The Price of Magic

Chapter VII

“How much longer is it going to take?” Prince Simeon yelled.

            The knight stared at the ground, not daring to meet the Prince’s eyes. “It shouldn’t be long.”

            “I want her here, in the castle, by tonight,” the Prince ordered. “This has gone too far. I want it to end.”

            The knight nodded, then bowed slightly and turned and left.

***

            “Sir Matthew! I have urgent news!” Dame Rose ran to catch up with the knight as he was going on his daily patrol.

            Sir Matthew turned and smiled when he saw Rose. Over the past few days she’d become a good friend. “What is it, Rose?”

            Rose stopped and caught her breath before beginning to talk. “I managed to get some more information about the Prince. Last night, he was acting strangely, scared even. Nervous.”

            “Any idea why?” Matthew asked, lowering his voice.

            Rose nodded. “He thinks one of us is going to lead to his downfall.”

            “Who?”

            “Clara,” Rose said. She hesitated, reading his reaction, then continued. “Sir Matthew, I think he might be planning to kill her.”

            Matthew felt the color drain from his face. “I have to warn her.” Without waiting for a response from Rose, he took off running toward Clara’s house.

***

            “The Prince…wants to kill me?” Clara repeated, looking at Sir Matthew nervously.

            He’d run all the way to the pottery shop to tell her. “Yes. Clara, I don’t know what to do. I can’t just betray the Prince and disobey orders. But on the other hand, I can’t let you be killed. I won’t let him hurt you.”

            Clara hugged him. “I love you,” she whispered.

            Sir Matthew smiled. He let go of her and sighed. “Clara, you need to come to the castle with me.”

            “What for?” she asked, confused. “I wouldn’t be any safer there. I’d be closer to the man who’s trying to kill me. Why would you bring me there?”

            “I know, it seems mad, but it really would be safer, for both of us,” Matthew said. “If Simeon finds out I’ve been helping you, he’ll kill me too. I would die for you in a heartbeat, but right now, that’s not exactly convenient.”

            Clara chuckled. “I suppose you’re right. We’ll go to the castle, as long as you promise me it’s the safest way.”

            Sir Matthew nodded. “I promise.”

***

            They crept around the back of the castle, Sir Matthew leading Clara through the entrance to the dungeon. Clara was unnerved by thought of going in there. “Are you sure this is the only way?” she whispered.

            “Yes, there’s a secret entrance to the castle down one of the corridors,” Matthew replied. “I also want to show you something.”

            They exited the dark stairway into a huge cavern, with corridors lined with cells surrounding it. But the most shocking sight was that of four huge dragons curled together in the middle of the cavern, hidden in a deep pit.