Chapter 3: Chapter Chapter III – Rescue of Courtney

The seven companions continue to hurry and pack up all necessities on their horses. They mostly pack food, weapons, and clothing for a four day ride. They plan for a two-day ride there and a two-day ride back. The dual wielder walks through the stable carrying a packed-up saddle. He stops as something catches his eyes and he stands their lost and starring.

“You know it’s not polite to stare,” jokes Sara.

He shakes himself back awake and walks over to her horse.

“You know how to ride, princess?”

“Stop calling me that. And I guess we’ll see,” she smiles.

“Well if you put your foo-,” his voice trails off as she mounts the horse like a pro.

“Huh, I guess I do know how.” She rides around him mocking him. “You gonna keep starring or mount your horse.”

“I could stare all day,” he says looking up at her.

Even though only his eyes are visible he shows amazement in those glowing eyes. Finally, he takes the saddle to his horse and straps it on before mounting his horse.

“So, what is with the mask?” she asks. “Is your face completely hideous?

“Oh, no. My face is beautiful.”

“Then what is it?”

He looks around to make sure nobody is watching or listening in. All he sees is the slight breeze moving the loose bits of straw.

“The Order believes in secrecy. My master taught me that my secrecy is everything. It also protects those that we care about. I am sure that if you knew who I really was you would never hire me. Hell, you probably wouldn’t even talk to me.”

“Why not?”

“Let’s just say I have lived a past that many would say is immoral.”

“It must get lonely living in secrecy.”

“Sometimes it does. However, I know that my life has been and could be worse. How about you? Do you live in secrecy?”

“Not on purpose but it happens. My mom died when I was very young and my dad always stayed quiet about it. I guess when I started getting my visions of this place and this war, I pushed everyone away and I lived in secrecy and usually I just wanted to disappear. I wanted my life to change and now that it has, I’m not it sure if it fits me.”

“It sounds like you have a lot to think about.”

“I do but I keep praying and hope for the best to happen.”

“Pray to who?”

“Does this world not have religion?”

“Of course, it does.”

“But you don’t believe in it.”

The assassin looks out beyond the stables seeing the green pastures and the blue sea crashing against the shore line. He turns his head back to her to see the sun shining off of Sara’s golden hair.

“I believe there are holy people out there. I believe there is definitely a higher power or many higher powers but whoever they are, they aren’t with me.”

She smiles as they ride to meet up with the others. They form a line with the older assassin and Fromm in the front leading the way, Tucker and the dual wielder behind them, Alex and Sara, and in the rear is the axe assassin. They ride in unison together heading for the North Wall and the Gate to the North. Alex notices Sara staring at the back of the assassin with the bow.

“You know I have heard if you stare long enough you could burn a hole in the back of someone’s head.”

“What?” she asks confused but doesn’t look away.

“Maybe you just really like that bow that you can’t shoot.” He mocks her again.

“Yeah,” she says not really paying attention.

“Sara,” he rolls his eyes and taps her arm. She shakes her head and look at him.

“What? You were saying something about living in the castle. Right?

“Not even close, sister.”

“Oh, sorry. Just have something on my mind.”

“Something? Or someone? Be careful.”

“With what?”

“I’m not stupid, Sara. I have seen that look by you before. Don’t you remember Jeremy from freshman year. He’s an assassin. An assassin that you don’t even know what he looks like or even his name. His job is to kill and that is all we know.”

“Alex, it’s not like that. There is something different about him. There’s something special. I still feel like we are connected somehow. He isn’t just some assassin he’s hiding something. I saw those eyes before.”

“That’s why I trusted you’re decision on selecting them. I am just looking out for you like a big brother should.” Alex smiles and Sara rolls her eyes.

“You’re like what, thirty seconds older than me?”

“I think it’s a little bit more than that,” they laugh.

“You have always been good at looking after me, but I think this is my chance to start over.”

“What do you mean?”

“You were the football and basketball star captain. When you had your visions, you were able to block it and keep moving on. I didn’t. I started pushing everyone away and everyone stayed away.”

“You forget that when I got hurt, almost the entire place turned on me. All I had was Tucker and you. Maybe that is why we are all here together.”

They ride together while Tucker rides next to the assassin looking straight forward almost refusing to look at him. The assassin notices the nervousness by the way he sits super still and eyes looking everywhere but at him.

“So, Tucker, is it?” he asks.

“Umm, yeah. And you are?”

“You can call me B.”

“What does that stand for?” the assassin looks at him without saying a word. “Sorry, too many questions.”

“It’s alright Tucker. I wish I could tell you everything. But it seems that would cause more problems than solutions right now.”

“Hey, no problem here, you keep your secrets,” laughs Tucker. “Why do this mission though.”

“You don’t think I am just in it for the money?”

“No, this is a very particular job just for money.”

“Maybe the Order demanded it.”

“I don’t know much of this world, but the last time I checked, assassins are trained and assigned to kill.”

“And?”

“I don’t know of any targets we are trying to kill right now. In fact, you specifically said not to kill someone.”

“So, Tucker,” begins B. “What do you think it is?”

“I think you are being noble.”

“You’re a good friend. Not many would travel to a different world for another person. But you go and face danger alongside him. That is very noble.”

“Well, he’s my best friend and I didn’t have too much of a choice. Would you not do the same?”

“For who?”

“Whoever you’re best friend is? Or just any friend.”

He thinks for a little bit.

“I can’t say I have any friends anymore. My father forbade it when I was growing up, so I didn’t have many to begin with. He made sure I began training with a sword in my hand since I could walk. I tried to have a life but he controlled everything in hopes I would become him. When I finally had friends and people that I cared about, I messed it all up.

“I am sure it’s not that bad whatever you did. And if they are your friends, they will forgive you. That’s what friends are for.”

“Maybe you right but it’s probably a bit late for forgiveness.”

“Your father kept you from society and you still became an assassin like him?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Isn’t that your father?” Tucker points at the older assassin in front of him.

“Him?” B chuckles, “Not even close. He his someone that once rescued me from certain death and gave me a new life.”

“So, he is your father. At least he is a father figure. A father doesn’t necessarily have to be someone that shares your blood but someone that looks out for you. Family isn’t always blood.”

“Huh, I never looked at it like that. You are wise beyond your years master Tucker.” He pats Tucker on his back and based on his eyes he smiles. “What of you? Where do you come from?”

“Colorado. Earth. Another dimension.”

“No, I mean what did you leave behind?”

“Oh, right. Honestly, not much, my father left my mom before I was ever born so I never knew him. My mother killed herself when I was five. I was told she battled through depression when he left and never sought the help that she needed. So, I have been living with my grandmother ever since. She normally wouldn’t even notice I was ever gone from home. She was diagnosed with a brain disease called Alzheimer’s a while back. Alex had my back ever since to help me with her and with his mother disappearing at a young age we just always understood each other.”

“It sounds like you are more like brothers than just friends.”

“Now who is wiser beyond their age?”

The both laugh as they continue riding for what seems like hours. They soon approach an area of trees as the sun begins to set upon the sky. In the distance to the right, about a hundred yards away is a city lighting up the sky.

“There is some cover over there,” says Fromm, “let’s set up camp.”

“So close to Akayos?” asks the assassin.

“We should be fine as long as we take turns on watch and keep the campfire low.”

They all ride over to the group of trees and tie up their horses and dismount. After camp is set up and the fire is roasting, they all gather around staying warm near the fire.

“You know what need?” asks Tucker.

“What’s that?” asks Alex.

“S’mores,” he smiles as he thinks of them.

“More what?” asks B.

“No,” says Sara. “S’more is what they’re called. You roast a marshmallow over an open flame. Once it’s all golden brown you pull it off of the stick and stick it between a piece of chocolate and graham crackers. A little too sweet for my taste but one isn’t too bad. It’s like a tradition in our world whenever you camp outside.”

“Sounds like a lot too sweet,” B says making a disgusted face.

“They’re great. You have to try one, one day. And then and only then can you can dis on them,” replies Tucker.

Alex stares off toward the city lights while the others laugh around the fire.

“Why aren’t we staying down there?”

“That is the city of Akayos,” starts Fromm. “They would not hesitate to capture and kill us all. They serve only the highest bidder and those that will allow them to live their lifestyle.”

“To be honest, it wouldn’t be the worst thing to have them see what the cities like Akayos have become,” says B.

Fromm looks at B with a dead stare before his eyes soften up.

“What did you have in mind?”

“Obviously, we can’t all go walking in. It would raise way too much suspicion. I will go with, keep an eye on them and they can stay in disguise.”

Fromm remains suspicious.

“They have been here only a couple of days. There is no way anyone would even recognize them.”

“I don’t know if this is such a good idea.”

“We will be quick,” says Sara.

“Fine,” decides Fromm. “I mean you are the future king, the decision is really yours, not mine, Alex.”

Alex stops to think for a minute, comparing the pros and the cons of the situation.

“Alright, let’s just be really quick,” he decides.

B, Alex, and Sara get up, ready to go down the hill to the city.

“You coming with, Tuck?” asks Alex.

“No,” he replies. “I have done more walking the past few days then I have ever done in my life. I am gonna need my rest if I am to get up tomorrow morning and vanquish evil.”

They all laugh before heading down the hill, leaving the two assassins alone with Fromm and Tucker. Alex and Sara both take a couple of raged old shawls that B throws to them and drape it over themselves, hiding their own faces. They head towards the city, soon approaching the front gate where two men sit on chairs clearly drunk on wine. One of them doesn’t move his legs but hold up his hand, commanding them to stop.

“Halt! State your business, stranger.”

“We wish to enter the city,” says B.

“And what would three travellers want to do in the city?”

“Our business is our own.”

“Your business is my own.”

“What?” asks Sara confused.

“What?” he replies.

“We are going in,” says B.

He walks up towards the gate and the guard pulls out his sword and falls out of his chair in the process.

“I said halt,” the man demands as he tries to stand back up.

B rolls his eyes and kicks the man in the face flipping him backward and causing him to lie flat on his back. The man lay there with a broken nose and bloodied up face. The other man tries to stand up but B kicks his feet out from under him and punches him on the way down to the ground. Alex and Sara look at the two unconscious men in shock. Their eyes soon meet up with B standing over both of them.

“Don’t worry, they aren’t dead. Just gonna have a huge headache when-,”

He soon hears snoring coming from the one of the men on the ground.

“They wake up,” finishes Sara.

“Well, shall we?”

B pushes open the rotting wooden gate and walks in with Alex and Sara closely behind him.

“Stay close,” he warns.

They enter the city to hear loud shouting, music and a person throwing up on the side of a building. The person looks up and smiles at them with drool running down her face and a missing tooth. Sara takes a step back nearly into B’s arms.

“See what this place has become?”

“This looks terrible,” agrees Alex.

“Well, I am glad you agree because this is actually one of the better cities left in the world. The kingdoms are falling apart. This is actually one of the last free cities outside of Berthold and Edjer. But I use the word free lightly.”

They walk a little further into the town and see more debauchery in the streets. Down the road a chair comes crashing through one of the windows of a building and lands in the street. Drunken laughter comes from the building. B leads them inside the tavern to see absolute chaos going on inside. Sara looks around to see a man in the middle hanging by the neck swinging with a hood over his head. She follows B and Alex to the bar to see a young boy, no older than eleven, serving drinks.

“Is that boy serving alcohol?” whispers Sara.

“Most children here have no idea who even their parents are, so they find their own way to survive by working or they die of starvation, hypothermia, or even the wild.”

“That’s terrible. We have to do something,” says Alex.

The young boy with dirt on his face walks up to the three strangers with pure exhaustion on his face.

“What can I get for you my lord?” he asks politely not making eye contact.

“Three pints,” B says laying down some silver pieces.

“What is your name?” asks Sara.

He turns around with three large pints and hands them to the hooded assassin.

“Don’t have one, miss. The boss and the locals just call me Twig.”

“Why?”

“Because I am skinny, and they are mostly arrogant. The boss is good to me though, so I am grateful for that. Enjoy your drinks.”

He nods his head and focuses on his other patrons. B leads them over to a table towards a somewhat quiet and dark side of the tavern.

“Look at this,” Sara smiles as she points to a wanted poster. It reads:

WANTED!

PRINCE BRYNE WOLFCRIER AKA THE BLACK PRINCE For MURDER, TREASON, LARCENY, &

PRACTICE OF DARK ARTS 1000 GOLD REWARD “Let’s be honest, who do you think hasn’t committed these crimes in this room,” she proclaims. “He must be pretty bad to have a wanted poster up in this place.”

“Sometimes the crime isn’t what they did, but who they did it to. Plus, 1,000 gold pieces could set someone up for life. Anyway, he is probably dead.”

“No way,” says a shadowy man in a hood nearby listening.

“I am sorry, but are you speaking to me?” says B.

“I am indeed. Prince Bryne is on that wall because he is a hero not a criminal in these parts.”

“A hero that is a murderer?” asks Alex.

“Not everything is as simple as it seems, is it my lord?”

They look shocked and B draws his dagger.

“Calm, boy,” says the man. “I know who you are. Sara, Alex, and a member of the Order. If I am not mistaken, there were four more of you when the journey started.”

“Who are you and how do you know so much?” asks B.

“Are you kidding me?” scoffs the man. “The entire kingdom knows of your quest. Especially, here in the capital of mercenaries. This place is full of mercenaries, raiders, and bandits all waiting to kill your royal members, here.”

“What do you know about this prince?” asks Sara interested.

“I have heard stories, much like everyone else but that is about it. Now, I believe it is time for you to be on your way. You should’ve never have brought them to a place like this, assassin.”

“Who are you?” asks Alex.

“You will learn when the time is right, Alex.”

B ushers them out of the front door while keeping an eye on the strange man. They reach outside and make their way towards the front gate.

“Well, that was eventful,” mocks Sara.

“I think its best if we keep our visitor a secret for now,” warns B.

“I agree,” says Alex. “There is no reason to worry Fromm if not need to. But that guy seemed awfully familiar.”

“To me too. Did you know him, B?”

“No, I’ve never seen him before in my life.”

They open the city gate and exit the terrible, disgusting city. Both men are still completely passed out in the mud.

“Are you sure you didn’t kill him?” asks Sara.

“Trust me, I am sure.”

They trudge up the hill and into the trees where they find an orange glow from some low flames still burning in the clearing. They approach cautiously just to see Fromm and the two assassins sitting around the campfire still.

“How did it go?” asks Fromm.

“That place is terrible. There was like an eleven-year-old serving alcohol to a bunch of already drunks,” says Sara. “And then there was a dead man hanging from the rafters.”

“It’s good that is all you saw of the way of life in that city,” says the older assassin. “It’s fortunate that is all you had to see to enrage the two of you.

“What do you mean?” asks Alex.

“I’d rather not get into detail but he is lucky that is all he is doing. Many children are sold into prostitution and work camps. I hear they are even being recruited to fight in the war.”

“That’s terrible, we really need to do something,” says Alex.

“Win the war. That is the only way you will have enough power to do anything about it in the first place. You must win the war.”

“I guess we are staying here a while,” says Sara. “Because there is no way I am allowing anyone to live like this. They shouldn’t have to live in fear that they are going to starve. Or that the ruler of these lands is going to destroy their homes and burn their land. These people deserve better.”

“Also, a murderer should never be the sole idol of a city,” adds Alex.

“Agreed,” says Fromm.

A large growl comes from behind Fromm. They jump at first before seeing Tucker sound asleep snoring away in his sleeping sack.

“I guess it is getting late,” decides Alex.

“You should all get your sleep. We will need to leave at the break of dawn,” says B. “We will want to be into the city before dark tomorrow.”

“And if we aren’t?” asks Sara.

“You will freeze to death.”

They all decide to respect his decision and they all crawl in their individual sleeping bags and fall asleep in the wilderness. In the distance a cricket can be heard, and the leaves of the trees rustle in the nice cooling breeze.

A few hours go by and Sara continues to stir in her sleep and opens her eyes to see B lying up against a tree looking at the sky. She stands up and walks over to him with her arms folded. She shivers in the brisk night air.

“Having a bad dream?” he asks.

“Something like that,” she says yawning.

“Yeah, your brother had one not too long ago as well but didn’t seem to notice me when he woke up.”

“Sorry, if we woke you,” she sits down next to him also looking at the sky.

“You didn’t. I don’t sleep anymore. I guess it’s my curse for a lifetime of mistakes,” he says as he stares at the sky.

“That sounds terrible. What are you looking at?”

“The stars are supposedly supposed to tell our future however mine has been blind to me for quite some time.”

“Can you see mine?” she asks.

“I don’t need the stars to see you’re future. You will find true happiness but also experience great pain. You will find victory but at a cost. You will go down in history as the great queen to have led the world to victory. And lastly you will be known as the most beautiful queen the land had ever seen.”

He eyes smile when she soon realizes he is no longer looking up at the sky. No, he is looking into her deep blue eyes. And she is lost in his golden eyes glowing into what feels like her very soul.

“I can see that just from looking at you.”

She continues staring back at him looking. Together they stare in each other’s eyes. Only the movement of Tucker rolling repositioning himself breaks the spell. She blinks and looks around to see everyone sound asleep. Sara decides to rest her head on his lap and falls asleep almost immediately without a word. He looks surprised at first with his hands up looking around but eventually gives in and rests his hands on her back. He grabs a nearby wolf pelt blanket and drapes it over her. She smiles as she falls into a deep cozy sleep. He leans his head back against the tree trying to find some rest.

The next morning, the sun’s rays shine through the trees. After a quick breakfast, everyone packs up camp and continues on their journey the North Kingdom. The two elder men continue to lead the group through the lands. Not after too long they go from trees and vegetation to nothing but hard dry dirt. No wild life, no vegetation and not even a cloud over them. With the look of a desert the temperature continues to get colder and colder but still not even a cloud over them.

“What is this place?” asks Sara.

“The Dead Lands,” answers B.

“It’s so barren,” she replies.

“These are cursed lands. Stories are said that this is where the great battle was fought over a thousand years ago. King Floren led the fight of all races against Dubhan, Lord of Darkness, King of the Death, and Ruler of the Underworld. These lands had been conquered by him and now nothing survives these lands but death itself. Of course, these are just rumours and tales from historians and others looking for the gate.”

“So, the ruler of the kingdoms is not the worst thing ever?”

B looks around and leans in to whisper to her.

“What you call they ‘ruler’ is nothing more than a worshipper with mad power and an army. They are a servant. If Dubhan was ever risen again he would raise his army and the world would soon look like the Dead Lands.”

“So, you would give up?”

“Give up? No. I would be defeated.”

Sara goes quiet for a moment thinking about what would happen if this great and powerful dark lord was to raise his army. All could be lost, and everything good and pure in the world would be gone.

“Who is the ruler?” she asks, deciding to continue her curiosity. “Why is that the only thing I know about him?”

“You don’t know?”

She shakes her head.

“I am probably not the right person to tell you then. I would ask Fromm or that servant Eugene. They will tell you who she is when the time is right.”

“Did you just say she?” she asks.

“No,” he says quickly.

“I think you did. In fact, I am 99% sure that you did.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Who is the ruler of the Five-,” her voice fades off as a snow flake falls on her face. “Snow?”

“Yeah, we must be getting somewhat close.”

“We were just in a desert and now it is snowing.”

“That desert is cursed. I told you that. It is only the home of death. This is a home of warriors long ago a place of honour.”

They continue to travel, until they reach the base of a mountain.

“Are we going up the mountain?” asks Tucker.

“I think it is best,” says B. “There is a pass not far away, but I don’t know who may be watching it. It is usually pretty heavily guarded.”

“I agree, we should go over,” decides Fromm.

“There is a slight path that goes up. Most don’t know about it, so it should be the safest way over.

They set off to go up and over the shortest mountain in the range. As they approach the peak the snow gets thick and heavy. After much effort they soon reach the peak of the mountain. They stop for a moment to take a rest and catch their breath in the thin air. The thick snow creates a harsh blanket across the sky limiting visibility. However, a giant white wall covers a distance as far as they can see. They all stand in awe as this man made creation stands above all other creations. It easily stands 50 feet high and 15 feet in thickness.

“Is that-?” starts Alex.

“The Great White Wall of the North,” answers B.

“I thought it was only called The White Wall,” replies Fromm.

“Well, is it not great?” he responds.

“It looks impenetrable,” states Fromm.

He was right. Hundreds of soldiers stand at the top of the gate and in the further distance they can see the outline of a large city. All of the companions now stand covered in snow, shivering. All of them but B.

“He’s right, boy. What’s the plan?” asks the elder assassin.

“Obviously, we can’t just ride up to the gate and demand entrance. They would shoot us down before we ever got close. Just down the mountain is an entrance for a smugglers tunnel. It leads into Zeev’s sewers unfortunately and we can access the castle from underneath. Once we’re in, we will be in the main hall and we can go up our separate towers. Afterwards, we will meet up in the throne room and use the portal to get back to Berthold.”

“You can open the portal?” asks Fromm.

“No, but I know someone that can. Now, shall we?”

“Wait, but both portals have to be open for that to work,” says the elder assassin. He now starts to seem sceptical of the plan.

“Don’t worry, it will be. Trust me.”

They look at him questionably at first but with the lead of Sara, they all eventually start heading down the mountain side. They soon approach the base of the mountain and release the horses back into the wild and grab only the necessary gear. The horses soon start running back up the mountain and back away from the gate. The companions soon approach a wooden door hidden in the snow-covered snow just like B had said. He opens up the little gate showing a hole in the ground with a ladder on the side leading into a deep dark hole.

“Who’s first?” he asks.

Without hesitation Sara grabs one of the lit torches out of Tucker’s hands and climbs down the ladder.

“Alright, my lord?” he asks towards Alex as everyone stands shocked at Sara’s actions.

“Yeah. I will climb into the deep dark hole.”

He climbs down, shortly behind him is Fromm. Following Fromm is the two assassins with B and Tucker being the last one and shutting the gate behind themselves. Once everyone is down there B takes the lead to show the way through the dark tunnel. Only he and Sara have the torches, lighting the way for everyone. The tunnel is only large enough for them to travel single file down the narrow tunnel with B in front, Alex, Sara, Fromm, Tucker and the two assassins closely behind.

“So what exactly were these tunnels used for?” asks Fromm.

“What do you mean were?” replies B.

“They’re still in use? What do they need to smuggle into the city?”

“Nobody is trying to get anything into the Zeev, I assure you.”

“Then what are they trying to smuggle out?”

“Themselves.”

“I don’t understand,” says Sara.

“Zeev is a repressed city along with much of the of the kingdom. If you live in the capital city you are either thriving or dying anymore. It makes Akavos look like paradise and Berthold like heaven.”

“Akavos was disgusting, there is no way,” she says in disbelief.

“Trust me princess, I wouldn’t lie to you about that.”

“So they actually use this tunnel to smuggle people?” asks Sara.

“The former queen created the tunnels but since her death smuggling people out of the city has been much more difficult. This is the final tunnel that hasn’t been destroyed by Lycus himself.”

“How did the queen die?”

“I heard she was betrayed by her own son,” says Fromm.

“The outlaw,” says Alex. “From the wanted poster. What was his name?”

“Bryne,” says B with a sombre tone. “The Black Prince.”

“He is nothing more than a coward,” says Fromm.

“You quickly judge someone that you do not even know?” B asks Fromm.

“He is not someone but something, they say,” says Fromm when a hand is put on his shoulder. He turns around to see the elder assassin with his finger to his mouth to quiet the words.

“Maybe now is not the time to be dismissive of the prince.”

Awkward silence fills the tunnels as the ground begins to get a little bit more wet.

“I didn’t know the North Kingdom was struggling so much,” says Fromm.

“Because you weren’t meant to know. If you knew the truth then you would’ve shed too much light on the matter and the people would’ve never made it out.”

“Where did those that escaped get to?” asks Sara.

“I don’t know. Probably joined or even created some small village near the Dead Lands or in Edjer perhaps. Small enough to keep everyone under suspicion. Ooo, watch your step now.”

He looks down and see the tunnel has gone from rocks and mud into a wet brick floor. The floor suddenly splits apart with a path going left and another going right. The smell of the sewers start to get stronger and stronger. A slight stream now flows a little bit deeper from the right fork and down the left. B stops and decides to turn right.

“What is that smell? And why did you decide to turn right?” asks Tucker.

“Shit,” he answers.

“To which question?” asks Tucker.

“Both.”

Urine and feces fill the air so bad that even the assassins in the rear have a hard time keeping their composure. Everyone now has their faces covered and refuses to speak for a moment. Sara leans closer over B’s shoulder as close as she can.

“So, B how come your friend doesn’t speak any?” Sara asks B trying to take her mind off of the smell.

“He speak however his people before he joined the Order believe in silence. They believe silence is key to seeing everything around you and strengthens your other senses. Now, he doesn’t know how to speak common tongue but can understand it. Ah, here we are.” He looks up and sees a steal grate.

“There’s no ladder,” says Tucker.

“You don’t jump?” asks B.

“Not eight feet high.”

“Fromm, you are up first. Alex and I will lift everyone up through. We will need to be quick.”

They lift up Fromm first as planned, then Tucker and Sara go up with the help of Fromm on the other side. They get to the large sized assassin but struggle to lift him.

“Jeez, big guy, how much do you weigh?” asks Alex. The assassin grunts at him.

“Apparently more than either one of us can lift. It’s called a salad, buddy.”

The older assassin comes over to help lift him up and after a minute or so of struggle, the large man is able to pull himself up with the help of Fromm, Tucker, and Sara.

“Well, I think we need to put you on a diet when this is all done,” mocks B.

They get the older assassin up without much effort, compared to before. Finally, B lifts up Alex putting him in position to get up. They all stare at B down in the hole by himself.

“Now how do you plan to get up?” asks Sara. “Does someone have a rope?”

“Catch me.”

“What?”

Suddenly, B jumps, and Fromm and the large assassin catch him by the arms and pull him up. They all sit for a minute to catch their breaths. Sara starts looking around and sees they are located in a small room. The room is made of brick and has two different doors and this hole in the middle of the floor.

“Did we just come up their place they go pee and you know…poop?” she asks.

“Well, we call those toilets in this world and no. That’s a food and trash hole. That is why I went right instead of left at the fork.” B responds and Sara smiles at his witty response. “But it does all go to the same place.”

“Alright, time is running out. Let’s get going,” says Alex as he stands up.

“He’s right,” agrees Fromm.

B leads them out of a door with his swords in his hands and into a giant hallway. Across the hallway stands two gigantic doors with two wolf statues on both sides of the doors.

“Alright, you guys go left. Go all of the way down until you see a door that is at the end of the hall.” Two orcs appear from the right side heading their way. “I’ll take care of these two. Go, hurry.”

He charges the two orcs and they attempt to take him out but as they attack he runs up the wall and jumps off landing behind them. Suddenly they feel two blades pierce themselves from behind and fall to the ground dead. He looks up to see Sara standing there alone in awe.

“If you’re going to come with, let’s go.”

She looks back to see the others have already started disappeared to the other tower. Then decides to join B as they run toward the western tower. Soon they approach a door at the end of the hallway and enter it to see a series of winding staircase stairs.

“Stairs, why not stairs?” she says catching her breath.

“Here, drink some water.”

He hands her his canteen and they start walking up the staircase.

“Back there, that was incredible, where does someone learn to fight like that.”

“I started training before I could really talk. It was the way of my people. Although, I was said to have a gift for it. I can see things slower than most people. My father once said it was a gift given to me by Dubhan himself. Most others would say it is a curse.”

“What would you say?”

“So far, it’s been a curse. I have been unable to protect and save those that matter to me and for that Dubhan has cursed me. He does not bless those of this world.”

He approaches two more men coming down the stairs. He parries their attack and stabs one while hitting the other over the head knocking him out cold as he falls down the stairs. He continues to lead the way up the stairs as if nothing happened. Sara stands off to the side a little shocked.

“You comin’?” he asks.

“Y-Yeah. Right behind you. It’s like you fight as if you were breathing.”

“Why thank you, princess.” He responds as they reach the top and see a door. “Here we are. Be very quiet.”

He slowly turns the door handle and pushes it open peering inside. He sneaks in crouched with Sara closely behind him. He enters the room and sees … nothing. He stands up in confusion looking around. Sara stands up cautiously.

“Huh, weird,” he says.

“What?” she whispers.

“There is nobody guarding the prison torture chamber.”

“Why would that be?”

“I am not sure, but I don’t like it.”

“Courtney,” Sara sees Courtney chained up to the wall passed out. She runs to her and B sees the keys hanging on the wall and unlocks her restraints.

“P-Please, no more. I don’t know of any weapon.” Courtney cries. Her right is swollen shut, lips are bruised purple, and her feet tattered and burned. She is in torn up rags barely covering her up.

“Courtney, its Sara. We are here to save you and bring you home.” A tear rolls down Sara’s cheek and B puts a hand on her shoulder.

“Sara,” she opens her one eye and gives a weak smile. “You came for me. Who is this?”

“Come on, let’s get out her out of here.”

B leans over, drapes a wolf blanket over her and picks her up cradling her in his arms. As he approaches the door a blade stops him in his tracks. The blade stops just before his neck and a hooded man appears from the side of the doorway. He smiles at the assassin with a crooked smile.

“An assassin of the Order caught of his guard. I thought you were all extinct. The Black Prince must’ve missed one. This must be my lucky day.”

“Not likely,” he responds as a blade pierces through his chest from his back. The man falls and a red headed woman appears before the assassin. Her hair shaved on one side and a silver and sapphire circlet on her head. She puts her dagger back on her belt.

“You’re late.”

“That depends what your definition of on time is.”

He jokes with her and she gives him a death stare.

“Also, you made a mess I had to clean up.”

“Sounds about right. May I introduce you to the future High Queen, Sara Hodgins? Sara, this Kate the leader of the resistance.”

“It’s Katherine, pleasure to meet you Sara.”

“Nice to meet you as well. You two know each other?”

“Yeah, you could say that. I can see he is still playing the whole assassin game, so I will let him keep his secrets, for now.” She smiles towards him, “Now let’s get you out of here.”

Fromm leads the way down the hallway with the rest closely behind. Alex looks behind as they reach the doorway at the end of the hall. They all pile to the bottom of the stairway but Sara is nowhere to be seen.

“Guys, where is Sara?” asks Alex.

“I think she got stuck going with B.” answers Tucker.

“B?” Alex questions.

“Yeah that assassin that has all of the knowledge. He told me to call him B.”

“Right,” he says unconvinced.

“Don’t worry, kid,” says the elder assassin. “He’ll protect her. Let’s get what we need and get out of here.”

He follows behind after one last look. They quickly run up the stairs expecting a confrontation but nothing. Not a single soldier or orc guards the eastern tower. Quickly they approach the door at the top of the tower.

“Hold up,” orders Fromm, “Something isn’t right. There’s nothing guarding the king’s quarters?”

“Let’s make sure to be on our guard,” responds Alex.

Alex decides to open the door first. He opens up to see a bedroom with a large bed in the middle and the collection of weapons all over the wall. Books fill the bookshelves, and papers fill the desks. They all enter looking for something that doesn’t fit.

“Look for a lever or something. There must be a secret passage somewhere,” explains Fromm.

“What exactly would we be looking for?” asks Tucker.

“A book, maps, anything unusual,” says Fromm.

“This whole thing is unusual,” says the elder assassin.

“Why do you say that?” asks Alex.

“Nobody guarding the king’s quarters, not even in the tower.”

“I agree,” says Fromm. “We need to be quick.”

They split up across the room looking for anything that would shed light on King Lycus’ purpose on this war. Alex goes to the desk and sees a journal titled in Elvish. He picks it up and flips through its pages. In it is writings in what looks like Elvish and on the other side is in human.

“He’s got a journal for what looks like the weapon and it looks like he’s been trying to translate it,” reports Alex.

“Let me see that,” says Fromm. “This isn’t just the weapon but it seems he is searching for immortality, dark arts and other disturbing things that I don’t quite understand.”

“Alex, checkout some of his books.” Tucker says at the bookshelf. He brings over some books called, The White Queen, History of Dubhan, Immortality, and The Gate of the Underworld.

“And a map.”

Alex looks at the map on his desk. Arrows pointing from Zeev to Berthold, Armel to Berthold, and arrows from the Delvish River to Berthold.

“They plan to attack from three different directions. What is this red line?”

He points to a red line on the map that separates The North, Armel, the Dwarven Mountain and some of Edjer from the rest of the world.

“This must be what they now control,” says the elder assassin.

“Here,” Fromm brings over a sack and Tucker puts the books in along with the journal that Alex found. “We need to get out of here now.”

“That’s called stealing, Protector,” says a deep voice from behind.

They whip around to see a large man in a black fur cape and black shirt and pants. His hair and beard were as dark as his eyes. In his right hand held a flail and in his left a shield made out of black stone.

“Well, if we bring it back I believe it’s considered borrowing.” Fromm pulls out his sword and tosses Alex the bag. “You must be King Lycus.”

“You are in my room. That’s a good guess. I am guessing you weren’t going to bring those back though. I’m also guessing we have two assassins to my left, good to see you again old friend,” he says looking at the elder assassin. “How is my son doing?”

“Better than when I first met him. He just stole your prisoner. ”

“Ah, that’s how you were able to get in the castle. He was always the sneaky one. Well, once I am done with you I will take care of him. And you must be the great Alex, future high king of The Five Kingdoms. You are definitely a protector and you brought the jester?”

“Names Tucker, you’ll regret calling me that.”

“I doubt it, Tucker.”

“I can’t wait until you are at the end of the prince’s sword,” says the elder assassin.

“He has had is chance to kill me before, and all he has done has ran away after losing to me over again.”

“If by lose, you mean using an army of men to capture and torture than I guess you are right.”

“Where, were you to help him defeat the great King Lycus.”

“You are no king.”

Angrily, he takes his flail and starts spinning it. He swings at Fromm, but Fromm rolls out of the way just in time. Fromm returns the strike but Lycus catches his arm and throws him against the wall as if he weighed nothing but a sack of feathers. The assassins join in as it soon becomes three against one. Lycus jumps and smashes the elder assassin in the face with his shield. He swings at Fromm again and misses barely this time as Fromm dodges and shoves his blade in him. He pulls it out of Lycus’ chest but no blood shows up on the blade.

“Oh shit.” Fromm says looking at the blade. He gets hit by the shield and knocked backward. The axe wielder strikes Lycus in the back but is unfazed by it. He looks at the others with a worry look in his eyes with the axe stuck in the king’s back.

“Run,” he says. Everyone shocked as he speaks. “I said run.”

The others except the elder assassin finally run out of the room leaving the assassin to face Lycus alone.

“Leave old man.”

“You don’t have to do this.”

“Yes, I do. It was always meant to end like this.”

He nods and runs out of the room. The larges set assassin stands himself between Lycus and the door way. Lycus swings the flail a few times failing to make contact. Finally, he swings low contacting his legs. The assassin falls to the ground. He attempts to get back up but Lycus smashes his head with the shield. Lycus pulls back the mask and hood to reveal the face of his victim. His face looks smashed up and covered in bruises and blood. A worry look comes across the face of the giant man as he knows this is the end.

“You fought valiantly, and brave. However, you have fought foolish as well. May Dubhan have mercy on your soul.”

Lycus lands a few remaining blows to the man’s face with his fist. He watches as the assassin chokes on his own blood. One last tear rolls down his cheek before the life leaves his body.

Alex leads the charge down the tower stairs and into the great wall. They soon see Sara, Katherine, and B holding Courtney headed their way. Katherine gets in front and makes a sharp turn through the two giant doors. They enter the throne room of the castle and continue to follow Katherine behind the throne and where a golden arch stands in the wall. Voices come from the hallway.

“Hurray, Kate, open it,” yells B.

“I’m working on it,” she yells back. She cuts her hand and puts it on the arch and a purple light fills the arch. “It’s open for a short time. Eugene must have his side open.”

“You get out of here,” B says to Katherine.

She gives B a hug and a kiss on the forehead before she runs off through a side door just in time as a number of North soldiers come bursting through the main doors.

“Sara, take my bow.” B tells Sara.

She grabs it off of his back and an arrow.

“I don’t know how to shoot.”

“Put the arrow on the string and on the rest in the front of the frame of the bow. Pull back the string and arrow at the same time and let go. Take a deep breath when you pull back and exhale as you let go.”

She listens to each step and let’s go of the arrow and it lands into an enemy soldier’s chest.

“Nice shot. Now keep it going. Tucker, Alex, Fromm, get going.”

Alex and Fromm continue to fight off soldiers using swords. Tucker runs through the portal first. Shortly behind him Alex and Fromm go through.

“Sara, you’re up.”

She runs toward the portal. An arrow flies toward her and B jumps between and puts his back to enemy protecting both Sara and Courtney. The arrow lands directly in his mid-back. He grimaces in pain but remains between them.

“Go, they can’t kill me here. I will see you on the other side.”

Another arrow pierces right through his right shoulder and he pushes Sara through.

Only the teacher and the student remain in the room fighting off probably three dozen soldiers.

“There’s too many. You need to get out of here. They can’t kill me,” says B.

“He may not be able to kill physically but he can capture you. Last time he captured you he did killed a part of you. You have someone on the other side of that portal that gave some of that back to you. I always thought of you as a son not a student. You will do great things in this world but first,” he cuts down an enemy soldier, “enjoy that gold.”

“What? You can’t decide th-,” B gets pushed back through the portal while holding Courtney. He last sees Lycus enter the room while the older assassin fights off an army an then he sees nothing but a white light.