Rebelmind Rising

Unraveled Threads

The world darkened around Regulus. Something coiled just beyond the edge of consciousness waiting to strike. "You're my friends," he tried to recall the diplomacy lessons he'd learned from idly watching his mother in her work with foreign ambassadors. "Let's put away our swords and leave politics out of our adventure."

The three boys sheathed their swords and Jesse nodded curtly, "Yes sir."

The Castle still lay more than a day's journey beyond, and Aurelius insisted that they try the long bow on the way. Jesse and Sam concurred though tension still sang on the air between them. On one of the eastern slopes the boys found a herd of elk, and the long bow's performance met with Aurelius' hearty approval. That evening, around elk steaks in the high meadow, the conversation stayed forcedly cheerful. Jesse kept casting furtive glances into the darkness along the way they had come and once he asked Sam if he had covered their tracks well. The fire was small and hidden from sight by a high ring of rocks that Aurelius had built, tight-lipped and sober.

"Why does it seem like we are hiding from something?" Regulus asked Jesse. "It seems like it would be a better idea to have a big fire to keep wild animals away."

"Why?"

"Well, that way when we're sleeping, they're less likely to sneak up on us."

"What makes you think we're spending the night here?"

"Well...."

Jesse grimaced. "We're heading out. Come on boys."

"Why?" Regulus crossed his arms over his chest and bored holes into Jesse's soul, daring him to spill the truth behind his eyes.

Jesse evaded him well, "We're in a bad place if it rains. The ground is bloody soggy and loose. Besides, I don't like to sleep on steep hills. Now get the hell out of my way." He brushed sharply past Regulus.

A sickle moon hung in the western sky and the starry heavens wheeled overhead. Undimmed by any manmade light, fields of stars shone with unparalleled glory. The blackness between shining orbs held more crystalline lights as shooting stars streaked their way through the ribbons of aurora flickering across the enchanted sky.

Finding their way by starlight, the boys wended their way up the steep pass towards Renegade Castle. Muscles cramped and strained in Regulus' legs and his feet ached. "Why can't we use torches?" he questioned after tripping for the thousandth time over the sharp rocks littering the pathway.

"Shhhh," Jesse raised his hand and cocked his ear to the darkness. "We're being followed. Everyone hide. Cover everything metal."

Instantly, the lads crouched among the rocks, their swords and knives tucked under their cloaks. Aurelius softly cursed as he tried to cover the craftsmanship on his longbow and quiver.

Below them, where the scree slope met the trees, Regulus could make out the dim outline of a man fumbling among the rocks. A glimmer of starlight shone from his sword and helmet. The man motioned to something, and suddenly several more shadows detached themselves from the darkness and started climbing.

"We're trapped." Jesse's whisper was hoarse. "Climb as quickly as you can boys, we'll try to make the ridge before they catch up with us. I'd hate to fight on this terrain and there must be at least a dozen of them down there."

They started climbing again as carefully and quickly as possible, but a shout rang faint on the wind, "There they are!"

Regulus froze. He recognized the voice. It was Lukas, the head guard of Nevermore Castle. But that meant only Hermione could have ordered them after him. Horrible terror clutched his heart and truth crystallized in his mind. She knew. She had to know. Could she be the one who would kill him and his friends before telling him the truth? But could she kill her own son? His heart cried for an answer and for the first time his head didn't have one that made sense.