The Obsidian Crown, page 16
“We all have secrets. What is it?” Hailey asked.
“I think Blaise is one of the bad guys.”
She stopped walking, faced me, and raised her left eyebrow. “You don’t say. We already established that he’s a moron and bully, that’s no secret. So what’s on your mind? Spit it out, Montserrat.”
“No, there’s something else. I see colors around you. Well, not just you. Other people too, like Kieran and the Doctor…”
Hailey stopped completely and stared at me for a long time. “You mean like a halo? Could it be your eyes…”
I shook my head. “No, checked that already. I suppose you can call it halos or auras. I don’t really know what it is. What I do know is that I don’t see one on Blaise. I looked and looked but he doesn’t have one. Somehow, he’s not one of us.”
She continued to stare at me with incredulity in her eyes. “You see one on me, like right now?” she asked slowly. It was obvious she did not hear or couldn’t believe what I just said.
“Yes, I do. But listen, do you think maybe that’s how we’re supposed to find who the real knights are? It makes sense that you, me, and Kieran would have auras and not Blaise, right?” I said.
“And if Kieran is right, that we are the Knights, then that would confirm what I’ve been saying all along, Blaise is one of the hooded men!” but it is still pure speculation. Hailey shook her head and continued walking.
When I couldn’t deal with the uncomfortable silence anymore, I said, “I don’t really know, but just be careful around him.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice.”
We kept walking in silence until we arrived midway up the hill. I looked up, and there, at the very top, covered by a low-hanging dark cloud from above and unchecked vegetation from below stood the infamous mansion. Just as I remembered it from my dream, it was rent from top to foundation, as if someone, in an all-consuming fury took an axe and cleaved it completely in half.
“There it is, The Broken Heart Mansion,” announced Hailey.
By the Author, “Broken Mansion” Artist rendering in pencil. 2019
CHAPTER 20
The Sorceress’ Apprentice
“It sure looked a lot closer from the bottom of the hill,” complained Hailey in between deep breaths as we worked our way up the steep hill. The nearer we got, the more sinister the surroundings became. In the light of the setting sun, the shadow of the mansion and the hill itself appeared to be otherworldly, giving a sense of foreboding.
“I hear you, but we probably should be careful talking over here. You never know who could be listening,” I said in a hushed tone while holding my side, which was in pain from the hike up.
“There! There’s the gate,” Hailey pointed. “You see it?” she said, panting. She stopped walking and bent over, placed one hand on one knee, and took several deep breaths.
“Yes, I do. Keep it down,” I insisted, and I bent down and did the same.
“Alright!” she said in a lowered tone then she gave a low whistle as soon as she examined the entrance. She said, “This is a death trap.”
“I agree,” I said and started to look for a way in without getting impaled.
The majestic gates rose ten feet tall. I was sure it kept the mansion safe from intruders in its hey day, but not anymore. The metal was covered with rust from disuse, and one had fallen completely off its hinges. The tall brick fences had come to disrepair but were still formidable enough to keep casual gawkers away. The faded “No Trespassing” sign was swinging by one nail, making a squeaking noise every time it swayed from a soft gust of wind.
There was a gap at the bottom of the rundown gate. I crawled in carefully avoiding the corroded iron.
“Here,” I said while I held the hanging gate to let Hailey through.
We were careful not to step on any cracks on the pavement. There’s no telling what would happen to us if we fell in one. Finally, we reached the front door, if you could call it that. The same as the gate, the massive wooden doors were blasted off their hinges. Charring was visible all over where the chasm was.
“Whoa! Don’t look down!” Hailey said as she pulled me away from the dark hollow space between the two pieces of the house. She picked up a pebble and dropped it inside the hollow. She counted a few numbers before they heard it hit the floor. “And please, whatever you do, don’t fall down!”
“Ground zero,” I said.
Hailey nodded.
I examined the entry to the mansion. Even the front steps leading to the doors were cleaved in half.
I could barely discern the inside hallway and rooms within the building. It was too dark inside. But looking up, the dark blue night sky with its twinkling stars was brightly displayed through the jagged opening above our heads. I pulled out my cell phone. No signal. I settled for the flashlight.
“Look! Who could it be?” I pointed at a set of footprints on the dust going inside the foyer.
Hailey shrugged without saying anything.
We followed the footsteps until it reached a closed double door.
Hailey turned the knob and opened it. I motioned for her to stand aside so I could check it first. I stepped into the room with my phone in hand. The putrid smell of stagnation and the disturbed dust from years of neglect assaulted my nostrils. I coughed softly to clear my throat. I pushed the flashlight farther in front of me to fight the overwhelming darkness inside. It took a few seconds to adjust my eyes but in a few moments, I could make out an old sitting room with an old ornate couch and tea table, dusty floor carpet, a huge grand piano in one corner, and several tapestries depicting different scenes hanging on the walls. To say that it was gloomy would not describe the feeling of emptiness and desolation in there.
The scars of betrayal run deep and last a long time. I motioned for Hailey to join me.
“Look!” I pointed at the footprints. I shone the light at them. There were two pairs, and their outlines were sharp against the thick dust. They were made very recently. I followed them to the carpeted area of the sitting room. I expected to see deeper impressions on the thick tufts, but there was nothing, as if the people who made them either floated away or just vanished. “They end here! Hold up, they end here?” I corrected myself.
“Well, that doesn’t make sense. Whoever they were can’t just have disappeared,” Hailey said, still holding the doorknob as if unsure if she should come in or not.
After a few seconds of silence, “Maybe it’s a trap door. Maybe if you step on that spot, it opens and you go down below,” Hailey said, almost excited with her ingenious explanation.
“That’s not actually helping me feel better,” I said, thinking she could really be right. “I’m not going to going there alone. Get over here.”
As we stepped on the carpet, the whole room dissolved into a dark tunnel leading deeper into a lit cavern.
“Holy moly!” Hailey said.
“Oh my god! What just happened?” I said at the same time. Hailey’s eyes were bulging with surprise. So were mine.
This is not good. We got transported into a different realm without us knowing it. We need to get out of here.
Before I could say anything, a man’s hand pressed against my mouth. I tried pulling and tugging on it. I could tell Hailey was also fighting to get away from her attacker.
“Don’t! It’s us!” Taylor whispered into Hailey’s ear.
“Taylor?” Hailey asked.
“Yes, I’m here with Blaise,” Taylor answered as she slackened her grip on Hailey.
“Why are you guys here? How did you find this place?” I asked through Blaise’s fingers still over my mouth.
“Because I want to prove to Taylor that I am not one of the hoods,” Blaise said as he released his hold.
“It’s a long story, I’ll update you later. For now, keep it down! We’re not alone. Do you hear that?” Taylor asked. Blaise and Taylor were both looking towards the other end of the tunnel.
Sure enough, we could hear what sounded like distant groaning and sobbing. Taylor turned around and pointed her finger where conversations could be heard, and we started to walk towards it.
Behind Taylor and Blaise’s back, Hailey raised an eyebrow at me, signaling to watch out for Blaise. I nodded.
Three hooded men, with daggers hanging from their belts were holding large swords. They were standing guard around Doctor McGrath and Kieran. Both the doctor and Kieran were lying on the ground. Even though I couldn’t see their faces, the pained moans and halting sobs told me that they were severely beaten. There was no sign of the Sorceress this time.
“Dagger hoods,” Hailey said, pointing at their belts. “I think we should go in now before the Sorceress gets back. I mean, if we wait we might not be able to fight her magic.”
“Well these guys have magic too!” argued Taylor. “What makes you think we can fight them? Why can’t we just call the police?”
“And what would you tell them? Go through the magic door that takes you to the underworld?” Hailey said.
“Okay, okay. What’s the plan?” Blaise said.
“Look, behind the third guard. It’s the crown sitting on the table.”
“If we could only find a way around, behind the guards, we can grab the crown,” I said.
“Wait, I thought we were rescuing Doctor McQuack Quack and the Wimpy Kid sans Diary?” Hailey said.
I rolled my eyes despite the near-paralyzing dread I felt inside. “Yes, that too. But we need that crown if we are ever to get leverage for...” I let it trail off. I didn’t want to say anything about my parents right then.
“I got it,” she said.
I searched for a way to sneak from behind, using the stalagmites and stalactites surrounding the clearing. The rocks protruding from the ground were only two to three feet high; I could easily get around by skipping from one to another. But I would have no cover as the stalactites hanging from the cave ceiling were only seven to eight feet off the ground. I would be in plain sight.
Pointing to one right behind the crown, I said, “I need to get to that stalactite. I will cling from one to another until I get to the back,” I whispered.
“That’s your plan? Are you insane? You don’t even have gloves on! Your hands will be torn to pieces,” Hailey said.
To my surprise, Taylor said, “She’s right! I’ll do it. I’m more experienced and I came ready.” She wagged her gloves at us.
I nodded at her. “Once you are in position, we will attack the guards.”
Taylor nodded in agreement.
Blaise gave Taylor a lift to the first stalactite and hurried back to the group. I held my breath as we watched Taylor go from one hanging rock formation to another. As soon as she was right behind the table, she gave us the signal and jumped down, hitting the third guard on the head. He came down easy.
The second guard noticed the commotion, but Blaise was quick to respond. He hit him in the face with a thud. He didn’t go down right away, so Blaise followed up with an uppercut, jumped up, and then hit the back of the guy’s neck with his elbow. The second guard was out.
Hailey kicked the last guard in the knee while I made sure he didn’t make any sound. Hailey grabbed one of his swords and hit him in the face with the handle. He went down with a groan. I surveyed the three huge men sprawled senseless on the floor.
This is too easy.
Taylor took the crown and handed it to me.
“Thanks,” I whispered. We went to look at the prisoners.
“Doctor, it’s us. We’ve come to rescue you and Kieran, but we’ve got to hurry. They’re not going to be out for very long,” Hailey said.
“You came for me?” Kieran said in disbelief.
“Yes, we must go before they get back,” I said, trying to help Kieran up while holding on to the crown.
“I’m too weak. Leave me here.”
“Kieran, you must be strong. You are the third member of the Knights of the Crown. We can’t lose you,” I said. Then to Blaise and Taylor, I said, “You two lead the way. Hailey and I will bring up the rear.” I wanted Blaise where I could see him.
“I can’t,” whimpered Kieran.
“You can! Here, put your arm over my shoulder,” I said. “Doctor, I will help Kieran, you’re with Hailey.” The Doctor nodded and took her place with Hailey, protecting the back of the group.
I guided Kieran away from the unconscious guards and followed Taylor towards the tunnel. The Doctor was right behind us. Kieran was limping as fast as he could. But as we were getting nearer the tunnel, he tripped. “Kieran, hold on,” I said. But he was too heavy, and I hit my knee on the ground as I fell. From behind me, I saw the Doctor and Hailey rushing forward to help.
“I got him. We’re okay, go, you go! Lead the way,” the Doctor told me as she took on trying to help Kieran. Hailey helped me up, and we proceeded ahead.
I saw Blaise and Taylor heading down the tunnel that led to the mansion’s sitting room exit. I need to get the crown out of this cave as soon as possible. But I could see from behind me that the Doctor and Kieran were stumbling even with Hailey’s assistance. “Come on! We have to get out of here!” I whispered to them. Hailey and I exchanged glances, and I could tell she was just as anxious but helpless in her situation.
Again, I searched for Taylor and Blaise. How much farther to the entrance? I need to get the crown out of here. I saw the light from the sitting room portal casting a dim glow in the tunnel. I felt the crown’s weight and was suddenly reminded of the magnitude of power I held in my hands. I need this crown out of here! My mind screamed quietly from the burden. It took every ounce of patience I had not to run full-speed into the tunnel and leave everyone else behind. But what I saw next stopped me where I stood. Three hooded figures materialized in the tunnel, entering from the sitting room portal, and they were coming in fast.
Oh no! My head screamed again. If we continue into the tunnel, we will be trapped between them and the Sorceress!
The literal light at the end of the tunnel was obstructed by three hooded figures. One was short and stocky, the other one very tall and skinny, and one of medium height. They were coming towards us with a purpose.
“Go back!” Retreat!” said Blaise in a loud whisper.
I looked back to check if the guards were still unconscious, but they were no longer on the floor. They were getting up, brushing themselves, and laughing at us. Then the cold, icy truth hit me. We never knocked them down. It was all a ruse. But for what? The answer brought me to a level of terror I didn’t think was possible. I stood frozen in mid-gasp. My hands clenched so hard my nails were biting into my palms. I tried to breathe, but my lungs won’t follow. My eyes, wild with fright, stared without blinking.
Descending from the top of the cave was a dark form: a black and gauzy apparition that lingered a few inches off the ground. The black soot soon became an oozing mass like a malignant spill from hell. It seemed to be collecting more darkness about it as it crept about the floor. Then, in a single blink, the form solidified, and the Sorceress was standing there. She stooped over her cane, cowl covering the darkness within.
Suddenly, a depressing, desolate voice that could only be described as coming from the dead, echoed within the cave. “So young. So gullible. So, very predictable. Did you really think it was going to be that easy? Bring me back the crown and my prisoners and you won’t get hurt!”
CHAPTER 21
For Want Of A Crown...
I felt everyone’s eyes on me. We were surrounded, and my friends were waiting for me to make a move. I couldn’t. I had no more play. Game over. Then without warning, the tunnel lit up, bright white.
A fireball in mid-air! The three hooded figures from inside the tunnel were attacking. We were out in the open. “Duck!” yelled Hailey and we crouched low to the ground. The deadly orb went over our heads.
The Sorceress let out a terrifying screech. “The Brotherhood! Welcome to the Coven of the Dagger’s lair!” she said as she gave an extravagant bow, waving her stick-like right arm over her head, making the oversized sleeves of her robe flap about her.
The hooded figures within the tunnel made no indication to respond to the Sorceress. Instead, they stood there, monolithic, quiet, and ready.
“I thought you guys don’t like to fight. Oh, that’s right; you have your Knights to do the dirty work for you. Behold, your Knights!” she bellowed. She let out another shriek at the same time she raised her crooked index finger, and three blue-white balls of fire spun out from her outstretched hand.
“Take cover!” I yelled. I put my hands over my ears as the whizzing of the fiery hot projectiles came hurtling towards us. I was too late.
“Oww, Get it off me! Ahhhh!” cried Blaise as he stumbled forward with his jacket up in flames. Taylor quickly took off her coat and used it to snuff out the fire while Blaise was trying to roll on the dirt. As soon as the flame was out, she dragged his body and rested him against the cave wall. Her hand shook violently as she grabbed her coat and placed it over Blaise’s tormented body.
Blaise was against the wall, holding his burned arm up in a contorted fashion. His face was glistening with tears. From what we have seen of this weapon before, that glancing blow should not have caused this much injury. Yet there he was, back arched and reeling from the pain, He was just touched by the flame for a few seconds but it lapped at his shoulder and spread extremely fast. It’s not normal. I caught a glimpse of something iridescent on his jacket. My eyes traveled to the ground. Same multi-color liquid was mixed with the dirt still fueling several tiny fires.
“Get down! Take cover! The fireballs are imbued with some kind of liquid magic. It burns like fire and spreads like oil!” I yelled as I ducked to the side of the tunnel. I saw Blaise pull Taylor under his arms, push her towards the cave wall, and put his back closest to the passing balls of flame. He was placing himself in harm’s way to protect her, despite his injuries.
