Chapter Six

CHAPTER SIX

The castle dungeons were about as miserable a place as one could imagine. They consisted of a series of tunnels in a confusing pattern, with low ceilings and dark doorways. The constant echoes of dripping water and the damp smell of rock made for an oppressive atmosphere that could weary the strongest of wills.

           

            In one of the many cells sat Trevin, the young knight convicted of treason. His build was slightly more slender than the other men of Gilderan, and his skin was more fair. He was, in fact, half man and half elf, being the son of a forbidden romance. Now, as he sat on a cot, chained to the wall with his wrists in irons, he whispered quietly with his face tilted upward, his eyes closed. From down the dark hallway he could hear the approaching footsteps of Cassius and two guards.

            Arriving at the cell, Cassius ordered the guards to unlock the chain and follow him. He then led the three men down another hallway to a small, nearly empty room. In the center of the floor was a stand, carved from granite, holding a large red crystal ball which seemed to emit a dull glow. On one side of the globe was a fracture and a small shard was missing from the otherwise perfect sphere.

            Upon entering the room, the guards stood with Trevin as Cassius walked over to a small wooden door at the far corner of the room. He knocked on the door, then stepped back, taking a deep breath. The door opened and Eli stuck his head out, looking around at the men. His hair was long and white, and his robes were tattered. He looked at Cassius with an air of wariness.

            ‘What is it, Cassius?’ he said coldly.

            ‘I have the order,’ Cassius replied, holding out the paper.

            Eli took the scroll, studied the seal thoroughly, then opened it and read it over twice. Cassius watched him intently without interrupting. Eventually, Eli handed it back to Cassius who then gestured to the guards.

            ‘Bring him over.’

 The guards took Trevin to the stone as Eli and Cassius followed behind. The guards then took the chain and pulled Trevin’s hands so that he was touching the red orb.

‘Do you have any final words before your sentence is carried out?’ asked Cassius.

‘Long live King Andrian,’ Trevin replied, glaring at Cassius.

‘Indeed,’ said Cassius, stepping forward and inserting the scroll into Trevin’s waistline.

He then stepped back, pulling the pendant out of his pocket, and handed it to Eli who reluctantly approached the stone. Placing the shard into the stone, Eli covered it with his hand and started muttering words under his breath. The dull glow of the crystal grew brighter, until it suddenly flashed, illuminating the room with red light. Everyone except Eli covered their eyes, and when they looked again, Trevin was gone.

Eli removed the pendant from the stone and handed it back to Cassius who placed it in his pocket.

‘The time will come, old man, when your sorcery will not be needed to use this stone,’ Cassius said to Eli.

‘Yes,’ said Eli. ‘And when that day comes, you will be long buried with your greed in a tomb, not unlike these dungeons.’

Cassius merely glared at him and walked out, followed by the guards.

Meanwhile, Alina was sitting in her quarters having her hair braided by her attendant, Cayla. An old maid, the mother of Cayla, was dusting and organizing the room as the two young ladies discussed Alina’s attire for the ball.

            ‘I still can not decide between the green and the blue,’ said Alina.

            ‘Oh, by all means, wear the blue,’ said Cayla emphatically.

            ‘What is wrong with the green?’ Alina asked.

            ‘Nothing,’ smiled Cayla. ‘If you are hiding in the woods.’

            The maid turned to her in shock. ‘Cayla!’ she cried, as Alina burst into laughter.

            ‘I jest, mother,’ Cayla said, then turned back to Alina. ‘But, really, the blue is so much more elegant.’

            ‘And what makes you imagine I want to be elegant?’ inquired Alina.

            ‘Why, to look good for Li-‘ Cayla stopped herself as Alina turned to her, feigning surprise.

            ‘Now, who told you Liam was going?’ Alina demanded.

            ‘No one, Your Highness,’ Cayla said, trying not to smile.

            ‘Oh, don’t “Your Highness” me,’ Alina said, laughing. ‘Now, who told you?’

            ‘Just one of the knights,’ said Cayla, beginning to blush.

            ‘One of the knights,’ Alina repeated knowingly. ‘Well, I can only presume that this knight heard it from Liam himself, but why were you talking to this knight?’

            ‘We were… discussing the weather,’ Cayla said, busying herself with Alina’s hair.

            ‘And do I know this knight who shares your interest in the weather?’ persisted Alina.

            Before Cayla could respond, they were interrupted by a messenger pigeon landing on the windowsill. The maid opened the window and brought the bird inside, removing the note from its leg and handing it to Alina.

Upon reading it, Alina quickly stood up and headed for the door. ‘I shall return shortly,’ she said.

            ‘But, Your Highness,’ protested Cayla. ‘Your hair is not finished.’

            Alina did not respond as she hurried out of the room. Cayla and her mother looked at each other, confused.

Under a large tree in the Castle Gardens, Liam was pacing back and forth, nervously. Seeing Alina approaching, he quickly walked over to her.

            ‘Alina,’ he said, his voice filled with concern.

            ‘What is it?’ she asked as they arrived in front of each other.

            ‘I need to ask a favor of you,’ he replied.

            ‘Of course,’ she said, slightly shaken at seeing him in such a state.

            Liam took a deep breath, not sure how to begin. ‘It’s about Trevin.’