Jupiter Rising

Chapter Thirty One- Cereus

"Don't try to go back through the hole Sycamore" I groaned "thrice now it has almost swallowed you like a black hole"

I watched as he got up on tip toes and tried to climb up, as dirt fell down around him and his little squeaks reminiscent of a rat, echoed around the cell.

"Em, don't encourage him" I begged.

Emerald had not been chained to the ground, and so her movement was free. She helped lift Sycamore when it looked like he might combust from the exertion it took to jump. Much like you would do with a puppy I imagined.

"I wish my mirror magic worked in this hell hole" he squeaked "you have no idea how much I detest that my shirt is now brown..." and he gazed upon his once pristine white collar, and he howled like a maimed cat. "It will never wash out"

I rolled my eyes "I will have more made for you if you focus and help me get out of here. Stop attempting that hole like a mole and return to working on my chains"

Emerald dropped him down to the ground, his once squeaky clean black shoes were covered in thick dirt crust and his soul as he looked to them and brushed his suit down, died. Poor Sycamore, he didn't like a flicker of dust to land upon him, let alone two tonnes of dirt.

"She's right. Let's work on the iron cuffs. If we can release Queen Rowans magic, we will be free"

Sycamore huffed and sighed "The cuffs are impossible. I need the key"

I gestured around the cell "How does one so small suppose he will find that"

He looked like a maddened little wet hen "I don't know Wench how does one?! you should have all the ideas since you've been stuck in here longer than I"

Emerald gasped at his rude outburst, not used to anyone calling a Royal names, let alone their staff. "She could have your head for that Goblin"

Sycamore turned like he had forgotten she was there, his beady eyes narrowing "Little Princess who got herself kidnapped twice has an opinion on my behaviour" he taunted "grow up and stop being so kidnapable"

Emerald poked him in the arm "That's not even a word, goblin face"

Sycamore took her finger that poked him and twisted it as she yelped and withdrew it. He put on a mocking voice, mimicking her "that's not a very clever retort ... Princess Prissy Pants"

Emerald gasped "Why, I've never been so offended by someone that came up to my knees! And I am not Prissy"

"Are too" he threw back, searching around for any sign of an exit or something he could smash my chains with.

"Take it back" she demanded loudly.

"Eat my Goblin dust... and go sit your Prissy pants down. Some of us are trying to escape. Unlike you"

I watched the back and forth like I was sat in court watching a show of jesters over a feast in the Great Hall. It was the first time in years that I let myself laugh a little. I felt guilty the moment it left me.

The sound of my laughter made them both turn to the source of it.

Sycamore rolled his eyes and carried on searching around "See what you've done" he accused Emerald "you've tickled her with your idiocy...and now shes going to be intolerable"