They walked away from the village, past the edge of the forest and towards the region where land meets rock. The river ran through the mountains and into the next kingdom, emptying itself into the sea far beyond. The mountains were greatly uninhabited, except for the fortress high above that the royals could retreat to for the winter.

"Where are we going?" Marius demanded to the elf.

Riss was bound tightly by rope, but led the way silently ahead. "My mistress dwells in the land of magic," was all he said.

Stefan and the others exchanged confounded glances, but continued on towards the looming rocky terrain ahead. Visions of what could be waiting for them ahead passed through Stefan's head.

If I'm to die anyway, it doesn't matter how. As long as I do everything I can to free my brother so he can take my place.

They met a wall of solid rock. Clouds above them began to darken the sky, and the scent of rain was not far off. Riss stopped in front of the wall, and turned to them expectantly.

"You need to unbind me for us to get in," he said.

Lance looked to Stefan for an answer.

"If you untie him, I'll stand behind him with the sword," Stefan told him.

Once this was done, Riss turned back to the rock and placed his hand upon it, murmuring an unintelligible incantation beneath his breath. The stone began to glow faintly.

Marius stepped back as a soft rumbling sounded from beneath Riss' hand. The three watched in a silent awe as the stone before them cracked and crumbled. Riss waited patiently as a crevice large enough for a man to climb into formed, creating a passage to get inside.

"We will need a torch," Marius whispered to Stefan with concern.

"Well then, we're just going to have to try to conjure one within the land of magic," Stefan replied with a sarcastic wink.

Marius shook his head disapprovingly as they followed Riss into the caliginous innards of the stone, wherever it led. At first, the darkness consumed them entirely. Stefan held on tightly to his sword, adjusting his ears to the new reality around him. Lance had a tight hold on the dark elf as they stood in a stark silence.

"Where do we go?"

"The way is forward," Riss spoke through the blackness, "and you lead yourself towards death."

They felt their way up the path. The walls were damp, but they seemed to shimmer subtly. There was just the smallest amount of light hanging in the air that they could see their way. And then the path widened and opened into a cavernous hall that was lit up by enormous crystals. The hall was impossibly big, and there were many different doorways to go through in the distance, if one were to actually dare cross the vast expanse of floor.

Stefan stepped forward. "I think we've made it," he said incredulously.

"What are those?" Marius asked, squinting into the distance.

There were shadows sprawled across the hall, silent and unmoving. A wide grin made its way across the captive elf's face, though no one noticed.

Stefan proceeded through the dimness, his eyes adjusting to the dark. "They're… statues."

Gripping Riss tightly by the rope, Lance followed Marius after Stefan towards the looming figures.

Stefan leaned forward, letting his hand drift across the stone face of an old man, posed as if in sleep, or as a dead man standing. The appearance of the statue did not match that of any he had ever encountered before. "This one is strange," he murmured aloud.

Marius peered at it closely. "Maybe we should keep moving."

"There are dozens," Stefan noted, pointing across the hall. "And I agree;" he turned to Riss, "you will stay with us until I find my brother. If you try to run, you will be handed over to my father when we get out of here."

The trio headed towards the end of the hall, where new passages emerged through the shadows. As Riss stumbled behind them, pulled by the rope, he reached out to one of the statues and ran his hand across it as they went. The statue opened its stone eyes.

"Have any idea which way?" Marius asked as they stood in front of three doorways leading in different directions. At this side of the hall, their original entrance was again lost in the shadows. The middle passage seemed to lead up, and the two on the outside wound off in separate ways.

Stefan squinted at the options. "I'd reckon the middle passage leads straight to the fairy witch. Traditionally speaking, that is. Her prison would be below, so either the left or right path could take us there."

"Left," said Lance.

Marius shook his head, "Right!"

There was a heavy pause.

"Well," Stefan began, "let's think this through first. The truth is, we have no way of knowing where any of these paths lead. But I'm ruling out the middle one. I just don't like the look of it. So, let's consider the left. It could lead to where my brother is imprisoned, or somewhere else entirely. I realize now how unprepared we are."

Another pause.

"Anyway, I would like to run into the least amount of hazards possible. I am not strong anymore-"

Lance and Marius exchanged troubled glances.

"—but this is what's left of me and I need to go forth. Which way do we vote?"

An audible shifting in the distance interrupted their decision making. The trio turned their heads in silent anticipation as one of the frozen figures, once still, came shuffling toward them, its stone arms outstretched before it.

Stefan gripped his sword tightly. "Halt!" he commanded as the statue drew nearer.

The statue's eyes were open, though unmoving. It appeared to be the image of an elderly priest.

Lance stepped in front of Stefan with his sword at the ready in one hand, and his grip tight upon Riss with the other. "It's enchanted!"

The dark elf was chuckling deeply as the statue advanced. Stefan threw him a venomous glare. "Destroy it!"

In one fluid motion, Lance lunged forth and ran his blade into the statue's neck. It promptly crumbled to the ground in a dim haze of rock powder. From the remains, a foul odor wafted out through the hall. It smelled of death.

"What was that?" Stefan asked sharply, turning furiously to the dark elf.

"I am a servant of this realm. I will bring upon you all perils that you seek to overcome in protection of the Enchantress. These are some more of her servants," and Riss nodded into the darkness at their backs. Two more statues were shuffling their way, arms outstretched.

Lance was already moving toward them again. He slashed them just the same as the first. "They're easier to strike down than men," he noted.

Again, Riss threw his head back and laughed.

"But there are more," Marius whispered.

It could've been ten at least, emerging from the shadows now.

Lance and Stefan stood back to back, swords raised. Marius took hold of the rope securing the elf.

"What if they don't stop?" Stefan whispered to Lance.

"Then you must go on by yourself while I fight them," Lance responded underneath his breath as they drew closer. "It would not be wise to spend your strength now."

There was no time left to spare; the pair dashed into the crowd of statues, blades glinting in the dim light. Stefan beheld each stone face with confusion before placing the fatal blow. There were all sorts of faces—but strangely human. Could these statues have been once truly alive?

Once he struck down one, another seemed to rise in its wake. The entire hall was coming alive.

Just then, the prince heard the sound of a struggle. He turned back towards the passages; Riss was taking advantage of Marius, attempting to strangle him.

"Go!" Lance yelled to him as he disappeared into the midst of moving stone. Ducking beneath outstretched arms, Stefan rushed to his friend's aid. The elf had twisted the rope around Marius' neck in an attempt to break free. With the hilt of his sword, Stefan clubbed him unforgivingly across the back of his head. The elf collapsed beneath the blow, relinquishing his hold upon Marius.

Marius gasped for air, his neck lined with red welts. Stefan clasped his hand tightly and brought him standing again. "My friend, this place may be the last of us. Take my sword, I have to move on. The statues can be defeated with your help."

Marius nodded wordlessly, and stumbled into the dark vastness towards the fight. Without a moment's hesitation, Stefan turned and charged down the left passageway.

I walked ahead of the king's men, though not even I could detect them behind me. They were far behind and moving in secret. The bird communicated to me to head into the forest and down the hill towards the village. I recalled the path I had treaded with Stefan when he travelled in secret. How strange it felt, to know him so well only to find out he was Adrian's brother.

I have loved two princes.

But there was only one prince I was meant to be with, and I am looking for him now.

The village came before me, and the bird directed me away from it by whispering to me upon my shoulder. I walked along the woods for some time, my heart pounding heavily at the fear and anticipation I felt. I was preparing myself to realize I was too late; that I had failed to save Adrian. The fear of it was agonizing. But, maybe I wasn't too late—maybe, if I just continue forth I will find him again and we will make the impossible true.

"Where are you taking me, bird?"

"To the land of magic."

I could see the terrain ahead become rocky. Mountains loomed in the distance; I perceived them with a shiver.

"We are nearly there."