The Poisoned Crown (SyndiSparklez)

16: Corrupted

A/N

This chapter was hard to get out here for many reasons. First, THIS was the original 15th Chapter. I switched the 16th Chapter and 15th Chapter and copped out. Also, I got addicted to the Adventure Zone! That, and Senior Years wraps up brutally.

End of Author's Note

"Every human being on this earth is born with a tragedy, and it isn't original sin. He's born with the tragedy that he has to grow up. That he has to leave the nest, the security, and go out to do battle. He has to lose everything that is lovely and fight for a new loveliness of his own making, and it's a tragedy. A lot of people don't have the courage to do it" ~ Helen Hayes (1966).

Chapter 16 Part 1: Corrupted

Andor shook his head as he leaned on his window which was locked shut with an extra security measure that would likely burn his hand to a crisp if he tried to move the bars on the window aside. Alister was only getting slightly more creative. He waved his hand over the mechanism, the wind easily tearing it to shreds and disassembling the technology as if it were paper. He opened the window and happily let the device clink to the ground several stories below.

Alister really wasn't that careful with keeping in the mansion. The man only threw him in there, threatened him and then left. Maybe if Alister wasn't actually busy all the time he'd actually follow through. Andor yawned, covering his mouth out of habit. He pulled away from the window and stared at himself in a mirror bitterly. Reaching up he combed his curls down and wished he could pull off a more roguish look like Tom, or a more professional look like any of the guards, or even Jordan. He still looked twelve at times. As he critically stared at himself, he also considered a way to get down. Usually he just let himself float down, controlling the wind to touch the ground softly, but today he felt a little dubious about doing so. There were too many people lurking around the mansion to do it safely. There really were a lot of crowds covering the street due to the trial.

He tore off his cloak and amulet, casting them onto his bed. The curtains on his bed were drawn, but he didn't care. The cloak and amulet would be just as fine on the floor. He removed the heavy jacket as well and rolled his shoulders back, cracking his neck. There was a weight on his shoulders as of late and the plan to save Martha made him feel no more relaxed. The less he took with him the better. Although it wasn't as warm as he preferred, the air smelling faintly of a summer storm, crackling inaudibly with distant lighting. He glanced at the amulet on the ground, and nudged it with his foot, feeling bittersweet. A gift from Martha. Martha who they had to save.

He nudged it further under the bed and stared at the window, at the faint line of darkness far on the horizon. Ones he could barely see unless he imagined them. He pulled on the cloak again, leaving the jacket and amulet on the ground. It was best he left now, before the wizard and rogue had time to endanger the plans. Only, he really should try not to attract attention.

Just as Andor was considering jumping anyway, a knock on his door alerted him. He steeled his expression, "Come in," he called. Father opened the door and Andor's heart sunk. It was the only person that would come to see him, but it didn't make him any more happy. Andor turned to face him, crossing his arms over his chest and giving the man a dark look.

"Father," Andor muttered.

Helgrind looked from him to the window and sighed. No doubt, he noticed the missing security mechanism. "Would you listen, to me if I asked you not to leave, to stay," he grumbled. Andor narrowed his eyes, but didn't answer. His father rubbed a hand over his graying face and looked away from Andor further, instead to the ceiling, his mouth settling into a look of contempt.