Chapter 20
Somewhere within the Ruins–in a secret chamber known only to a select few–Agrios stood before Velasco, Lord of the Northlands.
Velasco was a tall, dark-haired man with a muscular frame. His eyes–deep pools of malice–now stared at the man before him with contempt.
"Tell me," he said in a voice no more than a guttural rasp, "why could you–my best soldier–not keep track of one, single man WHO LET ALL MY PRISONERS ESCAPE!"
His voice rose to a shout as Agrios began trembling. He knew how dangerous his master could get when angry.
"I…It wasn't…" he stammered.
"You couldn't even keep track of a…" Velasco continued ranting.
"It wasn't my fault!" Agrios blurted.
At that his master stopped and stared at him. "Oh, I see." He sneered.
"It was Enganar. He helped the prisoners escape."
Velasco leaned back and stroked his cheek thoughtfully. This information was new to him. His prison-guard had helped the prisoners?
"Tell me what you know," he demanded.
"The wall-guards caught him trying to escape last night. He was leading the horse, the dwarf, and the man with him."
"Did he escape with them?"
"No. That fool-of-a-man is dead."
"Hmmmm," Velasco paused. His plans had taken a turn, but not exactly for the worse. He still had one other tactic to use.
"Gather my captains," he ordered. "We have some planning to do."
Agrios turned to go, then paused at the doorway. "Does that still include me?" he asked hesitantly.
His master glared at him. "That depends on if you do not continue to fail me," was his cryptic reply.
~o~o~
At Cair Paravel Lilliana was pacing back-and-forth at the foot of a bed in the infirmary. She had been certain that Ranger would be completely healed in a few days– a week at least–but now it seemed that even a week would not be enough time.
His fever had risen, and showed no signs of abating. He tossed and turned on his bed, mumbling about things they could not understand. He recoiled at any touch, and sometimes he began violently thrashing about–so much so that they had to hold him down until he became calmer.
Lilliana could not imagine what he might have endured during his capture to put him in such a state, but it broke her heart to see Ranger this way. She stopped her pacing to place a hand on his forehead. It burned like fire.
"Don't worry, he'll come through alright."
Startled, the princess turned to see her father standing beside her. In her distraction she had not heard his approach.
"I can't help but be worried about him," she tried to explain.
The king shook his head. "Just don't worry," he repeated. "This man is a fighter… in every way."