Into the Darkness Second Draft

Let There Be Color

Doug followed the King downstairs, his companions close behind.

"So, it was when Cain turned the spring black that the darkness seeped out to touch everything," the King said as he led them outside, the cold night air punctuated by the howls of dire wolves. "They know what's about to happen, and they're powerless to stop it. Even if they were to attack the castle, they'll be repelled. They've tried before."

Doug shivered at the sound, glad he had stone walls protecting him. He just wished he could see how high those walls were. 'Soon,' he told himself.

"If I may, Francis," Samantha hesitated, waiting for some kind of rebuke at using the King's name, and, after none came, she asked "why the spring?"

"That spring runs down from the mountains. The water feeds everyone and everything along the way. In times of drought and famine, this spring has always flowed, and even when we are packed within these walls to wait out a harsh winter, there water continues to flow. It is the lifeblood of Faeris, and has been for as long as my family has held the throne."

"And how long is that?"

"Well, there was Henry the First, Second, and Third, plus two Francis' before me, and Philip, and... Why, my family built those walls, and they've stood for nearly a millennium. And they'll stand for another thousand years if I have my way!"

"Hope so," muttered Doug, hoping the ruckus from the wolves would drown out his remark.

He had forgotten about the King's oversized ears though, "Don't you worry, you'll restore color to the world, and they'll turn out to be bright pink and fuzzy, and they'll die from embarrassment before we can lay a hand on them."

This elicited a chuckle from Samantha, and the King smiled at the sound.

"It's been too long since I've heard genuine laughter."

"There's not been much to laugh about in the dark." Kindrow said.

"No, but you've come through for me, old friend."

"We're not out of the woods yet Sire, let us finish this, and then we can handle Cain. There'll be plenty of time for laughter afterwards."

"Right you are. The spring should be in this building here," King Francis said, placing his hand out and rapping on a what sounded like wood.

"How'd you do that?" Samantha asked, amazed at the King's knowledge of his home.

"I've been stuck in this darkness for twenty years, I can pace the entire castle from memory. With my eyes closed should I have to."

"But we were told you've been locked in the tower."

"And who was there keeping watch over me? It is true, the main door never opened, but this castle is littered with back doors and secret passages, some of which I'm sure even I don't know about. After you."

Doug stepped into the small building through the opening the King indicated, and soon, all eight of them, the King and Marcel included were cramped inside. "Ok, what color?"

"Do you have a teal? Or maybe a slate with a touch of blue to it?" Andy said before anyone else could speak. "Oh, I'm sorry Your Majesty."

"That is quite alright. You seem to have given this a bit of thought."

"Only since we stopped at a stream earlier. I've wondered what color we could make the water, and if it would still remain clear on a good day."

"Only one way to find out," Doug said as he plunged a pencil deep into the water, his face scrunched up, eyes closed.