-47-
Aurick was okay, and Zione was fine, the twisted ankle notwithstanding. He swore he was okay, and wanted to give walking a try. Zale offered to help him, and Zione accepted.
And there we were... without Nam.
"Where's Nam?" Aurick asked.
I flinched.
"You okay?" Zione asked.
I started to say something, but caught Zale's eye. I remembered what he said about me lying, and decided that perhaps it was time to actually be the brutally honest person Nam thought I was. "No."
"No?" Zione repeated.
"It's a long story," Miyka'el began, "but we've got a long walk ahead of us, so let's go."
We made our way back down the stones again, past the Jabberwocky (this time Zione and Aurick flinched), and down to the lake's level, where the passage to the castle began.
"So what's on the other side of this tunnel?" I asked as we approached it.
"Besides the castle?" Miyka'el asked.
"You know, where in the castle does it lead? I'm assuming it's going to be heavily guarded, right?"
The guys exchanged looks.
"Why do I get the feeling I know where this is going?" I asked.
"You're going on ahead alone," Zale explained. "I mean, we're going to follow you in the tunnel, but you're exiting it alone, because... because you can get escorted in, being a magic person and all."
"You don't think it's dangerous?"
"You just killed a Jabberwocky. What could be more dangerous?" Aurick asked.
I made a face.
"We're going to get in. You just have to make a distraction," Zione explained.
"How do I do that?"
"Well, you're the last magical person the Queen doesn't have her hands on," Miyka'el continued. "I think you'll cause quite a stir."
"During which we'll sneak in, and look for the mirrors," Aurick added.
"And what am I supposed to do?" I asked.
"Not die," Zale replied.
They all stood there, waiting for me to go.
"Okay." I reviewed my plan. "Get in, cause commotion, find you guys again?"
"We'll find you," Zale said.
"Okay." I nodded, and walked into the tunnel. The guys followed a short distance behind me, but were silent. After a few minutes, the light on the other side of the tunnel became a doorway in. I could see a path over a moat, leading to a side door, and as I stepped out of the tunnel and onto the path, I saw some one standing, conversing with a guard, on top of the castle wall.
It was Angelos.
I suddenly felt the need to make a distraction, but one that would get me into the castle before he could see me. I approached the guards standing outside the side door.
"Help!" I shouted.
If Angelos heard, I prayed he couldn't see or recognize me.
"What? Who goes there?" one of the guards growled.
I stumbled closer, my body and my clothes still covered with blood. "Help me. The Jabberwocky..." I collapsed in a heap on the floor.
"Oh my god," the other guard cried. "You survived?"
"Open the door!" the first guard yelled to the second. "Help her in. She must be one of those magic people."
I prayed the guards above somehow went away, so the guys could get in. Sure enough, once I was inside, I noticed Angelos and the guards he had been speaking with had all come in to see what all the fuss was about.
Angelos stepped forward. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see the Queen!" I cried.
Angelos didn't know whether to turn me in or believe that I was on his side. I wondered if he knew about any of Nam's crazy ideas about me. Maybe Angelos believed I was working for the Queen. I kind of hoped so. It would make my job easier.
"The Queen's not here," Angelos explained.
"What?" I asked. "Where else could she be?"
"Away on business." Angelos looked to the guards. "Put her in the chamber. The nice one. Maybe she and our other guest can have a nice chat"
I was confused. When did Angelos earn the power to order the Queen's guards around?
I had no time for an answer, however. I was quickly led away to another room and locked in. Before I had time to protest, a voice inside the room startled me.
"ALiCE?"
I slowly turned, unsure of what to expect. "Fiore?"
Sure enough, it was Caol's missing better half.
"How long have you been here?" I asked.
"I don't know. What are you doing here?"
"I'm here with the guys, we're looking the mirrors. They're here, aren't they?"
"Yeah, I think so. Have you seen..."
"Caol? Yeah, he's nuts, isn't he?"
"Yeah, they got him. I didn't think they'd get me, but obviously I was wrong."
I paused. "If they got you, why are you here, unbrainwashed, instead of back with Caol?"
Fiore looked distant. "I guess I have something they want."