A Ward's Tale

Chapter 29

Reynold sighs as he walks through the castle. The tapestried walls feel as if they are closing in on him. No one else was nearby to distract him as his thoughts floated to when he first arrived at the castle. When he first came here he was sure he was going to be the luckiest man. Living at the castle, being waited on, not having to do anything if he didn't want to, all this and marrying a beautiful woman. But now he is starting to believe he is the unluckiest man.

He should have realized there was something wrong with that beautiful woman. Why else would the King insist that she must stay at the castle, that the man who married her stay here as well. The King knew she had magic, and he was the one who had banned the use of it in the castle, yet let her--made her stay here under his watch.

The King had to have known she was going to be some powerful mage, but why had he let her live? Magic only caused problems. Magic is the reason his brother died when they were kids. Magic is what tore his village apart.

Reynold punches the wall beside him. Conflicting emotions rise within him. He has grown to really care for Clarissa, in the way she cares so much for everyone, her dark luscious hair he likes to twirl in his fingers, her kind expressive eyes, but the magic she has reminds him of dark times he rather forget.

Why did Clarissa have to have magic?

Why couldn't she just have bad body odor or have some disability, why did it have to be magic?

Reynold cradles his hand looking down at the crimson blood on his knuckles. Blood and magic have always coincide together in his life. He didn't want to imagine what blood was going to be shed this time.

He needed some fresh air. These thoughts are going to consume him if he stays stagnant any longer. He makes his way down the hall, heading towards the door that would lead him out into the castle's gardens. As he reaches for the door, a black cloth covers his head from behind. Reynold starts to fight to get away but a quick jab to the back of his head knocks him to his knees. Reynold's head spins as he tries to focus. He tries to move but his body will not listen and he falls to the ground. As Reynold is sprawled on the floor, a darkness deeper than the cloth could provide creeps into his vision.

"Easy, Mitch. We don't want to kill him." A far off voice says as the darkness overtakes Reynold.

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As Reynold starts to wake up he realizes he is sitting in a chair. He pulls his hands up to cradle his aching head. It occurs to him that he is not chained up in any way. The room is dimly lit by four candles in the corners of the room.

"Where am I?" He asks groggily.

"You are in a safe place, brother." A voice says stepping out of the shadows. He wears a black cloak with the hood raised.

"You have kidnapped me. How is this a safe place?" Reynold exclaims then winces from the headache pounding in the back of his head.

"We had to get you to a private location so we can talk without being seen. We have to know which side you are on. We know who you are, Reynold Richardson son of Brandon and Myra Richardson, brother to Reymond, rest his soul. We know what magic has taken from you. We want magic gone, for good, from Spealdonia. There are rumor's that that mage group, the Seekers, have found their savior which can only mean destruction for us normal humans. We have to be prepared to fight so we are gathering our force. Will you join us?"

Reynold didn't know what to do. They didn't specifically say they knew Clarissa was this savior but why else would they take him. This cloaked figure mentioned his family so they must know about his past, which although it is not a secret it is also not well known. They have done their research. What else may they know?

Reynold battled with himself on what to do. A part of him wanted to agree and join. Rid the rest of his life of magic so he could live in peace. But then Clarissa's face appeared in his mind and he thought about how that would mean he would never see her again. If they didn't kill her, she would be banished.

"My head is pounding. You can't expect me to really believe you are not here to hurt me." Reynold defects.

"We are sorry about that, my brother does not realize how strong he can be. We did not mean to hurt you, only get you here quietly."

"And just where is here? How do I know you are humans and not mages waiting for me to say I'll join you then you kill me?"

"Reynold, we understand your concern but you need not worry. We are human and just want to be prepared to protect ourselves. You offer a unique ear to the King if we were to come to a time where we need him."

Caught him, Reynold thinks to himself. They want him for his position, marrying Clarissa means he will be closer to the King, closer than any Duke could get. Reynold couldn't help but think how he was definitely the unluckiest man right now.

"In a show of good faith we will let you leave without getting an answer. Think about it. Your decision could be the leading factor between the lives or deaths of many." The cloaked man pauses as what he says sinks into Reynold's memory.

"The stairs out of here are to your left." With that the man backs into the shadows and disappears.

Reynold just sits, stunned, for a moment before hurriedly getting up and finding the exit. There was a stairwell to his left. It was unlit but he had no other choice. He started to climb, one tested step at a time. The steps were solid and soon he found himself climbing faster and faster. He didn't let himself think about how they were going to have to find him again to get his answer.

Finally he saw light pushing itself through the wooden boards of the door above. Reynold pushed the door and it opened easily, the light of the fading sun engulfing him. Reynold blinks, blinded at first after spending so long in the dark. He looks around, gathering his surroundings. All around him were trees, nothing looked familiar.

How far away from the castle did they take him?

Any direction away was better than staying here with the dark cult. Reynold took off running.