by Alison Pensy
The woman glanced around, but not behind her.
“That's strange,” she mumbled to herself. “It never gets this warm in the castle.” She stood still for another heartbeat, then shrugged her shoulders and carried on walking towards the atrium.
When she turned the corner at the end of the corridor, Faedra slumped forward and propped herself up with her hands on her knees.
“Guys, I need you to breathe,” she said, slightly breathless herself. “Your tension is killing me.”
The others gave her a worried look, then glanced at each other, realizing what she meant and puffed out a sigh of relief.
“Thank you,” Faedra sighed.
“That was a little too close for comfort,” Jocelyn remarked. “Exciting, though.”
Faedra gave her a look that said ‘you are kidding, right?’.
“Come on, we must keep moving,” Faen said. “Are you okay to keep going?” he asked Faedra.
She nodded and pushed herself to stand up. Faen and Jocelyn were already moving, and Faedra was about to join them when she noticed Etyran's energy. She turned. He was looking down the corridor where the woman had been.
“What is it?” Faedra asked.
He visibly snapped himself from his thoughts and gave Faedra a look as if he hadn't expected her to be standing there.
“Etyran?” She looked at him, then down the corridor, then back to him again.
He changed his expression to an emotionless mask. “Nothing. It was...nothing.”
He strode past Faedra. “Come on, we need to follow the others.”
Faedra creased her eyebrows. Whatever it was, it certainly wasn't nothing. Etyran's energy was off the charts. She wasn't going to get anything out of him right now; she could tell he had shut down. She followed on behind him, wondering what on earth could have caused a sudden shift in his emotions like that. She hesitated on the first step that would take them down to the dungeons and looked back down the corridor. There was nothing visible there, but she could sense something. Fear, anxiety, tension. After a second, she dismissed it. Hadn't they all been standing in the corridor, just moments ago, emitting those exact same emotions in bucketfuls? She put it down to their residual energies still lingering. It wasn't so unreasonable, especially when no other explanation presented itself.
Faedra turned and headed down the stairs. She joined the group a few steps up from the bottom where they were gathered together.
“Etyran, you go and scout around to see how many guards are down here,” Faen instructed.
Etyran nodded and disappeared. A moment later he was back.
“I only see two guards; they are both over there playing cards.” He pointed to one side of the opening.
“Faedra, do you feel comfortable shocking them unconscious?” Faen asked.
Faedra's eyes widened and she shook her head. There was no way she could be sure she wouldn't blow them to smithereens. She had very little control over her power when it was inside her body, let alone, when she sent it outside of herself.
“Okay.” Faen turned to his friend. “Etyran?”
“I'm up for it. A good clomp on the back of the head should do it.”
Etyran gave everyone a smug grin before wrapping the light around him again. The three left behind poked their heads around the stone clad entrance to the dungeons. A moment later, one of the guards slumped forwards onto an upturned wooden barrel they were using as a makeshift card table. The cards on the table scattered, and the ones he was holding, slipped from his grip and fell to the straw-covered floor.
The remaining guard stood up abruptly, pushing his stool over. He leaned over his friend and gave him a shake.
It was then that Etyran unwrapped himself. Noticing the sudden appearance of another person the guard stood up, his eyes widening with surprise and shock.
“Time for night-nights,” Etyran said with a cheeky grin. A second later, he had bonked the guard on the head and was easing him down to the ground.
Etyran looked over to the others waiting at the entrance. “Okay, coast is clear. These two will sleep like babies for a while yet.”
Faedra smiled and moved quickly to the first dungeon. Nothing in there, she went down each dungeon one by one. There were unsavory looking characters in some. Forlorn looking prisoners in others, but none contained a woman and child. Half way down the line of cells, she started to get worried.
“They have to be here somewhere,” she whispered to the others who were keeping pace behind her. She went past several more cells until she got to the last one.
Putting her hands around the bars, Faedra looked in.
Faedra whispered a silent “thank you” when her eyes fell upon a woman lying on a straw mattress on top of a rickety wooden bench. The woman stirred, as if sensing their presence. She sat up and swung her legs over the edge of the bed and looked at Faedra. A frightened girl sat up behind her mother and peeked out around her shoulder.
“Allora?” Faedra whispered.
The woman nodded.
Faedra's heart swelled with happiness. She gave the woman a big smile. “Stay right there. We're going to get you out of here.”
Faen, Jocelyn and Etyran were all standing around Faedra and peering in to the cell.
Faedra placed her hands on the heavy iron lock on the cell door.
Allora looked in astonishment as the metal slowly turned red and started to glow. A moment later, the metal was melting and dripping down the cell bars. Within minutes, the lock was no longer there; it was now a molten pool of metal puddling on the floor.
The heavily barred door opened with a creak.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“How did you...?” Allora asked as she followed Faedra's gesture to follow her out of the cell.
“I'll explain later,” Faedra answered. “But right now we need to get you out of here. Be careful of that.” She pointed to the puddle of molten metal that was now hardening on the cold stone floor.
Allora lifted up her dirty skirts and stepped over the puddle, followed by Skylar, who gave Faedra a wary look as she passed the Custodian.
Faedra gave the young girl a warm smile. “Hi, I'm Faedra. You must be Skylar.”
The young girl, who was holding on tight to her mother's hand, looked up at Faedra through frightened eyes and gave a tentative nod.
“It's alright; we are here to help you. I'll introduce you to everyone when we've got you to safety.”
Faen and Etyran led the way back to the stairs. They were almost there when two guards and a tall man in long red robes entered from the stairwell and cut off their path.
Faen and Etyran stopped suddenly, getting jerked forward a step when the rest of the group bumped into them.
“Well, isn't this cozy?” The man in the red robes hissed, eying them with contempt. “Did you think you could just waltz into my castle without me knowing and steal one of my most prized possessions?”
Faedra could feel the hatred flowing out of the woman standing by her side. It was almost choking in its intensity. She swallowed hard to push back the force of it. Hatred was such a powerful energy and not easy to control.
Knowing the man standing before them was a powerful sorcerer, Faedra pushed between Faen and Etyran to stand in front of her friends and Arawn's prisoners. She was probably the only real defense they had in there.
Arawn raised a conceited eyebrow at her gesture. “So, the famous Custodian has the audacity to show her face in my realm.” Arawn sneered. “Little girl, you should have kept your nose out of other people's business. It will be my personal pleasure to make sure you realize the mistake you have made in coming here.”
Faedra looked the sorcerer right in the eyes, trying to keep her face expressionless. “You don't scare me,” she stated, lifting her chin. Hoping against hope that he couldn't see through her bluff. In actuality, she was quaking in her boots.
“Really?” Arawn replied, a wry smile daring to curve the corner of his mouth. “Guards.”
Just as before, the balls that shot forth were purple; a mix of electrical energy and fire. Faedra watched in shock as they hit an invisible wall and dispersed before her in a beautiful array of lightning fingers and sparks.
She looked to the men standing either side of her. Faen and Etyran looked as shocked as she did.
Arawn dropped his head back and laughed. It was so cold and heartless, it sent shivers down Faedra's spine.
“Is that all you have, little girl?”
Faedra tried again, a little more forceful this time. Nothing but a pretty light show exploded in front of the group.
Arawn and his guards took a step forward.
Faedra and her group took a step back. She narrowed her eyes at Arawn.
“I thought Savu was the most powerful being in the seven realms.” Faedra whispered to Faen.
“Savu was the most powerful being in the seven realms,” Arawn interrupted, causing Faedra to return her attention to him. “But Savu is not the one controlling his power anymore. You are. Or rather, you're not, as the case seems to be.” A malevolent smirk twisted Arawn's lips at his statement.
“Oh, buggar,” Faedra mumbled under her breath. “This wasn't part of the plan.” She looked back at her friends. They all took another step backwards as Arawn stalked forward, taunting his prey.
Faedra had to think of something, and quick. These people were depending on her. If she couldn't match Arawn's power, the rest of her group stood no chance.
“Hmm...I wonder.” An idea was forming. “Maybe, just maybe.” She pulled the cypher wheel from its pouch, along with the piece of paper that had the last clue on it. Why she'd kept that scrap of paper she had no idea, but it might just end up being the one thing that could save all of their lives.
“Hold on to me,” Faedra instructed the group of people crowded behind her. There was a slight hesitation before she felt several sets of hands grab her clothing.
“What are you doing?” Faen asked, giving her a sideways glance while still keeping his attention on their adversary.
Faedra started moving the dials on the wheel, inputting the last clue.
Arawn narrowed his eyes.
“What is that?” he said, lunging forward.
Faedra looked up just in time and shot another energy ball at him, causing him to erect his shield and take a hasty step back.
“Here, take this and input this clue,” she instructed Faen as she handed him the cypher wheel and the scrap of paper that held the clue. They needed a few minutes and Faedra knew Arawn would be on them in a flash if she didn't keep him at bay. She could, at least, do that.
“Everyone hold on to Faen,” she stated, looking up at her Guardian. His expression was one of confusion but he didn't question his Custodian's instructions and started turning the dials.
“It suddenly dawned on me, that clue must be a set of co-ordinates, right?” Faedra whispered to her Guardian. “If my hunch is right, it should take us back to the meadow where we first arrived.”
“Oh, clever girl,” Etyran muttered on the other side of her.
Faen gave her a proud smile. “Let us hope you are correct.”
Faedra kept throwing her energy balls at Arawn's invisible wall. If nothing else, they were keeping him at bay and giving them the precious few moments they needed to see if her plan would work.
“Okay, last one. Everyone holding on to me?” Faen asked.
Everyone responded in the affirmative.
“Let us pray this works then, shall we?” Faen said as he turned the dial, inputting the last letter of the clue.
Faedra saw a bright flash and heard a furious scream just before she felt cool droplets of water splash on her face.
She opened her eyes. It was dark. It was raining. Hopefully just a shower, she thought. The silvery light from the full moon peeked out from behind one of several scattered dark clouds in the sky. Faedra looked around her. They were standing under the same tree they'd found themselves under the day before.
“Are we all here?” she asked, gazing about the group and doing a mental inventory of bodies. Everyone was there. They were safe, for now.
Joy flooded into her soul. They had rescued Todmus's family. Faedra grabbed her Guardian by the arms and gave him a playful shake. She laughed. “We did it, Faen! It worked!” She grabbed his raindrop covered face and brought it down to hers, planting a big kiss on his lips. After a moment, she pushed his face back a few inches. “God, I just love you!” she exclaimed, getting all raveled up in her own excitement.
Faen's energy exploded, Faedra felt it surround her. She looked at him, her eyes widening. Her hands warmed as the heat rose in Faen's cheeks. Faedra did a mental check; it was definitely his heat this time, not hers. If she could see his energy, she would imagine it being like watching the most amazing fireworks display.
“Marry me.” Faen's breath fanned across her face.
Faedra sucked in a breath. “What?”
There was a collective gasp around the couple. The others, who had been chattering excitedly about their close escape, fell silent. The noise of the raindrops hitting the canopy of leaves above them was the only sound Faedra could hear.
Faedra swallowed. She could feel everyone's energy go still. Without looking at the group around her, she knew they were all watching her and Faen, waiting with bated breath.
Faen's energy did not quiet down. She could almost hear his heart pounding. A mixture of love, excitement and apprehension were flowing out of him. Faedra moved one of her hands from Faen's cheek and placed it on his chest, never moving her eyes from his. Now she could feel the thunderous beat of his heart. At that moment, it was beating just for her. Of that, she was certain.
“Yes.”
Faen's face lit up. His smile was breathtaking. He leaned in and gave his Custodian a gentle kiss before wrapping her in his arms. Faedra laid her head against his chest and closed her eyes. She could feel him kiss the top of her head before resting his chin there.
A second later, a squeal erupted from somewhere in the group. Jocelyn lunged forward and threw her arms around the pair.
Faen released his grip on Faedra. She looked up at him and chuckled before turning to a very excited Jocelyn.
“We are going to be sisters,” Jocelyn squealed before throwing her arms around Faedra. “Not only are you my best friend, I get you for a sister, too.”
Faedra was speechless. All she could do was smile and return her friend's hug.
Etyran moved over to Faen and slapped him on the back. “Nice one, mate,” he said with a grin.
Someone cleared their throat. The four friends stopped their congratulating and turned.
“Thank you,” Allora said softly. Skylar was peeking out from behind her mother's skirt. Her lips curved into a small smile.
Allora reached for Faedra's hands. As soon as they touched, Faedra felt a flash of hatred, but before she had time to register it, it was gone. Faedra pinched her brows together; maybe she just imagined it. Everyone's emotions were all over the place at that moment. She shook the feeling away.
Allora's expression was full of appreciation. “You have saved us from the most terrible life. How can I ever thank you?”
“No thanks necessary,” Faedra replied. “As soon as I found out you were still alive and being held prisoner, there was no way I was going to leave you there. Todmus will be over the moon when he finds out. That is, if we can figure out a way to get back to him and let him know.”
Allora's face lit up. “Todmus is alive?” she cried. “After all these years, I’ve wondered and hoped.” Allora turned to her daughter and took the little girl's face in her hands. “Do you hear that, darling? Daddy is alive!”
Skylar’s bri
ght blue eyes lit up and her smile almost split her face in two. Her mother pulled her into a loving embrace. Faedra looked on, her heart almost melting with happiness. After a moment Skylar broke free from her mother's embrace and wrapped her arms around Faedra's legs. Faedra was taken aback by the gesture and gave Faen a ‘what do I do now?’ look. Faen just smiled. Faedra didn't have much experience with kids, being an only child. She tentatively put her hand on top of the little girl's head. When she did, the little girl looked up at Faedra, eyes wide. Skylar squeezed Faedra's legs a little harder and Faedra was overwhelmed with the love and happiness flowing from Todmus's daughter.
“Thank you,” Skylar whispered. “I never thought I would ever see my daddy again.”
Faedra bit back a tear that was threatening to make an appearance and cleared her throat. She leaned over and took the little girl's hands in hers.
“Your daddy will be so pleased to see you, too. He didn't think he would ever see you again, either.” Faedra whispered back.
“We better get out of this field,” Faen interrupted. “We all know what happened last time we were here.”
Skylar stepped back from Faedra and took her mother's hand again.
“Yes. Good point. Don't fancy a repeat episode of that.” Faedra agreed, pulling herself back together again. It was bad enough having to deal with her own emotions, but having to deal with everyone else's was bit too much at times; it was easy to get lost in them.
“How will we get back to the caves?” Jocelyn asked. “Carina and Anwynn are waiting for us on the other side of the forest.”
“Another good point,” Faedra conceded. “Didn't think about that when I had the idea to bring us here.” She turned and plopped herself down on the fallen tree.
“Fae, don't go beating yourself up,” Etyran said. “What you did back there was genius. You probably saved all our lives. We'll figure a way to get back to the caves.”
