The seer Chronicles

Part two Andreal Chapter Eleven Imprisoned Aleric's POV

Aleric could barely regain consciousness as the horse pulled carriage wobbled along the cobblestone road, he smelled the metallic taste of blood in the back of his throat and the swift need to vomit what little he had eaten in the two weeks of forced travel, he hardly expected the mist fairies to abandon their duties tending to the forests for king Alexander and aid Selina in her plans of deceit.
They passed through the archway. A tingling sensation glowed over his skin as the archway of clear quartz drained the last of his energy. The scarlet blade inspected the incoming carriage, but waved their crimson blood glove in acceptance. After all, who in their right mind would arrest the pillar for bringing in an outsider?

Aleric's vision, blurred and hazy, strained as he squinted through the window. Surrounding the village, walls made of weathered tail stones enclosed the bustling streets. It filled the air with the scent of herbs and the sound of hammers striking metal, as the village bustled with herbalists, healers, and skilled blacksmiths, enchanting their weapons. The scarlet-clad blade patrolled the streets, their presence instilling a sense of order and security. However, doubt lingered in Aleric's mind. The dark witches, masters of spells, relied on the armoured task force for protection. In the village's heart, shops lined with spells and enchantments thrived, while the residents imported fresh produce and fish from the nearby red sea. The scarlet blade possessed the ability to teleport, effortlessly banishing threats from the caverns. Along the sturdy fortress walls, radiant vines glowed, serving as a formidable defence, capable of casting even the most formidable army into the depths of the sea or trapping them within the scarlet blade's cunning snares. In the distance, the imposing and impenetrable castle loomed, exuding an aura of mystery and power.

The mist fairies grabbed Aleric by the forearms and dragged him from the carriage, his greying hair spilled over his face in a tangled mess of dreadlocks. The thin clothing Selina provided him did nothing against the bitter cold.
Shivers slashed down his spine. They entered the warm embrace of the bronze castle. "Selina, this man weights a ton.
"Why did you use an immobilising spell?" the fairy hissed, their voice filled with disdain, as they effortlessly lifted Aleric off his feet. The clear quartz pendant he wore around his neck glowed faintly, evidence of his drained seer abilities. Selina, the commanding presence, ordered without a second thought, her dismissive wave directing them to the dungeon. As she strode down the opulent hallway, adorned with golden walls and adorned with priceless artworks, the air was heavy with the scent of old money and power.

Reluctantly, the fairies groaned, their wings fluttering with fatigue as they descended the damp stone steps. "I don't envy this guy," one of them muttered, his voice filled with sympathy, "being married to a control freak like her. He must have the nerves of steel." The sound of rusty hinges echoed through the corridor, the screeching iron against stone grating against their ears. They carefully secured Aleric to the cold, unforgiving stone wall, the shackles biting into his skin.

Aleric couldn't feel his frozen limbs. The numbness provided a welcome relief to the wounds he received the nights he kept quiet at Selina. His sleep became restless with unfocused visions. He could barely make out the black silhouettes of shapes before him. Aleric could no longer hear the echoes of Lady Lucia's tender voice within his troubled mind.

The hollowing of the furious wind awoke from his unconscious state. A sea storm turned the sky ominous, with black clouds accompanied by flashes of lightning. The clear quartz shone dimly around his neck, draining the last of his abilities, cutting off communication with the king's favoured seer and plunging his foresight into darkness.
He sighed, his chest heavy with the biting cold. He could no longer check on Destiny. Her sleeping form remained peaceful. But what had Selina done to her mind all those years?

The constant dripping was his source of comfort, coming from the leaky roof of the aging dungeon. Bricks lay in a corner ready to secure the hole in the stone, causing a humid smell to enter the dungeon, but the lazy guard just snored on his wooden chair. Aleric inhaled the humid, salty air, his sense of time blurred by the counting of endless days.