Holly & The Mystery Of Dragon's Blood

The Journey South

Holly was alone.

Hidden beneath the house, she'd heard everything, and through the crack in the floor, had seen more than she had wanted to. It was horrible what had happened to Malcolm. Such a terrible thing, it felt like a nightmare, and Galdon had just laughed while it happened.

She didn't know what to do. She was sure that Galdon had left, the Shadow departing with him. She heard nothing from above. Malcolm was gone, she'd seen his last moments as he had writhed on the floor above her, silently screaming before disappearing into the shadows.

She felt tears rolling down her face.

He had died protecting her. He didn't have to, he didn't even know her before tonight. But he had not revealed her to Galdon. If he had, he would still be alive. Holly felt awful, this was all her fault. If she'd never taken the amulet from Nana, never put it on, she never would have got here, the Shadow wouldn't have chased her, Malcolm wouldn't have saved her, and he wouldn't have died.

Holly allowed herself a few moments to cry before calming herself down. Going over everything she had heard, she had so many questions. Galdon had sensed the presence of the amulet, how could he not have known she was right under him? Who was Lady Ariana? Perhaps the amulet belonged to her. And what about Tulek? Galdon had said Tulek was the most powerful being in the world, that the amulet was what he needed to control him. Did Lady Ariana control Tulek with this amulet? She took it off again and studied it, seeing if perhaps there was something she had missed before. Maybe some secret button to open it. Nothing.

It looked the same as it ever did, nothing hidden, no secrets that she could see. She needed help, she had two names now, Osrune and Ariana. She clutched the amulet tightly and closed her eyes.

"Osrune! Ariana!

Anyone! It's Holly. I have the amulet, and I need your help."

Nothing, no response. No change in the amulet. Holly sighed sadly and put it back on. She walked to the other end of the storeroom, where she had come down the steps earlier and looked out of the window. It was still dark outside, but the first orange hued rays of sunrise appeared over the hill in the distance. She was tired and needed some sleep. She would have an hour, maybe two, then follow the river south to Lamington to look for help.

_____

Holly awoke to birds chirping loudly outside, their singing a welcome sound, almost making her forget about the horrors of the evening. She opened her eyes and saw the daylight streaming in through the small window.

She got up and stretched. It had been a short but uncomfortable sleep.

She'd gathered up some loose straw to lay on, but it offered little comfort or warmth from the hard and cold stone floor. She climbed the steps and pushed on the hatch door, but it didn't move. She pushed harder, straining against it, then remembered that Malcolm had moved the chest back over the hatch. There was no way she'd be able to push hard enough to move it. She would have to try the window. She hopped off the steps and moved to the window. It was a long rectangular window, she thought she would be able to fit through it, even if her body was larger than it normally was. It was too high for her to reach, she grabbed one of the wooden crates and stood on it to get a better look. She looked around for a latch or handle, but there appeared to be no way to open it. Beneath her, Holly saw the rusted tools. Perhaps there was a way of opening this window after all.

Holly smashed the window and climbed out. In the light of day, she could see the river Malcolm had been talking about. Following that south would take her to Lamington. Hopefully somebody there would know something about Osrune or Ariana.