Follow the Arrow

Chapter 9

The past five days have been a complete and total failure for me. And I'm not even the one suffering from my failure, which is what is making me suffer, but not nearly as much as she is! Every night this week I've made my way down to the dungeons to visit Orchid. And each night, it becomes more difficult to look at her. More and more injuries are being inflicted on her. As I attempt to heal some, the next night, it's almost as though there's twice as many as the previous night. The second night I came to see her, I gave Orchid a potion that gets rid of the sensation of pain temporarily. It helped at first, but only a little. Sure, she didn't feel the pain when it was happening, but when it wore off, since there was no gradual build up of the pain, it hit her all at once. She couldn't move when I found her the third night because she was in so much pain. Yet, she didn't shed a single tear. Not since I found her.

Orchid refuses to tell me anything too specific about how they are torturing her. I've begged her to tell me, pleaded for her to talk about it, but she won't. She might think she's being strong by keeping her mouth shut, but it's unhealthy. It's not healthy for her to keep all of it locked up inside her. I'm afraid it may drive her mad if this lasts much longer. I know I will go mad if she doesn't give details. No, I will lose it much sooner if I can't figure out a way to get her out.

I've tried so many different ways to break the shackles that bound her here. I've used dozens of spells, but they have no effect. I spent two days looking up potions to test that night. All failures. Clearly the chains are magic proof. And Orchid told me they melted the key right in front of her. I've even resorted to trying to pick the lock, but every time I think I've got it, I don't and I just want to scream. But I don't.

Because I have to remain strong and level-headed for her. But that's the only reason.

Tonight I don't know what I'm going to do. I've run out of ideas. I've been hitting the books all day.

"Zane." The voice makes me jump and I scramble to cover the books with parchment. I stand up and turn around, relieved to see Eli and not Sydelle or Nerrezza standing at my door. "Have you really been in your room all day reading?"

"Yes," I groan, rubbing my sore eyes.

He casually walks over to my pile of books. "What is so interesting that keeps you confined in here?" Eli reaches a hand out to lift the parchment.

"Wait!" I push away his hand.

"Fine, I'm sorry. But calm down, Zane. I'm on your side." He puts a hand on my shoulder. "And I know why you want her out."

Oh no, he knows?! "I-I don't know what you're talking about. Her? The only her I'm concerned for is your sister."

"I know she's in the castle. Don't play daft with me. And I know you've been visiting her every night." He cringes away. "I actually followed you the first night."

"You what?!"

Eli takes a step away. "Well, I saw you going down to the dungeons the first night. And after everything you told me about her, I wanted to meet her. I wanted to meet a real non-wizard because I wanted to see if it were all true. So I followed you." Dear lord, he heard everything. I slap a hand to my face. "I left after I heard you say..." He drops his gaze to the ground, looking uncomfortable. "I didn't want to intrude... not anymore than I already had. So I left."

I drag the hand down and groan. But then I look at him. "You didn't have to go. You could've come in eventually. I trust you. And because I trust you, she'd trust you."

"Trust wasn't the problem. I merely thought you two... just needed your privacy."

"Well thank you. I appreciate it."