The Rise of Isaac, Books 1-3, page 40
He backed out of the car and offered her a hand. She slapped it away and climbed out of the vehicle herself. He gripped her arm tightly and slammed the door.
They walked quickly up through the village and wound their way towards the quiet road where the entrance to Oakway Manor was.
"Why are you doing this?" Alison asked in a whisper.
"I'll explain when we get to Brinatin," William said firmly.
"Brinatin? You'll never get me that far without someone noticing."
William didn't answer. He didn't know how just then, but he would find a way to get her there.
He opened the gate to Ely's estate and gently pushed Alison through it. They walked up to the house at a brisk pace. William dragged Alison up to the porch as fast as he could and pushed her back against the wall beside the door. Keeping a hand pressed to her shoulder, he slowly opened the front door and peered inside.
"Go," he whispered and Alison stepped into the entrance hall.
William slipped in behind her and quietly closed the door. Footsteps sounded on the stairs above them. William pulled Alison across the hallway, pressed the panel on the inside of the giant tree that led down to the Gateway and slid out of sight just in time. He pressed his back up against the door, tightly holding his palm over Alison's mouth.
Ely's voice sounded from the other side of the door, just inches away. "Come on Humphrey. Time for lunch," he said and the cat trilled a meow in answer.
Alison's breath came out hard between his fingers and he realised he was suffocating her. He softened his grip and pushed her ahead of him, descending the stairs.
The Gateway stood before them in the chamber below the house, its sparkling keys illuminating the room with a soft glow. William placed Alison's Lock around her neck then held up his own and the portal crackled to life, ribbons of lightning stretching across it.
He kept a tight hold of Alison's wrist as they stepped through the Gateway and disappeared, travelling to Aleva.
9
A Change of Fortune
Oliver sighed as he lazed in the soft sheets of his bed up in the Sun Tower. It was an enormous guest room with a large, fourposter and two single beds. It was decorated in soft, earthy tones with touches of deep red and gold. The floor was wooden with woven rugs either side of the beds, the sun featuring at the centre of the designs.
Rogan had insisted that Oliver have the fourposter bed as he had been responsible for their change in circumstances. Larkin had begrudgingly agreed.
They had taken it in turns to shower in the luxurious bathroom then crashed out for the afternoon.
"Oh, man, I love you right now," Rogan said, waking up after a long nap in his own bed. He was wearing a pair of black gloves the same as those he and Quinn had worn in the Race of Aleva to block their magic.
"Yeah I know," Oliver said, stretching his arms above his head. His stomach rumbled loudly. "We've got the feast to attend yet."
"I literally can't wait," Rogan said, sitting up. "I'm getting dressed."
Oliver sat up too and spotted a pile of fresh clothes on a table by the door. They dressed in the smart attire and went to knock on the girls' door. May answered, already dressed in a long black dress. Anna and Quinn appeared behind her in similar clothes, the magic-blocking gloves on her hands looking somehow elegant.
Quinn rushed out and kissed Oliver right on the forehead. "I forgot how good sleep can be!" She grinned from ear to ear.
"No way, you actually made Quinn happy," Rogan ran a hand through his hair with an expression of pretend shock.
Quinn whipped off one of her gloves and sent a pillow flying towards his head. He caught it at the last second and tutted. "No magic in the palace!"
She grinned. "Oh yeah? What are you gonna do about it?" Pillows began pelting Rogan until he was forced to take a glove off and block them.
"No magic in the palace!" Quinn sang and he sent the pillows flying back at her at full pelt.
She tried to block him but his magic was clearly stronger as her shields failed after a few moments and the pillows pummelled her all at once.
"Ah! Rogan you take it too far!" She pouted, looking furious as she cast the pillows away from her with a wave of her hand.
"You started it!" Rogan looked to Oliver for back up.
Oliver shrugged. "You did start it," he said to Quinn.
"Don't back him up!" She rounded on Oliver.
Oliver laughed at her and she fought a smile.
"Fine." She rolled her eyes.
Rogan cast another pillow at the back of Quinn's head and quickly put his glove back on. She turned to glare at him and he held his hands up in proof of his innocence.
"What's the point of the Queen making you wear those gloves if you can just take them off?" Oliver asked.
Rogan shrugged. "I think she's giving us a warning. I'm not exactly gonna take them off in front of her guards."
"Can we go get some food now?" Larkin asked, folding his arms.
"Yes!" May and Anna said in unison, then headed toward the door.
Oliver fell into step with May outside the room.
"I checked on Ely but he's not feeling up to the feast. A waiter brought him something to eat," May said as they walked down the spiral staircase.
"Is he feeling better?" Oliver asked.
"I think so, he just needs a little longer to rest. He's exhausted," May said.
"I was getting really worried about him," Oliver said, a knot unravelling in his chest.
They passed window after window that looked over the city below and the mountain above. Snow was falling steadily, making him feel cosy inside the palace despite the cavernous rooms and glass walls. Oliver imagined spending another night in the Freezer and shuddered.
They emerged out on the balcony overlooking the banquet hall which was now thronging with people. Most of them were soldiers and Oliver's stomach twisted as he caught sight of Dead Xen amongst them. Despite no longer being his prisoner, he still hated having to share a room with the man.
Larkin gripped the balcony tightly and Oliver followed his gaze towards where Xen stood.
"Come on. We need to eat something," Oliver said to him quietly.
"He killed Arrow. I can't share food with that psychopath," Larkin said through gritted teeth.
"You have to eat," Anna insisted. "If we don't go down there he wins. Show him he can't break you. That's what he wants."
Larkin nodded and trailed behind them as they descended the rest of the stairs and curved back into the banquet hall. The soldiers were laughing together at the furthest end so they stuck to the other where the maids, guards, hunters, and groomsmen were milling around together.
The table was laden with food and looked how Oliver imagined a medieval feast to be. They found seats and quickly tucked in, even Larkin's mood was seemingly forgotten in the face of food.
No one spoke for a while as they relished the taste of the amazing flavours. Oliver avoided anything dried or nutty, wanting to taste as much fresh and cooked produce as possible. He helped himself to a second slice of pie that was salty with an array of vegetables that burst in his mouth as he chewed.
"Wow," Quinn moaned, pouring another ladle of gravy over her plate.
"This is amazing," Rogan said, stuffing a sausage into his mouth. Quinn didn't even seem to care how sloppily he was eating as he spilt food down his chin for the tenth time.
Oliver sat back in his seat, unable to fit another thing into his stomach. He let out a contented sigh, wondering if had ever felt as grateful for food as he was then.
"Good?" Anna asked from across the table with an amused expression.
"So good," Oliver said, grinning.
"This might be the best thing I've ever tasted," May said. "But I dunno if that's because I was starving or if it's really that good."
"Maybe both?" Rogan said through a mouthful.
"Maybe." She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear as she began casting her eyes over the food once more. She chose a small pastry that Oliver had tried a moment ago. It was filled with a creamy cheese and topped with sweet berries that melted on the tongue.
Quinn loaded her plate up once more and began tucking in.
Larkin sighed, pushing his plate away from him then proceeded to watch Quinn eat. "You'd be a right fatty if you didn't have magic."
Quinn narrowed her eyes at him. "What?"
"You've eaten like three families' worth of food in one go!"
"Can mages not get fat then?" May chipped in and Anna stifled a laugh.
Quinn shot her a look and her cheeks reddened.
Rogan leant forward. "Not really, I mean magic is basically regulating everything all the time for us. So that's why we age slower and don't get sick like other people. The stronger your magic, the less vulnerable you are to those things."
"That's not fair," Oliver said.
"Nope. Sorry, mate. You'll be a wrinkly old man in seventy years and I'll still look amazing."
Oliver grabbed a bread roll and chucked it at him. Forgetting about the gauntlets that were blocking his magic, Rogan swatted his hand through the air with no effect and the bread roll sailed to its target, smacking him in the face.
They all laughed.
"I like those gloves, they really suit you," Oliver said.
"Ha!" Rogan tossed a bread roll back at him.
Oliver ducked it. "You can't win like this! I've had my whole life to practice dodging things the normal way."
"He's right, without magic he's got the edge on you," Quinn said, raising her eyebrows at Rogan.
"That's the thing about mages, as soon as their magic's gone what've they got?" Larkin remarked.
"Er-this?" Quinn pointed at her face and Larkin broke a smile.
"Alright, there's that," Larkin conceded.
"Aww wow for a moment there you were just like the old Larkin who didn't try to get us killed back in the Race," Quinn said with a sarcastic look.
Larkin frowned but didn't respond.
Oliver's attention was drawn to the top end of the room as several people began getting to their feet. They followed suit and Oliver peered through the crowd.
Queen Lacine was taking a seat in the sapphire throne. Four teenage girls entered behind her wearing silk dresses that were adorned with jewels. The Queen waved at the crowd and they bowed to her. Oliver joined in but his full stomach made it uncomfortable to bend. The young girl he had seen in the gold dress entered, now wearing a pale yellow one. The princesses sat in smaller thrones on either side of the Queen's though one seat remained empty beside the youngest girl.
"Thank you for attending this wonderful feast. I have thrown it in thanks to my faithful staff whom never fail to uphold the standards of our city. Please enjoy your evening," Queen Lacine said and music started up.
The attention of the crowd was drawn to a band who appeared up on the balcony. They played a series of silver string instruments and loud drums which quickened to encourage people to dance. The maids took to the floor next to them and Oliver watched them in amusement.
He was much too full to join in and, looking around at the others, confirmed that they felt the same. The room was big enough that the soldiers had no need to come anywhere near them.
He looked over to the group he assumed were the hunters due to their fur skin outfits and generally unkempt appearance and wondered if any of them was Hector Rook.
A parting in the crowd allowed Oliver to glimpse Xen chatting quietly to the Queen. A grave look entered her eyes as Xen finished talking then those same bright, blue eyes snapped up and looked directly at him. Oliver blinked in surprise as her head moved in a gesture that beckoned him. He got to his feet and, at the same time, someone behind him moved. He turned to see a young man in heavy furs walking past him towards the Queen. Oliver returned to his seat, his face burning as he realised his mistake.
"What are you doing?" Anna asked him from across the table.
Oliver shook his head and tried to act casual. "Nothing."
He turned to watch the man make his way through the crowd towards the Queen and kneel at her feet. Oliver spied the remnants of what must have been a deep wound on the back of his neck as he bowed his head.
The Queen spoke briefly with him then he nodded, got up and walked away. His face looked taut and sad, emphasised by the dark shadow on his jaw. He left the room and the man's fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. The Queen got up and approached Xen who nodded and followed her out of the room after the man.
Oliver turned back to his friends and Rogan pulled Quinn up to dance. The music slowed and she laid her head against his shoulder as they swayed. Anna and May watched them, chatting to each other quietly.
"Do you wanna dance, Anna?" Larkin asked as he stood.
Oliver's body stiffened as he looked between the two of them.
Anna's eyes went wide. "Oh, err, sure," she said, getting to her feet.
Larkin led her amongst the other dancers, bending low to talk in her ear. He held her close against him and was irritatingly good at dancing. Oliver became aware that he was staring at them and drew his gaze away, finding May watching him with raised eyebrows.
"You like her," she said knowingly.
"Shut up," Oliver said, resting his elbows on the table.
"You do. Come on you can't lie to me. It's obvious."
Oliver shrugged and started twiddling a butter knife in one hand.
"She likes you too," May said enticingly.
He looked up at her. "She does?"
May nodded as a grin spread across her face.
"Did she say that or are you just guessing?" He eyed her suspiciously.
"She didn't exactly say it but she didn't deny it when I asked either."
"That doesn't prove anything," Oliver said, jabbing the butter knife into a piece of pie on his plate.
May sighed in exasperation. "Why don't you just ask her yourself?"
"What, while she's dancing with Larkin?"
May rolled her eyes. "You're not worried about him are you?"
Oliver looked over at them and saw Anna laughing at something Larkin was saying. He frowned as a burning sensation filled his gut.
May followed his line of sight. "There's no way she likes him like that, she isn't gonna forget what he was like back in Aleva," she said.
"Doesn't look that way to me," Oliver muttered.
"Well maybe you should make a move before he does?" she suggested.
He looked at his sister, her green eyes twinkling at him, and shook his head. "It's not important."
She frowned, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "It is," she pressed.
He didn't reply and swore to himself that he wouldn't look at Anna again for the remainder of the music.
10
Chosen
"Commander Xen, Mr Rook, I've asked you here to discuss the desperate situation concerning my son. It's been four weeks and we can't be sure he is even still alive," Queen Lacine said, her voice breaking on the final word.
Hector leant against one of the enormous trophy cabinets that housed nearly a hundred different gemstones. They glistened in the low light of the room, glinting at him from the countless display units set around the walls.
"Your Majesty, if I may, the sole surviver of the last rescue group said he saw the boy himself, kept in a cage hung high up in a cavern," Hector said. "He is still alive."
"That man returned four days ago. The beast may have killed my boy since then!" the Queen snapped.
Hector bowed his head, more to hide his anger than anything else. "You promised to give me my key to Brinatin if I brought you the stone, Ma'am," he said as politely as he could manage. "With respect, I have done what you asked."
"You also led that beast back to my palace, endangering my family. It's your fault my son has been taken," Queen Lacine said in an icy tone. "And it will be your fault if he is dead."
"My Queen, the stone is as precious to the creature as offspring," Hector tried. "There's no way the prince is dead, not whilst there's a chance it will be returned to the groll."
"Are you comparing the preciousness of my son to a gem troll's tool?" Queen Lacine got to her feet, her eyes burning into Hector's.
"Of course not! I only meant-" Hector was cut off by Xen.
"The hunter's right. Prince Kile is alive. There's no doubt of that. I will retrieve him myself," Xen said, gripping the hilt of his sword as if he intended to kill the beast there and then.
Hector's top lip curled up slightly at the man.
"But I need you here Commander. No. You'll have to go Mr Rook," the Queen said in exasperation.
Hector's spine straightened as rage pulsed through him. "What? I can't go! I already went up there once! That creature nearly killed me."
Xen gripped his shoulder firmly and pulled him back from the Queen a step.
Hector gritted his teeth. "You swore," he snarled, his desperate eyes gazing into the cool blue of the Queen's. "I completed the challenge months ago, by law that key is mine."
"Watch your tone, hunter," Xen growled.
"You are the only one who has managed to outwit the beast, Mr Rook. You will go once more and return my son to me. When that is done, you will have your key to Brinatin," the Queen said evenly.
Hector made a noise of fury in his throat but didn't dare argue further. The Queen had made her decision and he knew there was nothing he could do to fight it. If he tried to force her hand, she would never give him his key.
"You should be glad of a chance to appease the Queen," Xen said and Hector sensed a mocking tone to his voice.
"Choose a group of hunters to accompany you. You will leave as soon as possible," Queen Lacine ordered.
Hector stood staring at her, dumbfounded.
"You are dismissed," she said, raising her eyebrows at him when he didn't move.
Xen shoved him and Hector stormed from the room.
***
Hector exited the palace and started walking to his local tavern. He knew he would find other hunters there, despite the Queen having decimated their numbers for the sake of her precious scrivenstone.
The air was crisp as a sharp wind swept across the land from the east, bringing the scent of the nearest forest with it. He descended further into the city where it became more sheltered but the air was still icy.
