Chapter 16, Complications

49 0 1
                                    

Landon's POV
We were at the queen's fortress, but as I looked at its tall dark spires I saw that it was going to be harder to get in and out than I thought it would be. And we didn't know where Brooks was being held. We darted into the bushes when a huge dark bird flew overhead, but I had no idea how we were going to sneak in.


Sara's POV
We had just finished breakfast when Breton said it was time for the championship. We got ready but we still didn't know what the challenge was.
I came out and everyone else was already there. I sat down at the table when Breton started to make his speech. I zoned in and out but really all I needed to hear was the part about the challenge. A thieves guild near the dwarven kingdom had stolen a famous dwarven talisman. Basically we needed to get it back and then Breton would give us the gem. I was so bored when he started to talk about what it did that I almost fell asleep. Rylee nudged me and I almost jumped out of my seat.


Rylee's POV
This speech was boring, but I just stared straight ahead and pretended to listen. The bad thing was that every once in a while I think Mason thought I was looking at him. I would just be looking straight ahead when we'd start catching each others eyes. We'd both smile by then I'd dart my eyes away and look down at the table. His smile was pretty but it looked forced. I wished I knew more about him and David and Daniel. They always seem do serious and distant. Maybe that's because I barely knew then.


Nicholas' POV
This challenge seemed pretty cool but I couldn't help but notice how much Rylee was staring at Mason. Like the whole time she was just staring at him. I knew she probably didn't like me, but I still felt a twinge of jealousy towards him. I don't even know why I mean she was just looking at him and I didn't even know the guy.


Brooks' POV
When Alyssa lifted up the trap door, I stairs leading down a tunnel with torches in it. I look up and questioned her- Why was she doing this?
"Just go, I'll be right behind you," Alyssa urged me to go in.
"Why are you helping me?"
"Because I hate the witch too, now go on before someone realizes we're both gone."
"But I can't just leave you here for you to get caught!"
"Don't make me push you in and lock you down there," Alyssa moved closer to me.
"Okay okay, but what are you going to do after I leave?"
"I'd go with you back to my kind, but I have some unfinished business here."
"Like what?"
"If I told you that would put you in even more danger than you already are. Now go before Queen Courtney notices something's off. I should've been back by now."
"Okay, but how will I know where to go?"
"Just follow the tunnel it's straightforward. It opens up into a huge bush. From then on you should be far away from here- with my people. Tell them I sent you there or they'll kill you. You have to convince them you're not one of her servants."
"But how?"
"You'll know when you get there, but go. I would go with you, but like I said I have unfinished business."
"Really?" Queen Courtney appeared in the doorway.
"You know you should talk more quietly," the Queen smirked.
"Both of you are coming with me. Right now."

I had no choice to follow her, but I was mentally trying to make a map out of this place in my mind. I should've done what Alyssa told me to and just left. I'll come back here the first chance I get.

Phoebe's POV
This championship sounded better than the Elvin one, but I still didn't know much about it. We were outside near a tree, but if you looked closer you could see faint markings and cracks. It was obviously a tree, but I didn't know how many thieves were in there or how big the place was.
As we opened the door, Nicholas, Rylee, and Sara raised their swords while I raised my axe and Mary Grace took out her dagger. I was expecting huge, scar faced men behind there, but no body was in there.
We walked in as quietly as possible, but still there was no one in there. The space- being inside a tree trunk- was small and cramped, but we soon located the stairs leading down into the main area. We traveled down there but still, no one was there. I started to feel like someone was watching me, but still no one had revealed themselves.
We wandered down the hallway until we found a room with a huge chest in it. We went inside and rummaged through its contents but there was no talisman. We went back outside and went farther in until we found an even larger chest. We rummaged through it, but we heard a clicking sound and turned around to see the scar faced men.
There were only five, but I suspected there must be more somewhere else. They all had huge swords and battered amour, but it was better than us. We formed a tight circle, with Daniel, Mason, and David forming a lone in front of us.

Collapsing WallsWhere stories live. Discover now