I had been stuck in the castle for a week, unable to move, barely able to talk. The Sinistrals had left me a clock to taunt me. I had to watch anxiously as the clock ticked over. I had been wondering about Gades's request constantly. I wanted to just accept it and run but I knew that the Sinistrals would never let me do that. I knew my only way to escape was to kill the boy. I knew that if it had been maxim in the same situation he would have gladly given up his sanity and would wait, bound by energy, in this castle as he slowly died, but I wasn't Maxim, and as much as it pained me to think it, I was deeply contemplating killing Jeros. For days I had been hoping that Gades wouldn't come back, but now deep down I hoped he would. I watched the clock for a few more minutes, and suddenly my wish came true. Gades walked from round the corner, at first he just circled around me, as if I hadn't been taunted enough, then finally, "Have you made your decision?" he said rhetorically.
"Never, there is nothing you can do or say to make me kill Jeros," I said almost sarcastically. I knew he wouldn't buy it. I said it too eagerly.
"I doubt that very much. I can tell by your tone that you are slowly being sent insane by inability to move. You want out, and I have a simple way for you to get it. Take it Dekar, you know you want it," he said anxiously.
"Ok," I said, not being able to resist any longer, "I'll do it. Just promise me you won't tell Maxim or Selan. If they found out about this they would never forgive me, even for contemplating it"
"Tell them? Even if I wanted to there is no way I could. As I have said before, Arek foresees our death. We will be dead shortly after you kill Jeros, the four will be in the castle by the time you go into Parcelyte."
"Good. I'll still never be able to look Maxim in the eye though"
"Enough with the talking, I will free you now and you will be sent back down to the ground."
I felt the strong power release me slowly. I dropped onto the ground, and I eyed Gades. He turned to walk away, gesturing to follow. I tried to stop myself, but I couldn't help the desire. I grabbed out my sword and lunged at him. Only centimeters away I felt myself be stopped in the air. "You think you can trick 4 Sinistrals? You can't even trick one. Do you remember what it was like to be stuck? To have to use huge amounts of energy to talk? Remember that, and follow me again," He said, dropping me out of the air again. I had no tricks for him this time, and just followed him around the corner.