The Viking Alpha

Divide and conquer?

(Cassi POV)

They were all standing in the forest on the outside of the border of the kingdom.
A dark shadow and a sense of utter despair could be seen and felt from the kingdom. Even from their distance. It loomed over everything. The once vibrant trees were now dead and bare. If it wasn't for the mass and many of the trees they'd be seen easy from their stance. The once wild flowers and lush greens grass now was brown and so dry it crackled under their feet.
'Okay. Since Rexton and Vincent know the kingdom better then any of us, we divide. I'll go with Rexton, and Vincent you go with Lucas.'
Lucas shook his head vehemently.
'No. We should stay together. Power in numbers.'
'No.' Cassi argued. 'If you or I are caught we can send telepathically a distress signal.'
'What about me?' Ezri eagerly piped.
'You,' Cassi directed, 'will stay here. Keep channeling energy and help keep our cloaking spell going.' Swinging her backpack from her shoulders she pulled out vials of blood taken from her, Lucas, Vincent, and Rexton before they left.
'This is all our blood. Channel it and use it as a link to us. If you have any sign of trouble you get out of sight.'
'Alright.'
Lucas shook his head again.
'Cassandra, we need a better plan. More time-'
'We don't have time!'
She glared at her father with unshed tears of worry and stress.
'James is in there. God knows what is happening to him now as we speak. You can all either go in and help or I go at it alone. I have no right to volunteer your help.' She turned to Vincent and Rexton.
'You two owe James nothing. I know this. Are you two sure you want to do this? Now is the time to bail. You both have new lives and you don't have to risk it or each other.'
Rexton looked over to Vincent. A silent communication passed through them before they both hugged her.
'Of course we will help you, Cassi.' Vincent spoke reassuringly. 'You supported us when at a time no one else would. You helped give us a fresh start. You are our sister now.'
'So we are doing this for you and our unborn nephew.' Rexton finished.
'And you two?' She looked at Lucas and Ezri. 'Its not too late to-'
'Like hell am I allowing my daughter and grandson to go walking into a den filled with danger alone. I'd rather you didn't go at all. But I know you are as stubborn as your mother and me. So, forget it. I'm not leaving.' Lucas jaw was set in a stubborn line as he crossed his arms in front of his chest.
Ezri smiled. 'I have a family now. So no. I'm helping. I'm just sorry I didn't see this sooner.' Her natural smile faded into disappointment.
Cassi put a friendly hand on the other woman's shoulder. 'None of us did.'
'Cassi, you and I should take the back way.' Rexton pointed out. 'Vincent and Lucas take the front. There are tunnels that lead under the kingdom. No one has used them in a very long time though. They were made for an emergency evacuation. I know them because as James's former right hand man it was my job to know. Fortunately, Vincent knows too. The perks of keeping our secret was we had to find someplace unlikely we would be found out.'
'I still say it's a bad idea.' Lucas stated grimly.
'Do you see anything? Can you get a vision? Because I sure as hell can't.' Cassi snapped back at Lucas.
'The place is throbbing with magic. Which probably means it's a protective spell. Nothing can penetrate from the outside.' Ezri explained calmly.
'Yes. I can feel it too.' Lucas agreed. 'But we still have one problem.'
'Now what?' Cassi felt she was at the end of her tether. What problems didn't they have at the moment?
'Cassandra,' Lucas tone was soothing. 'Its not that I dont want you to save him. I can understand what he means to you despite my opinions of him. But he has…okay think about it in scientific terms. He has dark matter…energy. Energy cannot be destroyed. It either transfers or in this case contained. I'm sure the witches and shifters that released it know that.'
'And?' Cassi cocked an eyebrow.
'And I highly doubt they'll just hand the container that was holding the energy willingly over.'
Cassi pursed her lips and paced. Okay, so maybe this wasn't all thought through. She couldn't do a locator spell inside because of the magic blocking them. That required heavy magic. It couldn't be done. At least probably not without a serious battery to channel from. She'd have to kill the witch that cast it. Or the witches that did it. So that left transfer. But to what? Or who?
Her mind flashed to a conversation her and James had after they reunited.
'Is it true?'
'Is what true?'
'What you did to your brother? Did you really seal his eyes and throw him in the dungeons?'
'Yes. And only you can decide his true fate.'
'Me?'
'Yes. He still lives. But only if you say otherwise.'
Turning quickly she talked fast.
'I know someone I can transfer it too. Rexton, do you know where the dungeons are? Can we get to it through the tunnels?'
'Yes.' He looked puzzled before a look of comprehension cleared his face.
'You are going to transfer to Johnathan.' He stated.
'Yes. James gave me permission over his fate. This is it.'
Silence fell between them all.
'Well. Know that that is decided, shall we?' Vincent indicated the kingdom border.
'Let's go.'

Once inside the tunnels Rexton and Cassi scurried through. Even though they were cloaked they still stuck to the walls. Just in case the spell failed.
The guards that stood guarding the dungeons she had never met. But their eyes looked empty. Like they were standing corpses. Nothing going on behind them. Rexton braved stepping in front. When they didn't move it was safe to say the spell was working once they were inside. Rexton sedated them. They barely flinched before falling over. Moving over them they grabbed the keys and made their way down. Rexton tracked Johnathans scent. The more down they traveled the more the stench of death and decay grew.
They now stood in a pit. The floor was covered with skeletons and dead rats. Some were freshly dead rats. Bloodied chunks ripped out as if someone were eating them alive.
Both were shocked at what they saw slowly come out of the shadows. She didn't recognize him at first. What once was a handsome, strong, virile young man now limped slowly like a walking corpse. Eyes that were bright and could charm now were angry red burns.
'I know you're there.' His voice was croaky as he sing songed.
Neither her or Rexton spoke.
'I should have known it would be you two to come. Honestly I didn't expect you Rexton.' Johnathan turned his head slightly back to Cassandra.
'Like what you see, Cassi? I sure hope so. Tell me, does it give you pleasure?'
Looking to Rexton she nodded for him to unchain him.
'Why are you guys here? Hmm? Have you finally come to punish me, oh great Cassandra?'
'Rexton is going to unchain you now.'
Johnathan laughed dryly. 'Are you not afraid I'll run?'
'Since you only have your sense of hearing and smell I'd say we have the upper hand.' Cassi's voice was calm. Detached. It surprised her. She thought the next time she'd see him she'd rip him to bits. But she felt focused.
Johnathan shrugged nonchalantly as Rexton unchained his wrists. 'Where are you taking me?'
'James gave me the right to give out your punishment. You are going to right a wrong. It's payback time, Johnathan.'
'Don't you think I've paid?'
'Not even close. Cooperate and I promise you'll be set free. Bonus, I'll heal you. If you don't Rexton here kills you where you stand.'
'Quite the bossy little bitch now, aren't we?'
Rexton raised his hand and punched Johnathan in the face.
Looking down at him Cassi stepped forward over his kneeled form.
'Do not fuck with me. I suggest if you want to live for tomorrow I'd follow us quietly.' She whispered menacingly.
Rexton picked him up by his arm and held the chain around Johnathan's waist.
'Can you smell, James?" She asked Rexton.
Johnathan laughed. 'Oh, he's close. In another room down here. Follow the scent Rexton. Show her.'
They made their way to the other side of the huge pit. A half stone wall separated it half way. Looking into a tunnel she saw him. Tears pricked her eyes. There he was suspended by his wrists in chains. She heard his mumbled maniacal words echoing off the walls.
'Kill her. Kill her.'