See Part One for notes and disclaimer
Part Four
The Vision Sphere had been a gift of sorts, left to Skullavich by his mentor upon his untimely death. The dark wizard used the Sphere's unique ability to protect himself, and to aid and abet his various schemes to increase his wealth and power. Currently he was using it's powers to determine if anyone was looking for Kymberly, and if so who, and how that knowledge could help him.
He'd been extremely disappointed in Kymberly. After going to so much trouble to take her, and then to set up a nice suite of rooms for her use, she was completely ungrateful and abusive. Three days of her constant complaints, verbal attacks, and disrespectful attitude, and he'd decided he had been a bit hasty in falling for her. But, he had her in his possession, and there might still be some way he could benefit from his so far wasted efforts.
The Sphere showed five people heading toward his stronghold, and of the five, he recognized three. Jason was known to him, all too well; they'd crossed paths before, much to Skullavich's misfortune. Tomas was also a known adversary, and though he'd only encountered the young man once, he had left the skirmish hoping to never see Tomas again. As for Trini, that young lady had been a thorn in Skullavich's side for years, since childhood's mock battles, and he had yet to emerge as victor. The other two young men were unknown to their unseen observer, but that didn't mean the dark wizard would discount them as easy. If they were good enough to be traveling with Jason, Tomas and Trini, then they were to be respected.
It was his recognition, and respect, of the approaching rescuers that gave Skullavich the idea for his plan. He'd let them rescue Kymberly; heck, he'd let her go and meet them before they even got all the way here, that'd be even better. But first, he had to make sure she had the appropriate 'going away gift'. He gave his distinctive manic giggle at his witticism, the sound grating on the nerves of anyone who heard it.
He crossed to the tall cabinet in the corner, admiring yet again the delicate craftsmanship of the elaborate design carved on it. He used a special key to unlock the lower right drawer, then reverently opened the flat box he'd withdrawn. Inside, held secure by a special molded insert, was the Collar of Garrotidus, gleaming with malevolent beauty. He took the box with him as he went to Kymberly's suite of rooms, plastering an appropriately penitent look on his face.
"My Lady," he said in is most obsequious tone. "I have erred in abducting you, I see now you can never be happy with the likes of me."
"You're right about that," Kymberly muttered, looking suspiciously at her captor.
Skullavich ignored her comments, and instead diffidently approached the princess, opening the box as he spoke. "There is a group of rescuers approaching, Jason and Tomas are among the group. You have heard of them, yes?" At her nod he continued. "You can meet them, they will take you home to your father. But first, I would like to offer this shining trinket as a token of my continued, albeit unreciprocated, admiration for you."
Kym's eyes fell on the shining band of metal, a desire to see how it would look around her own delicate neck overriding any small voice of caution that might have been heard. She picked it up and examined it carefully, turning curious eyes to Skullavich.
"How does it fasten?" she asked at last.
"The metal is extremely flexible. When you put it on, just push the two ends toward each other," he advised her, keeping his expression carefully neutral.
She did as he instructed, and when she pushed the two ends toward each other they snapped together like a metal to magnet, melding together seamlessly as a pulse of red glowed from the collar.
"What? What just happened?" Kym gasped, trying to pull the two ends apart.
"What just happened is you are going to find out the price of rejecting a wizard, little girl. You are now wearing the Collar of Garrotidus, and only the Key of Integrity can set you free. Each day the collar will get a little smaller- just a tiny bit, mind you-until at last, if not removed, it will choke the life from you. It will continue to shrink until it finally becomes a solid disk, effectively...well...you get the idea," he finished cruelly, seeing her pale in fear.
"Please! Please, take this off me," she pleaded, turning tear-filled eyes to him.
"Were you not listening? I can't. Only the Key of Integrity can release it, and that is stored inside the monolith near Seraph Mountain. You will have the find the Portent Orbs to open the monolith. Now, let me show you out," the dark wizard said with false courtesy, his hurt pride soothed by her obvious fear.
~*~
Tomas was riding slowly, concentrating on finding any sign of Skullavich's lair, his companions out of sight, spread out to achieve maximum coverage of the area where he was rumored to be living. The sound of someone or something crashing through the underbrush brought him off his horse and on the ground with sword drawn. He turned toward the sound just as a small figure stumbled into view, causing him to sheath his blade with a mumbled curse. He recognized her immediately, there was no way he would mistake the beauty that had occupied his dreams for three seasons. That she was disheveled, and more than a little terrified, did nothing to dim her loveliness, and seeing her distress brought out every protective instinct he possessed.
"Easy, Princess, you're okay. Get behind me here and I'll protect you from whoever or whatever is pursuing you," he said, pulling the petite figure safely behind him.
Kym had looked up to catch a glimpse of her ideal of masculine beauty; tall, with long hair, and warm brown eyes in a handsome face. She found herself behind a surprisingly strong, broad back before she even had a chance to protest.
"He's not coming, at least I don't think he is," she said when she'd caught her breath. When Skullavich had released her she'd run away, in a blind panic, heedless of the fact he didn't wish to pursue her. As soon as she'd been freed, all the fears she'd held so closely at bay had returned at full strength, and that had fueled her flight more than anything. Now in the presence of someone else, she could pause and regroup.
"Are you sure?" he queried, even as he strained to listen, scanning the forest closely, yet finding no sign of pursuit.
"Pretty sure. He did what he wanted to, there was...is...no need for him to follow me," she reported, her voice subdued. That lifeless tone got Tomas's attention faster than a shout would have.
"What's wrong? What did he do to you? Are you hurt?" he asked, gripping the slim shoulders tight in his sudden fear.
"He did this," she murmured, running one tentative finger over the metal ring around her neck. It was very loose, hanging down even with her collarbones, but if what Skullavich said was true, it wouldn't be that way for long.
"It's very pretty," he began, confused when tears shimmered in her eyes.
"It's going to kill me," she whispered, unable to meet Tomas's concerned gaze. She knew if she saw sorrow or sympathy in his look, she'd lose all control, and she didn't want that to happen.
"I don't understand. But, whatever it is, we'll help you."
She looked up at his confident tone. "You sound so sure," she said with mild wonder.
"Ah, Princess, don't you know? That makes you a 'damsel in distress', which is what heroes specialize in. And I'm a hero, so's Jason, so that makes two heroes. Plus, a warrior priestess. And an apprentice wizard/healer," he smiled as her incredulous look. "And, I saved the best for last; a court jester!"
She couldn't suppress a slightly wobbly giggle at that addition. She looked up at her unexpected rescuer, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you. Do you really think they will help?"
"I'm certain of it. Let's go tell them you're away from Skullavich, and maybe one of them will know what we need to do to get you free of that collar. Come on, Princess, we'll take care of you, you can count on that."
~*~
"I can see no way to remove it," Will said quietly, after carefully examining the glittering gold necklace Kymberly was wearing. "Did he mention what it was called? Anything about how to remove it?" he asked quietly. Tomas had quickly notified them that he had found the missing princess, and they had regrouped to find the young woman tearing again at the ring around her neck.
"He...he called it the Collar of Garrotus, I think," she said, struggling to contain her fear in the face of these strangers, regardless of how friendly and sympathetic they seemed.
"Collar of Garrotidus?" Will's expression was very serious when he asked that question.
"Yes. That's it. Garrotidus. He said only the Key of Integrity would release it, and if it's not removed it will choke me to death, and...worse..." she couldn't help the sudden sob of fear, remembering what Skullavich had implied would happen. Tomas, who had been standing close by her side while Will checked out the collar, pulled the slight girl into a comforting embrace, vowing silently that no harm would come to her as long as he lived.
"Ah, well, yes, I've heard of the legends," the light haired young man murmured, turning a worried expression to Jason.
"The Key of Integrity is in a monolith at the base of Seraph Mountain, which can only be opened with the Portent Orbs, according to legend," Trini contributed. "There are six orbs, and all six are needed to open the monolith. In the meantime the Collar of Garrotidus will get progressively tighter." The young woman's beautiful face was serene, despite the grim report.
"Where are these Portent Orbs? Can we find them?" Jason queried calmly.
"I know where two of them are," Trini reported. "One is near East Amber, in my Uncle's province, the other in South Sapphire, where Queen Katherine is ruler until she produces a king. I'm not sure about the others."
"The others are in South East Onyx, North West Ruby, West Diamond, South West Rose Quartz. Or so the reports have said. Each is guarded by a creature or person or mechanism that protects it from any attempt to remove it," Will continued in his steady manner. "It will be a considerable challenge to procure them."
Jason and Tomas exchanged a look of carefully suppressed optimism. Trini and Will had given the facts in a manner that seemed to suggest that their attempting to claim the orbs was a foregone conclusion, and neither Zackary nor Kymberly had disagreed.
"I'm familiar with those villages, and unless my memory is completely faulty, we will be traveling in what amounts to a large circle, right?" Jason clarified.
"That's true," Trini smiled at his look. And Seraph Mountain, as we all know, is in the middle, at the apex of all the provinces." The eight provinces were each roughly triangular in shape, an arial view of their borders make them look like nothing so much as a very large pie cut into eight pieces.
"Okay, we'll take Kymberly back to her father, then we should start with North West Ruby, since it would be closest from her father's castle..." Jason began.
"No!" The commanding tone got all their attentions. "You are NOT going to return me to my father's home so I can sit there wondering when and how I will die thanks to that demented wizard. No, I'm going with you; I'll help you in any way I can. But I am NOT going to sit idly by while you all risk life and limb to save me. Now, that means it's more logical to start at East Amber, right?" Kym finished with a challenging look at Jason.
"Your Highness, it could be very dangerous," Jason replied, hoping she would see reason.
"I understand it may be dangerous, I accept that. What I will not accept is being sent home. And, drop the 'Your Highness' stuff, I'm Kymberly, or Kym, NOT 'Your Highness'. Please. Unless you want to be addressed in the same manner?" she asked pointedly. Her fear had dissipated in her irritation that Jason and the others wanted to send her home like a child, when she knew...just knew...that she would be needed. She didn't understand it, but she was absolutely certain that she had to go with the others on their quest for the Portent Orbs.
Jason found himself re-evaluating the petite princess who glared at him with flashing eyes. He'd thought her pretty enough, but easily intimidated and thoroughly cowed by the dark wizard's actions. This show of spirit and determination was unexpected, but very welcome; it seemed to galvanize them all. He felt the first faint stirrings in the vicinity of his heart and tried his best to shut them down. It was obvious that Tomas was very taken with the young Royal, and since Tomas was now a friend, there was no way Jason could attempt any courting of Kym without betraying his new friend.
Resolutely quashing his budding feelings, he quickly took the lead, heading toward East Amber and the first of the Portent Orbs.
~*~
That night they made camp near the border of East Province, on the bank of a meandering river, surrounded by majestic trees. The clearing was just large enough for them all to have room to sleep with a proper distance between the boys and girls, while another, smaller, nearby clearing provided grass for their weary horses.
Somehow, with a minimum of conversation, everyone seemed to find their own 'job' to do; Zackary started gathering supplies for dinner, while Will kindled the fire and tended the horses. Tomas and Jason both set out to fish, hoping to catch enough to feed them all, while Trini and Kymberly laid out all the bedrolls.
Zackary proved to be as talented at cooking as he was at juggling, and the dinner he served up was delicious. Conversation was lively, as Trini and Zackary regaled the others with details of how they met at the thieves' hideaway. Kymberly sat beside Tomas, sneaking quick peeks at him during the meal, part of her wishing they were alone together.
The young princess had led a very sheltered life, despite her forays into town to mingle amongst the local citizens. She had never met anyone with the aura of danger that lingered around Tomas, yet despite that she could not deny her attraction to the young man. His clothing was rough and well worn, his strong, sure hands told of a life of labor and riding. Still, she could easily picture him in the fine attire worn by those who attended her father's court, leading her on to the dance floor, where they would be the envy of all who saw them.
~*~
"This is your uncle's province, isn't it?" Zackary asked Trini as they rode over rolling hills covered with lush, thick grass.
"Yes, King Hauward rules over the East Province," the raven-haired girl replied, looking around with a wistful expression. "I grew up not that far from here."
"It's nice, though I'm used to more forests and mountains," Kym commented from where she rode near Tomas. They had stopped in North East Garnet to purchase a mount for the princess, and she'd picked out a spirited gray mare.
"How familiar are you with the town we're heading to?" Tomas wondered.
"Very familiar. The Temple of Zahara is there; it's where I trained to become a warrior priestess. I must stop there; pay my respects to the teachers. Perhaps I can find out where the orb might be, it would make it easier if we at least knew for certain where to look."
"Seems like a good plan. The rest of us can find a place to stay for the night, it's too late to start searching today. Where can you meet us tomorrow?" Jason wanted to know.
"I'll meet you by midday at the fountain at the center of town," Trini decided, turning her horse toward the south of the town they were now approaching.
"Okay. And Trini?" The young woman turned toward Jason with a curious expression. "Be careful, alright?"
"I will, Jason. There's nothing for me to fear at the Temple."
tbc
