Sinners of Magic

by Lynette Creswell

  ‘Then I shall continue,’ said the witch, giving Matt a smug grin and a hush fell over the catacomb. The guardian placed her fingertips over Tremlon’s forehead and glided her hand over his skin, stopping only when she reached his abdomen. She noticed his breathing was shallow and his chest could barely be seen to rise. A cry left her lips and she stabbed the elf in the stomach with one of her long, lethal nails. She ripped at his flesh, causing blood to ooze from his gut and run along the altar. Tremlon’s eyes flew open and he shot up into the sitting position. Red eyes met black.

  ‘Sleep,’ the old crone commanded.

  He fell back, his arms flailing by his side, once again unconscious. Matt felt bile rise in his throat and he blinked back hot tears which stung his eyes; she had made him literally sick to the stomach. Whilst crimson blood still flowed down Tremlon’s side, the guardian made an awful noise in the back of her throat before she spat into the wound. Matt felt sick fill his throat and an uncontrollable river of vomit flowed from his mouth.

  ‘You’re weak,’ said the hag, with fury burning in her eyes. ‘You’re not of our world and you should not be here.’ Matt wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and tried to compose himself. He looked up to see she was rubbing Tremlon’s wound with a surprising tenderness, and a bright light moved underneath the wound, before spreading into each of his veins. Tremlon’s body was unable to stop the poison which was carried in the guardian’s saliva and so it travelled unleashed to every part of his body. The light burned inside him like a fierce fire, rushing along his veins in search of his heart. The moment the poison touched the barely pumping muscle of life, all of the other channels of light disappeared, creating one single aura around the centre of Tremlon’s chest. It was so bright it was blinding and then it died away.

  ‘It‘s done,’ said the hag with a wave of her hand. ‘Now leave me.’

  The healer signalled for the stretcher-bearers to come forward.

  ‘How is he?’ asked a voice in Matt’s ear. Arhdel had returned.

  ‘I don’t know,’ Matt answered, turning to face the warrior, his face grim. Arhdel shook his head in sympathy. ‘I hope he makes it,’ he said in a sad voice.

  ‘Well, we’re not just going to sit here and do nothing, are we?’ Matt flared, showing his frustration.

  ‘No, indeed we’re not. I have just spoken to the king and he has decided to involve you in a very important task.’

  ‘What kind of task?’ asked Matt, surprised the king even knew of his existence.

  ‘The king has no choice but to send us to try and bring Crystal back from the Nonhawk.’

  ‘Nonhawk, who are they?’

  ‘They are an evil breed. I told the king I believe King Forusian, the ruler of the Nonhawk, was responsible for the kidnapping of your friend. The king appeared to agree with this theory. Unfortunately, we cannot take Tremlon with us. There’s no doubt he would have been very useful on this journey, but we must go it alone. However, on no account must you tell another living soul what we plan to do. This is to be our little secret, for only the three of us will know. I have already disgraced myself because Crystal was captured whilst in my care, I cannot fail again.’ Excitement ignited in Matt’s green eyes.

  ‘I don’t care what it takes; I just want to help get her back.’

  ‘It’s going to be dangerous, my young friend, and we must prepare ourselves, not just against the threats we can anticipate, but –’ Arhdel broke off, pressing a firm hand onto Matt’s shoulder in a gesture of their alliance. ‘I’ve suffered in ways your imagination could never comprehend at the hand of Forusian; I’ve endured pain beyond your wildest nightmares, and I do not look forward to going back and taking you with me.’ Matt felt the palms of his hands begin to sweat.

  ‘Did he torture you?’

  Arhdel stiffened. ‘Yes, he did.’ He broke Matt’s stare and cast his gaze to rest on the pale and bleeding body of the shape-changer who was being taken back to his chamber.

  ‘We must get ready for our journey,’ he continued, his voice gruff with raw emotion.

  ‘I am ready,’ said Matt, feeling a glimmer of exhilaration. ‘Just tell me when.’

  ‘Then we go now; the horses are saddled and it is better to leave before nightfall.’

  Matt agreed and so they left the catacomb, becoming part of Tremlon’s entourage. Tremlon awoke from his slumber, his vision blurred with the effects of the poison. The pain in his chest was excruciating and he was having difficulty in breathing. He gasped in distress and both Arhdel and Matt ran to his side, pressing a caring hand on both of his shoulders.

  ‘It’s okay, just lie down and calm yourself; you’re in good hands,’ Matt comforted, trying to get him to lie still.

  ‘Crystal,’ he rasped, ‘where’s Crystal? I must tell her the truth about her mother.’ Arhdel became agitated by his words and called to the healer to sedate him.

  ‘He is delirious and doesn’t know what he’s saying; calm him,’ he advised, with an anxious glare.

  ‘Why’s he saying that?’ asked Matt, unaware of Arhdel’s twitch of nervousness. ‘What does he mean,’ he added, sounding confused, ‘you know, about Crystal needing to know the truth? Does he know her parentage or something?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Arhdel said, looking slightly shifty. ‘He is very ill and his mind is playing tricks on him. Best to let him rest; once the fever has broken, I’m sure he’ll be back to his old self.’

  Although not completely satisfied with Arhdel’s explanation, Matt allowed him to lead him out of the catacomb and towards the stable block where two horses were waiting.

  ‘We must stay focused if we have any chance of getting Crystal back,’ said Arhdel, giving Matt an encouraging pat on the back. ‘We will ride to the castle of King Forusian and as we travel I will explain King Gamada’s plan to free Crystal from her captor.’ Matt saddled up, the reins feeling as alien to him as his surroundings.

  Arhdel kicked his horse into life and the dust rose.

  ‘Arrgh,’ Matt boomed in the horse’s ears. ‘You heard him, let’s go.’ The horse, unwilling to be left behind, finally broke into a desperate canter. They rode to the south, the wind howling its presence in the thick mountain air. The deep rumble of the horses’ hooves drummed a constant beat whilst they rode along the frozen plain and their thoughts became tangled with determination and hidden doubt.

  In the evening around the campfire Matt dozed whilst Arhdel guarded him with his sword. In the wavering firelight Arhdel pondered over the revelations the king had thrust upon him that very afternoon. He felt a barrier rise between him and the boy and he couldn’t help feel saddened. He liked Matt, but his loyalty was to the king. Neither Matt nor Crystal knew the truth about who her natural parents could be and the king wanted it to stay that way for the time being.

  Arhdel had been shocked, although he had managed to hide his despair from the king’s piercing glare. Amella, his princess, had disappeared many years earlier and only now did he know the reason why. The shame she had suffered for loving a wizard would have been hard enough for anyone to bear, but to then have her baby taken to save Bridgemear’s life would have undoubtedly destroyed her. The ancient laws had been written so many centuries earlier that no mixed breeds were allowed because of what the Nonhawk had tried to do in the world of mortals; their love had been doomed from their very first kiss.

  He shook his head in dismay and with a stern expression threw a piece of dry wood onto the fire; it crackled and hissed before igniting. The flames settled and Arhdel nudged Matt for him to take his turn on lookout. Although tired, Matt rose from his bedroll and allowed Arhdel to catch a well-deserved couple of hours’ sleep. Tomorrow they would carry on until they reached Nonhawk territory and from then on there would be no sleep for either of them until they returned victorious with Crystal by their side.

  Matt soon became lost in his own thoughts whilst he sat gazing into the golden flames. He knew Arhdel had changed, that something had shifted b
etween them. Their relationship seemed a little strained and he guessed it was because of his visit that afternoon to the king. All he wanted to do was get Crystal back, safe and sound. He let out a miserable sigh. Lies and deceit, that was all anyone held dear in this place. He felt depressed; he missed Crystal and just wanted to get her home.

  A cool breeze started to blow, the evening temperature dropping to its chilliest. Matt pulled his jacket closer and watched Arhdel pull his blanket tight around his body. Turning his face away from the flames, he shut his eyes and allowed the darkened images inside his mind to dance behind his lids.

  ‘Are you okay?’

  Matt jumped, startled.

  ‘I didn’t mean to …’ Arhdel came and sat beside him, resting his hands on his knees. His gaze was upon the fire. ‘It’s going to get much worse,’ he said into the flames. ‘It’s a terrible risk we take, not even knowing if we are going to succeed.’ He turned his head and saw bewilderment illuminating Matt’s face. ‘It’s an experience you never wanted, I know, and you find yourself in the midst of a battle which you should never have been part of.’

  ‘You’re right, I shouldn’t be here,’ Matt snapped, a little too harshly. ‘This was never my fight from the very start.’

  ‘Evidently, but you’re here to fight for Crystal, are you not?’

  Matt winced.

  ‘Yes,’ he said, still feeling grouchy, ‘and I won’t leave here without her.’

  ‘Then your fate is sealed,’ said Arhdel, looking troubled. ‘My only hope is that you live to tell the tale and get her home safely.’

  Chapter 10

  Crystal had been a prisoner in Forusian’s castle for five days. For most of that time she’d been locked away in her room, allowed out only for meals and the occasional walk in the grounds, followed at all times by a Nonhawk soldier. Since her arrival Forusian had acted the part of the perfect host, but he’d upset her by taking her amulet, claiming it was simply for safekeeping. He still hadn’t explained why he’d kidnapped her or of what value she appeared to be to him and when she tried to broach the subject at dinner, he simply changed the topic with a flurry of his hand.

  The sun was setting when the guard knocked on her bedroom door and proclaimed it was time for supper. When she arrived in the drawing room, Forusian was sat at the head of the table just like he did every night. Candles were lit and the fire tended, but Crystal sensed something was different. She looked down at the table. The food was just as lavish, the wine plentiful, but the atmosphere was – charged.

  Forusian waved for her to sit down and once she was seated they ate in silence, which was rather unusual. The fire crackled, breaking the eerie silence that was growing between them, and Crystal shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She saw the king was dressed in a new suit and his crisp white shirt stood out against his clean, tanned skin. She thought he looked extremely smart dressed in that particular shade of blue and felt her eyes draw towards his handsome face. She dragged her eyes away and sliced through the ham which had been placed on her plate, trying to concentrate on chewing her food instead. Forusian suddenly cleared his throat and she looked up expectantly; she watched him wipe his mouth before taking a gulp of wine.

  ‘I hope you are not missing your home too much,’ he said, placing the goblet on the table.

  ‘Why do you care?’ she asked, her long lashes hiding a sudden awareness in her eyes. A shadow appeared to pass over his face and she sensed he had something important on his mind.

  ‘Do you like my castle?’ he asked, flinging out his hand and pointing to the four walls.

  ‘Well, what I’ve seen of it, yes,’ Crystal replied, replacing her knife and fork back onto the table. ‘However, I wish you wouldn’t have me shut away in my room like some common criminal,’ she added, pushing her plate aside, her food barely touched. She looked at him thoughtfully for a moment and then she said, ‘Tell me, Forusian, what’s wrong with you tonight?’

  ‘Oh, why nothing, my dear, I would just like to see you more settled, that’s all.’

  ‘You would? Why is that, have you suddenly found you own a conscience?’ she mocked.

  Forusian almost choked on a piece of meat and his fingers reached for his goblet, and after taking a huge gulp of wine he said, ‘Tell me, Crystal, could you actually learn to like me?’

  Crystal looked shocked by his question and the glow from the fire did nothing to hide the redness held in her cheeks.

  ‘That’s a very strange question to ask someone you are holding against their will,’ she answered in a huff.

  Forusian sighed deeply and was just about to say something when there came an unexpected knock on the door; or was it expected, Crystal wondered, when he shot her a devious glance and she watched his demeanour change before her eyes.

  A soldier entered the room, his clothes were dusty from the road and he looked uncomfortable when he saw the princess sitting at the table.

  ‘Forgive me, sire,’ he began, ‘but I bring important news from Raven’s Rainbow.’ Forusian jumped to his feet and flashed a look of excitement towards the messenger. He pushed his chair away from the table with an eager hand and then proceeded to lead the soldier to the library. He turned suddenly, remembering he was about to leave Crystal all on her own.

  ‘Excuse me for a moment, my dear, whilst I talk to my messenger. Please make yourself comfortable, for I won’t be too long.’

  Crystal watched him leave through a small side door and after waiting only a few seconds she quickly followed him. In his excitement, Forusian had forgotten there were no guards to stop her from doing so and she saw him enter the library before tiptoeing slowly towards it.

  She pushed her red hair behind her ear and then pressed it against the wooden door. She could hear them talking but their voices were muffled and she strained to hear what was being said, so she pressed her ear a little harder against the panel.

  ‘That is excellent news,’ Forusian was heard saying to his messenger. ‘So my mole really did know the soldier was going to alert Bridgemear.’

  ‘Yes, indeed, sire,’ a voice replied.

  ‘You were not seen?’

  ‘No, my lord. We used the spell you gave us to make us invisible; the wizard will never suspect it was you who set up the ambush.’

  ‘Marvellous, this really is good news for I mustn’t have Bridgemear dropping by and spoiling all my plans. No, you and your men have done well,’ Forusian said, and Crystal heard someone gulp down a drink.

  ‘Also, I need to add that we must ensure that no one from the elf kingdom knows we have captured one of their warriors, otherwise I will have them knocking at my door and this could lead them straight to my hidden jewel.’

  Crystal digested every word, conscious she was probably the jewel he was speaking of. Hope filled her heart though when she learned someone from the elf realm had been captured, believing it to be Arhdel or Tremlon; if it was true and one of them was really here in the castle then perhaps she could free them and in return they could help her escape. But as she listened a little longer, she was distraught to find out it was no one she knew at all.

  Their voices changed to laughter and Crystal realised their conversation was concluding so she rushed back to the drawing room, a cloud of disappointment following close on her heels. Her thoughts were filled with worry. Where were Matt and Tremlon? Was it possible they had not figured out she had been captured by this mad king? Perhaps Forusian had been clever enough to cover his tracks?

  She slid back into her chair, her heart thumping against her ribs and her breath turning short. She inhaled, trying to calm herself so he would not suspect she had been eavesdropping on him and, flustered, she grabbed at the goblet of wine, accidentally knocking it over and spilling the contents all over the beautiful cloth. She struggled to soak up the wine with her napkin, but there was far too much to make a difference and all she managed to do was spread the stain a little further. Forusian re-entered the drawing room and watched her trying to mop u
p the liquid as best she could.

  ‘Come, come,’ he said, sounding relaxed, ‘don’t worry about that, it’s only a little wine and I have many more of those frilly things to cover my table.’ He walked over to her and touched her hand with his.

  ‘Leave it,’ he commanded. ‘The servants will clear it away.’

  ‘I’m so sorry,’ she said, pulling her hand away. ‘I’m not usually so clumsy.’

  ‘Forget it at once and come and sit by the fire, the nights are chilly and I wish to speak with you about something which concerns you.’

  ‘Oh, what is it?’ she gasped in surprise. ‘Is it something serious?’

  ‘Well, it’s just that I have something important to ask you,’ he said, seemingly struggling to find the right words. ‘More of a proposition really.’ Forusian gestured for her to sit by the fire. He pointed to a particular chair situated close to the flames and Crystal found herself drawn towards it. She sat down and started fidgeting, causing the light from the flickering flames to dance upon her skin and Forusian caught his breath at her beauty. He had to admit she was like a newly formed rosebud, ready to be plucked from the stem of life and her frightened eyes made him pull his own chair closer. No sooner had he made himself comfortable than he was jumping from his chair as though he’d been electrocuted, throwing himself at the mercy of her feet.

  Startled, Crystal pushed back her chair and tried to stand, but he held her feet fast and her hands flew to her mouth, unable to hold back a choking sob.

  ‘Do not be afraid of me,’ he pleaded, seeing the terror in her eyes, ‘for I wish you no harm.’

  He sighed, shaking his head.

  ‘I shall just come out with it,’ he declared, sitting up and bending on one knee, his face lifted with expectancy when he tried to grab her hand in his.