The Enchantments: Book 2 - The Key of Gandar

Chapter 6: Westland Castle

Weather is unpredictable in Westland, a simple rainstorm can become torrential at the drop of a hat, and today was no exception. A slight breeze from the ocean to the west brought dense clouds over the region. Saturated to the breaking point these clouds began to release rain by the bucketful on the small northeastern town.

By the time Simeneon, Fin and the others stood at the base of the huge structure they were literally soaked to the bone. The rain had increased to the point where visibility was limited to only a few yards. Simeneon stared up at where the large turrets would be wondering if the weather had something to do with the fact that they were now isolated from the rest of the world.

The roar of thunder in the distance seemed to heighten their senses. Nervousness replaced excitement as they strode to the large wooden doors that stood twice their height, and then they slowly opened them cringing at the squeaky hinges that invited them in.

Crossing the threshold, the four would be adventurers stepped through into the past. Large slabs of rock underfoot traveled along the floor towards the back of the great hall. Torches upon the walls illuminated just a few yards from their positions leaving the majority of the large space in total darkness. Lightning slashed through the small windows positioned around the top of the room. Large tapestries waved gently from the ceiling most in tatters from years of neglect.

"Look!" Melissa yelled a little too loud as her voice reverberated from the walls. She scrunched her shoulders in shock as the sound echoed through the castle. "Sorry." She said apologetically.

"What are we looking at?" Fin asked in a whisper, remembering how Melissa had spoke and toning his down drastically.

"The tapestries hanging from the ceiling, they have the same designs as the plaque." She whispered back.

"I'm starting to feel like we'll never know out what they mean," Matthew said sounding a little frustrated.

"It'll reveal itself in time," Simeneon said confidently. "Come on let's find the piece and get the heck out of here, it's starting to give me the creeps."

"Amen to that!!" Both Fin and Matthew chimed in.

They crossed the floor their footfalls echoing through the deserted hall, but just before the stairwell to the upper parts of turret they were stopped. Rudolf stared back at them with beady little eyes and disgusting unkempt gray hair. His ragged face covered with wrinkles and rotten teeth made them wish they never had to see a smile again.

"You's is not welcome here... LEAVE NOW!" He commanded, his voice booming as the echoes brought chills down their spines.

"Sir we have no quarrel with you, please would you mind stepping aside?" Simeneon met his gaze head on.

"What's so important to you up in the turrets?" He looked over his shoulder the back at the kids his smile widening.

Simeneon peered at the man trying to figure out his intentions. "Why do you want to know?" She asked cautiously.

"It could be worth something to me." He smirked

"What were looking for is of no value to you, please allow us to pass." Simeneon was starting to become annoyed.

"Not to me, it doesn't, but to my associate it might." Rudolf pointed over his shoulder towards the stairs.

Simeneon felt the coldness before the others did, a numbing cold that bites through the fabric and into the bone. She had felt it before and knew where the feeling was coming from. At first, they saw nothing, but as the lightning flashed from some unknown window above the area lit up just enough for them to catch a glimpse of a hooded figure gliding down the steps towards them.