The Amulet (A tale of Eswor Book 2)

Catching Up

Another update because why not?
Thanks for reading!
-Hannah
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I woke up cold and wet. I slowly opened my eyes and winced. My body was in pain, but I couldn't do anything about it. I looked at the wall and traced it with my finger, the chains made a clunking noise when I raised my hand. "So this is what it feels like to die." I chuckled quietly to myself. My hand fell back to my side.

These dungeons didn't look familiar which means I was most likely in the Thirer castle. I leaned my head against the wall and closed my eyes.

I coughed some more and spat blood on the ground. I sighed and started coughing again. I was on my hands and knees. My arms started trembling. I laid down on the floor and covered my eyes with my arm.

I don't know how long I've been here, but I can tell that no one has been down here yet. There was no proof that food or water was brought.

I took my arm off of my head when I heard the clanking of metal coming down the stairs. I sat up and propped my elbow on one knee. "It's about time, some of you bastards came down here." I said harshly.

I heard a growl, and the start of someone removing their sword. "Be respectful to the Crown Prince of Galeilth, girl."

The said Prince came up to the cell. "Kava, its me Derrick."

I shrugged. "Great. So what?" I could see Derrick clearly in the torch light, but he couldn't see my face. He smiled slightly, but I know I hurt him.

He cleared his throat and leaned against the bars. "Are you alright?"

I chuckled, which turned into a coughing fit. Venom filled my words. "You're really asking me that? Oh, yes Your Highness, it's not like I'm dying. However, I'm just trapped in a dungeon with a man that wants to kill me right above my head." I pulled my hood back and stared at Derrick. "I'm perfectly fine."

Derrick cleared his throat. "Well, it's not like I expected a warm welcome. But it's good to know that your alive." He glanced at the guards. "Leave us. I want to talk in private."

The guards bowed and nodded.

I sneered. "Ah, yes how dandy."

Derrick looked at me coldly. "Where is the amulet?"

I laughed. "I don't have it. I destroyed it the first time I had it in my hands. Just so that your father couldn't get it." Lies. "It's long gone." I glanced up at Derrick, deciding on changing subjects. "I heard that you got yourself engaged."

Derrick smiled. "Yeah I did. You would've like Sarah too." I sat back down and listened to Derrick talk about his soon to be bride. He sounded happy. I was glad. Suddenly I blacked out and drowned in sleep.

~~~

I opened my eyes and looked around. The dungeon was darker then when I first woke up. The moon shone through the small window that I had. I stood up and faced the window, so the moonlight enveloped me. I closed my eyes and sighed.

"You look different."

I turned around slightly and looked at he man who spoke. "It's been three years. Of course I'm going to look different."

Seth smiled slightly. "You haven't changed though."

I frowned. "I wouldn't be so sure of that." I glanced at him and sighed. "How have you been?"

Seth shrugged. "I've been better. Ever since you left its been a hassle handling the guards." I didn't say any thing and let him continue. "After you left, no one knew where you were. Kinnley ended up getting sick and he left. Then all of the good men that we had were either killed, or they were too old and retired after the queen passed." Seth sighed and didn't meet my eyes. "They were replaced by these younger more arrogant men who always have a flask in hand."

I turned to look at him. "It wasn't an easy decision to leave. But it was a chance to save so many people. So I took that path."

Seth tilted his head. "Where is the amulet? I know you don't have it, otherwise you wouldn't be here."

"I destroyed it. King Warren caught me in vain." I lied.

Seth shook his head. "You actually destroyed it..." His eyes widened a little. "What's going to happen to you?"

I leaned against the wall and shrugged. "Who knows? At this rate, if I'm not executed then I'll die from the poison that still runs through me." I looked away. "I only have a couple of months left at the least. Hopefully, this all ends then I can leave in peace."

Seth sighed. "I'm guessing the other two don't know about this?"

I shook my head. "And they aren't going to." I gave him a pointed look.

He sighed. "I won't tell them." He stood up straight and looked at me. "I'll see you tomorrow. Both of the kings want to see you tomorrow and your probably going to be handled roughly."

I smiled. "I'm pretty sure I can handle the wrath of two kings." I coughed and wiped my mouth. "Plus I'm already dying so they don't have to worry about me."

Seth looked at me with eyes full of worry. "Your putting up a front again. Have you really been alone for so long that you just locked everything up?" I didn't meet his eyes nor did I say anything. He sighed. "Night then." I watched as he climbed the stairs and out of the dungeon.

~~~

Warren looked down at me with a sick smile on his face. "It's been a long time hasn't it Captain?"

Warren had me in King Gareth's throne room in Thirer. There were members of the council here watching me. Even Derrick and Seth were here. Warren was insanely ruthless, where as Gareth was sane and ruthless on purpose. Gareth liked the sight of blood, which explains why I'm all beat up right now. Blood trickled down from my nose, and I was finding it hard to concentrate. My head pounded and my eyesight was getting blurry.

I didn't say anything. Or rather I didn't have anything to say to him. Warren sneered. "My men informed me that you don't have the amulet on you. Tell me is that correct?"

I looked up at him. "Yes it is. I destroyed it a while ago." I smiled slyly. "You're too late Warren. I beat you at your petty game and Eswor will not fall into your hands." I was punched in the stomach then kicked by a guard under Gareth's orders.

I moaned and curled into a ball. I coughed and more blood then usual spurt out of my mouth. It dripped on the floor. The only sounds in the room was me wheezing. The council didn't say anything, and the nobles just turned a blind eye.

"Guards, have her executed tomorrow morning. She's no longer of use to us. Looks like will have to go to war." Warren sighed in mock dismay and looked at Gareth.

Gareth nodded. "Sounds wonderful my friend."

I looked up at Warren. "You can kill me if you like, but it won't do you any good. I'm already dying you see. I have a disease that no one can cure. Not even the magic of the fey can rid me of this nuisance." I laughed a little maniacally. "You lost Gareth and Warren. You both will end up dethroned and killed by your people. You will suffer just as your people have suffered. I can guarantee you that." I shouted this as I was dragged away. I kicked at the guard and wiggled around to try and escape.

I couldn't die tomorrow. I promised Terragon that I would see him again. Now that I had him, I didn't want to die. I wanted this disease to disappear, but more importantly, I wanted to live.