mouth.
"Nice to meet you Ladtwig, Turkill."
She elbowed Shaz in the arm for not addressing them politely.
"Uh, oh yes, nice to meet you" Shaz stammered trying to hide his laughter.
Their smitten expressions humored him. It happened every time men first meet Serin. Shaz knew of her beauty, both inside and out. It was hard on occasion to keep his growing feelings for her from confusing things.
"Well then,” Turkill said addressing Serin, “yes this is the Reinholt Castle but there is no way in. The door is invisible."
“No door, you say?” Shaz said. They had noticed as they rode over the hill, that the peaks of the rooftop spires towered over a rundown roof, the remaining building was in great disrepair. The wall stood over ten feet tall and, unlike the castle itself, was in impeccable shape. "I am sure there is a door here somewhere."
"We have been over every inch of this wall and there is no door, that’s why they call it an invisible door." Ladtwig said, as he mimicked Shaz.
Serin blurted out a loud laughter, covered her mouth quickly, her eyes wide.
“Thanks.” Shaz said.
Shaz dismounted and moved toward the little men, who took a few steps to the side. As Shaz came up to them they had to raise their heads. As Minca, the taller one, Turkill, only came to just above Shaz's waist and Ladtwig a few inches shorter.
Serin dismounted and followed Shaz.
"So how do you suppose we get in then with no door?" Shaz asked.
Serin shrugged.
"What do we do? We have to get in there." Serin asked.
The wall towered above them.
"I could try and throw you up there and then you can grab the top and climb up." Shaz said, stepping backward.
"What, no thank you."
"We could throw one of them then." Shaz said. The brothers scowled at Shaz, took a step farther, and then resumed their cat fight. "What you’re small, I could throw you all the way up there and then you can-"
"Can what? Fall to our death on the other side, no thank you." said Turkill.
"Thank you, brother." Ladtwig said a sigh of relief in his voice.
"Your welcome brother" Turkill said.
"Oh, so now you're not mad at each other." Shaz asked.
"Of course not," they said at the same time looking at each other and then back at Shaz.
They stepped back their eyes wide as Jagwynn walked right next to them. A small bead of sweat dripped from Tukill’s face. Then something caught Shaz’s attention. He maneuvered through the skinny little men over to the wall. Several large bushes covered several sections. Low rumbles echoed on the other side of the mountains as a storm began moving toward them. Serin followed Shaz and as she passed Ladtwig and Turkill, she brushed up against Turkill's bare arm. Turkill's went beet red under his chestnut brown skin. Ladtwig laughed and teased his older brother. Serin ignored them, Shaz snickered under his breath.
"You have some admirers." Shaz said.
"Yes, so it would seem." Serin said. "Did you see that?"
"Yes, but I am not sure what it is."
He pushed back the branches of a bush. The brothers began arguing over who was going to get Serin, barely lifting their arms while flicking their hands at each other.
Shaz took several steps back from the wall to assess the distance. And noticed a silvery glow seeped from between the individual stones. The tendrils formed the shape of a door.
"Serin, over here. There, do you see it?"
"Yes, but it wasn't there moments ago, was it?"
"No, it just formed."
Shaz walked to the door. A large, nearly invisible handle appeared. He gripped it and gave a heave. The door budged only slightly releasing a small puff of dust. Ladtwig and Turkill were confused that he was trying to heave open a stone wall and broke into laughter.
Shaz pulled again and the door creaked open slowly. The stone wall materialized into a door which opened into a courtyard. The Minca stepped backward and clutched each other. The horses whinnied and became restless.
"That's odd." Serin said.
"We better be careful." Shaz said.
They carefully stepped through the doorway, Shaz going first. It opened up to a side gate of the complex. Several small pathways sunk into the overgrown weeds and grasses. Large ruined stone carvings of people and what appeared to be made up creatures scattered the courtyard. Shaz configured in his mind, noting possible escape routes and hiding places. Serin was drawn to the heaviness of the weeds and overgrown plants. It felt like they had been placed under a heavy burden. She felt the sadness in the air as the clouds above sifted and swayed around the castle spires but didn't move on.
"This place is very sad," Serin said.
She lifted a wilting yellow rose.
"Mmm, I sense there is a great deal of magic here" Shaz acknowledge, touching a ruined statue.
"What kind of magic, exactly?" Serin asked. She let the little flower droop again.
"Magic, what do you mean, magic?" called Ladtwig from the other side of the doorway.
Turkill was holding him back, checking for booby traps and possible danger.
"They just walked through the door you dim bat and they didn't get hurt" Ladtwig said.
"Yes, but they are not Minca, we don't just get in anywhere ya know."
"Nonsense, you’re just superstitious."
"Remember what Murleck said about doors?"
Ladtwig stopped dead in his tracks, a small bead of sweat appeared on his forehead. He gulped heavily and slowly stepped back.
"I’ll go first." Turkill squared his shoulders.
"No, you can't, what if you get turned to stone?"
"Then you will know you are safe, do you want the treasure or not?"
"Ok, then hurry up." Ladtwig said. He let go of his brother’s cloak.
"Oh, so now the treasure is more important than me, is it?" Turkill asked.
"Oh come on, what do you want from me. First you say I can't go through the door without being turned to stone and then you say you will and then you ask me if I want the treasure and then you say that I am just thinking of myself, make up your mind." Ladtwig said, throwing up his arms in exasperation.
Turkill thought for a moment. With a large grin said, "You’re right I will go through the door."
"Fine, but what if you get turned to stone?"
Turkill shot Ladtwig a sideways glare and Ladtwig burst into laughter.
Shaz and Serin watched the two little men. Serin with her hands on her hips and a slight scowl. Shaz grinned, his hands in his pockets.
"You find this funny?" she asked.
"What, it’s funny," he replied chuckling as he flinched from her hardly any effort smack.
"We don't have time for this, remember?"
"Oh come on, it's been a long time since anything good has happened and this is funny."
Turkill and Ladtwig blankly looked about. Shaz couldn't help it and burst into a loud chuckle. Serin huffed, spun on one foot and started along the old broken pavers. Ladtwig and Turkill shrugged not figuring they were the matter and continued to argue about going through the doorway.
"You have to admit, they are funny" he said, as he caught up to her. "I see that." he said.
"Ok, fine but we don't have time for this."
"It's good to see you smile, even if it's only half of a smile." Shaz said.
Serin couldn't help to smile at him. He was right it had been a long time since she felt happy, and she had to admit they are funny little men, s
o it seemed. Shaz gave her a one armed squeeze and then went back to being serious.
"Now that we are here at the-" He saw the header stone on top of the heavy wooden doors to the entrance far across the courtyard. The words read 'Reinholt Castle.' Shaz rubbed his face.
"What is it?" Serin asked.
"The name of this castle is the 'Reinholt Castle.'" he said, pointing to the door.
Serin could hardly make out any letters, let alone any words.
"How can you see that far?"
Shaz shrugged as though he didn't know, but he did know. He felt inadequate that he was the one the universe had picked to travel this horrible path.
"This is your home." she said.
"Yes, so it would seem." trying to keep things light he continued "It looks like some housekeeping is in order."
Serin smiled softly, not wanting to intrude on thoughts that were for sure running through his mind. He knew little about his parents and his past. The Minca stopped arguing instantly when they heard Serin declare it was his castle. They ran through the doorway together without even thinking. Once on the other side, they stopped, looked at each other, and laughed at themselves and how dumb they both had been.
"This is your castle?" Ladtwig asked.
"It would appear to be that way." Shaz replied.
The years had not been good to the castle. Several holes of different sizes had eroded into the walls. Many towers of varying sizes decorated the landscape along with several partially ruined sculptures. Remnants of large gardens scattered the courtyards.
"I'm sure it was a wonderful place." Serin said.
"Let's go inside and get what we came for and then get out of here."
“What is that exactly? Serin asked.
Shaz shrugged. Serin thought she saw a tiny movement on a wooden arch that led to another walkway around the inner castle wall. A heavy wooden door sat unopened for quite a long time, based on the dirt that had filled the corners half way up the edges. Small knotty holes had eroded to the size of Shaz's fists, one being eye level. Shaz leaned into the door and peeked through.
"It's too dark to see much." he said, he stepped back, "Here help me." he said, reaching for the solid iron ring handles.
"Let me, my lady" Turkill said, bowing at the waist.
"No, let me" Ladtwig said, butting Turkill out of the way.
"I am stronger than you." Turkill said, shoving his brother out of the way, "And taller, besides a Lady shouldn't have to do a man's job." he said, as he winked at Serin.
Serin was in disbelief. Shaz smirked. He remembered the first time he tried to do the same and got an ear full. Serin is a small woman but hardly weak and certainly not one to sit down and let men be in charge.
"Very well then, go right ahead" she said, bowing in return and stepped aside.
Shaz's mouth dropped open in surprise. He was sure she was going to unleash her enthusiastic speech on the roles of men and women. Turkill and Ladtwig grabbed hold of the handle and began to heave and pull. Several minutes later, and dripping with sweat, the two little men released the handle and stood back panting.
"Are you done?" Shaz asked with half smirk.
He towered above them but he had to give them credit for their tenacity. Defeated, they stepped away, crouching over their knees as though they had just run miles. Shaz casually grabbed the handle confidently and jerked. His body recoiled as the gate sat encased tightly in its immovable prison. Shocked, Shaz scowled and grabbed the handle with both hands and jerked again, still no movement. He stood back confused and examined the door.
He heaved again. Several heaves later the door had not budged. Shaz released the ring, a sharp crack sounded as it hit the steel plate it was mounted to. The Minca burst into laughter. Shaz’s hair was disheveled and his skin glowed pink from exertion. Jagwynn continued to groom herself.
"It won’t budge." Shaz said.
"I can see that." Serin said, with amusement.
Through blurps and sputters of laughter Ladtwig offered, "We could get your horse and tie it up to the latch and then have it pull the door open."
"No, I don't think that would work, but it was a good idea." Shaz said.
He was impressed by his quick thinking.
"Now what?" Serin asked.
"Magic I think, but I have no idea how." Shaz said.
"Magic!" Ladtwig and Turkill said.
They started to run back toward the outer wall when Shaz called to them, "Stop."
They froze not wanting to make anyone use magic on them.
"We are not going to use magic on you" Serin said gently, "On the door."
Turkill turned around slowly. He saw the two just standing there motionless, he relaxed slightly.
"Have you ever seen magic?" Shaz asked.
"Nnno," Ladtwig said shakily.
"Then why are you so afraid of it."
"The curse." they said, while shuddering.
"What curse?" Serin said, becoming impatient.
This was not the first time she had heard about a curse. That is why she and her father moved around as a child. Every time she would use her magic, not understanding it, the people would panic. They would have to leave or run the risk of being hurt. She still hadn’t even heard the reason of the curse or what it actually was.
Shaz knew there would be no intelligible answer so he interrupted, "It doesn't matter, there is no curse, but if you must, then leave."
Shaz returned to the large locked entryway. He rubbed his chin, closed his eyes and pictured the lock opening, but his mind went blank. Completely blank, he stared at the lock again to give himself a mental picture, and again nothing.
"Blast, it’s not working." Shaz said, slamming his fist into the wood.
Small splinters fell off the door leaving slight remnants of what appeared to be letters.
"Serin, look." he pointed to the door.
Serin slid in next to Shaz.
"Letters?" she asked "What does it say, can you read it?"
"No, I have no idea what it says."
He stood back to examine the door.
"Maybe it’s just a sign that says leave your shoes at the door in order to enter." Ladtwig said.
He burst into laughter nearly knocking himself over as Turkill blurted out a hearty ga-fa. Serin shot him a disapproving glare and was about to chide him on his not-so-funny sense of humor.
"Hmmm?" Shaz said.
"You’re not seriously contemplating this are you?" Serin said.
"Well what do you suppose then? Besides my feet are killing me." Shaz said.
He found a broken column and pulled his worn boots from his feet, revealing sweaty socks. Serin scrunched up her nose as the pungent odor wafted her direction. Ladtwig and Turkill began another bout of uncontrollable laughter and could hardly stay standing. Shaz stretched his legs a bit and wriggled his toes, finding amusement in Serin's distress. She was vigorously waving in front of her face to expel the fumes from her flared nostrils. He then strode to the door set on making a joke, when the latch clicked with a heavy thud. A sudden silence commanded the air as each looked from one another to the door and back.
"I can't believe that actually worked." Serin said.
"No, kidding." said Turkill.
"I knew it." Ladtwig said, blowing on his clenched knuckles then rubbing them on his shirt in a polishing fashion.
"No you didn't." Turkill said.
"Did too."
Shaz gripped the handle and tugged. The heavy door swung with ease letting out a small burst of dusty breath.
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
Tattoos
The inside was dark and gloomy. A heavy weight sat in the air and seemed to be pushing against the ground.
"It feels like a lot of sorrow happened here." Serin said.
She touched the wall as she entered.
"I wonder." Shaz said.
He picked up a once shiny helmet now faded and rusty. He rolled it around, and set it back on a large stone s
helf carved into the wall of the entry way.
"Are you coming?" Serin asked.
The Minca shook their heads and took a step backward.
"There might be poisonous toads out there." Shaz said.
He walked into the large cavernous hall. The Minca darted through the open door and rushed next to Serin each picking a side. In the center of the room, Shaz examined how he was going to get up the broken stair case. A grand stone stair case that circled the room leading to the second level, now piled in heaps, and resembled small tinker blocks a child would play with.
"Poisonous toads?" Serin asked, out of the side of her mouth.
"Ya never know" Shaz said, "I need to get up there."
He pointed to the upper deck of the stair case.
"Why?" asked Turkill.
"That’s where the treasure is." Ladtwig said, elbowing his brother in the ribs and shooshed him.
He gave him a secret and silent signal of 'that’s where we need to go too'. Turkill brightened as his brows reached his pure black hair, now slicked back in a ponytail on the top of his head. The two nonchalantly scooted around the room, looking for another way up. Serin caught their secret signal but dismissed it. Shaz stepped over the crumbled stone at the bottom and climbed the uneven remains.
He scaled a short column on his way to another. It had been blasted with something powerful. Shards had struck the wall behind it so fiercely that some were still embedded in the two foot thick bricks. With both hands he gripped the top. His fingers slipped on the ruble that remained. He wiped a small section that he could reach and gripped the edge, flexed his biceps. With one foot on the column and the other against the wall, he pulled himself into a crouched position on the uneven surface.
"It's too far to jump." Serin said.
"I can do it." Shaz said.
He wiped his palms on his trousers and leapt to the next column. He landed on the top and swung his arms to steady himself. He swayed back and forth then jumped to a large shard that was protruding out of the wall. He pulled himself onto the ledge and searched for the next move. A small shard stuck out above his head and he found a pole sticking out of the wall about six feet up and to the left. It once held a series of chandeliers but had been thrust into the wall at great speed. Shattered splinters began to rot at the intersection of the pole and wall.
