18. Chapter 18

Chapter eighteen

T he dress Sandy lays out for me is actually really beautiful for clothing made around here. It's mostly white underneath with a purple top layer that has silver swirls resembling flowers around all the edges. Perhaps upon seeing the amethyst on the amulet, she decides I should stick to a certain color. I'm not against it; I think it suits me well. It's not poofy; in fact, it sits on me nicely.

I open the doors to my room and see guards standing by it. Were they standing there the whole time?

"Are you ready to go to the dining hall, my lady?" one asks me. He sounds quite young beneath the helmet. I nod as an answer, and they direct me where I need to go. This is going to be a long and confusing day.

When I enter the dining hall, everyone looks at me. This is the first time I wear an outfit with a low top, meaning the amulet is out for everyone to see. Sandy is there, and she directs me to a seat on the left-hand side of the King. The boy I assume is the Prince sits opposite me, with Corvu beside him. Corvu also seems to have been given a new outfit. It's nice to see him a little cleaned up with a bright white tunic and a green emerald vest on top of it. It suits him. I wonder if it's unusual for the King to seat a Trickster at his table. Gecko finds his way to the free seat beside me, wearing a lovely dark blue vest that makes his ashy blonde hair look more radiant. The boys seem a lot fresher, far more relaxed, and that pleases me. The remainder of the table is filled with various knights. Though I do not know who they are, I am just excited to experience something like this. The room is quite identical to the throne room, but with three smaller candle-lit chandeliers instead of one big one. After the remaining ten seats at the long table are filled, food is brought before us. Since we haven't eaten all day, I am absolutely starving, but I don't want to be rude. As the bustle of conversation begins to fill the room, I notice everyone has someone placing food onto the plates in front of them. Sandy appears at my side, leaning over to whisper to me.

"What takes your fancy?" She asks.

"You put the food on my plate?"

"That's how it's done in the royal households, yes." She smiles. It is strange. I can get my own food. Looking out in front of me, I see that most of the food is just assorted meat and fruit.

"Whatever you think is good, then," I respond. She nods and grabs my plate. Corvu seems rather uncomfortable with the boy serving him, but I do my best to hold back a sly smirk. Gecko completely ignores the man trying to serve him food and instead stands, grabbing the food he wants and putting it on his own plate. I suppose as a royal, he can do what he wants. I like that he helps himself.

"So," the man across from me speaks, "it's Tia, right? I'm Alec, Prince of Wanbourne. We didn't get to introduce ourselves earlier." I smile in response. At least I was right about him being the Prince.

"It's nice to meet you, ah," I hesitate, unsure how to respond. ‘Your highness?' Or perhaps ‘My Lord' like Corvu once did?

"Alec is fine." He smirks.

"Sorry, Alec." Bemused by my hesitance he continues.

"Do you not have royalty in your world?"

"We do, just not in my country. It's a little complicated." Very complicated if they didn't have much in the way of politics around here. How was I meant to explain it?

"Would you say that your world is more advanced than ours?" It's an interesting question, "I don't mean to ask if people are smart or stupid. What kind of stuff do you have?"

"Oh," I exclaim as I realize what he meant, ", well we have things like electricity and indoor plumbing so in one way I can probably answer yes."

"Electricity? Tell me-"

"Alec." The King speaks, "Let her enjoy her meal. The girl is clearly in new territory and your insistence on asking a hundred questions will just exhaust her." Now I just feel awkward. Corvu is barely eating, but I do notice him keeping an eye on me. I also glance over to see Gecko insisting I eat a lot of grapes because they're good for me. I restrain from telling him what happens when you eat too many.

Yeah, I really was going to miss them both.

Entering the bedroom I was in earlier, I take off the top layer of my dress and place it over a chair. The room is actually nicer than my apartment back home, just a little more bare. I'm startled by a knock—at the window? Going over to the other side of the large, probably king-sized bed flooded with blankets, I notice that the window is actually two doors that swing open onto a very small balcony, just enough room for two people to comfortably stand. I'm not alone.

I don't know how he did it, but standing on my balcony is Corvu, leaning on the stones that make up what would technically be considered the railing, smirking at me in his new clothes. Stepping out, I see there is another balcony nearby. I didn't realize they had given him a room close to mine; that must be where he came from.

"How is palace life treating you, Princess?" he chuckles. Playfully, I punch him on the arm. I lean over the balcony to get an idea of how high up we are. This is easily five times the height of my apartment. "I don't imagine Gildre will take long to figure out how to get you home. It's probably your last night here." That thought makes my stomach sink low. Corvu looks across to the other tower. From this room, we can see candlelight in Gildre's tower. He's a wizard, and everyone assures me he will figure this out. Would tonight really be my last?

I turn to face him eye to eye. We're a bit close on this balcony and the close proximity is starting to really make my head spin. I find myself rather speechless. What do you say to someone that has defeated trolls, bandits and a giant for you? The idea of just saying ‘thanks' doesn't seem to cut it. He takes hold of my left wrist and pulls toward him, taking me in an embracing hug. Without a second thought or any hesitation I hold him back.

"Thank you." He states to me. With my head facing away and to the side on his chest, I question,

"What for?" He doesn't answer right away, it's like he's contemplating his answer.

"For being a really great friend to me while you've been here, and for trusting me to help you."

"I was trying to think of a way to thank you that actually sounded enough for everything you've done for me. But I don't have the words for how grateful I am." Pulling back to face him I continue. "You've done so much for me, I can't ever repay you for that." There's a lot I want to do for him to repay him, but the idea of acting on any of them would be heartbreaking when I have to leave, and by the sounds of it, that's going to be really soon.

"Then it sounds like we've helped each other, and we don't owe the other anything. If you're okay with that." His smile is genuine and makes me truly happy. "I'm going to let you get some sleep. I'll come get you in the morning to go see the Wizard, okay?" Oddly I can't help smirking at the fact that there's a Wizard inside a mostly emerald green looking city, but I nod. He wouldn't understand the reference.

Day Twenty-Two

It's late. And by late, I mean I wake up just as dawn breaks over the distant hills and shines a light into my room. I decide that maybe I could spend more time here. Even if the wizard has found a way for me to go home, what's the hurry? I notice that over the chair where the dress previously was, my original clothes are washed and repaired. Sandy is a miracle worker.

As I finish dressing and tying up my boots, a loud bell starts to ring, and ring. Running toward the balcony, I look out. On the horizon, hundreds, possibly thousands of creatures are moving toward us. Is it the Orcs? I suppose that's at least one reason for me to go home today. A really good reason, unfortunately. Running out of the room, I notice that the guards nearby my door are on high alert.

"Come with us," one states. Not thinking twice, I follow until we reach the main hall where we were first introduced to the King. The boys are already there. Gecko approaches me quickly with a hug. I guess they were worried about me.

The man I saw in the wizard's tower is here. After a better look, I can see that, like Gecko, his ears are pointy but a bit shorter than most elves. Perhaps he's just a human with pointy ears and really bright blue eyes? No, probably an elf; they are a pretty unnatural blue. He seems very familiar. When he notices the three of us together, he approaches.

"My father sent me down to relay a message to you, Tia." He states.

"Your father?" I reply,

"Gildre, the Wizard. I'm his son and apprentice, J'san." He gives us a small nod before continuing, his dark hair moving freely as he does so. "He said that if you hurry to him, he may be able to assist you with getting yourself out of this world before the Orcs arrive at the main gate." Go home? Now? I don't even have the time for a proper goodbye. They asked me to destroy the amulet as soon as I got home. "I also have a favor to ask you, if you'll indulge me." His voice was calm, even with the impending Orcs on the horizon there was no panic coming from him. Putting a hand inside his black clock he pulls out a white envelope.

"What's that?" Gecko asks, curious, but now I know why. This was a printed-in-a-factory type envelope, the kind you wouldn't see in this world, but mine .

"Inside is a photo of a sibling I've never met. I would be grateful to you if once you return to your world you could let them know about us and Skiora." Putting the envelope into my pant pouch pocket I nod. "Thank you. We must go." Without word we begin to follow him outside, where it appears everyone has cleared the streets and are barricading themselves in their homes. What would happen to the people outside the walls?

It wasn't until we began ascending the stairs of the Wizard's Tower I could see out the occasional window what was happening. They were bringing people in through the main gates and hiding them the best they could. This was really happening, a war was actually happening and here I was, leaving.

When we reach the top of the staircase, Gildre is still at his desk. Standing when he sees us, he waves for the three of us to approach, his face solemn.

"There is something I must tell you about the amulet, but you must swear that under no circumstances will you dare repeat it to another soul." That's a heavy ask for first thing in the morning. Before I can respond, the whole tower rattles. Glass vials fall from the desk, shelves crack under the pressure, and everything drops to the ground.

"I think we're out of time." J'san states. "Perhaps we should actually be having this conversation in the King's Castle where it's safer." Reluctantly Gildre nods and we begin to descend the stairs, again . This world needed to invent elevators. Gecko, Gildre and J'san remain ahead of me as we make the descent, Corvu insisting to go after me in case anything comes from behind.

About halfway down, between myself and Gecko, the side wall caves in. A boulder crashes into the tower. I scream as the stones beneath my feet crumble, but Corvu catches me around the waist. The gap is huge, and there's no way I'm going to try and jump that.

"Keep going, I'll get her to the King's Castle," Corvu bellows as Gecko is pulled away by J'san. I'm relieved; I didn't want him to be in danger. Looking toward the ground, I see we're quite a distance away. I'm not looking forward to whatever Corvu is about to suggest. "You have two options—" Before Corvu can finish, we see a hole open up a short distance away in the main wall. It appears the Orcs have broken through after all. "Okay, one option." Corvu takes one of my arms and pulls it around his neck. With one arm behind my back, he lifts my legs up into the air and jumps . I have never been so frightened to fall like that, but somehow Corvu manages to land on his feet, only crouching a small amount.

Racing across to the King's Castle, we're thrown inside quickly, but instead of heading to the main hall, Corvu stops me.

"If we head to where everyone else is, they'll just be in danger. We need to find somewhere else to hide." Nodding in agreement, he grabs my hand and pulls me toward a smaller door to the left.

There are fewer guards around inside this area; perhaps they have all been called outside or are surrounding the King. I hope Gecko made it inside. Turning down a few dark hallways, I notice we take several flights of stairs downward, likely bringing us back to ground level or a little lower since the main castle floor was already up a great deal of steps. Upon entering a room, I realize we're in some sort of dungeon, mostly lit by torches and small holes where bars cover what would otherwise be windows. There's no one here.

"Must be the old cells," Corvu mutters, stepping into the first cell to stand on the bench and peer outside. "It looks like the Orcs have come through the west side; it's the least protected. They probably won't retreat until they get their hands on that amulet." I walk up close behind him. It feels odd standing in this cell, but I suppose it's better than being out there. It's also a hard place to find.

"Do you mean they're going to keep killing people until they find me?" I ask. Corvu's ears twitch as I make the statement. He turns and jumps down off the bench, approaching me.

"It's not like that. The King knows how important it is for an amulet to remain out of the hairs of those who would abuse it, primarily away from anyone who isn't human. Any one who would have a reason to despise him for the things he and his father did. He also knows all humans have their limits, eventually the torture will get to you and you'd give the amulet up to the Orcs. He wouldn't blame you, which is why you just need to stay out of sight until his army overpowers Cutlass' army."

"People are dying ." It made me realize something, which is that this Kingdom was going to suffer because of me. If I had destroyed this amulet when I had the chance instead of now needing it to bargain for peace, perhaps none of this would have occured. I'd be stuck in this world, but would that really be so bad? Corvu is looking at me strangely. He takes a few steps till he's behind me, but I step around to face him, the window now behind me. "Did you hear me?" I question, knowing he did but I didn't know what else to say.

"Give me the amulet." He commands.

"What?"

"I said, give me the amulet."

I'm shocked. The determination and sternness of his voice almost frightens me. Why does he want the amulet now?

"I thought you didn't want the amulet." I remark. He sighs and closes his eyes for a moment. After he opens them he takes a step toward me, then another. Mimicking his movements until I reach the bench, I practically fall into it.

Leaning down to face to face with me he responds, "I don't, but if it means they won't torture you to death for it, then you need to give me the amulet." He wants to protect me? He places his hands on both my knees and kneals between my legs. He was so close to me. Why was he so close to me? "Tia, if they find their way into this castle, they are going to kill you. I'm a Trickster, it would take a lot more effort for them to convince me to let them have the amulet." The longer he stares into my eyes the harder he's making it for me to resist. Was he right? If I give it to him, it means he will be their target. I'd basically be signing his death certificate. Closing his eyes he leans his forehead against mine. "I promise you can trust me." Shakily, I pull up the necklace over my head and directly onto his. Since the amulet looked the same on both sides, it didn't really have a backward or forward direction. When he feels the weight of the amulet drop around his neck, he's startled and leans up in a hurry. Looking down at his chest he sees the amulet sitting there.

"I really don't want you to die either, Corvu, so I'm going to stay by you this whole time. You've protected me while I've been here, so I want to help protect you." Dashingly he smiles but doesn't say anything. Between the yells and the action happening outside, I hear him slightly gulp as he begins to lean in toward me. I feel his hands move up my thighs then move to the bench beside me. Was he really doing this? I was scared that if something happened between us it would just hurt more, and the last thing I wanted was to hurt him. I close my eyes and lean forward.

I hear the sound of a click.

Opening my eyes I noticed he only meant for me to close them and not see him snap and lock one of the wall cuffs around my wrist, tightly. He didn't kiss me, and I totally fell for his trick. "The Wizard will find a way to get you home, I'm sure. I wouldn't recommend coming after me, the Orc army and I will be long gone before someone finds you down here." He states, stepping away and leaving the room .

"Corvu?" I question, watching him also slam the gate of the cell shut. "Corvu!" I yell louder as he begins to disappear from my sight. It was a trick. It was all a trick. Who would have more reason to overthrow a King than a Trickster whose mother was probably executed for being a Witch. Pulling frantically and painfully on the chains that held me in place, I continue to scream, "CORVU!"