Fourteen

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  The sun had crept over the horizon just as they reached the edge of the valley. They had ridden most of the night. With everyone out on the road either heading to the palace, selling to those on their way or just plain drinking eating and being merry and Odessa trying to go unnoticed in her ornate dress it had been a slow trip. But at last the crowds had died down and now here they were.

  "Let's hurry." said the prince, "Once we get down into the valley we can give the horses a break."

  They went to move forward but the horses wouldn't.

  "Come on, now!" Odessa urged. At first the horses moved forward tentatively then suddenly they reared neighing loudly in fear.

  "Woah! Easy!" they both pulled their horses back and turned around.

  "What's happening?" Odessa asked as she dismounted. She stepped forward but suddenly felt strange. Her hands, drained of blood, were ice cold. Her heart raced, thumping wildly in her chest. "No...no... We shouldn't be here."

  "Princess what's the matter?" Roan swung his leg over and joined her on the ground before teathering the horses. Odessa didn't respond. She just stood there, frozen. Slowly he stepped forward until he came in contact with something, "A barrier?"

  "H-How is this possible?" Odessa wondered as she looked around. The feeling of paranoia began to grow. "Is someone out here with us? M-maybe we should go."

  "We can't. We have to find Anike. Besides something's clearly not right here." Roan felt around. Though he couldn't see a wall he could touch one. "It seems to be everywhere. It might go all the way around the valley. Someone or something wants us to stay away."

  Odessa couldn't bring herself to touch it. Could this be her father's work? He claimed to hate magic especially the dark arts, but this was cleary unnatural.

  "Magic." the prince stated. "Very powerful magic."

  "How...? Can we g-get passed it?"

  He thought a moment then remembered what Madame Rumbel had told him something. The words? What had she said. "Aahhh!" His Hand burned.

  "Prince Reginald! What is it? What's wrong? I told we should leave!"

  "My hand." He raised it and a phrase appeared, the script glowing. "The lair is guarded by the night. The wall is high and the stone cries out. Count out four, then count out three. With the key revealed, the gate is uncloaked. Left. Right. Push. Light. With the key revealed, the gate is uncloaked."

  "What? W-what does that mean? Can't we just leave?" The princess asked.

  Suddenly the barrier rippled becoming somwhat visible. It was like a large dome of glass with strange etchings like runes covering it. Then just as suddenly as it reacted it stopped. Roan reached out. Still there. "Of course not," he muttered, "Nothing's ever that simple."

  The words were still there on his hand. Left and then right. Push, then light. Count out four and then count three. Gateway uncloaked. The key revealed. A key implies a lock. And the gateway...must be the door.

  "I think we need to look for an opening. Some kind of doorway."

  "Are you sure? I don't think--"

  "Enough! Look, Princess Odessa, I know you're scared. I think this barrier is intensifying it. It's why the horses tried to bolt. But you have to try and pull yourself together. Remember why we're here. Anike."

  "Anike." She nodded. "Anike. Anike. We have to find Anike. Ok."

  "Good. Follow me."

  As they searched Odessa's dread began to lesson but it never quite disappeared completely. She kept saying her name over and over again. She wouldn't forget. Anike.

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