One more chapter tomorrow.
Pepper felt goosebumps rise on her skin as she gently pushed aside a snow-filled branch and stepped forward. She and Tony were making their way towards the back gate of Cumbria Castle. Their destination: the giant sewer pipe that opened under a small bridge near the back gate.
The very same pipe that I crawled out off, a year ago, in my escape from the castle...
She felt a branch beneath her foot and shifted her step, in order not to break it. They were trying to make as little noise as possible because some sixth sense told her that there would be guards at the bridge.
The land ahead was covered in trees and shrubbery and she kept pushing away the low-hanging branches to move forward. Pepper reached a gap in the shrubbery and felt her heart start to thump in her chest.
Once again, I am back at my castle...what horrors await me this time...
Then a loud crack echoed in the silence of the woods and she flinched. She turned back to glare at Tony, who had stepped forcefully on the very branch she had avoided.
He sheepishly whispered, "Hey Pep, you know I am not good at sneaking around."
"That is why, Tony, I told you I would scout, you stay put..." she whispered back, heatedly.
"And leave you alone? No Potts!"
Pepper's lips curved into a soft smile at his determined expression.
I may be back but this time, I am not alone... the Iron Knight is with me... his protectiveness and his love as my shield...
Then she waited for him to reach her, trying not to giggle as Tony moved forward slowly, hilariously stepping cautiously forward, trying not to step on any more branches.
He reached her and they both knelt to peer through the gap. She could see the walls of the castle in the distance and went on her belly, slowly creeping forward.
Tony copied her and they moved through the gap, trying to stay low.
They were on a small hill that overlooked the bridge and the moat of the castle. Below the bridge, the sewer pipe was still there, spewing mottled blackish-grey water into the moat.
But it was the large oxen cart on the bridge that caught her eye, manned by two men. The cart was covered with a thick cloth and surrounded by flies.
She watched one man hold the oxen still as the other pulled something out from the covered cart. He tossed it into the water with a loud splash and Pepper gasped in horror.
"Is he... is he throwing... is that a body?!" she whispered as Tony swore under his breath.
The lifeless body began to float down the moat and they watched as the man pulled out another body and threw it into the moat.
Then the other man took off the cover completely and Pepper felt her stomach churn as she saw the cart was piled high with bodies, male and female alike, limbs stiffly projecting from the pile.
She heard the Dragon hiss loudly in her head as the man pulled out a young woman's body from the pile.
This was too much for her to bear, so she quickly turned away, hastily crawling to her feet as bile filled her throat.
Pepper blindly pushed away the shrubbery, trying to move away from the hill. Once she was at the bottom, she leaned against a tree and emptied her stomach into the snow, her mind swirling with the horror of the vile scene she had just witnessed.
She felt Tony come up behind her, his hands rubbing her back as she vomited her breakfast. She was done but still stood bent over, feeling weak and flushed.
He stroked her hair and then helped her straighten, holding her against him as she took one shaky step forward.
"There now, Pep, easy there..." Tony whispered in her ear as he led her away from the hill. She leaned on him heavily, grateful for his strong arm around her waist. He handed his flask of water and she drank deep.
They walked quietly for a minute and then Pepper raised her head, realizing that they were heading back to the campsite.
"Tony..." she stopped walking, "Tony, I am fine. I just..." she lowered her gaze, focusing on the whiteness of the snow, "I just lost control back there... I am sorry."
He kissed her temple softly, whispering, "Pepper, what we saw... was horrible. I feel sick myself. Don't apologize, sweetheart. Now, you stay here, I need to take another look."
She tightened her grip on him quickly. "What! Tony, no, please!"
Tony looked into her eyes and whispered calmly, "I am just going to go back and see what is happening. And I will be right back and I need you to stay here till then. Don't worry, Pep!"
Pepper bit her lip but nodded and Tony patted her head and then walked back up the hill. She waited quietly, looking down at the ground, the eerie stillness of the forest ringing in her ears.
Never fear, Virginia... the Dragon slowly hissed, we will rid your land of this foul evil... put an end to it once and for all!
She mentally steeled herself, realizing the purpose in the Dragon's words was hers as well and then saw Tony step out of the shrubbery.
"We cannot use that way to enter. Two guards are patrolling the area and another cart of bodies has joined the one of the bridge.
There is too much movement." he said softly as he came towards her.
Pepper shuddered involuntarily at the mention of another cart. "Another, Tony?" She said shakily.
"In any case I am glad we cannot use the sewer pipe. I do not think I would have been able to crawl through the water, filled as it is with bodies..."
She covered her head with her hands, shudders passing through her. Then Pepper felt strong arms envelop her and a prickly jaw rub against her hair. She wrapped her arms around Tony and burrowed her head in the crook of his neck.
"Easy there, sweeting..." he crooned to her as she tried to calm down.
"Tony, I do not know what's come over me... I am just a bundle of nerves... I am sorry, my lord, I truly am..." she hiccuped with a jerk and he rubbed her back. "I am just... terrified..."
He nuzzled her head softly. "Pepper, sweetheart, it is alright to be scared. I am afraid too."
"Really, Tony?" she whispered, feeling a warmth slowly trickle through her as his Arc pressed against her chest.
"Yes, Pepper." Tony stroked her hair. "The last time I met Stane, his goon killed my friend Yin Sen. And I had to flee for my life because I was hopelessly incapable of fighting him."
"You are not incapable now, Tony." Pepper said fiercely, tightening her grip on him. "You have grown into a formidable deadly warrior of Ryunn since then."
"And you aren't a frightened fugitive on the run either, Pepper." Tony whispered against her ear. "My love, you are a fire-wielding warrior in your own right, a true Daughter of Summac and..." he pulled back and looked at her solemnly. "You are the rightful Queen of Cumbria. By the might of your fist and the fury of your flame... Stane will pay for what he has done to you."
Pepper looked into his whiskey brown eyes shining with determination and felt her fingers tingle. She placed her hand on his Arc and felt empowered by Tony's Flame rising up to her touch.
"Yes, my lord. I will make him pay..." she whispered fiercely and whether it was Tony's Fire or something inside her, she could not tell but she could hear a faint roar in response.
Tony smiled at her tenderly and she couldn't resist pulling his head down quickly for a hard passionate kiss, her lips moving over his feverishly, her fingers in his soft tufty hair.
He growled low in his throat as she parted slowly from him, dragging her tongue along his bottom lip.
"Pepper." Tony whispered, "I love you..."
"I love you too, Lord Stark..." she said, wanting nothing more than to kiss him forever. But Pepper knew she had to complete their scouting mission, so she stepped away.
She cleared her throat. "Well, since we cannot go through the sewer, we need to find an alternate way inside."
Tony looked into the distance. "How many gates are there into Cumbria?"
"Three, the front, the back and the traders entrance."
"A separate traders entrance? Whatever for?"
Pepper smiled at the memory. "Something my mother introduced because the traders would block up the main entrance to Cumbria with their large carts and manpower. Initially everyone opposed the idea but once they saw how the traffic at the entrance cleared up, they were so happy."
Tony looked at her with a gleam in his eye. "A large cart at a separate entrance. Do you remember-"
Pepper completed, "How we entered Patait? With the rubbish truck? Yes I do! Could we do it again?"
Tony said excitedly, "Let's check out that entrance." He raised his fingers to his lips and blew a short sharp whistle.
Pepper glared at him as the sound rang through the forest. Tony shrugged sheepishly.
"Pep, how else can I call my horse?"
They both turned as Balthazar thundered up from one corner of the forest, tossing his snow covered mane.
Tony cupped his hands and knelt, so she could hoist herself into the tall horse's saddle. Then he pulled himself up behind her and took the reins.
She pointed towards the west. "That way!"
He clicked his teeth and Balthazar broke into a swift gallop, bounding over the snowy landscape. Pepper was careful to pull her hood over her head as they moved towards the west side of the castle.
"Tony!" she said loudly, "we mustn't get too close! They mustn't see us." She felt him nudge her with his chin in agreement and leaned back to relax against his chest.
Then Pepper recognized the path they were travelling to and pulled on the reins. Balthazar halted, standing still at a fork in the forest.
She explained softly, "To the right is the castle. We must go ahead on foot and quietly. I'm not sure where we will emerge."
He nodded and they dismounted and crept ahead on foot, Pepper taking the lead. The bushes had thinned and they were now walking on a dirt road, cart tracks deep on the ground.
Suddenly they heard a loud rattling behind them and a shout. "Oi! Off the road, you louts!"
Pepper and Tony quickly hopped to one side as a horse drawn cart rumbled past them. She managed to stay on her feet and turned back to see Tony on the ground, sprawled on his back, cussing loudly.
Pepper giggled and held out her hand to help him to his feet.
"Rude, ignorant swine..." muttered Tony, trying to shake the snow off his jacket and pants as he stood.
Then they continued along the dirt road and stopped. Before them, were at least ten large carts, in a ramshackle line. Tony slipped his hand in hers and they stood still, observing the carts as they inched forward towards the entrance.
Pepper leaned to one side, trying to see what was happening at the gate but the carts were obstructing her view.
"Wait here." said Tony and before she could object, he quickly stepped forward, darting in between the carts, peeking out from between them as he moved towards the gate.
She gasped loudly and was about to follow him when she realized something.
I cannot get too close! What if someone recognizes me? Even with my hood pulled over my face, I cannot take such a chance!
Pepper stood on tip-toe, waiting for Tony to return. The line of carts slowly moved forward and she was relieved to see Tony shuffling towards her, his hat pulled low on his face.
He had his hand out as if he was begging for alms, his head lolling on his shoulders. She saw one of the cart drivers spit at him as he passed, narrowly missing Tony.
Pepper bristled at the insult but controlled herself because Tony had raised his head slightly and was making eyes at her. He approached her and she heard him whisper as he passed her, "Follow me at a distance lest anyone be looking."
Pepper let him walk away from her and then followed him back into the forest.
"Well, Tony, what did you see?"
He shook his head ruefully. "Pepper... I am afraid we can't go in that way either... the carts are being searched."
"What!" she exclaimed incredulously.
"Yeah, the guards are going through each cart's cargo thoroughly. Also, there seems to be a list of expected goods, that is being referred to by a keeper of sorts... I mean, he checks the list, checks identification papers of the driver and then the cargo is searched. An effective security process. How would we sneak in?"
Pepper asked worriedly, "Do you think Stane knows we are here? Is that why he has introduced stricter security? Trader carts were never searched before nor was there a list of goods to be received."
Tony caught her shoulders and said softly, "Pepper, it doesn't matter if he knows or not. We are here to finish this. Focus on that. Focus on getting in."
She thought hard and said hesitatingly, "We could check out the front gate, I know we can't get in through there but it wouldn't hurt to take a look."
He nodded and before he could whistle, Balthazar trotted over to them. Tony chuckled and Pepper looked back at him as she readied herself to mount the war horse.
"Why do you laugh, my lord?"
"I think Balthazar has been kept away from action too long. I thought he would enjoy roaming around freely in a forest but he has turned into an obedient puppy and follows us everywhere."
Once again, they rode, this time past the traders gate and towards the front of the castle on a dirt track. On their left, through a thick canopy of trees, they could just make out the tall stone wall of the castle, stretching on for leagues.
"Just how big is Cumbria Castle?" said Tony loudly, trying to be heard over the wind in their faces.
Pepper thought for a moment. "It is not very large."
"Pepper..."
"Alright, it has the usual castle infrastructure. Large throne room, decently sized ballroom ..."
"A swampy moat." he muttered in her ear.
She said wistfully, "It was clean and clear when I was around. I wonder what Stane has done to the inside of the castle. The high walls and gates seem to be intact and in good shape."
"Is there a dungeon?"
"No but there is a gaol on the outskirts of the town. I should add, that the town and the castle are within the same walls."
"So if we wanted to get in the castle through the town..."
She said, "We would have to get past the gates to reach the town. But I must say that passing through the town, seems very risky to me."
Tony muttered, "Someone might recognize you."
"In their stoic, undead state? Perhaps... but I am more fearful of standing out from the crowd of villagers and being noticed by Stane's henchmen."
Pepper sighed deeply. "That is why I thought the sewer would be the best way in. We would emerge right in the heart of the castle."
For a moment, she considered using the sewer, trying to put aside her disgust. Tony observed her quietly as they kept riding.
The image of the limp, wide-eyed pale bodies floating in the still water, made her shudder and she shook her head decisively.
"I cannot go through the sewers. I am sorry, Tony."
"And I am not entering the castle, leaving you to your own devices to enter." He said firmly, nuzzling her neck. "We stay together, Pepper. Come what may."
She held Tony's hands, which were at her sides holding the reins. "Yes, my lord... come what may."
They rode quietly for another league and then Tony asked, "Pepper, what building is that?"He pointed at the castle wall.
She furrowed her brow in confusion at the tall wooden structure, partially visible through a gap in the shrubbery.
"I do not know, Tony. Let's take a closer look."
He reined in Balthazar and they dismounted. As they crept through the bushes towards the wall, she gasped as the structure came completely into view.
"It is a watchtower!" Pepper exclaimed as she looked up at the high towering building.
"And newly constructed, by the looks of it." Said Tony musingly. Then he hissed, "Get down!" and pushed her head down.
They crouched down on their knees, bending low at the waist as a narrow beam of light shone onto the ground before them and then began to move from side to side.
Looking through the shrubs they were hiding behind, Pepper could see that the ray came from the tower.
"Tony, what is that?"
He stared upwards at the tower, eyes narrowed. "I can't clearly make out because of the glare from the light but it seems that someone is controlling the path of that beam from the tower."
"But it is the middle of the afternoon! Why would someone need a light, to see what's on the ground?"
She felt Tony stiffen beside her. "I do not think it is meant for casting light, Pepper."
"Whatever do you mean, Tony?"
He had raised himself slightly on his knees and was looking ahead, at the ground around the tower. She did the same and saw a little fox, roaming around on the snow, searching for food. The beam swung towards it.
Some sixth sense told Pepper to close her eyes and she did so quickly, hearing a loud yelp of pain.
Tony swore violently beside her and she opened her eyes to see the beam chasing the fox across the snow, leaving a trail of burnt soil in its wake as the fox bounded this way and that, to avoid its reach.
"It burns what it touches." he said grimly. "A good long distance guard weapon for a tower."
"But how... how is it even possible?!" Pepper whispered in awe as the beam finally stopped shining, when the fox disappeared into the shrubbery.
They were both startled, when the Dragon whispered slowly, There is no telling, what foul devices this master of Stane's, has pulled from the Abyss.
"Dragon, do you think this master truly is the Witch, Ninea, from so long ago?", she asked softly.
I cannot tell for sure, Virginia but, it puffed deeply, but the level of arcane knowledge that we have encountered so far... is possible only by a master of dark magic. Someone even more powerful than the lead Menolestes priest...
"Rana." whispered Tony tersely.
Yes, who was a formidable magician. We need to be prepared for the absolute evil. This will be a battle like no other but ... you are powerful enough to face it. I have immense faith in you both."
She smiled, touched by the Dragon's solemn words. Tony was still looking at the tower and said quietly, "I think we have found our way in."
Pepper gasped loudly and he covered her mouth quickly, with his hand. She glared at him through her eyes and he said with a grin, "I can see you do not agree, my lady. Let's move away from this area and argue about it quietly."
Tony stood up, extending his hand and she took it, rising to her feet. They crept back towards the dirt road where Balthazar was patiently waiting for them, tossing his thick mane.
Pepper reached the horse and then rounded on Tony. "I know what you are thinking and I do not agree! It is too dangerous! That beam could cut us down where we stand!"
Tony held up his hands and she stopped.
"Pepper..." he said gently. "Pepper... so far the Tower seems to be the easiest way to get inside the castle's walls. All we need to do is take down the guards stationed in it."
She countered, "Firstly, Tony, we do not know how many guards are up there and secondly, they are armed with a magical beam of light! Besides, once we climb up there, we will be at the same height as the castle wall but how do we get down to the ground? The castle wall is very high."
He scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Are we sure that the Tower is close to the actual castle? Is it possible that we would get down from the tower and be at the village?"
Pepper shook her head firmly. "No. The Tower is alongside the castle itself. I am sure of it. Let me draw and show you."
She picked up a stick from the ground and began to sketch a map in the snow.
"Cumbria castle has three gates. The front gate, the back gate by the bridge and the traders entrance. We just came from the traders entrance and and are now between the front gate and the traders gate. The village is near the back gate, some distance away from the castle."
"So Pepper," said Tony softly, "if we use the Tower, we don't need to get to the ground. We just enter the castle straight away."
She stared at him, wide eyed. "Tony, I don't understand. How can we jump from the Tower to the castle wall? There is sure to be a gap in the middle. It is not humanly possible to jump such a wide gap."
Tony smirked at her cheekily. "Trust me, my lady, I have something up my sleeve."
Pepper was still confused, especially when the Dragon started to guffaw loudly in mirth.
"Alright, Tony, if you say so. But getting to the castle from the Tower is one thing. How do we take out the guards? They are at a height and will see us."
"Never you worry, Pepper. We will use our favorite strategy, 'Distract and Conquer'."
Pepper narrowed her eyes suspiciously at him but he just smiled at her and cupped her cheek.
"My love, let us return to the cave. We can go over our strategy as well, while we decide our gear."
She nodded and he helped her mount Balthazar. Then they rode towards the cave.
