Hoodwinked: The Summoning Book One

Chapter 27

Prince Matteais ran through the swamp, dodging trees as well as the demons chasing them. His younger brother was directly ahead of him, for Greggor had always been quick on his feet. Matteais stopped having foot races with him at age fourteen, feigning disinterest in the fact that his younger brother bested him each time.

Greggor continued to look over his shoulder at Matteais and the soldiers. Matteais did as well, but only to see how many demons gave chase. The crowned prince rarely retreated when being pursued. He felt powerless against these creatures which were impervious to his blade.

Cries of pain and terror behind the crown prince encouraged Matteais to run faster. Only Greggor was brave enough to look back to see what carnage lay in the demons' wake.

"Matteais drop!" Greggor called and turned back to tackle his older brother. The two princes went down. They rolled just as a demon dove from behind, barely missing them both. They jumped to their feet and turned directions. Greggor pushed ahead, jumping logs and dodging branches, giving Matteais a path to follow.

They came upon a riverbank and as they turned to go south, a dark figure appeared from the right. Matteais dodged the incoming strike. He was about to call out to his brother, but watched in horror as it sliced through Greggor's leg. The young prince cried out as he fell. The demon followed him over the riverside into the rapids.

"No!" Matteais ran towards the river, but the demon floated up in front of him. The dark shape charged, and Matteais fell back. In one instant the creature was dark and had no solid form. In the next moment, a statue of glass towered over him. No, not glass, but diamond. Matteais looked up in surprise at his father, whom stood next to the deformed diamond pillar.

"Where's Greggor?" his father asked.

Matteais rolled to his feet and ran to the river. He peered over the waters and downstream. "He fell," Matteais said searching the river banks.

"Come, we need to get the remaining demons. We will search for Greggor once we kill the rest," King Nathar said solemnly after they both stared at the water, willing Greggor to resurface. Matteais hesitated, but turned with his father to march back to the mire.

They found Zyvon casting a spell on three demons for the king to change into diamonds. Otswana and Captain Greypol were both in the water and mud, kneeling over Lord Briggon's still form. The queen held his head in her lap and quietly sobbed.

King Nathar rushed to the three remaining demons which were frozen in place and transformed them one by one. He searched out his diamond gauntlets moments later.

"Is that all of them?" Zyvon asked.

"Yes, come. We need your assistance. Caslon, Homlen, Jorwel and Darzavyous have all been injured. Greggor is missing." King Nathar led them northwest, towards the trees.

"I will come as well," Matteais heard Otswana say with determination.

"There is nothing to be done but return him to Loboria to be buried next to my mother," the queen spoke firmly. "He would want us to finish this, not mourn his death."

Matteais turned and watched Otswana rise from the swampy ground. With tears and mud streaking down her face, she marched after their group. The captain silently followed his wife.

"Just over here," King Nathar said to Zyvon.

The soldiers all lay in the underbrush. Caslon was the only soldier moving. Zyvon went to him first. Matteais watched the wizard wave his wand over the shallow cuts on the man's torso.

The chant was silent but effective. The wounds closed up quickly. Darzavyous' neck and shoulder received the same healing enchantment. At the same time, Otswana sealed Homlen's cut on his spine and then the one that stretched across Jorwel's thigh and hip.