The Cypher Wheel

by Alison Pensy

  They led their horses through the tunnel in single file until they were at the opening.

  Faedra braced herself for the icy sensation she would feel when she walked through the entrance to the caves. It was a very unpleasant feeling. She wasn't looking forward to experiencing it a second time.

  Once outside, they mounted their horses and followed behind Carina and Anwynn. The forest was even more eerie at nighttime. Faedra felt almost smothered by the silence that hung all around them.

  The only noise was made by the soft hoof falls of the horses as they walked along the soft dirt trail. The odd twig snapped under foot, making Faedra flinch and forcing her to push back the power that threatened to come rushing forward. Faedra took some deep breaths to calm her nerves that were now beginning to surface. She hadn't felt nervous when they were in the safety of the cave, but now, heading towards the castle, reality was raising its ugly head. She just hoped they could pull off their plan. It was pretty adventurous to say the least, and if any part of it didn't work, the whole mission could fail. Every step had to go as planned, or they probably wouldn't get Allora and Skylar to safety.

  Most of the journey to the edge of the forest was made in silence. Faedra heard Jocelyn and Etyran whisper quietly to each other behind her. Faen, who was riding beside her, had tried to engage her in conversation several times, but she was concentrating so hard on keeping calm, she'd been too distracted to respond with much more than a yes or no. Luckily Faen realized what was going on and fell silent after a little while. Faedra knew this because she could sense his compassionate energy wrap around her like a soft woolen shawl, which helped soothe her, too.

  Sensing people's energy may have started out being overwhelming, but she was discovering that it was a very useful tool to have in her arsenal. Now, if she could only figure out how to control and use the rest of what was bubbling inside of her. She looked over at her Guardian and gave him a warm smile.

  All too quickly they came to the edge of the forest. Faedra and Faen brought their horses up on one side of the ovates, Jocelyn and Etyran on the other. The six of them lined up along the opening to a vast meadow. The moonlight cast a silvery glow across the grass that was swaying in the soft breeze, making the whole meadow resemble a calm ocean.

  In the distance, a castle loomed ahead of them, dark and foreboding. Only a couple of lights shone from a window here and there, breaking up the black silhouette that towered above the mound it was perched on.

  “Well, this is where we leave you,” Carina said. “Good luck on your quest. We pray you bring Allora and Skylar back safely.”

  Faedra gave Carina a weak smile. That was the plan, to bring the captives back safely, but whether it would work out the way she hoped, was yet to be seen.

  “We will await your return here so we can lead you back to the caves.” Anwynn said before turning her horse. Anwynn and Carina walked their horses back under the cover of the forest. Within a few feet the blackness enveloped them. Faedra squinted but couldn't see them anymore; it was so dark under the canopy of trees.

  “We should head for that tree line and try to stay out of the open as much as possible,” Etyran suggested pointing to a tree line that ran alongside the castle. “We don't know for sure how many creatures Arawn has working for him. It wouldn't surprise me if his spies can see in the dark, too.”

  “Good point, my friend,” Faen said. “Let us make haste across this opening and ride within the shelter of those trees until we get to the castle.” Faen looked at the girls to see if they were on board with the idea. Both Faedra and Jocelyn nodded. “Are we ready, then?” Faen asked.

  “Ready as I'll ever be,” Faedra replied.

  Faen squeezed his horse's flanks. Within a few strides, the horse was galloping across the field. The other three followed close behind. Faedra tried hard to keep her adrenaline from pumping too hard as her horse thundered over the grass. It was not easy. Riding this fast had always gotten her blood pumping, long before she had any powers to worry about controlling.

  It didn't take them long before they hit the tree line on the other side. So far so good. No spies or nasty creatures in sight. They would have to keep their wits about them, though; the castle was looming ever closer. There were bound to be some unsavory creatures lurking around as they got closer to their quarry.

  They walked the horses just inside the tree line until they were parallel with the castle wall. After they'd dismounted their horses and tied them to the trees, they looked up at the battlements of the castle. Two guards were patrolling back and forth across that section of wall. They watched them for a moment to see what their routine was. When the guards met in the middle, did an about face and started walking away from each other, the four cohorts ran over to the wall and lay their bodies flat up against the cold stone slabs. They looked up to see if they had been spotted. When no alarm was raised, they were sure they hadn't been seen from above. They inched their way along the wall until they got to the corner.

  Etyran wrapped the shadows around him and poked his head around the corner. Good. There were no guards on the outside of the entrance. He didn't think there would be, but it was always safe to check. He pulled himself back and unwrapped himself.

  “No guards outside. If Carina is correct, there should be two on the inside of the gates and two on each of the battlements.” He looked at Jocelyn. “Are you ready to make your acting debut?”

  Jocelyn blushed. Faedra couldn't see it in the darkness, but her senses picked it up as brightly as if she could see her cheeks burning.

  Jocelyn squared her shoulders. “I am ready,” she stated.

  “Good girl,” Etyran said, giving her a warm smile. Then he turned to the Custodian. “Faedra, ready?”

  Faen took Faedra's hands in his. “Promise me you will be careful.”

  “I promise.”

  “I will be right behind you. Remember to keep calm,” Faen said.

  Faedra swallowed hard and gave a barely discernible nod. She turned to Etyran and took a deep steadying breath as Etyran opened up his long trench coat. Faedra stepped forward until she was nestled up against him. He wrapped the coat around her and she felt the familiar ripple that told her they were now invisible.

  “Alright, everyone. Let us go and rescue Todmus's family, shall we?” Faen said.

  All four made their way quietly towards the gates. The heavy wooden doors towered above them as they stood in front of the entrance to Arawn's castle. A smaller door was cut into the larger gates. It had a heavy iron knocker just below a peep hole caged with tiny bars.

  “Wish me luck,” Jocelyn whispered as she raised her hand.

  “Good luck,” Faedra and Etyran whispered back from right behind her. Faen took to the air and hovered just out of what would be the guard's line of sight when the door was opened.

  Jocelyn's hand hesitated for a second, then she grabbed the knocker and rapped it on the door.

  The peep hole opened. A gruff voice echoed into the darkness. “Who goes there?”

  “My name is Jocelyn.”

  The guard narrowed his eyes when they fell on the young fairy. He gave her a scrutinizing look for a few seconds. “Now, what is a pretty young thing like yourself doing out on your own this late at night?”

  “Excuse me, Sir. But I seem to have lost my way. I wondered if I could seek shelter here for the night until I can get my bearings again in the daylight tomorrow.”

  The guard looked her up and down. “Wait there,” he ordered, slamming the peep hole closed.

  Jocelyn looked up at her brother and held her palms up in silent question. Faen gave a sharp shake of his head, telling her not to look up at him in case the guard looked out again and saw her.

  Another moment passed, and Jocelyn was about to give up and turn to talk to Faedra and Etyran when she heard the heavy iron bolts of the door clank. Then the door creaked open, and the guard who had spoken to her before, stepped outside. He looked around, checking to see if she was indee
d on her own. Faedra held her breath, fighting with all her might against the power that was threatening to push forward with every pounding heartbeat and give them all away.

  The guard did one more cursory look around before stepping aside. “Very well, young lady. You may seek shelter here this night.”

  Jocelyn stepped forward to make her way through the door, when the guard instantly closed in behind her shutting off Faedra and Etyran's ability to slip past him into the castle. Jocelyn turned and put her hands on the guard's chest. He was so shocked he took a couple of steps back in surprise.

  “Thank you so much, kind sir. I was starting to get frightened out here all by myself,” Jocelyn fawned as she took another step forward, pushing the guard back another step, allowing her friends to scoot in behind her.

  “Th-that's quite alright, Missy. You will be quite safe in the castle,” the guard blustered.

  Sensing that Faedra and Etyran were through the door, Jocelyn stepped away from the guard and stepped through the entrance behind them.

  Once inside, the guard closed the door behind him and slid the bolts home. Another guard stood to one side of the door and gave Jocelyn a considering glance.

  “Bert, I'm just going to escort our guest up to see the master.”

  The other guard nodded without saying a word.

  While Jocelyn was engaging the first guard in a conversation, Faedra put her hand outside Etyran's coat.

  The second guard's eyes opened wide when he saw the disembodied hand floating towards his chest. He looked down and opened his mouth to say something, but a second later, he sunk to the floor, his swords clattering on the stone slab.

  The guard swung around to see his friend lying in a crumpled heap. He pushed Jocelyn aside and kneeled down beside the unconscious guard. He took Bert by the shoulder and gave him a shake.

  “Bert?” he whispered.

  A second later, that guard slumped forward, on top of the other.

  Etyran unwrapped the light around him, and Faedra slipped from his arms. She moved to the door and unlocked the bolts. Faen slid in through the door and bolted it behind him.

  “Nice work, Jocelyn,” Faedra whispered, brimming with pride for her young friend. “That was quick thinking. I was sure he was going to lock us out and you'd be stuck in here by yourself.”

  Jocelyn blushed again. “It was rather exciting,” she admitted.

  “Yes. Well done, Sister,” Faen praised.

  Faen and Etyran each grabbed a guard under the arms and dragged them into the shadows of the archway they were standing in.

  Faedra and Jocelyn stood back against the wall where the shadows would hide them until Etyran gave them the all clear. He went invisible again and looked around. They had to cross a courtyard to get to the entrance to the keep. The courtyard was lit by torches. Four guards patrolled above them on the battlements. It was going to be tricky getting them all across the courtyard without being seen, but Etyran had an idea.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  The only way they could be sure of getting across the courtyard undetected, was for Etyran to take them across one by one. It would take a lot longer than they planned, but getting caught and thrown in the dungeon next to the very people they were trying to rescue, was not on their ‘to-do’ list. Etyran was very happy about this change in plans because it meant he got to wrap his arms around Jocelyn once again.

  He took Faedra across the courtyard first. When they got to the other side, Etyran moved them to the shadow of a pillar next to the heavy doors before unwrapping them both. Faedra did a quick scan of the immediate area to see if she could sense anyone's energy getting too close. She looked up at the battlements. The only energy she could sense was the boredom floating off the guards trudging back and forth between the turrets.

  It was Jocelyn's turn next. She gave Etyran an uncertain glance before she nestled against his chest.

  “Don't worry,” he whispered into the top of her head, allowing him to brush his lips over her hair. “I won't let anything happen to you.”

  “I know,” Jocelyn said, looking up at him. She let her gaze linger for a moment before putting her arms around him and leaning her head against his chest again.

  Etyran closed his eyes and sighed.

  Faedra wondered what was taking so long for Etyran to bring Jocelyn over. Even though she couldn't see him, she stood in the shadows waving her arm for him to get a move on, all the same. Little did she know that Etyran would have stood in the middle of that courtyard holding Jocelyn for hours, given the chance.

  Etyran noticed Faedra's frantic waving and thought better of it. He rolled his eyes and picked up his pace. Once he had the two of them across the courtyard, he released Jocelyn to stand in the shadows with Faedra. Faedra gave her a big hug.

  “It feels weird when he does his invisible thing, doesn't it?” Faedra said after Etyran had turned and was walking back to get Faen.

  “It really does,” Jocelyn agreed, excited at what she had just done. Then she lowered her eyes and looked at Faedra through her lashes. “I liked being snuggled up against him, though.”

  Faedra smiled.

  Back across the courtyard, Faen was giving his friend a dubious look. He couldn't be sure if his glamor could be seen through by people in this realm. He had to assume it could because Carina and the others had been able to see him. It wasn't worth the risk of a guard seeing him and raising the alarm half way across the courtyard. Until he knew for sure, he would have to hitch a ride wrapped around Etyran.

  “Not sure if I like the thought of getting this close to you,” Faen said, trying to sound all manly.

  “Necessary evil, mate,” Etyran quipped with a smirk curling his lips. He held his coat open.

  Faen moved in and put his arms around Etyran, looking to the sky as he did.

  “Ooh, come on, squeeze me a bit tighter than that,” Etyran joked when Faen had wrapped his arms around the Lightbender.

  Faen let go and stepped back abruptly, dusting off his clothing as though trying to flick off something nasty.

  Etyran stifled a chuckle and closed his lips tight in an effort to stop the cheesy grin that was threatening to split his face in two.

  “Mate, I was only joking. Come on, give me a hug, I promise not to kiss you.” Etyran held his coat open for his best friend again. “The girls are waiting. On that side of the courtyard. All alone.” He emphasized the last word to hopefully spur Faen into action.

  It worked.

  Faen looked across the courtyard into the shadows. He couldn't see the girls, but he knew they were there.

  “Oh, come on, then,” he said, sounding as disgruntled as possible. “Let's get on with it, but if you ever breathe a word of this to anyone...”

  Faen put his arms around Etyran who let out a soft mewl, ever the antagonist.

  “If you do not stop that, I will ask Faedra to zap you,” Faen hissed.

  “Sorry, couldn't help myself.”

  A few minutes later Etyran was depositing Faen on the steps across the courtyard. All four looked up and gave the guards a cursory glance to make sure they hadn't noticed anything untoward going on in the courtyard.

  There was a collective sigh of relief as they watched the guards still trudging back and forth along the battlements, oblivious to what was going on below them.

  Faen cracked one of the doors to the keep open and poked his head inside.

  “Coast is clear,” he said, extracting his head from the opening. One by one they slid into the keep and closed the door quietly behind them.

  On the other side, a stone clad atrium opened up in front of them. Blazing torches lined the walls highlighting tapestries that hung between them. Two sets of stairs scaled the walls and curved around the interior of the immense room until they met in the middle at the top. Underneath the middle of the staircases was an archway. A long torch-lined corridor could be seen leading away from the atrium.

  Faedra's heart was pounding. That corridor would tak
e them to the staircase that would lead down into the belly of the castle to the dungeons. What would they find down there? Would Allora and Skylar be okay? She didn't know how she would handle it if they were hurt.

  She turned and put her hands on one of the cold stone slabs in the wall.

  “What are you doing?” Faen whispered.

  “I think the castle needs some central heating.”

  Faen drew his eyebrows together at her odd remark.

  “Well, I can't see any water about and my heart is about to pound out of my chest,” Faedra explained.

  Faen nodded. Now he understood. A moment later, the atrium was several degrees warmer, which actually made the place much more inviting. After Faedra had her emotions and power back under control, she set her energy sensors to work.

  She couldn't sense anyone near, so she gave the go ahead to the others. They all hurried across the atrium in single file, lining up behind each other along the corridor, making sure that no one heard them.

  Faen took the lead, with Faedra and Jocelyn in the middle and Etyran holding up the rear. They crept down the corridor, passing a closed door here and there. As they got closer to the stairs, Faen held his hand up signaling everyone to stop. The next door they came to was ajar, and he could hear noises inside.

  He poked his head around the door frame but couldn't see inside. The door wasn't open wide enough, which meant the occupants couldn't see him either, but there was every possibility that someone could open the door and walk out at any second. Faen turned to the others and held his finger over his mouth. He signaled them to move past the door as quickly and quietly as they could. They tiptoed past the open door and got to the other side just as the door hinges squeaked.

  All four slammed themselves flat against the wall and held their breath. A woman dressed in a dowdy brown dress that skimmed her ankles was carrying a large clay pitcher. She leaned in to pull the door closed behind her.

  “I'll bring back some more hot water for your bath,” she said before clicking the door closed. She looked down the corridor towards the atrium and started walking without looking the other way first. The four intruders relaxed their shoulders. The woman stopped. Faedra could physically feel the tension coiling out of her three friends. It was as if they were collectively strangling her, it was so strong.