Sleeping Beauty

Chapter fifteen: "Escape & Rescue"

Cliffton sat atop of his restless horse. His horse snorted and pawed the rocky ground with his hoof. He didn't want to be here anymore than he did. Cliffton glanced back at Fauna who straightened up with a nervous look. Her eyes kept darting to the watch towers where Orcs and Ogres were looking down at them with suspicious glares. Finally, a sleek black raven flew out across the raised drawbridge. Cliffton felt the fairy rock around his neck pulse as it approached. Was this the same raven that he'd seen in the woods. He wanted to take out the stone and get a look at the creature's true form but didn't want to reveal that he had it. It would only make him a target if things went wrong. Patting his horse's neck to calm him, he watched the raven fly through the barred gate before hovering before them. Swiftly it transformed into a cloaked human, asking him curiously. "Am I to believe that you caught, Fauna? Fairy Queen of the animal kingdom?" Cliffton gestured to her, stating out flatly. "If you don't believe me then check her for yourself." The man snorted, snapping his fingers. From within hidden slotted windows along the gate towers, Cliffton faintly saw arrow tips glint in the low light.

The man then stepped closer to him, stating out dryly in return. "Just in case you get any bright ideas." Cliffton shrugged, telling the man unfazed. "Do as you wish. I've nothing to hide." The man approached Fauna, causing her to growl out through clenched teeth. "Hello, Diaval. Doing well?" Diaval flashed her a wicked smile, coolly replying. "Yes. Thank you for asking." Diaval lifted the hem of her dress to reveal her legs, but not for any perverted reason. He was checking the saddle and making sure that her leg wasn't smuggling in anything. Cliffton was thankful that he had let her talk him out of doing that now. Diaval checked under the horse and moved to the other side to check everything. He even lifted the horse's black mane to check under it. The last thing he did was reach out to grab her shackles with his gloved hand. The shackles were made of real iron and had glowing runes that suppressed her powers. To protect her skin from burns, he had wrapped her wrists in cloth. Diaval's eyes darted to Cliffton, asking sternly. "You wrapped her wrists? Why?" Cliffton huffed, answering without pause. "I don't damage goods. It's bad for business. What you do with her is your own vice."

Diaval exhaled heavily, moving back toward Cliffton as he asked more relaxed now. "King Nathan will be pleased. So, how much do you want for her? And keep in mind... we can always just kill you and take her. So, don't think conning us will be rewarded. We want her. We will pay only what she is worth." Cliffton lifted his head a little to look out from under the brim of his hat, then pulled his long jacket back from his leg to show him his axe. Giving Diaval a smug grin, he retorted darkly. "Better men than you have tried to kill me. But YOU keep in mind, Diaval, that anything less than her worth and I'm leaving WITH her." Diaval chuckled, saying a little impressed. "I recognize that. So, the last Dragon Slayer turns into a Bounty Hunter? You've got a lot of balls coming back here." Cliffton stayed calm, telling him casually. "That life is behind me. You have something I want. I have something you want. Let's trade and be done with this." Diaval shrugged, stating lightly. "Well, now that I know you actually have the skills required to capture her and this isn't a trick. Sure. Let's talk trade. What do you want?" Cliffton inhaled deeply, trying to show no fear, when he answered. "You have my son. I want him back. A queen for a peasant. An uneven trade but worth it for me."

Diaval huffed with a growing smile. Then lifting a hand, he waved to the Orcs and Ogres. The hidden window hatches closed and the Orcs above yelled out to each other. "Raise the gate! Lower the drawbridge!" Bells rang out and metal clanged softly, before the drawbridge lowed. Diaval then gestured them to go across, telling him calmly. "Not a problem. Escort her in and we'll bring him out for you." Cliffton read his body language like an open book. He'd met many smooth talking liars and Diaval was one of them. Giving Diaval a stony nod, he got his horse moving. While his horse pranced across the wooden bridge, Cliffton's hand moved to rest on his thigh. His finger's discreetly seeking out his axe. Pulling a string to easily release his axe from the holster, he held it firmly against his leg under his jacket. His eyes scanned the place out of habit. He counted all the possible fighters that would engage him in a fight. Then tried to see if there was any way he could get an advantage. The next barred gate to the castle rose, allowing them to ride into the courtyard. Once they were in, the gate closest to the castle dropped behind them. Fauna jumped in surprise, but Cliffton had known it was coming.