Saviour

15. I Become A Prisoner Of Novalon

Chapter 15.

Kara treated Nikkon with more respect than Tydus had. She didn't gawk at him like he was a supermodel but she did give him the once-over.

Nikkon faltered slightly at the fact she hadn't commented much on his regal appearance but he soon forgot about it, standing up to his full height and stretching out, his tail rising up and flicking like a cats.

'I like your friends.' Nikkon's voice made him sound pleased with himself.

'I think they like you too...' I thought back, realising that Kara and Tydus were both watching me weirdly.

"Again, speaking is way to much effort." I laughed and began to walk down the street.

My smile was wiped straight off of my face. There were no bright colours in the once beautiful town. In fact, it was like someone had toned down every colour until it radiated a dull, murky, melancholic tone.

My feet carried me down the streets, my hands were shoved in my pockets as I took in every sign of the destruction. "Who was it? Where was that army from?" My voice wavered, threatening to break.

"Morhan." Kara said gravely, "we've been at war for many years with that kingdom..."

I played with the words on my tongue. Morhan. Were they the kingdom that me and Nikkon had to defend Novalon against? I didn't know, and I doubt Kara would as well.

We reached the gates of Novalon. I looked up and saw the scorch marks that I had made. The screams of that night came rushing back into my head and I wobbled a little on my feet. Tydus put a hand on my shoulder to steady me and I held out my hand towards the gates. Walking forwards I pressed my hand against the wood and closed my eyes. I could feel a chill creeping through the palm of my hand and up my veins towards my heart. A cold sweat ran down the back of my neck and I opened my eyes again. The burn marks on the gates had vanished. All that remained was a small handprint of a teenage boy. "Woah..." I muttered. Somehow I had managed to reverse the damage I had caused.

I turned back to my friends and I clicked my fingers, this time instead of a small flame, a huge blaze burned on my palm having drawn strength from the power of what I had taken back. Kara and Tydus had a hint of fear in their faces but Nikkon nodded his head approvingly.

'Nice one...' He chuckled.

I let the fire go out and reserved my strength for when I would need it. Glancing up onto a hill in the distance, I noticed something I'd never seen before. I mentally face-palmed at the fact I'd missed it all these times.

A huge castle. The most royal looking place I'd ever seen. "That's the kings place?" I asked Kara.

She looked at where I was pointing and nodded. "Yes, that is the residence of King Ashden. What are you thinking?"

I paused for a while. "I'm thinking, that it's time for me to meet the king. Nikkon?"

He understood me, knowing that he would have to come too. He knelt on his front legs and gave me enough space to jump up. I looked towards Kara and Tydus. "I'll be back later guys..." They nodded and stepped back as the Griffin launched himself into the air.

Glancing over my shoulder and raising a hand in farewell I couldn't help but think about the king. Was he a fair man? He ruled a fair kingdom but were the population of Novalon influenced by his actions?

We were there in less than two minutes. We landed in the courtyard and I called out to a stable boy. "You! Go to the king and tell him he has a visitor!" They boy looked at me with wide eyes and then turned as white as a sheet as he looked at Nikkon. He dropped the water bucket he was carrying and ran inside.

Minutes later, lines of guards filed out of the doors and made a horseshoe shape around us, making sure we couldn't back away.

'Shh, Nikkon, don't worry.'

Trumpets blared and I jumped, searching for where the sounds were coming from. The doors of the castle were opened and a strong sixty year old man was stood in the centre of them, holding his head high. There was no doubt that he was someone to be respected. The way he held himself clearly showed he was a figure of authority.

There was silence as he glided down the steps towards us, a searching look on his face. He stopped a good distance away from us and looked my right in the eye. "What do you wish to discuss?"

"How you can let the kingdom of Morhan break down the gates and slaughter hundreds of innocent civilians." I said, standing my ground.

'Alex...is this a good idea?'

'Just wait...'

The king looked surprised at my outburst but soon regained his composure. "I see not how that was my fault. The gates were not guarded well enough."

"What were you doing whilst the battle was ongoing? Feasting? Playing cards? Watching? You could have helped. You could have changed the destiny of that battle."

"I've heard enough of your talk, young hero. You do nothing but insult me." He said and turned his back on us, starting to retreat back into his castle before clicking his fingers sharply. "Imprison them."

Hell broke loose. I felt myself being grabbed and pushed to the floor, my cheek squashed against the cold, damp stone. My hands were pulled behind my back and locked in place by some kind of handcuffs.

I sat up and reached out in my mind to Nikkon. 'Fly! You won't be captured!'

He spread his wings, knocking a row of guards to the ground before leaping into the air. With three beats of wings he was gone.

I, however, was hauled to my wobbly feet and dragged through the courtyard with seven spears pressing against my back. "Relax, it's not as if I'm gonna torch you all!" I insisted but the spears kept jabbing at me uncomfortably.

I was thrown into a cell with a thin covering of straw on the floor to use as a bed. My handcuffs were undone and I rushed towards the door, trying to get out before it was slammed in my face. I was pushed back and landed on my butt on the floor and I heard the click of the lock.

I set my jaw and slammed my fist against the heavy metal door in frustration. Ok, I'd made my mind up about the king. He was a pompous git that needs to pull his own head out of his-. Anyway, I was trapped in a cell that was two metres by two metres. A tiny window let a few measly rays of sun in, creating a stripe of light on the door.

I paced the room, trying to reach out to Nikkon but he was either too busy doing something or too far away from me. My sword had been taken and I didn't want to call upon my power over fire in fear of angering the king even more. I'm not stupid, I didn't want to end up dead. As much as he may dislike me, I still had my duty to save this kingdom.

I tried to look out of the slit of a window, but the sunlight was too blinding and I had to squint to avoid damaging my eyes. I quickly gave up that idea.

Other people were imprisoned down here. I could hear their cries for help, for their families. Some were even begging to be killed. I had no intention of spending too long down here. Maybe Nikkon had gone to find Tydus and Kara?

In the corner there was a small water system, like the kind that farmers set up in fields for their sheep. It could tell when it was getting empty and soon filled up with fresh water after the water level dropped beneath a certain level. A simple but clever contraption.

I pushed all the straw into the corner and began tapping on the wall, hoping to find a secret passageway out of this place. Nope. No chance. I bundled the straw up to make a covering as thick as possible.

I laid down and tried to get to sleep, ignoring the cries of the other men in the cells.

This was going to be a long night...