I Am: Silver

Chapter 15

I followed Hunter 9 through the castle, and let me say, it was perfectly massive. It was exactly like you read in bedtime stories, with turrets and flying flags and even a drawbridge, the only way in unless you sneak in via the cells, or fly. I could only hope Finch had escaped the guards, because King Zelrox was not so stupid as to let her go easily. I still could not contact Pegasus, and I hoped he would stay behind. It was a futile hope though: I knew that they would have to chain him to the mountain to make him stay. I would do the same in his situation.

We ascended three flights of steps, the first being a damp, dark, wooden flight, the second moss-covered stone, and finally the third polished marble that opened into a small room which I guessed were the barracks where the watch guards stayed.

There was a small table in the far table, with a forgotten game of cards lying on the tabletop, along with two shot glasses and a bottle of Farthings. No wonder we had been able to take out the guards so easily, the tipsy buggers.

Hunter 9 ignored the contents of the room and walked straight through another door that, as I guessed correctly, led out into the barracks. After walking through rows of bunk beds that stunk of sweat, men and socks, we went through yet another door. The sunlight blinded me, and the urge to escape overwhelmed me. I pushed the feeling down though, and Hunter 9 had led me out into the courtyard, where all of the guards-in-training were currently sparring and training. As we passed them, the fighters paused in their training to look our - my - way, looks of confusion evident on their battle-hardened faces.

Before we reached the large double doors that led back into the castle, I heard many whispers directed my way.

"Is that her?" Congratulations Sherlock, you copped your first case.

"What's a girl doing in the prison?" Why don't you come over and ask her?

"Looks harmless." Ignore him.

"She's that Wanted person." And dangerous too.

"Rumor has it she's a Rider." Too difficult to believe?

"Where's her Dragon?" Pegasus!

"She's hot." That's it.

The last comment make me smile a little to myself. They wouldn't be calling me that if they knew what I could do. I stopped at the doors as they opened, and Hunter 9 watched me warily as I turned to face the group.

"You see boys, I am flattered, really. But this is what you call hot." I rubbed my palms together and sent a bunch of blue fireballs towards the group, six in total. There were yelps and calls of surprise as the fireballs smashed into the pavement and the sparring mats. I made sure a few burnt in. Without another word, I turned and gestured to Hunter 9, though it pained me to do so, to lead on. He turned without another word and continued on his journey. Shooting one more glare behind me, I saw all of the boys suddenly decide it was a good idea to begin sparring again, before the doors closed behind me.

Walking through lavish halls of polished white marble, I was in awe of King Zelrox's wealth. A maid scuttled past me, mumbling incoherent apologies as she bumped into Hunter 9, who shrugged her off as if she were worthless. I scowled at the back of his head for his disrespect to the woman.

Men.

Tomas' probable reaction that statement made me grin inside. He would turn his nose up at me, an indignant look on his face. Oh how I hoped they were coming soon. I wanted to see Pegasus again, wanted to know he was alright.

As we passed a mirror, I casually glimpsed at it, but my reflection made me do a double take as I briefly reassessed my appearance. My hair was now red with two more streaks of silver in it. I looked like a freaking red zebra! Dragging my face away from the mirror, I continued on behind Hunter 9, my mind whizzing. Was this good? Bad? A side effect of being the Saviour?