The Other Curse ~ Robin De Noir [2]

Chapter Six

In the barely lit tunnel hemmed in by the perfect arching cobblestone walls, Rose followed Prim's leaping figure, praying with all her might this wasn't a trap. Robin wasn't here and she was in the De Noir castle! No one could blame her for being paranoid.

"We're almost here, we'll just make a left here", Prim called back and checked Rose was still following her. As Rose took the left Prim had described a large oak door lay before them. It stood grandly, yet, slightly tattered from its years, but majestic nevertheless.

Soon enough Rose heard a door open, its creaking noise bringing a chill to her spine. It sounded like some dying animal, crying out its pain and sorrow with its last breath.

Inside however, stood a grand library. Rose let go of her breath, she shouldn't have been so nervous, it was just the memories from last time. The laughs, the sneers, the food and drink...the old Robin.

Rose stopped herself thinking about it anymore and followed Prim further in. Dust collected everywhere as far as the could see, spider webs wove loosely around books, dirtied shelves, and stands, Candles lit up the dingy room, clinging to the walls tightly. The occasional window enhancing the dim light. Dust floated lazily in the air causing Rose a difficult time breathing, and every step put more of it in to the air. For such a grand castle and huge amount of workers, they don't really take the cleaning seriously, Rose thought and brought a handkerchief to her mouth as she coughed into it.

Prim led her through multiple isles till they completely stopped in one of the darker areas of the library. Prim searched for a book with her finger gliding across them, till she pulled out a large, dusty one near the end. "Aha, this is it I think", Prim exclaimed and blew off the layer of dust blanketing it's cover. "The Chronicles of artefacts and spells of Moonacre Valley", Rose whispered as the nearby candle lit up its pages.

It's pages were thick and dusty, and Rose caught only glimpses of the writings, she even spied a drawing of the forest diamond and moon pearls, yet Prim kept turning the pages till she stopped on one particular one, "here it is, the Draught of Healing... ye whoev'r receives this potion shalt beest did grant healing and a prosp'rous and healthy life. If 't be true the form is not 'round, seeketh out their spirit, their source of pow'r, and those who rest may beest restore'd".

Rose gasped at its pages, this was the answer, this could heal the first forest princess and restore life to the woods. They just needed the ingredients and to find the source of the forest Princess' power. However, Rose's thought suddenly stopped midway, "wait, hang on, how did you know I was looking for this?" Rose questioned, confusion clearly evident in her voice. Prim looked to the floor sheepishly, "you talk...really...loudly", she finally muttered, Rose almost didn't hear her. "I talk really loudly?!" Rose exclaimed, but realised she was doing exactly that, if Miss Helitrope was here she'd scold her for raising her voice. "It's just that I was cleaning out the armoury this morning, which is next to the courtyard you and Robin were training in and I couldn't help but overhear you, plus I have never heard anything quite so interesting for a long time. We servants don't get out much", Prim started and looked genuinely apologetic, "I am deeply sorry if I offended you, I didn't mean too, I only wanted to help", Prim begged as tears started to brim the corner of her eyes.