Chapter 17 – Confrontation
A horrific scream escaped his parched lips as he writhed on the ground in agony. He thought that after weeks of this that he would be used to it, or at least completely numb to pain, but every time the spell was placed on him Salazar would feel every last moment of agony. Thomas seemed to have little else to entertain his time with at the moment and thus delighted in reminding Salazar of what reward failure receives. At first, he proclaimed his innocence in the matter. After all, Salazar had been a prisoner at the Hufflepuff castle when the children had escaped Thomas' grasp, but he soon learned that criticising your torturer is not a very good idea.
"Get up you little worm. I have something more important than your ineptitude to deal with today." Thomas demanded as he strode from the room cloak billowing behind him as Salazar gasped for air on the floor.
Salazar slowly extricated himself from the floor and limped after his master. He knew another torturing could always be squeezed in between Thomas' other tasks for the day. He scuttled after Thomas never letting him from his sight as they descended into the very depths of the castle, further down than Salazar had ever been before.
"Come we have work to do. Or I will use you for one of my experiments." Came Thomas' voice as Salazar realised he had stopped outside the door. He was reluctant to pass through here as the stench of death met his nostrils. "SALAZAR!"
"Coming sir." He said quickly entering the room, his fear of Thomas outweighing his fear of what was in the room.
He quickly changed his mind on that count when he saw what lay in wait in the bowels of the castle. Thomas had been very busy in the last few weeks.
"After the constant failure I was getting from my useless living servants, I have decided to open my plans to include some more, unconventional means," Thomas said as Salazar looked in horror around the room.
Hundreds of dead bodies and skeletons were lining the walls staring at him. Every step he took was monitored from every corner of the room. It was a truly gruesome sight as two at a time; they moved onto a small stone circle on the floor and began to duel with each other. Swords clashed as limbs were severed. Unearthly battle cries and chanting filled the room making Salazar sick.
"Necromancy is a lost art these days. Such a shame. It's such a useful practise. Don't you think so Salazar?" Thomas said looking maliciously at him.
Thomas bore an enormous grin as yet another pair entered the arena and joined the fray. As Salazar stepped closer to the arena he had to turn away as he threw up. Partially decomposed bodies and their parts littered the floor. Some of them still attempted to continue fighting even after they had been completely severed from the rest of the body. There were arms trying to strangle other bodies as Thomas stood over the chaos laughing.
"You have no idea what I had to go through to get these scrolls," Thomas said indicating a bunch of aged scrolls littering the table to his right. "But more than worth it. See Salazar everyone can now be useful to my campaign. If anyone opposes me I can simply kill them and then recruit them to my new army. And when we march soon, to aid the King, of course, we shall garner numbers that no army on earth can resist."
And with that, he erupted with laughter once more and walked from the room leaving Salazar overlooking the pit of death. Salazar managed to tear his gaze from the horrid sight and began to look at the scrolls on the table. Many of them were written in languages he didn't even recognise much less understand. But he noticed one thing about all of them. They were all written on skin, and all were written in blood.
"This is going too far." He mumbled to himself as he looked once again at the arena in which the creatures were still fighting away. "I can't be a part of this anymore."
Salazar rolled up the scrolls one by one and slipped them into a bag that was lying on the table. Once he had all the scrolls he slowly worked his way back up the stairs towards the castle. As he reached the ground level he rushed to the statue of Xavier Gryffindor, the only remaining sign of the castles previous tenant. He looked about trying to see if there was anybody nearby before he tapped the statue with his wand. The base slid forward several feet and Salazar quickly jumped into the tunnel below as the statue closed above his head once more.
He rushed as fast as he could down the dank and slippery tunnel hoping that Thomas hadn't noticed he had left yet. The tunnel continued on for many miles before it came out in a hilly field near a small village. Salazar hurried to the inn and ran quickly inside. The inn was full of farmers having just finished up for the evening and were making the most of their evening. He walked over to the bar and called to the barman.
"Good sir. I am seeking assistance in travelling east. Do you know of anyone I could see?" He asked trying to remain civil even to these inferior muggles.
"Why yes. Go see that fellow over there." He pointed out an elderly man sitting alone in the doorway. "He'll sort you right, laddie."
"Thank you, kind sir," Salazar replied as he dashed over to see the old man. "Excuse me, sir, the barkeep told me to see you about travelling east. Can you help me out?"
"Aye boy, but it'll cost ya." The man replied.
Salazar just threw a small bag onto the table. "When can we leave?" He asked as the man opened the bag and smiled broadly.
"Right away young master. Follow me."
Salazar followed the old man to the stable out behind the inn. There were a great many horses tied up, some looking rather ragged and worse for wear. But the pair the man led him to look very quick and very healthy.
"Here we are, sir. Just hop up and we'll be on our way."
Salazar grinned broadly as He climbed up and spurred the horse out into the darkening night. The old man was a lot sprier then he had first appeared as Salazar worked hard to keep up most of the night. They rode for many long hours until the sun began to peek over the hills once more. And his destination came into view.
"That will do us." He said. "I can finish this journey on my own."
Salazar threw the man another larger bag of gold and the man bid him goodbye before heading back the way he had come. Salazar urged his horse forward but stopped when he got closer to the castle. He was fairly certain that they would not be very happy to see him back here.
Just as he was about to turn to leave he saw a solitary figure riding towards the forest on a white horse. Maybe if I can get one of them alone I can convince them to hear me out, he thought as he urged his horse after the lone figure and into the forest.
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Godric slowed Dracari as he weaved gently through the trees. It was the first time he had entered the forest since his kidnapping and he was quite content to just enjoy the peace. He came across a small pond and Dracari stopped to have a drink as Godric dismounted and took a look around. As he left the small path he heard a twig snap just up ahead and he drew his sword and slowly crept forward keeping his eyes peeled. High above him, he could see Pyre chasing a flock of birds through the trees. All alone on this one, he thought as he continued forward.
Suddenly a large brown horse leapt through the brush ahead of him and charged past him running for a way to leave the forest. Godric could hear its rider ahead groaning where he had fallen off. He continued forward, sword at the ready as he approached the body.
"Who are you and what are you doing in our forest. He demanded as he pointed the tip of his sword at the bundle rolling on the ground.
"I come bearing terrible news and to offer my services to you, Sir Gryffindor."
Godric was taken aback that the figure knew him. "Who are you? Show your face stranger." He instructed moving forward again.
He felt a surge of anger as he saw Salazar reveal his face and hold up his arms in defence. "YOU!"
"Please wait one moment Godric. I had no idea what Thomas was planning. I only ever did what I was told."
"Because of you, James is dead. And Rowena was tortured. And you expect me to just welcome you into our castle once more?" Godric roared as he advanced on Salazar pressing the cold blade against his throat.
"No more than I deserve for my actions." Salazar uttered each word distorted by the sword against his throat. "But I offer my help now and I bring news of Thomas' full plan. I even bring you important documents to help defeat him."
"Why should I believe you?" Godric spat drawing a trickle of blood as he pressed the sword harder against Salazar's throat.
"Because you are a better man than your uncle. And you can find the good in someone. And because I want to fix the terrible things I have done, especially to you and your friends. I have nowhere else to go, so if you don't believe me kill me now because Thomas will surely hunt me down and kill for taking these." Salazar responded pointing to his bag as tears began to form in his eyes. "I leave my fate up to you."
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Godric didn't answer as his mind raced over what Salazar had said. Godric raised his sword gripping it tightly with both hands. His mind was screaming things at him and he couldn't think clearly through all of the noise. Salazar just looked back up at him with fear in his eyes.
Helga warmed her hands by the fire as Rowena plonked herself down in the seat next to her.
"You know I really love your library. There is so much here to read." Rowena said brightly as she opened the twelfth book she had read this morning.
Helga just laughed as she watched her friend. Rowena had recovered quickly from the horrors she experienced during their brief kidnapping. It was amazing how resilient she was. If anything she was stronger than ever after the experience.
"Helga dear." Her mother called from the doorway. "Are you in here?"
"Yes, mother. We are by the fire." She called back as her mother walked over to them.
"Hello there Rowena. How are you feeling today?" Alexandria asked smiling at the young girls.
"I feel like new, thanks to you and Lord Hufflepuff that is," Rowena replied.
"That's wonderful. You certainly look much better. Has either of you two seen Godric this morning? Max wanted to speak with him but I can't find him anywhere.
"No mum. Maybe he went for a walk or a ride." Helga chimed as happy as ever.
"I'm sure he's fine," Rowena added. "He just needs a bit of time that's all. He has a lot to think about to the moment."
"I'm sure he does. Well if you two see him tell him Max wants to see him ok? Thanks." Alexandria ruffled her daughter's hair before turning about and walking out into the hall.
Helga watched her mother leave before turning to Rowena. "You don't think he's in trouble do you?" She asked looking concerned.
"I don't think so, but I'm a little worried about him anyway. Maybe we should go outside and look for him. Maybe he went to see the unicorns."
"Yeah," Helga replied hesitantly looking at Rowena.
"Helga, come on, I'm fine you don't need to worry about me all the time," Rowena said climbing out of the chair and heading for the door.
"Look, Helga, I'm fine and I'm going to look for Godric. Now, are you coming or not."
Helga just smiled before walking over to her friend. "Good to have you back Rowena." And with that, they both headed for the stables as quickly as they could.
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Godric stood rooted to the spot as he stared down at Salazar glaring into his grey eyes as if searching his soul for some sign of the truth. He turned quickly as he heard someone approaching behind him and saw Helga and Rowena picking their way through the forest behind him.
"Godric, what are you doing all the way over here?"
Godric didn't answer as he turned back to face the still quivering form of Salazar.
"Hello. Godric." Rowena chimed from behind him as the girls drew closer.
Godric hesitated for a moment before yelling loudly and bringing his sword down just as the girls stood by his side. Salazar whimpered audibly and covered his face with his hands as he felt the sword embed itself in something solid. He opened his eyes to see the sword half buried in the tree root beside his head and Godric holding out his hand to help him up. Salazar just lay there for a moment staring up at the trio looking down at him before taking Godric's hand and standing up again.
"Thank you, Godric." He said as he quickly brushed himself off. "I am in your debt."
"Prove that you have changed to me right here and now, or I'll remove that sword and behead you myself," Godric ordered as the girls gasped beside him.
"Godric don't. He isn't worth it." Helga begged as Godric pulled the sword out of the tree root.
"Very well. Rowena, I will need your help to perform this." Salazar said as he withdrew a small scroll from the bag and passed it to Rowena. "If you would."
Rowena read the scroll and then passed it to Godric. "I believe that this would be sufficient."
Godric passed Helga his sword before kneeling on the ground. Salazar mirrored his action and held out his right hand. Godric took it with his own as Rowena placed the tip of her wand onto their hands.
"Do you swear to help us foil Thomas' plan to overthrow the King?" Godric asked staring straight into Salazar's eyes.
A thin tongue of brilliant flame issued from the end of Rowena's wand and wound its way around their hands like a red-hot wire.
"I so swear," Salazar replied staring back into Godric's eyes as he spoke.
A second tongue of flame shot from the wand and interlinked with the first, making a fine, glowing chain.
"Do you swear that you have relinquished the ways of your master and promise to do exactly as I instruct you?" Godric inquired narrowing his eyes.
Salazar hesitated and swallowed hard before speaking. "I so swear."
The moment the final word left his lips the whole area glowed red in the blaze of the third tongue of flame, which shot from the wand, twisted with the others and bound itself thickly around their clasped hands like a rope, like a fiery snake. The fire glowed brightly then disappeared as the boys stood back up.
"Very well. Let's go back to the castle. We have things to do." Godric said as he turned around and started walking back to the pond.
Helga and Rowena just stared at Salazar for a moment before following Godric back to the path.
"Well. That went well." Salazar said to himself as he trundled after the trio.
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Max gazed out the window thoughtfully watching the clouds chasing one another through the air when a flash of white caught his eye. He watched as the children rode out of the forest heading back toward the stable. As he looked harder he noticed that there was someone else riding behind Godric. As he watched he saw that the extra figure was Salazar and he turned and rushed as fast as he could down to the stable.
When he arrived he saw the children walking toward the exit and he drew his wand and made straight for Salazar. As he approached though Godric waved his own wand and Max's wand flew from his hands.
"What did you do that for Godric? He is Thomas' servant." Max demanded as the children continued walking past him. "Godric?"
"We don't have time to talk right now Max. I'll explain later." He said as he ushered Salazar inside followed by the girls who both looked a bit worried at Godric's demeanour.
Max simply stood there as the children disappeared inside the castle.