The Midnight Guard [TMG Book One]

Part IV: A World Within a World

Wynter had never run as fast in her life.

Eiran was swift and quiet, he moved with a certain grace like that of a dancer. They were downstairs again and all around them the walls pulsed with life, that familiar red mist was beginning to rise in the air. Eiran led the way into one of the back rooms and let Wynter's hand fall as he crouched down. He whispered something in an unfamiliar language and as he did so a strange blue symbol came to life upon the dirtied floorboards. Eiran pressed his fingers down against the symbol and with a click, the floorboards beneath sprung aside to reveal a small set of stairs.

"Now," he said rising. "After you."

Wynter didn't hesitate before scrambling down the steps and into the darkness. Eiran followed closely behind, sealing the entrance as he went. The small circular room beneath was cold and Wynter fumbled in the darkness for a light.

"Here," came the husky voice of Eiran from behind. Wynter turned to him and thought for a second that she saw a flame spark between his hands. Suddenly the dim flickering of candle light filled the tiny space. As Eiran moved passed her and began to walk about the room, Wynter sat down upon the bottom step of the stairs while pulling her cloak tighter around her body for warmth. Her head spun with confusion and fear.

And not to mention exhaustion.

Wynter squeezed her tired eyes shut as her head rested against the stone wall beside her. She fought to stay awake and instead listened intently for any sound above them. All was silent. Wynter yawned widely into her hand.
Eiran watched as she fell asleep. She deserved the rest. The Guards were blind to his magic and they would be safe for now. He breathed deeply.

The worst was yet to come.

*

Sometime later Wynter awoke with a start. Eiran's hand was upon her shoulder shaking her lightly. She looked around, confused.

"Where are we?" she mumbled.

Eiran smiled, though she could see there was no real joy in it.

"We are in the town," he whispered. "If you are ready we will begin with the plan."

Wynter froze. "We're back in Journeys End?" she whispered angrily knocking his hand aside. "Why did I go all that way just to be brought back?"

Eiran shook his head lightly as Wynter's voice began to rise. He pressed a finger to his lips.

"We came through the tunnels," he explained quietly. Wynter's face showed evident confusion and so he explained further.

"The tunnels are a secret. Nobody in Journeys End knows about them, only I do. They run through the mountain and down to the back of the town, which is where we are now. I let you go up the mountains because I hoped you would be seen, that way it would look as though you had left Journeys End for good. The Guards are not likely to walk these streets tonight, they will be too busy looking for you upon the mountains."

"I could have died!"

Eiran's mouth pulled at the corner into a real smile as she spoke.

"But you didn't," he said. "Let us walk."

Wynter knew this place. It was the old boarded-up restricted area behind the church, a 'danger-zone' as the adults had put it whenever children strayed too close.

Yet it wasn't Journeys End as she knew it to be.

"What time is it?" Wynter asked though she was already sure of the answer.

"Just after midnight," Eiran murmured back.

The world was red again, though it had changed since Wynter was last here. No crows circled above their heads, no whispers crept through the air and there was no other shadow to be seen but for those cast by Wynter and Eiran. The street was lit by the silver moon that held a scarlet tint, not a single cloud caressed the still sky devoid of colour. They walked on.