Curiouser

Stranger

Emily and Nathaniel managed to escape. How they escaped was beyond them. The guards searched the area, finding no trace of where they've gone to.

Sir Gold-Digger was taken into the commander's office. The two guards stood on either side of him as the Commander fitted his gloves, "A girl in armour, and the Mage, has gotten away. How did they manage to kill my megalodon, and break into the tower with many traps I set up, and still somehow managed to disappear without a trace!?" He said, clenching his fist.

He remained silent. The Commander looked to one of his men and gave them a nod. The guard pulled off the gold helmet where Sir Gold-Digger was facing the floor.

He smacked a fist into his right cheek, his head turned by the force of his punch. The Commander crouched as he said, "I know you know something, knight." He gripped onto his chin as he continued, "Tell me what it is! Who's the girl?!"

With another hit of the Commander's fist, Sir Gold-Digger spits blood and shakes his head. He still refused to talk. No matter what he would do to punish him? He fought hard to protect his friends at any cost.

Emily could see it all in her mind, the talk between them. Nathaniel had no clue, however. They walked through the halls of the palace with no guard in sight. It felt as if they've been walking for hours. How big is this place, really?

He looked down at her and said, "Maybe it's best if we split up."

She clenched her fist, "No. There's a chance you'll be captured. I don't want to go through all that again just to get to you. I'd rather you-" she paused and stepped back around the corner. A guard patrolled left and right in the next hall.

He peeked over. The guard stopped at the end and turned to march back. She sat up against the wall, how are they going to get passed without getting caught, again?

Her pouch moved around. She opened it to see the pocket mirror glowing green. As he watched the guard, he whispered down, "I think I have a plan to get us out of this."

As she didn't respond, he looked down at her. She was holding the mirror in her hands as he whispered again, "What are you doing?"

The upside-down head appeared in the reflection, "There is a way out of this one, if you look more closely. There is a quill beside a crown of gold." And just like that, the head faded away.

He slid down on one knee, "What's he talking about?"

She didn't know for sure either. Looking around the hall for clues, she whispered to herself, "A quill beside a crown of gold?"

She let out a sigh and held up the mirror to ask. He would at least hint out something. And when she took up the mirror in her hands again, she stopped.

The reflection seemed to have magnified. She couldn't see herself, but a painting of a man holding a quill. He was writing on a parchment.

Where is the crown of gold? This can't be it. She lowered the mirror and looked closely, like he said. There is something in the background next to the quill. It's hardly noticeable.

Taking up the mirror again, the reflection showed a flash of gold. It's the crown. Nathaniel whispered, "What now?"

A thought came to mind. She reached her hand in the painting. It blended in with the light and dark tones, becoming part of the picture. Everything around her flickered like candlelight. Her whole body entered the painting.

She looked back to see the hall outside the painting. Nathaniel joined with her. As they wandered through, the man had not moved. He remained still.