Rivals

Chapter 11: Catacombs

Evangeline

The truth serum had begun to wear off. Evangeline had been so embarrassed with the way she had acted with Kaden. She didn't know how to stop, everything she secretly wanted deeply stored in her heart came out. Even the things she wasn't so sure about herself. She couldn't believe herself. A truth she did not want to admit. She put the mission before herself and ended up digging herself into more trouble.

Evangeline stood hidden behind a wall with Kaden as they waited for the king. Their window of opportunity was small since that guard knew they were there. By the time he broke out or if sunrise came and he didn't take his shift then people will know of them. Midnight was approaching, the time the king went into the catacombs.

Evangeline saw the king walk into the hallway alone. They jumped into action immediately knocking out the guard on duty. They ran to find the king. They managed to get one glance at him disappearing into a wall.

"We competed in who could find the more secret passage ways as children, you want to see who will find it first?" Kaden asked with a mischievous grin.

"You're on."

Evangeline raced with Kaden searching the walls for a lever or anything. They tried torches and decoration, any loose tiles on the ground.

Kaden let out a small chuckle. He walked to the wall the king disappeared in and pushed. The wall pushed back revealing a new hall. "Right beneath our nose the whole time."

Evangeline's jaw dropped, that was way too simple to be the answer. Kaden gestures for her to follow him with his head. The hall was dark but there was a glow coming from the end of it. Trailing their hands on the wall and taking cautious steps, they neared the glow. As they got near they heard a low mumbling.

Hundreds of lit candles illuminated the room. The walls were covered in bones and skulls. A golden coffin stood in the middle of the room and behind it was a marble table. On top of the table was a body who's chest was cut open. Blood dripped to ground. The king of Gywith stood between the table and the coffin drinking something from a golden goblet covered in runes. As he pulled the goblet away from his lips, Evangeline could see the red stain around them. Blood, he was drinking blood. The king then bit his finger drawing out his own blood. He hung to the amulet he had around his neck, touching his bloody thumb to the dark gem. Kieran was right, his amulet had something to do with it.

"The blood of the sacrifice has been drunk, please accept my blood sacrifice oh powerful one. Grant me the strength I need to rule the world in your name! Lord Gywith, I am at your mercy!"

Lord Gywith, but of course. It all made sense now.

"Your sacrifice has been accepted my humble servant," Kaden said in a deep voice.

"What are you doing?" mouthed Evangeline, she could tell he was acting desperately now.

"Who's there? Show yourself!" The king ordered.

"Do you not recognize your master when he speaks to you? I am Lord Gywith, the most powerful in all it's ruling," Kaden continued.

"Your voice, it-it sounds different out loud than in my head dear master, forgive me," the king apologized.

"You have obtained great strength, now I shall grant you with the knowledge of all the previous rulers. Lay my amulet down and find the one I stole when I conquered the land of Harazan. The queen's emerald ring, Fiyaz, the ring of knowledge," Kaden said.

"Where can I find this Fiyaz oh great one?"

"It is buried in one of the library walls. You will feel it's power when you near it. It is strongest at night fall, hurry and find it before the sun rises."