Chapter 17
Mark found a hallway that he hoped connected the west and east wings. Halfway down he met Broc.
“This way,” Broc said quietly, tossing a set of women's clothing to him.
“Uh, Broc. I don't think these will fit me,” Mark said. “Besides, they're girl's clothes. I really don't think we'll need a disguise either-”
“They're for Serina you idiot,” Broc said, frustrated.
Mark laughed as he followed Broc down the east wing, through Seth's old room to the passage, then finally back to the north wall passage they came in through. Taking the spiral staircase to the bottom again, Broc went to the first door. He opened it to find a handful of guards staring at him. They hadn't expected someone to burst through the door.
Taking advantage of their surprise, Broc attacked, Mark on his heels, dropping Serina's clothes in the hall. The guards broke into pairs, Broc took one pair while the others slipped past, attacking Mark.
Mark blocked the sword flying at his neck to his left, kicked his attacker in the stomach then swiped at another guard's leg, severing it at the knee. The first one came back again. Mark ran his sword through the guard's stomach.
He pulled the sword out of his victim's stomach, rolled onto his back as a blade came down at him. He stopped the sword with his own, then grabbed the guard's wrists, planted his feet into the soft flesh of his belly, then rolled back, throwing him into two more guards as they rushed forward. As the guard hit his companions, Mark popped back to his feet, springing off of his hands.
Before the guards could recover, Mark ran for them, running his sword through the back of the one he'd tossed, into the chest of one below him. Then he kicked the third one in the face. The guard's head twisted to the side. The cracking in the guard's neck told Mark he'd broken the guard's neck.
“Now what?” he asked Broc once he had finally killed the guards he was fighting.
Broc gave him an impressed frown, “Well done. You'll make a fine warrior yet.”
Mark grinned and shrugged his shoulders as if taking on nearly a half a dozen guards was nothing.
“Some might say I already am. I did kill Margus you know. Besides, I took on twice as many as you and in less time.”
“Don't get cocky. This way,” Broc said with a smile, then led him to Serina's cell. A single guard waited for them at the door. His eyes were wide with fear and he shook uncontrollably.
Broc walked up to him saying, “I won't kill you if you cooperate.”
“If you don't kill me, Arnath will.”
“Then come with us,” Mark said hastily.
Broc and the guard looked at him. Broc's forehead scrunched up in confusion, the guard with pleading eyes.
“We have to start a rebellion somewhere don't we?” Mark asked.
Broc looked at him impressed once again.
“You're smarter than I thought,” Broc said, then turned back to the guard. “If you help us, you can join us in taking Arnath from the throne.”
The guard gave a wide, open mouthed smile, turned to the cell door then opened it for them, “Consider me your humble servant.”
“Wait here,” Broc said, then looked at Mark, nodding his head towards the room, indicating for him to follow.
Mark obeyed, following him into the dark room. There on a table in the middle of the room was the girl from his dreams. Exactly as he'd seen her, just with more cuts and bruises than she'd let him see. He still thought she was beautiful.
Broc! Mark! I'm so glad you're here, she said.
How do we wake you? Mark asked.
You can't. Only the one who put me in this enchantment can release me.
Is Engard here? Broc asked.
Not yet. He delivering a message to the Geoth. He has already met with them. They have agreed to fight with Arnath for total control of the Blood Mountains in return. Engard must have sensed what was happening and is on his way here now.
Then we need to get you out of here at least, Mark said, starting to grab her by the arms.
No! If you move me from this table I will die. It just like the Blood Mountains with the Geoth. She warned him quickly.
Then what can we do? Mark asked desperately.
We need Garandol before Engard gets here.
Garandol sensed someone trying to get into his mind. He searched for the source to find it was Serina, so he let her in.
Serina?
Garandol, we need you down here. Engard put up a spell that if I moved past the table I'm on, I'll die.
I'll be there soon. He turned his attention to Jennifer and said, Jennifer, they need my help in the dungeon.
Go, I should be fine here. Seth and Arland are about ready to break their bindings anyway.
I will return soon.
Before Garandol left, he searched the room. A man with a black cloak, long black hair and pale white skin disappeared amongst the soldiers. He had to hurry so, taking the same halls and passages Broc and Mark had, he made it down to the dungeons within a couple of minutes. When he arrived he was face to face with the man in black.
“Hello, Garandol,” he said in his scratchy voice.
“Engard.”
“You know you can't stop me.”
“I guess we'll just have to see.”
Engard took a deep breath and balled his hands into tight fists. His eyes turned completely black, then black flames erupted around his fists up to his elbows. The dark sorcerer raised his fists to his shoulders then extended his arms, bringing his fists together. A sound like a bomb going off shook the hall as the black flames engulfed Garandol.
When Engard let the flames die, Garandol was no longer standing in front of him. He clenched his teeth and his eyes bulged as he let out a hiss of frustration. When he spun around, Garandol was standing there. The good wizard extended one hand, sending Engard crashing into the stone wall.
Engard let out a throaty, scratchy scream of anger as he rose back to his feet. He brought his hands up to his chest, palms cupped six inches apart. A red ball of energy began to form between his hands, spinning furiously. The red orb continued to grow until a blue jet of energy crashed into him. He'd been too distracted growing the strength of his weapon to notice Garandol countering his attack. The blue jet continued to flow into Engard's chest as Garandol lifted him off the ground, pinning him to the ceiling.
Garandol brought Engard back down so he was now standing in the doorway of Serina's cell. The door stood wide open.
“No!” Garandol shouted as Broc came running over.
Broc didn't listen. His sword came through Engard's chest from behind.
“You have no more power here, witch,” Broc said.
Engard looked down at the blade protruding from his chest then looked back at Broc and said, “You should have listened to Garandol.”
Then he let out a loud scream. Red light shot out of his mouth and eyes. Black smoke billowed from his ears, nose and new chest wound. The entire stone hallway began to shake like a violent earthquake. Garandol took refuge a few feet away, praying for Sol's protection.
Cover Serina! Garandol spoke to Mark's mind.
Mark looked back at the scene as Broc held Engard with an arm around his neck and a sword through his back. The whole castle seemed to shake. He'd been through earthquakes before, but nothing like this. Stones and pieces of the ceiling began to fall all around him. Garandol spoke to his mind, telling him to cover Serina. The only thing he could do was lay over her. He hoped the strength Sol gave him would be enough to withstand falling rocks.
He hopped onto the table and fell onto Serina, positioning himself so the top of his chest was over her face. His back would take the brunt of the falling debris. Then an explosion shook the room even more. He didn't know how it happened but he and Serina were lying under the stone table. Safe from the falling ceiling.
When the violent shaking began to settle, Mark looked at her. Her eyes were open. Dark brown eyes, so big and soft. She was awake! Stones from the ceiling continued to fall for a few more long seconds. Small pieces broke off shooting at his face. He knew they must have been flying at Serina's face as well, so he put his head next to hers, staring at the floor, as he covered her face with his arm.
When the noise and shaking finally stopped, Mark looked around. A thick cloud of dust filled the room. He looked back down at Serina who smiled up at him.
“Hi,” he said stupidly.
“Hello, Mark,” she said with a small smile.
Mark thought her voice was just as beautiful as she was. It sounded even sweeter in person than in the visions she projected into his mind.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I am now,” she said, then looked around. “You can let us up now.”
Mark was glad she was saving him from total embarrassment by not making a big deal of him still laying on top of her. He hadn't realized the position he was still in until she said something.
“Sorry,” he said, his face burning hot with embarrassment.
“It's okay. You protected me while I was still unconscious.”
“You weren't unconscious the whole time though.”
“No, but you still protected me, and I thank you.”
He grinned bashfully as he rubbed his neck and said, “It was no problem.”
Mark rolled to the side then with a smile, she crawled out from the stone table. He let his shoulders slump then he punched the floor. Now his hand stung along with any dignity he had in him. Serina came back and crawled under the table again, kissed him on the cheek and gave him a wink.
“You coming?” she asked.
“Yeah,” he said and crawled out form under the table.
“Good, because I need help walking. It has been ten years since I've used my legs.”
When he stood, he put one of her arms around his shoulders as he held her around the waist, helping her navigate through the debris. Large chunks of the ceiling lay everywhere, but he barely noticed. His head swam because of the kiss Serina had given him. He knew he had a stupid smile on his face, but there was nothing that could change it. Or so he thought.
When he and Serina reached the door, Garandol stood waiting for them. Mark looked around for Broc, but couldn't find him. Then he looked at the floor under the doorpost.
“What happened?” Mark asked studying the charred body of a soldier.
“Broc was foolish and brave. He took Engard's life, which freed Serina from her sleep, but it took his own life. Engard possessed too much dark power for Broc to withstand. Only I had enough power to slay this beast and not die. Even then, my energy would be greatly drained.”
Mark stared sadly at the blackened body that was once Broc. He would never forget the man who had given his life for them.
“Are you hurt?” Garandol asked, finally noticing that Mark was helping Serina walk.
“No, Mark did a wonderful job protecting me. But since it's been so long since I last walked, my legs are a bit weak.”
“Ah,” he said then knelt down. He whispered something which caused his hands to glow a soft white. Then he grabbed her around the ankles, then the knees.
Serina let go of Mark to use her legs on her own. Not all of her strength was restored, but enough to get her out of the castle so Seth could heal her completely.
“Thank you Garandol,” she said.
“You're welcome. Now, we must hurry, I'm sure Seth will be needing us soon.”
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