Chapter Thirteen
Here is is guys chapter thirteen. I can happily report I have finished writing 'The Golden Crown' at 27 chapters and an epilogue so we are not half way through yet but I hope this will keep you all inspired continue reading, liking and reviewing.
As always enjoy love C.J.
We however shall see what happened to Rillian, Henry and the others whilst Pervis saw Victoria run down that slope.
The group walked for nearly an hour across the island following the man. At many times Rillian and Fallamore wondered if they were walking straight into a trap. However something in both of them told them there was a chance that the man might be telling the truth, and as they rounded the last turn in the road the group came across the first people on the island. There was a group of three men stood by the entrance to the mine.
"Hey boss," one said as the group rounded the corner. Their face changed as the Narnians followed them.
"What's going on Calista?" A second asked.
"The game is up." He said dejectedly.
"What about the gold?"
"It's over," he snapped. "Do you think Caspian would have wanted this?" Calista looked over his shoulder. "Yes he was named after your grandfather." He sat on the grass before the entrance and motioned at the group to enter.
The group entered the mouth of what appeared to be a large natural cavern. The moment they entered they heard a the sound of mental on rock so repetitive it bored into them. Rillian looked at the first group of people as he entered the mine. They didn't look up. They were grubby and their clothes were in rags with soot smeared on their face.
Rillian looked at a young man chipping away at the rock with a pickaxe. His hands were covered in blisters and cuts. His face obscured by soot and rock dust. Rillian peered at him. The man looked back curious.
"Leave this place," Rillian said "we are here to set you free." The man frowned as though trying to discern what Rillian was saying.
"We are free?" He asked.
"Yes your captors have been subdued." The man hurriedly whispered the the young woman beside him who talked to another and before long the whisper spread around the mine and soon people where dropping tools, pushing over the foremen and clamouring to be free.
Rillian and the others watched them from nearby the entrance. Henry's face was contorted in confusion.
"Henry are you alright?' Rillian asked.
"I have read about mans inhumanity to man in books but I never expected to see it here."
"Let us leave." Rillian said "there is nothing for us to see." The group nodded surveying the mine one last time before exiting after the workers.
The people of Terebinthia stood glinting in the sunlight. They rubbed their eyes and wiped their faces curious of the outside world. Rillian and Fallamore rushed through the crowd to see the men who had captured the Terebinthians being carried away.
"What shall we do sire?" Fallamore asked. "We cannot let them kill those men."
"I know."
"Ride on me." Fallamore said. In all the years they had been friends Fallamore had never made a request like this. His tone and words made Rillian realise how serious this was. In a leap he jumped upon Fallamore's back. Being such a good horseman Rillian had no need to grab his hands around Fallamore's waist or worse pull his hair. The two set off towards Halpa.
Rillian could not believe how quickly the people had travelled across the island. He and Fallamore were galloping across the rough surface of Terebinthia at incredible speeds but already the people had moved away. Rillian was also aware that they were guessing the group was heading for Halpa there was no evidence that they were not heading to the sea.
Within fifteen minutes the pair arrived at Halpa, Rillian slipped off Fallamore's back. His legs hurt dreadfully but he dare not make a sound. The city appeared mostly silent but they heard some sound come from a building in the centre of Halpa. Both entered with their swords drawn. It was a great house beautiful with high ceilings and grand staircase.
The pair entered into the large house that shouts and yells could be heard from. The saw the men each being put into a cell in the large room that appeared to be a small gaol. The gaolers were Terebinthians, ex-miners dirty and in rags each one. Rillian noticed however that instead of being cruel they put each man in the cells carefully before shutting the cell door. He saw no pushing or cruel hits. When the group turned around seeing Rillian and Fallamore they sunk to their knees.
"Please sire," one older man said "take our apologies we did not see you there."
"Stand people of Terebinthia please you have no need to kneel to me. I have never been prouder of my country than at this moment. After such cruelty and evil you treat these men like family."
"We want justice sire," the man repeated. "That does not come from an assassination or mob."
"You are truly the best of people. It is I who should be bowing to you. Please I beseech you return home for tonight Terebinthia celebrates." The group left apart from one man a year or so younger than Rillian. He was a little shorter with a mop of red hair and a peppering of freckles. His face still looked like that of a boy.
"This is my home your majesty. My father was the Duke of Terebinthia he refused when the leaders came for us. They killed him."
"How cruel." Rillian said truly horrified.
"How many others did they do this to."
"Not many, most gave in after they heard about father."
"Are you his eldest son?" Rillian asked "Darman we met as children I believe."
"Yes," Darman nodded "I am his only son I have a younger sister."
"Kneel Darman," Rillian said kindly and the boy knelt.
"I invest in you the powers and responsibility of governing these people. Arise Sir Darman the Just Duke of Terebinthia." Darman didn't move he simply continued to stare at the wooden floor. "Sir Darman." Rillian said "you may stand up."
"I do not think I am ready." He said. Rillian smiled.
"It is for that reason I know you are." Darman stood up. His face still dirty.
"Thank you sire."
"Now let us plan a party." Rillian grinned at him.