Kori chimed, “we should all calm down.”
Dominic shushed her, “no let them fight.”
Kori gave Dominic a vacant stare.
“Deep down, you know that’s a lie. All of you loathe this crappy world. And It’s his fault many people died for a cause that would inevitably end in failure. All because he couldn’t get over the fact his brother had power. For that, he’s a dumbass and so are you and all of those who followed him.”
Brolin jumped from his chair flipping it over in the process. Hayden did likewise.
“Don’t you have any respect for your elders, boy?” Brolin shouted.
A few onlookers zeroed in on the uproar.
“Why should I respect dumbasses?” Hayden retorted.
Brolin drew his dagger. “We regret nothing, like I won’t regret gutting a kid.” He raised the weapon above his head ready to slash.
Hayden summoned Delilah, took aim at Brolin’s face and the big man stopped in his tracks. Dominic clasped his hands together excitedly as if he was watching a movie. He nudged Kori looking for her to match his enthusiasm. She didn’t, instead she looked away, nervously watching more and more of the customers beginning to pay attention to the brewing feud.
A crackling sound erupted, and Hayden felt a sharp sting tagging the hand that held his revolver. He winced in pain dropping the handgun. Once hitting the foundation, it vanished. Before anyone could react, the crackling sound came again, a leather bullwhip wrapped around Brolin’s wrist, holding it in place above his head.
The onlookers began to whisper amongst themselves. Some had grown bored with the spectacle and returned to their drinking. But the majority displayed signs of fear now that Helen had gotten involved.
“I won’t tolerate any kind of violence in my town,” a female voice shouted.
Brolin leered over his shoulder.
Helen stared back at the other end of the whip.
“Okay, I get it,” Brolin snarled as he tried to yank his captured arm free, but Helen’s strength surpassed his.
She released her whip and spooled it back securing it at her side.
“The kid does have a valid point,” Atticus said popping up directly behind Brolin. He threw his arm around the big man’s shoulder. “But keep in mind though; he’s an angsty teen who doesn’t know any better.” He added placing Brolin in a friendly headlock and giving him a noogie.
Brolin reluctantly sheathed his dagger after Atticus released him. “The kid needs to learn some manners.”
“Well bend him across your knees,” Atticus said teasingly. Before the conversation escalated any further, he changed the subject. “Helen has agreed to put us up for the night and give us a few items for our journey.”
“Excellent!” shouted Brolin as he lifted his chair upright. “I’ll order us another round.”
“Some other time buddy I promise, the gang and I are going to retire for the night.” Atticus glanced towards Helen. “Can you show us to our room?”
Helen shook her head. “I have to finish my rounds, but Gretel has you covered.”
Atticus nodded and gestured for the teens to follow him. Nearing the tavern’s bar area an elderly woman in a ruffled collared housecoat came tottering around from the counter. She was barely taller than the bar top and her manner was of someone who was interrupted from a favorite television show. She squinted her eyes at Atticus. Once she recognized him, her aged face twisted into a leathery smile. Her wrinkled hand shot up towards Atticus and he graciously accepted it with a kiss. “It’s always a pleasure to see you.” He released the hand.
“Oh, my precious boy,” Gretel crowed. “Right this way.”
She led the four guests to a door behind the bar. Using both hands she pushed it open. Unlike the tavern, the windowless room was poorly lit only having a few crystal infused torches placed frugally around the chambers. The corrugated domed iron roof was twenty-five feet above them like a shanty town cathedral. Sacks filled with grains, produce, and other goods were piled high at the front. On the opposite side were crates upon crates ready for distribution along with barrels. The wooden walls were peeling, and the smell of damp wood filled the atmosphere. At the back of the room were a bunk and a narrow single bed of cheap stripped pine and rough mattresses. Both beds were jammed end to end and pressed against the wall along with a black cot taking up the rear. All three beds were supplied with pillows and grey wool blankets.
“Gretel, is it possible for you to give my comrades and me a less crappy room,” Atticus asked with a nervous chuckle.
The old woman let an over-exaggerated sigh, “only paying customers get nice rooms and non-paying ones get the streets, but since you are like family you get the crappy one.” That said she tottered out the room closing the door behind her.
Heartbroken, Atticus turned to claim the single bed, but Kori had already settled in. His gaze shifted to the bunk beds and saw Hayden and Dominic playing a game of rock, paper scissors to see who gets the bottom bunk.
“I guess I’ll take the cot,” Atticus said to no-one.
He unfastened his sword from his side and placed it onto the floor. “We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow.” Atticus said kicking off his shoes. “I figured we could use some more supplies seeing how we lost the little we had when we fled from my brother.” He laid on his cot, resting his hands behind his head. “And good thing Helen is willing to help us out with a few essentials.”
“What about saving the others?” Hayden said as he settled on the bottom bunk. His voice was groggy and accompanied by a yawn.
“Rest your little head,” Atticus retorted, his voice as equally tired as Hayden’s. “I have it all worked out.”
Despite how uncomfortable the beds were, neither Hayden nor Atticus realized how tired they were until they both were snoring, letting the air out simultaneously to the others inhaling.
Dominic mumbled a few unpleasant words before rolling to face the wall. He too was soon asleep, leaving Kori as the lone survivor of slumbering. She glanced about the drafty room as the light from the torches flickered and dimmed. Kori sighed. Unable to tolerate the stillness of her surroundings she strained to listen to the tavern’s commotions beyond the chamber’s wall. But the muffled sounds were barely audible.
She pulled Brianna’s wand free from her pocket and scooted to the center of the bed. There she sat with her legs crisscrossed staring at the wooden tool.
How was I able to use magic?
What started out as a nagging thought quickly turned into a feeling she couldn’t comprehend.
On their way to Erstania, Atticus had promised them Christos wouldn’t cause any harm to his captives, but she had a strong hunch he only spoke those words to keep her from worrying.
The wand sparked, jolting her hands with a weak shock, but strong enough to cause her to jump in surprise. She dropped it and it reverted into a wooden ball. Though the shock was bearable it was all she needed to let loose. Tears streamed from her eyes, shimmering on her lashes to her cheeks. She tried to think of anything other than how lonely she felt, when Hayden mumbled, “Don’t cry.” His voice was soft and nurturing. “It’ll all work out.”
Sniffing Kori managed a wet smile. “T-thanks, I didn’t mean to wake you.”
Hayden didn’t respond.
Kori wiped her eyes and pulled herself to the edge of the bed. “I don’t know if Ethan’s okay and it’s my fault that we got mixed up in all of this,” she scoffed. “I bet our parents don’t even know we’re missing.”
She plucked up the wooden sphere and stuffed it into her pocket then continued to vent, “And whenever people touch me, they act really strange. I try to brush it off but then in the forest, I was able to use magic, now I’m not sure what to think.”
Kori waited a moment for Hayden’s input.
He didn’t reply.
She trotted over to his bunk and found him curled up fast asleep. “Don’t worry Brianna I got your back,” he mumbled groggily.
&nb
sp; Kori laughed fondly.
Hayden’s features were much softer in sleep; the line that usually created his brow was replaced by the youthful appearance that matched infants. He looked peaceful. Wanting nothing more than to curl up into the curve of his body she laid next to him. Her heart thumped in accordance with her fast and nervous breaths. But the more she cuddled against him the less she felt alone, but instead secure and safe.
Soon her consciousness swirled into the land of dreams.
THE KNOCK CAME GENTLY at first, and then there was silence. Dominic moaned and rolled onto his stomach burying his face into his pillow. The knock was louder and faster this time.
Dominic sat up. “Go the hell away.”
The person on the other side must have taken offence because the gentle knock became fierce. Hayden was next to be awakened. Sitting up quicker than he intended, he banged his head against the top bunk. While kneading the sore area he felt movement from his left. Kori swarmed for a moment before slowly sitting up with a yawn.
“Do you have someone in bed with you,” Dominic asked from above. He leaned over the edge and his eyes brighten. “Nice bruh,” he flipped himself from the bunk. “Did you two love birds enjoy spooning?”
Kori’s face flushed red, while Hayden opened his mouth to defend himself, but only gibberish proceeded to spew out.
Then the door busted inward, diverting their attention. Helen stormed into the chambers. She was carrying a large rucksack in one hand and a grey shirt in the other.
“I suggest the four of you get your asses up and get to the mines before the worker day begins.”
Helen tossed the backpack to the floor. The heaviness from it produced a brash thump. Helen then tossed Hayden the top.
“Put that on.” She zeroed in on Kori and shook her head, “why are you two sharing a bed.”
Kori quickly hopped up in militaries fashion, “I-it’s not like that at all.”
Atticus rose, yawning with a stretch. “What is the old hag blabbing about.”
Helen glared at Atticus, her narrow eyes, rigid and cold. At that moment his tiredness evaporated from his face along with the bantering nature.
He laughed nervously. “Is it dawn already?”
Hayden got out of bed and stretched out the shirt, frowning.
“Yeah, I’m not wearing this,” he said crumpling the grey ruffled shirt.
“I do this kind gesture for you and you spit in my face,” Helen’s voice seethed.
“It would be best for all of us if you wear the shirt,” Atticus said equipping his gear.
Hayden glared around the room before slipping the shirt on.
“You look so adorable,” Kori gasped.
Dominic snickered. “Yeah, he would make a great sparkly vampire.”
“I hate you both,” Hayden said sourly.
Chuckling, Atticus holstered the backpack onto his shoulders. “It’s kinda heavy.”
“There should be enough food to last a few days.” Helen turned towards the exit. “Now let’s get to the mines.”
She led them through the tavern, ignoring the few patrons who had drunk themselves to unconsciousness in random corners.
“Is it like this every morning?” Kori asked.
“This is tame compared to most,” Helen answered.
She held the pub’s door open, allowing the others to exit before her.
The town of Erstania was silent as if it had been abandoned in the middle of the night. But now the moons had vanished along with its starry companions and the sun was decisively below the horizon, making the coolness of the early morning deceptive.
As they walked, the sun rose like a canopy of gold, bright and aimed to bid the darkness of night to surrender to the day. Every color changed from tinkles of charcoal to liveliness.
Helen escorted the group through a maze of streets which eventually set them on a downward path leading to the mines.
Once at its entrance, Kori poked her head inside its impenetrable darkness.
“There are torches lighting the way further in,” Atticus said giving Helen a big hug.
“Get those kids home safely,” she ordered.
“No promises,” He said cheerfully as they parted.
Entering the mines his body dissolved into its darkness. “Come on in kiddies,” he said with an eerie cackle.
Hayden thanked Helen for her hospitality; even Dominic gave her an unenthusiastic salutation before they both followed Atticus.
“Thank you for everything,” Kori shouted running after them.
Inside the mines, Atticus cleared his throat and bellowed a phrase. The mine’s acoustics amplified the resonating chant for several seconds. As the echoing died, lights from unseen sources bathed the dome area in a flickering orange glow.
A widespread of mining equipment and tools rested about the zone along with iron pushcarts stuffed with crystal ranging in size. In front of them were numerous entrances to different tunnels.
“Why are we in the mines?” Hayden asked tersely.
“We’re going to pull off an old-fashioned jailbreak,” Atticus answered with excitement.
“There is a secret tunnel that leads to an old storage unit located on the Warden’s Estate. And by taking this passage, not only will it cut our traveling time in half but also give us the element of surprise.”
With his index finger, Atticus tapped his lips, “now to remember which tunnel leads to the secret passage.”
He led them to a burrow entranced where continuous howling wind carried the smell of dank river water. Inside, the passageway was void of darkness due to unseen torchlight. And with every step the light became brighter.
“The manor has to be heavily guarded,” Hayden said after they had been walking for a while.
Atticus’s laughter echoed about the cavern triggering loose rocks to fall from the roof.
“If we are stealthy, we won’t have to worry about being caught,” he answered.
He paused at a wall to his left and placed his hands on the rocky barricade. He lightly pushed, removed his hand and the wall trembled, triggering fragments to be shed. The sound of locks releasing followed by traction sliding against dirt and earth were unnaturally loud as the wall split open like an elevator door, revealing a flight of rock stairs leading downward.
“Only Helen, me and a short list of others know about this passage.” Atticus said heading down the stairs first.
Kori poked her head inside. “I swear they’re better not be a torture chamber down there,” she said.
“Don’t worry Hayden will be your knight in shining armor,” Dominic teased following Atticus.
Kori spun around and invaded Hayden’s personal space. “Do you care enough to protect me,” she said staring longingly into his eyes.
Hayden diverted his gaze scratching the back of his head. “I...ahhh...maybe.”
Kori burst into laughter and began to mimic Hayden’s bashfulness. “Relax I was only joking. You’re turning red and everything,” she said in between giggles. Kori playfully punched him on the arm, before descending into the tunnel.
Were her eyes always green?
He followed Kori.
Once at the base of the stairs the pathway evolved into a narrow hallway without any doors. The peculiar pathway was hemmed in perfect arching sandstone walls and like before, lights from undetected torches sparked to life the further they derived.
“Are those crystals used as some kind of energy source?” Kori asked.
Atticus glanced back at her as if surprised by her inquiry, “I don’t know the exact mechanics of it all, but the crystals power everything from Airships to the wonderful torchlights.” He smiled brightly as if he was giving a tour. “And though the power from the crystals can last for many years, they aren’t indestructible. If destroyed they can release a devastating storm of fire.”
“The people dig them up from caves like this one?” Kori continued with her interrogation.
“Correct,” Atticu
s answered turning to face the front. “They are quite stable, safe and hard to destroy unless you have a weapon like the sons of Raiziel.”
“I’d find a better and less hazardous occupation,” Kori said sourly.
“The miners don’t have a choice,” Atticus said his voice grim. “Because either they are paying off a debt or like most residents of Erstania they are damned to the mines and cannot leave.”
Up ahead the path split off to the left and right. Atticus led them left, through a network of alleyways.
“This passage was used as a way to smuggle goods from the Warden’s Estate to Erstania.”
After a few more turns the walls began to appear fewer and fewer, before melting away into a dead end.
“You really are a master navigator,” Kori said sarcastically. Her eyes darted around the small area. Several iron carts were positioned on either of the walls. And within them were large sums of fist sized crystals. Dominic grabbed a few examining them.
“Where to now?” Kori asked dryly.
Atticus simply pointed up. Two stories above them was a circular opening as wide as a manhole. Attached to its inner walls was a rope ladder.
“Oh,” Kori whispered her face turning red.
“We are directly underneath a shed on the Warden’s Estate,” Atticus said. “The easy part is over.” He grabbed hold of the sickly greenish-brown ladder, disturbing a thick layer of dust. The only hints of the original color shined like poorly cleaned up glitter.
“Are you sure that thing is safe,” Kori asked.
Atticus holstered himself up to the ladder. “I’m about to find out.”
Kori watched the cable ladder swing wildly from side to side as Atticus ascended. He disappeared into the darkness of the hole and moments later the racket of what sounded like heavy lumber being hauled across dirt and rock resonated from within the cavity. Next, a hailstorm of dirt and rock rained from the hole. The others could hear Atticus hacking and spitting, confirming Kori’s suspicions of dirt falling into his mouth.
“Come on up kiddos.” Atticus’s voice boomed in between coughs.
Dominic walked away from the crystal filled cart, looked over at Hayden with a smug smile and centered himself underneath the hole. After a quick salute, he ducked low and then vaulted upward with abnormal leg strength, leaving behind a swirl of dust that tailed his ascension into the hole.
LAMENT OF PURGATORY (ASHWOOD CHRONICLES #1) Page 22
