That night in their cave, I lay thinking about what Ray had said. I didn't believe him to be a coward; I think what he did what was right. But he was very harsh on himself… and then there was Kaylein. She was young, but carried a wise head on her shoulders, with a lot of responsibility. I grew tired thinking about our day preparing for tomorrow, and closed my eyes, letting my exhaustion lull me to a dreamless but comforting sleep.
We set out before dawn. We both had our swords and Ray had asked three of his strongest horses to accompany us. Kaylein had a black stallion, Ray a golden mare, and I a white mare. He seemed to make friends with every animal we encountered, and many others. He had a gift with them. We rode toward the castle of King Arthur, until the afternoon sun told us to halt. When, we emerged out of the forest, I saw something that shocked me. It was a wall of fire, taller than the oldest tree, and it guarded the forest's perimeter.
"Oh, no," I breathed. "What happened?" I shouted over the roar of the fire, and the frightened whinnies of the horses. I had to hold my grip on the reins because they sensed evil.
Ray's face was grim. "He has imprisoned us; he knows we are here. Both of you, hold tight. We will have to jump."
"Are you CRAZY?!" Ray paid no attention to me, but soothed both mares and the stallion, slowly encouraging them closer and closer into the fire. Then, he walked them all straight into the burning flames. I screamed. What is Ray doing, leading us to our death like this?!
Ray shouted to his sister; her body was tensed, but she was trying to not let it show. "Kaylein, urge your horse slowly in. If you have the courage, it shall not burn you." Kaylein, with her trusting nature, obeyed, and the flames engulfed her. I gasped in shock. "Clarine, you do the same. If you don't have courage… it will devour you. Have faith in me, Clarine. And we must jump the little fire; it isn't mythical, like the big one. Somehow, with Ray's soothing nature and encouragement, (personally, I think I needed them as much as the horses did) we got through, and none of us were scorched even the slightest bit.
"That was scary." I said, pausing after each word. "How do you know so much about Xhadum?" I asked curiously. "You knew exactly what to do." Kaylein, after confirming with a glance also was curious, but she took the wiser approach and barley showed it.
"I used to be his right-hand man," he replied, fiddling with his sword.
My jaw dropped. Ray has so many secrets; he never fails to surprise me. "You worked for him? And you never breathed a word about it?" Kaylein turned her head sharply, trying to signal for me to stop, but it was too late. The questions were already pouring out. "Why do you keep so many secrets? His right-hand? You were loyal to him! Why?" I felt so disappointed.
"He wasn't always so evil. He was very kind and generous to his kingdom. It was always of first importance. But then, a foreigner gave him a firestone, the size of my hand. It was that firestone that brought out his darkest feelings. He became greedy and stripped his own subjects of their riches. When he heard of how Excalibur was so powerful and it stood second to none, Xhadum wanted it, and King Arthur's kingdom. I tried to stop him, but he turned on me. He always had listened to me before, but this time, he just threatened me with his sword. I had enough sense to flee to Camelot, and then came here." He looked really unhappy, and I felt bad for him. "King Arthur took me in. He listened to my story and I served under him until that last battle. I didn't have the heart to fight anymore, so I fled. And I didn't tell you," he glanced at his sister. "I didn't tell you or Kaylein because I wanted to earn your trust, and travel with you all."
"Oh." I didn't know what to do, so I whistled for Bloom, and fed her sunflower seeds. Ray smiled, remembering the time he did the same thing. "Ray, if you had told me," I looked to Kaylein for support again, and this time she nodded slightly. "If you had told us, then we wouldn't have abandoned you. We would have given you a chance. If you tell us these things, we have good reasons to trust you all the more." There was a pause, and I added, "That's what families do."
Kaylein shot me an amused glance, and I had the sudden feeling I had said the wrong thing. Ray asked, amused himself, "Oh, so you're our sister now?"
"No… we're just… I didn't mean it that way… You guys have only known me for a day." I looked at from Kaylein's face to Ray's and then back again and saw they were actually half serious.
Kaylein said in her quiet nature, "Anyone who is willing to shed blood for me or my brother has more than enough courage to become our family."
I didn't know what to do, but I felt pleased they both trusted me like this. And it is in times like these I do the queerest things. So I reached into my pack, and pulled out a handful of fruits and berries. "Here, they taste like spring," I said, handing the fruits around. They accepted gratefully. We ate and rode together in silence. Soon, King Arthur's castle came into view. I remember when I had first come here with Father, Sir Gareth of Orkney, and I had almost jumped out of our carriage. Now, I felt just the opposite. The once beautiful castle had turned black with evil. I wanted to run and hide, and Belle, my mare, and Bloom, wanted to do the same. Kaylein seemed to waver as well, but I saw a change in her when we looked to Ray. Ray stood his ground and looked over the hills, with his jaw set. He seemed to glow with determination. Oh boy. "Ray, we need a plan." I said firmly.
"Yes, we go inside, rescue your mum and King Arthur, steal Excalibur from under Xhadum's nose, and then rid the world of him." I shivered. "No, seriously, Ray. We need a real plan, with backups and everything. There will be guards everywhere."
"She is right," Kaylein warned. "What do you want to do with this foolish plan of yours, leading us straight to our deaths. What use would we be if we were killed?"
His face softened as he looked at us. "I'm sorry; I can't seem to control my anger anymore. He used to be so gentle. Then he hurt everyone he came across too. It is harder to forgive when I remember the grand times we had together." Kaylein gave him a small smile to show her forgiveness,, and I nodded understandingly.
He clucked his tongue to urge Beauty onward. "There isn't much time; we make a plan while we ride. We still have a few miles to go."
"Yes, Sir Raymond Lamiel," I faced him seriously. He smiled at my courtesy, and we all rode the last few miles together planning our scheme feverishly.
In the lull of conversation, Kaylein spoke up. "Ray? What happens if one of us…" Ray stiffened, and I could tell he was planning on to never let whatever Kaylein suggested to happen in the first place.
"Doesn't make it? Let's hope it won't come to that." He replied softly. "I don't think I can bear to lose you both, my two sisters. I haven't been this happy since… a long time. Take care of yourself when we separate." I saw now that while we were mapping out our strategies, Ray had been as worried as us but was better at not showing it.
"We'll be careful." I promised.
Kaylein, to lighten the mood said, "You had better be too."
"Ah, we are here."
I looked up, and saw that the castle loomed overhead, along with a moat. I heard a splash, and saw a dark green shape in the black water. "Umm… guys? Alligators in the moat… That is a legend, right?"
"Xhadum must have brought them here. No matter. I have an idea. Kaylein… you know right?" I saw him telling something to her with his eyes again. She glanced from the saddlebag to me, and then Ray. She nodded, but I thought I saw a hint of fear and sadness in her eyes. "Be gentle," she whispered, and she was gone.
Ray took a rope from his saddlebag, grabbed me, and tied my hands behind my back. Then he whispered something into the mares' ears, and they ran away. He was still gripping my shoulders tightly. I began to feel afraid. "Ray! What are you doing?" I hissed.
"Kidnapping you." He began to push me toward the gate roughly.
"Help! This lunatic is mmmfff!" Ray tied his handkerchief around my mouth tightly, testing the complicated knots. "Not another word," he warned. If I hadn't been so panic-stricken, I would have seen the smile in his eyes. But I didn't, which made me make a complete idiot of myself, (I'm embarrassed to admit). Ray knocked on the gate loudly and watched as a Black Knight guard came up. "Open up, guard! Prisoner for Xhadum! I don't have all day to chitchat! What are you looking at?" he said.
The guard eyed Ray suspiciously. "Funny, I don't think we have met. You might want to introduce yourself, or I'll have to turn you in as an intruder. We don't want that, now, do we?" The guard's voice was icy, and he visibly toyed with his dagger.
"Watch who you call an intruder! Don't I look familiar?"
"No, you most certainly don't." The guard replied lunging at Ray.
Ray leaped out of the way, and suddenly took off his helmet. He unsheathed his sword. "What about now?" he asked with false cheer.
The guard dropped to his knees, shocked at Ray. "Sir Bron? Is it you? I am very, very sorry sir. I didn't recognize you at all. Please, forgive me. I shall inform King Xhadum right away, Sir. Welcome back, Sir Bronwyck. Welcome back."
Ray clucked his tongue and shook his head. "No, you stay at your post, guard. I want to surprise Xhadum. You do like surprises, don't you? Good, now let me through."
"One question Sir, who is that lass? I can't remember Xhadum asking for a female prisoner."
"Why, this is the daughter of the so-called Lady Elaine! Xhadum sent me to search for her! It took months; she is very slick and clever." He said with an air.
I blinked back my tears fiercely. I would not cry in front of this traitor. He had tricked me. And so had Kaylein! Be gentle, she had said. She knew! How dare them! I had failed my mother, King Arthur, The Lady, and everyone in Camelot. What was I going to do now? I must be brave, and courageous. There is still a chance. Hold your head high, Daughter of Elaine. So-called Lady indeed! I huffed. I held my head high, and gave the guard a defiant glance as the big doors shut behind me, my only way of escape. Ray hustled me through many hallways until we came through a dark, narrow passageway. I failed to notice how gently he led me, my second mistake. Then, he untied my bonds and gag. "My, my, aren't we putting out airs today?" he asked teasingly at my proud behavior.
"Where are we?" I asked, I thought if I knew, I might be able to escape.
"The dungeon."
Great. "Why did you betray me?"
"I didn't."
"You fool! You can't—" Ray clapped his hand against my mouth. "I only found us a way in," he said softly, gazing into my eyes with his bright blue ones. Then I understood. I was the fool. I should have known he was acting, not serving Xhadum. Seeing that I understood, Ray let go of me. "You could have told me," I said, remembering the hurt I felt when he was 'turning' me in.
"You would have behaved more suitably to the situation if you thought what was happening was real. I'm sorry Clarine, I'll make up for it later, I promise. Are you hurt?"
"My pride is." I huffed. "And for your information, I am a very talented actress."
"Oh really?" He just couldn't keep that sarcastic tone out of his voice. "Well aren't I the criminal, ruining a maiden's pride, just like that!" He snapped his fingers.
"Why not take Kaylein?"
"Our plan included the two of us breaking in the castle. Kaylein has her strengths, and will use them later. And she isn't the daughter of Elaine.'
"You knew you were going to do this, didn't you?"
He changed the subject. "Come Clarine, we need to be quiet and work fast. I've no doubt that guard will spoil our cover." Ray crawled through the passageway. I followed close behind. "Ray? Who's Bronwyck?"
"When I served under Xhadum, I was Bronwyck. But now I'm Ray."
We reached the prison cells and walked through, looking for the one that contained King Arthur or my mother. As we walked quickly, from cell to cell, I began to grow anxious about my mother. Where was she? Ray sensed it, but said nothing, knowing I wanted no consolation. I had to do this on my own. I breathed deeply, and then gasped. My mother, Lady Elaine, was bent over King Arthur, tending to him with herbs. "Mum!" I shouted joyously. "Mum!" She looked up, and smiled briefly at me. "Ray, how do we get them out?" Ray took a ring of keys from a hidden pocket.
"I swiped them from the guard," he explained, seeing my astonishment. I hugged Mum, whispering goodbye to her.
"Take care Clarine, we are going to separate now. Be careful. And good luck," Ray said. He was going to sneak the King and Mum outside, and the white stag would greet them and lead the two safely into the forest. Meanwhile, I was to locate Excalibur, and try to steal it. Kaylein would be nearby, hidden from the Knights and Xhadum. Her role was to help me sneak out and cause a distraction if needed. We all hoped Ray would be back by then. If not, we both would be on our own.