Chapter 10 - The Heart of the Satul
Inspiration: Hunyadi (or Corvin) Castle
Author's note: I'm participating NaNoWriMo, so hopefully there will be many chapters in the coming month. Maybe I can finish this beast!
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As the last red rays of the setting sun touch the tips of the tall granite peaks above them, the weary band from Winterswijk sets up camp in a wider part of the trail. The slight divot in the sheer rock wall providing some protection from the wind and from spying eyes above.
"I do not like this, Edward," Jasper says, scanning the skies one more time. "We are too close to stop."
"I know, my friend, but I think it best we do not make our approach in the dark. By all others' accounts, these Virago are seen only at night. Perhaps we will have an advantage, however small, if we surprise them by moving against them in the daylight.
The wind whistles shrilly through the passes as the last touches of sunlight disappear. The horses stamp their feet at the sound, but Felix and Er'k calm them and hobble them for the night. Edward watches as I'sabel finishes her rounds, adding the vampire magic to her own to strengthen the wards that are placed every night.
"We are three days in these forsaken mountains, Edward. Three days of abandoned sheep folds and empty mountain keeps, and not a single living thing, man or beast." Jasper's eyes flicker up, searching for any movement as the stars make their appearances. "We know they are here, and they must know we are here. We are too close to rest now."
Edward sighs, knowing Jasper is right, but knowing they cannot risk traveling at night for those exact reasons. He can see Alis is in Jasper's thoughts, always and foremost, and glances at I'sabel, knowing he could not remain calm if his mate was in danger and so near. "I know we are close enough that tomorrow we will find Hunedoara. We will find Alis." He places a hand on Jasper's shoulder. "I know this is difficult, but you know it is more unsafe at night. We will be no help to Alis if we are destroyed."
Jasper's shoulders slump, but he nods. "I will take the watch tonight."
"I think all the vampires should join the watch tonight. As you said, we are too close. We need to be careful."
As I'sabel and Er'k shelter together to rest with their backs against the sheer rock face, Edward, Jasper, Felix, Garrett and Kate form a semicircle protecting the sleeping Ainmhithe, tirelessly scanning their surroundings and above for any signs of movement. During the long moonless night, the vampires spy shadows flying high above, blocking the starlight as the creatures wing across the sky. Jasper and Edward exchange glances, but dare not move and give their position away.
They pass the night in uneasiness, until the sky begins to lighten behind the peaks, and the flying shadows disappear from the skies. By mid-morning, the sky is bright and cloudless, and the group prepares for the final ascent.
"I fear there is only a single road that leads to the fortress," Jasper says as they close on their destination. "You know, we are walking into a trap."
"Perhaps," agrees Edward. "But is there any other way?"
Jasper shakes his head. "I wonder if w-…" He pauses mid-word, his eyes widening and his brows knitting. After several attempts as if his mouth is too dry to carry a sound, he finally speaks, "I can't feel her."
"Alis? Is she blocking you again?" Kate's face is drawn with concern.
""Not blocking, gone. When she was blocking she was still a quiet kind of presence in the back of my mind, but now I feel…" He shakes his head, as if trying to clear it. "Nothing."
"Then single road or no," Felix says, slamming his fist into his hand. "We go now."
They leave the horses with Er'k, knowing they will be safe behind the powerful rune magic that I'sabel wove into the rocks, and race as fast as they dare up the face of the mountain to the fortress's iron gate nestled in the peaks. As the noon sun crests above them, they round a bend in the narrow trail and finally face the metal and stone wall of the massive fortress the edges pressed seamlessly into the surrounding mountain walls.
"Perhaps we have caught them unawares," Edward ventures, as no alarm has been sounded at their approach.
I'sabel places her hands on the cold, heavy gate, weaving a quick pattern with her fingers. "I can sense there is no one close at least, although it is locked. I should be able to fix that quickly, just make sure no one is watching." She glances up meaningfully.
The vampires stand guard as she works her rune magic, shifting the iron and willing the great metal locks to bend. She adds the vampire blood magic to her runes and presses her will into the magic. Flinching, I'sabel feels a quick spike of some malevolent force, something piercing through her will briefly before falling back from her magic. She pushes harder, knowing she has won, but worrying the force will return stronger. She is rewarded as the gate finally moves, creaking too loudly on its hinges as it opens a crack. The vampires then combine their strength, their faces straining as they move the solid metal gate aside enough for them to squeeze through.
In the cool darkness of the entrance, pierced dimly by the weak light through the open gate, they collapse against the walls. I'sabel crouches, back against the cold marble wall, head down. Edward kneels next to her to catch his own breath, his brow furrowed and his hand resting lightly on her hair. He had seen the strain on her face before the gate cracked, and he did not like what that may mean for the rest of the defences.
"That was easier than I thought it would be," Jasper says, panting.
"That was easy?" Felix exclaims, bending over with his hands on his knees.
Jasper smiles wryly. "Not easy, just easier. I thought there would be more resistance."
"There is more here than just that gate," I'sabel says wearily. She catches Edward's eye and gives him a small smile. He smiles in return when she squeezes his hand tight, her strength not waned at all. "Someone, or something, resisted me. They know we are here."
"Right," Jasper says, surveying the small and ornate, yet deadly, entry with murder holes and arrow slots. "Let's get going then, and at least give them a moving target."
The solid wooden door on the far side of the room seems unguarded, but I'sabel lays her hands on the smooth surface, nodding once to Jasper to confirm there are no traps. Another unguarded door has them all shifting uneasily.
Opening the door as silently as possible, they slip into a long, slightly-curved stone-walled corridor lit by torches in sconces, the dim light and the architecture making it impossible to see far. On each side are evenly spaced doors, most plain and wooden, but occasionally draped with worn tapestries or carved with intricate gilded symbols.
"Stick together," Edward warns, glancing over his shoulder at the door they just passed through. "We are in their territory now. Expect an attack. Jasper and Felix, you take the lead. Garrett, Kate, guard our backs."
The group moves swiftly and silently down the hall, pausing briefly at each door for I'sabel to touch and inspect for life forms on the other side. With each shake of her head, the tension builds and Jasper's mouth grows tighter. The hallway twists and turns, as if following the mountain's contours, but there are no passageways to the sides or up or down, nowhere to go but this single path.
"We are wasting daylight!" Jasper says as I'sabel shakes her head once more, her hands on an ornate door. "Each moment brings us closer to the Virago waking and finding us trespassing."
"They are already following us, mocking us," Garrett says, his eyes darting from one deep corner to the next, trying to see further into the darkness. "Can't you feel them?"
Jasper steps close to the Ainmhithe, lowering his head to hers as he whispers, "I'sabel, is there a way to check more than one room at a time? Can you look further than behind a single door?" He glances toward Garrett. "They are toying with us, knowing we are wasting our time. She is not on this level, I fear. They are keeping her somewhere more secure, more dark."
I'sabel feels his pain, and scans the hallway, trying to find a quicker solution, wondering if her magic could reach further faster. Suddenly, she remembers Quinta's words, and digs in her pack to find the amulets. "Green for darkness," she whispers, as she unwraps the green jewel. "Please help us, Quinta." Looking up, she addresses the vampires, particularly Jasper. "I am not sure exactly what this will accomplish, but there is a reason she gave us these amulets, and I think it will enhance my efforts. At least, I hope it will increase my sensing range."
I'sabel places the green amulet on the stone floor, tracing runes on the tiles surrounding it. The vampires retreat, forming a small circle as the amulet begins pulsing slowly, turning everyone a faint green shade. As she finishes the runes, I'sabel stands and begins to dance, tracing the same rune patterns with her feet. She circles the amulet, its glow becoming stronger and the pulsations quicker. At the peak of green glow, she stops and immediately thrusts her palm on the amulet, intoning the rune incantation.
The amulet releases a blinding pulse, which Edward can feel rush past him down the corridor, the eerie green glow racing along the stone passage. "Follow it!" screams I'sabel, and the group sprints after the light, trying to keep it in sight.
Suddenly, the glow dissipates, and the group runs into a large hall, impossibly tall stone columns extending up to a towering ceiling, cloaked in shadow even with sconces and the green glow. As soon as they enter the space, the glow changes direction, sinking directly into the grey stone floor.
"She is below us!" Jasper shouts, his words echoing through the vast space, making them all cringe. "I knew she was in a dark place," he continues more quietly.
I'sabel tries to catch her breath as they explore the chamber, all searching for a door or passage leading down. On the far side from where they entered the room, they discover three ornate doors with metal locks. I'sabel checks for resistance and then opens each of them in turn. The passageways on the far side give no indication if they will eventually lead to floors below, all heading relatively evenly from the chamber.
Edward sighs, peering into the darkness of each new corridor, hoping to see a clue. "There is nothing else for it. Although I do not like the idea, and think it is likely part of their plan against us, we must split up." Edward looks at them each in turn. "Whoever finds Alis, leaves this compound as quickly as possible. Regroup with Er'k and save Alis." The group assents, and Felix has to hurry to follow Jasper through the left door, leaving the two couples in the hall.
"I suppose a direction was all Jasper needed. Kate and Garrett, if you find her, do not worry about us. Get Alis out of here, and we will figure out the rest later."
Kate and Garrett exit via the middle door, leaving the far right door for Edward and I'sabel. She touches his arm lightly, and he can feel the warmth radiating from her. "We'll find her, Edward. I know we will."
After hours of searching through rooms and hallways, never seeing other members of their group or finding a stair or passage down, Edward and I'sabel enter into a large hexagonal courtyard surrounded by stone walls with thin turreted towers decorating each corner. Black roofs stretch out from the courtyard, blending into the steep stone walls of the surrounding mountains. During their search, the sun has traveled across the sky, and is now below the westerly peaks, sending spears of light into the sky and long shadows stretching across the fortress.
"I do not think we should linger here," I'sabel says, searching the darkening skies.
"Agreed. Let us continue indoors, there are no passageways below the fortress out here."
As they turn, a roof over the main keep explodes, thousands of black ravens taking flight at once, their cries echoing along the fortress and mountains as the last rays of sun disappear. They watch the ravens circle the fortress before heading higher and higher into the falling twilight, the wind carrying their shrieks into the skies. The wind suddenly changes direction, seemingly coming from within the fortress, whistling through the stone passages.
"The Virago," I'sabel gasps, feeling their elemental magic charging the air and creating the swirling currents. She glances behind them. "They are coming."
At that moment, on the right side of the courtyard, Jasper and Felix emerge through a door, Felix carrying a bundle wrapped in white cloth. Close behind them, Garrett and Kate emerge, pushed by the now raging winds and looking anxiously behind them.
Edward and I'sabel run to the four vampires, glad to see their companions, but their anxiety rising with each swirl of the wind. As they approach, Jasper and Felix slow, and Felix lays the object within the white cloth carefully onto the ground, cradling one end on his shoulder. Jasper kneels and begins to unwind the cloth slowly, revealing ebony hair and ivory skin. Alis.
"You found her!" Edward exclaims, his joy turning to fear as he studies her bloodless face. "What have they done to her?"
Jasper caresses her face for a moment, pain etched on his brow, but he doesn't take her from Felix's arms. "I don't know. I could sense her again as soon as we were in that chamber. I followed our bond, straight to her prison cell." He exchanges a significant look with Edward. "There was no resistance. I think they wanted us to find her." He looks back at her. "Our bond is present and strong again, but I feel like she is deep under water down a dark well." He looks up to I'sabel, pleading with his eyes. "I can do nothing to wake her. Can you help?"
I'sabel kneels next to him, carefully taking Alis's cold hand in hers. The touch instantly begins siphoning the warmth from her, pulling the heat from her core with amazing speed and strength. She gasps and releases her hold, rubbing her hands together, and hugging herself.
"You felt it too?" Jasper asks, gently touching Ali's face again before pulling back quickly. "That's why we wrapped her in the cloth. She seems to be drawing energy from whomever she touches."
"I will return her to you, Jasper." I'sabel says, squeezing his hand.
They all quickly turn as a screech from the fortress pierces the growing darkness. A large creature with dark wings circles overhead, and her cries are soon echoed below, the wind increasing with each deafening sound.
As the others watch the skies, Edward is the first to stand. "Whatever is happening with Alis, we cannot solve it here and now. We must escape and get her to safety first. Then we can take our time to figure out how to get her back to us."
The pain in Jasper's eyes is almost enough to break Edward's resolve, but he knows they are not safe standing in the center of the Virago's lair. Nothing can stop them here.
"We both know that two Ainmhithe are stronger than one. We need to get to Er'k and see what they can do." He turns to I'sabel. "Can you carry Alis? We may need to fight our way out of here, and you will be needed to protect her."
I'sabel nods, reswaddling Alis, wrapping the soft cloth around her face before hefting her onto her shoulders. "Yes, I can do this and keep my magic tight around us. Hopefully making us less visible to our enemies."
Jasper surveys the group, a strategy forming in his mind. "I think the best plan to have success at getting us all out of here alive is to keep it simple. Felix and I will take the lead, Garrett and Edward take the rear. Kate, you stick with I'sabel and Alis and make sure they get out no matter what." Everyone nods and accepts their role in this escape, knowing they might not all survive this ordeal. "Stay together as much as possible, and protect Alis at all costs."
Garrett squeezes Kate's hand and Edward's gaze lingers on I'sabel's face. Jasper runs his hand down the outline of Alis, then makes a fist. "Remember, together we are stronger than them. Now, let's get out of here."
They retrace their steps, their enhanced vision allowing them to see the doorways and passages in the darkness with little assistance, the sconces extinguished in their holders. With Kate to guide her, I'sabel follows the footsteps of Jasper and Felix in front of her, pausing when they do, but mostly running flat out with her precious bundle on her shoulders. The winds buffet them around every corner, and soon debris is pummeling them as they stagger forward. The screeches increase, seemingly coming from within their heads with the intensity. Garrett suddenly yells above the cacophony, and I'sabel feels Edward through their bond. "Keep running! Don't look back!"
It takes everything in her to follow his orders, but Kate grabs her arm and pulls her forward. "They have everything under control! We need to get her out of here!"
I'sabel runs faster as Jasper and Felix turn to join the fight behind them. "Go!" Jasper yells. "She is the most important! Get her to safety!"
I'sabel and Kate continue down the passage, coming to the great metal gate, now standing closed with a guard of vampires standing in front all facing forward, arms at their sides. I'sabel feels that same malevolent force bearing down on them, but they stop short of the vampires, unsure how they can fight so many. Kate crouches in a fighting stance as I'sabel leans Alis against the marble wall, standing in front of her.
"We won't harm the Sibylla. Return her to us, and we won't harm you either," the leader says mechanically, not even glancing at the women.
"To the abyss with you!" Kate yells, rushing forward to attack. The vampires react to her attack, but don't press, their movements sluggish but still effective.
I'sabel watches in wonder at the display, wondering why they aren't fighting as she has seen other vampires do. Suddenly, Jasper is there, rushing in to aid Kate.
"Be ready, I'sabel! Wait for the opening and take it," he shouts over the melee.
She understands, hefting Alis back onto her shoulders. She presses her palm against the marble, feeling for the metal door with her mind, bending the locks to her will. She feels them release just as Felix, Edward and Garrett enter the foyer, turning the tide against the enemy vampires.
I'sabel runs forward, grabbing Kate's arm as she pushes through the mob, and they burst through the opening into the darkness beyond, feeling the cold air on their faces. She can feel the strain in Edward, but know they are still alive, battling the demons within the walls.
I'sabel stumbles, Alis's weight making her tire more quickly. Suddenly Kate is there, holding her steady and keeping her legs moving. "We mustn't stop! We have to keep running!" Kate yells, pushing I'sabel and the unresponsive Alis further from the fortress. "If we can make it to Er'k, we can save everyone!"
I'sabel knows she is right, but as the yells and screeches from within the fortress pursue them, she wonders if any of them will make it to the enchanted protection where Er'k awaits.