I do not own.
Reselda sat in a large fur-lined chair. Conrad was studying the artifacts around the room. She could tell that most of the objects had magical properties. Bofer meanwhile was wolfing down the bowl of fruit that was sitting on the table.
"So, what brings you here?" The master of the castle sat comfortably opposite her.
"I'm Princess Reselda of the Kingdom of Provdencia. My kingdom has been under siege by…"
"Baratrum." The master finished. He waved away her surprised. "I wouldn't be much of a master if I didn't know what was going on around us."
"Master of what?" Bofer asked spitting food out.
Reselda shot him a look to let him know that was being rude. But the master just laughed. "I miss the frankness of the creatures of Albion."
Bofer's eyes narrowed. "How do you know where I'm from?"
"I am familiar with the magic of Albion. I'm familiar with all magic." He answered mysteriously. He motioned toward Conrad. "He's studied at the Myrddin Guild."
Conrad frowned. "How did you…"
"Myrddin students emit a certain aura." He said knowingly.
"I see." Conrad cocked his head. "Can you tell…"
"That you have only a few years of study? Yes, but you have much untapped potential, my boy." He replied.
"Well, if you know everything, how come you let your stooge attack us?" Bofer asked pointedly.
"Quattuor? He's one of my best students." He said. "Senarius managed to best him in a duel. Perhaps he's still a little sore."
"I'd say he was more than a little sore." Bofer grumbled.
"I also sense, princess, that you are carrying some powerful talisman on you." He leaned closer.
Reselda hesitated. She held had taken the orbs for safe keeping before they exited the caravan into the castle. "Perhaps you can tell me what is happening in my kingdom, right now." She said changing the subject.
The master laughed. "Smart girl. Trust needs to be earned. But you may relax. I am not interested in the spirit orb." He held out his hand. A small cloud formed in his hand. It grew until it was the size of a melon. In the center, Reselda could clearly see her home. she could see that they had broken through the outer walls and were now attacking the inner wall.
She sat up straight. "Master, I must get back home."
"I understand. It's hard but I believe Senarius would not send you here for me to send you to your death." He sat back.
"I can't sit back and do nothing. We have the means to turn the tide." Reselda's hand involuntarily went to where the orbs were hidden.
"I don't think it's as easy as you think." He said. "Power like that is hard to control. It can corrupt the most stalwart of hearts."
"I… I understand. But my people…" She hesitated.
"You people are putting up a good fight. We must be wise in our use of magic." The master cautioned.
Reselda thought about what he said. She was about to respond when Quinque flew in.
"Master, the castle is being attacked!" She warned.
Everyone stood up alarmed.
"Who dares attack us?" The master's face grew dark and foreboding.
"I don't know but we will make them regret ever setting foot upon Gehenna." The master whirled around and walked out.
Reselda and Conrad looked at each other before agreeing wordlessly that they need to go with him.
Bofer looked up from his grapes. "Hey, where'd everyone go?"
0o0
The creature's scythe-like leg dropped upon Roy. Before he could be sliced, a shield formed from his hands.
"Another weapon?" Siren asked shocked.
"I'm full of surprises." Roy grunted as he tried to keep the creature at bay. "How about a little help?" A second later goo covered his shield.
Senarius had sliced the creature in half.
"Don't look now…" Siren said fearfully. All around them red creatures were pushing into their bubble. She blasted them back with her voice.
"Roy! Can you form your mace?" Senarius asked.
Roy's hands immediately transformed. "Now what?"
"Swing!" He yelled.
"Swing?" Roy was confused.
"Swing the mace!"
Roy looked at his weapon. He started swinging.
"Faster!"
Roy's mace started spinning forming a shield. Roy's eyes lit up. He knew what Senarius wanted to do. "Enchant me!" Roy charged into the creatures destroying them. Senarius and Siren followed close behind him as Roy created a path through.
They forced through the red fog and arrived in a clear area. "We made it!" Siren sounded relieved.
"Not so fast." Senarius said. "Look."
A blue shield formed around the castle.
"What's that?" Siren gaped.
"The castle's defenses are up." Senarius explained.
"What? I thought the miasma spell was the defense?" Roy panted.
"No, that's just to deter people from coming into the forest. The castle's defenses…"
He stopped as a beam fired from the castle at them.
They scattered as the beam incinerated the ground they were standing on.
"They're attacking us?" Roy squeaked.
"I don't know why." Senarius' voice was tight. "Something must be wrong."
"Yeah, they're trying to kill us." Roy growled. "And I'm tired of this. They want to play? Let's play!" He formed his war hammers and charged the castle.
"Roy, wait!" Senarius yelled.
Roy didn't listen and his hammer made contact with the blue shield. Immediately, an electric shock flowed through his body. He shrieked.
"Roy!" Siren tried to reach him.
"No." Senarius grabbed her. "If you touch him, you will be sharing the pain."
"It's killing him. We have to help!" She said frantically.
Senarius was silent.
"What are we going to do?" Siren asked.
Senarius pulled out his sword and swung at Roy's head.
Siren screamed.
Today's Labor Day in the States. I'm going back to work tomorrow. This has been sitting on my hard drive for a month. I'm trying to make myself work through this story. Sorry for the cliffhanger. I'm going to try to finish it this month.