Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN

 

Around the time that Alina was leaving her room, Cassius was walking down the hall toward the king’s chamber, the ink still wet on his latest sentence. A guard was standing outside and as Cassius arrived at the door, the guard held up a hand, nervously.

            ‘Lord Cassius, I fear I have strict orders not to let anyone enter the king’s chamber.’

            Cassius stared at him, confused. ‘By whose order?’ he demanded.

            ‘By the Princess Alina,’ said the guard.

            ‘The Princess has no such authority,’ Cassius balked. ‘Open this door immediately.’

            ‘I am sorry, My Lord,’ the guard said. ‘I was given specific orders-‘

            ‘And as the King’s Advisor, I am nullifying those orders,’ said Cassius, getting angry. ‘Now, step aside or you will face the consequences.’

            The guard stepped to one side and Cassius thrust open the door and walked into the king’s chamber.

 

            As soon as he entered, Cassius saw Andrian’s body with the sheet over his face. The attendant jumped up from a nearby seat.

            ‘My Lord, the Princess gave me-‘

            ‘Silence!’ said Cassius, rushing over to the bed.

He flung the covers aside, barely reacting to the king’s death before checking his neck and finger. He turned to the attendant.

            ‘Where is the signet?’ he asked. ‘Who took the ring?’

            ‘I do not know, My Lord,’ cowered the attendant.

            ‘Where is Alina?’ Cassius asked, furious.

            ‘She did not say where she was going, My Lord.’

            Cassius walked up to the attendant and leaned into his face. ‘You shall pay for this treason,’ he said, seething, and then hurried out of the room.

 

Alina entered the room where the red stone was and knocked on Eli’s door. He opened it, somewhat suspiciously, but upon seeing Alina, he emerged quickly.

            ‘Princess Alina,’ he said, concerned. ‘What brings you here?’

            ‘I fear I do not have time to properly explain,’ said Alina. ‘My father is no more and I suspect that my life may be in danger.’

            ‘What are you saying, Princess?’ he asked, confused.

            ‘Please, Eli,’ she said, pulling out the pendant. ‘I need you to send me to the mines.’

            ‘Who are you fleeing?’ asked Eli.

            ‘I cannot afford the time,’ said Alina, desperation in her tone. ‘Please just do as I say.’

            Eli reluctantly took the pendant from her and she went to the stone, placing her hand on it. He followed her and placed the shard into the stone, covered it with his hand and began the chant.

 

            Cassius appeared in the doorway just as the stone began to glow.

            ‘No!’ cried Cassius, but it was too late.

The room filled with light and Alina was gone. Cassius walked up to Eli and struck him across the face.

‘What have you done?’ he yelled.

Eli stepped away from the stone, holding the pendant. ‘Why do you strike me for following orders?’ he asked.

‘What is her plan?’ Cassius demanded.

‘Fear not, Cassius,’ said Eli. ‘I am sure she will return soon enough. And when she does, it may do you well to remember who she is.’

‘And it will do you well to remember who I am,’ Cassius said angrily. ‘Now, give me the pendant.’

Eli held it out and Cassius snatched it from him.

‘It will be of little service without me,’ Eli warned. ‘Keep that in mind the next time your hand finds itself holding a quill.’

Cassius glared at him for a moment, then turned and stormed out. Eli rubbed his arm across his cheek and then returned to his room.

 

In the center of a bare stone room, far away from Gilderan, was a similar granite stand holding a green stone. There was a single door in the corner and a large open window overlooked the Mines of Demora, a vast canyon speckled with caves connected by trails. Not a single worker was in sight.

 

            The room suddenly filled with green light and Alina appeared next to the stone, standing just as she had when she left the dungeon. She removed her hand from the orb and scanned the room. Going to the window, she looked over the edge and saw a straight drop onto jagged rocks below. Looking out at the caves, she noticed the strange silence that hung upon the mines.

 

            Hearing footsteps, she turned toward the door and saw a young soldier walk by, but then quickly look into the room. He stared at her, confused to see anyone, let alone a woman, standing there.

            ‘My Lady, what brings you here?’ he asked. ‘Are you a convict?’

            ‘I am not,’ said Alina. ‘I am here to pardon one of your prisoners and return with him to Gilderan.’

            ‘You were sent by the king?’ the soldier asked. ‘Has he not received our message?’

            ‘What message?’ asked Alina.

            The soldier stared at her in horror, realizing the significance of her question.

            ‘We are under siege by the Elves of Farendell,’ he finally said. ‘We have been desperately awaiting aid from the castle.’