The Rogue Knight (24 page)

“Our orders come from a higher authority,” one of the guards explained.

Cole noticed Dalton backing up. He did likewise. It looked like a fight was brewing.

The Rogue Knight drew his sword. “There is no higher authority in my town or in my castle,” he said, his voice soft but adamant. “Final warning.” The knights behind the Rogue Knight took out their weapons as well.

“He just dispatched the Dreadknight in single combat,” Oster stressed. “Do you really want to resist his orders?”

“He'll be champion for a matter of minutes,” one of the guards said. “Are you sure you want to side with him and face execution by the Enforcers?”

“By all laws and traditions, the Rogue Knight is our true champion,” Oster said. “Must you insist on an immediate death? Are you that loyal to the High King's attack dogs?”

“We know our duty,” the other guard said. “The Dreadknight had permission to access the prisoner. No other person outside the Enforcers has been authorized.”

“I admire your commitment to your duty,” the Rogue Knight said. “Unfortunately, your allegiance is misplaced. I find you guilty of treason.” The Rogue Knight made a gesture with two fingers.

Cole looked away as two knights stepped forward. He heard weapons clash a couple of times. When he looked back, the guards were on the ground. Crouching, Oster retrieved a set of keys.

Dalton gaped at the fallen guards with wide eyes. Cole met his gaze and saw his own revulsion reflected there. Jace, on the other hand, appeared unfazed by the violence. Cole wondered how much of that was a facade.

“How many other guards?” the Rogue Knight asked.

“Ten, I believe,” Oster said, inserting a key into the iron door and hauling it open.

“Will they surrender?” the Rogue Knight inquired.

“Doubtful,” Oster said. “They will have been briefed the same as these two.”

The Rogue Knight turned to his knights. “Go ahead of us. Give any guards you encounter the chance to surrender. Explain my victory and my intentions. If they insist on treason, execute them.”

“Let me accompany your knights,” Oster said. “The guards know me. As second knight, I was third in command here. At least they'll know the tale of your victory is authentic if it comes from my lips.”

“Very well,” the Rogue Knight agreed.

“You'll find the prisoner at the very top of the stairs,” Oster said. “I'll await you there.”

Six knights and Oster hurried through the door and up the stone steps, leaving the Rogue Knight alone with Mira, Cole, Dalton, Jace, Twitch, Joe, Skye, and Sultan. The Rogue Knight turned to address them.

“Some of you possess enchanting abilities,” he said.

“I do,” Skye replied. “As does Sultan. The boy Dalton has some skill as well.”

“It is only a matter of time before we are attacked from within and without,” the Rogue Knight said. “If necessary, I can fight my way free with my knights, but I won't be able to protect Mira and Honor against the numbers I expect to combine against us. Your talents may be required to get the princesses to safety.”

“You'll let us go?” Mira asked.

“I never had any intent to harm you,” the Rogue Knight said. “I hoped that your company might improve my chances of securing the duels I desire. But today, keeping you with me could injure you.”

“What are you trying to accomplish with your duels?” Mira asked.

The Rogue Knight paused. “I want to take back Elloweer. Just as your father dealt with you unjustly, he has dealt unfairly with the kingdoms under his stewardship. The office of High Shaper was never meant for a dictator. Your father drove four of the five Grand Shapers into hiding and claimed ownership of kingdoms that should have benefitted from his protection. He invokes arcane and questionable powers to secure his position and accomplish his aims. We are only beginning to see the destruction his greed will produce. Somebody has to stop him.”

“Why not work with the resistance?” Skye asked. “The Unseen?”

“You have your methods,” the Rogue Knight replied. “I have mine. I'll work with you today, if you will protect the princesses.”

“We're here to serve them,” Skye assured him.

“I hope so,” the Rogue Knight said. “If I entrust them to your care, I will hold you personally responsible for their welfare.”

“What do you know of the threat to the northwest?” Skye asked. “The monster Morgassa.”

“I haven't heard that name,” the Rogue Knight said. “I know of the monster. Although the creature is coming in this direction, I understand that it remains several days away.”

Cole heard voices from up the stairs, followed by the sharp clang of metal against metal. Silence followed.

“This way,” the Rogue Knight said.

They curved up the stairs to a large room where several guards lay dead. An iron door stood open, leading to another staircase. More voices could be heard from above. After a few moments, hurried footsteps tromped down the stairs. The Halfknight came into view.

“The way to the highest cell is clear,” the undersize knight reported. “The three guards up top surrendered and are being imprisoned.”

“Well done,” the Rogue Knight said. “Lead on, Minimus.”

They followed the small knight up the winding stair, past several iron doors with peepholes that opened from the outside. Cole wondered who else was kept in this high-security tower. Were there any possible allies here who could help them out? Could any of the kids from Arizona have ended up here?

Cole's thighs were burning with exertion by the time they reached the top of the stairs. Oster and the other knights awaited them there.

“My knights will now return to the bottom of the tower and prevent anyone from coming up. I will be down before long to arrange our defenses.” As the knights descended the stairs, the Rogue Knight regarded Oster. “You have the key?”

Oster unlocked the iron door at the top of the stairs, and Cole shifted into position to peek inside. Would they have Honor chained up? Had she heard the guards fighting? Did she know rescuers were coming?

When Oster heaved the door open, the Rogue Knight moved in front of Cole, blocking his view. The Rogue Knight directed Oster to stand aside and deferred to Mira. “After you.”

Mira went through the doorway, followed by the Rogue Knight. Cole came in after them.

The cell was not what Cole had expected. The room had carpets on the floors, tapestries on the wall, and a canopied bed. One wall supported shelves full of colorful books. Many toys were scattered about: a wooden rocking horse, a pretend sword, several marionettes, dozens of marbles, platoons of toy soldiers, a drum, and a few stuffed animals. A number of chests and trunks housed other mysteries.

On the far side of the room, seated at a low table, was a boy of six or seven years, drawing on a small blackboard with a hunk of chalk. He looked up at Mira and the others who had intruded on him, more curious than startled.

Cole and Dalton exchanged a look of confusion. The prisoner was a little kid?

“Hello,” Mira said in a kind voice.

“Hi,” the kid answered. “Who are you?”

“I'm Mira,” she said. “Do you stay here alone?”

“Most of the time,” the boy said. “Zola brings my food. Vince comes by. And those other guys sometimes. Are we going somewhere?”

“Maybe,” Mira said. “Why do you ask?”

“All the new people,” the boy said. He pointed at the Rogue Knight. “That one is a fighter like Vince.”

“Yes,” Mira said.

“Do you kill people?” the boy asked the Rogue Knight.

“Sometimes,” the Rogue Knight said.

“Your side got bashed in,” the boy said. “Somebody tried to kill you.”

“That's right,” the Rogue Knight said.

“Are you a good guy or a bad guy?” the boy asked.

“He's mostly good,” Mira assured him.

“Vince has to fight a guy today,” the boy said. “Sometimes good guys have to fight.”

Cole realized that Vince must be the Dreadknight. He hoped nobody told the kid what had just happened.

“How long have you been here?” Mira asked sweetly.

“Lots of days,” the kid said. He started drawing again.

“Do you like it here?” Mira asked.

The boy shrugged. “It's better than the other place. I thought I would get to go home, but not yet.”

“Where is home?” Mira asked.

“Ohio,” the boy said. “My town is called Springboro.”

Cole's eyebrows shot up, and he and Dalton looked at each other again. Another kid from their world!

“Where was the other place?” Mira asked. “The worse place?”

“Dreamland,” the boy said. “It was scary there. The skeletons wanted to eat me.”

Mira paused. “What's your name?”

“I'm Brady.”

C
HAPTER

 24 

INMATES

C
ole could hardly believe his ears. Was this really the kid who had created a wilderness full of killer skeletons and giant cheesecakes? A semblance of Brady's babysitter had told them he was dead. That the monsters had finally gotten him.

“Was there ever a girl here called Honor?” the Rogue Knight asked.

“Or Nori?” Mira added.

Brady wrinkled his nose. “Nope, the only lady is Zola.”

“How old is Zola?” Mira asked.

“She looks like a mommy,” Brady said.

“How did you get here?” Mira asked.

“They came to Dreamland and got me,” Brady said. “At first I thought they were Blind Ones. They dressed and acted like Blind Ones. But they didn't kill me. They took me away from Dreamland.”

“We were there too,” Cole said. “In Dreamland. People call it Brady's Wilderness. We met Amanda.”

“You saw her?” Brady exclaimed, excited.

“She helped us,” Cole said.

“Is she okay?” Brady asked.

“She's fine,” Cole said.

“I didn't want to leave without her,” Brady said. “The guys who took me wouldn't go back.”

“Did they bring you here after Dreamland?” Mira asked.

“Not at first,” Brady said. “They told me if I let them, they could make the dream end. I didn't want those dreams anymore. I gave away my dreaming. I thought I would wake up and be home.”

“They made the dreams stop?” Mira asked.

“It worked,” Brady said. “My dreams never happen anymore. No giant cookies. No magic toys. But no bad guys either. None of it happens.”

“They took his power,” Twitch murmured.

“After they took away your dreams, they brought you here?” Mira asked.

“Yes,” Brady said. “They can't take me home yet. They said it's too far.” Leaning forward, he whispered, “I think maybe they're kidnappers.”

“They are,” Mira said. “Don't worry. We're here to help you.” Mira turned and lowered her voice. “Can somebody distract him?”

Dalton went forward, knelt down, and began asking Brady about the picture he was drawing. Brady responded cheerfully to the attention.

Mira addressed the others. “That kid had serious power. Back in Sambria, they could have made another Carnag.”

“Wouldn't we have heard of it?” Twitch asked.

“It may not have happened that long ago,” Joe said. “How long has Brady been here?”

“A few weeks,” Oster said. “He could have been held elsewhere before. I don't know the history.”

“They might have more control of the creature this time,” Joe speculated. “It may not be rampaging.”

“Why bring Brady here?” Jace asked.

“Whatever they did with his power, it can't reach him in Elloweer,” Mira said. “It would only work in Sambria. Maybe they wanted to keep Brady far away.”

“They probably took all of his shaping ability,” Cole said. “You know, like Carnag tried to do to you, Mira. If Brady volunteered, they could have completely separated him from his power.”

“Then why would they need him?” Jace asked. “What good is he without any power?”

“I don't know,” Mira said. “There must be a reason. We need to learn more about how shapecrafting works.”

They heard noisy footsteps on the stairs. Minimus entered the room, breathing hard. “We're under attack,” the Halfknight announced, panting. “The town offered little resistance. Guardsmen are trying to open the castle gates from both sides.”

“Blast!” the Rogue Knight exclaimed. He whirled to Oster. “Do you know the other prisoners up here?”

“There are only a few others,” Oster said. “This tower is for unnamed captives. None are known to me.”

“Will you help Mira and her friends escape?” the Rogue Knight asked. “Can you smuggle them away from Edgemont?”

“I know three hidden ways out of the castle,” Oster said.

“We can help,” Skye said. “Sultan and I will cloak us in seemings.”

“That would give us a fighting chance,” Oster said.

The Rogue Knight laid a hand on the Halfknight's armored shoulder. “Minimus, stay with Mira until we find each other again. Serve her well. Protect her at all costs. Oster, help them escape, then return to me once they are away.”

“We have to check the other prisoners,” Mira said anxiously. “Just in case.”

“Very well,” the Rogue Knight said. “Be swift. We are greatly outnumbered. Our enemies will overrun this castle shortly.”

“We'll hurry,” Mira promised.

The Rogue Knight drew his sword. “I must join my knights.” He hurried from the room and bounded down the stairs. Cole suspected that anyone else who tried to run in armor like that would end up in a dented pile at the bottom of the stairway.

“Come on, Brady!” Mira called.

The boy looked up from where he sat with Dalton. “We're leaving?”

“Yes,” Mira said.

“A hostage could prove useful,” Oster mused.

“Not a hostage,” Mira said. “We're freeing him.”

“Are you sure?” Skye asked. “Joining us may be a rough road for the little guy.”

“He is clearly of high value to our enemies,” Sultan said. “And he doesn't belong to them.”

“We can't leave him behind,” Mira insisted. “Who knows what they might do to him?”

“I agree,” Sultan replied. “I'll watch out for him.”

Holding Dalton's hand, Brady followed them out of the room. They started down the stairs, stopping at the next iron door. Oster tried a few keys before he found the right one. The room was empty.

Behind the next iron door they found a man chained to the wall. Blindfolded and gagged, his hair was long and disheveled.

“I know this one,” Oster said. “He was an Enforcer and a powerful enchanter. He lost his mind. We don't want dealings with him.”

They shut the door and moved on. From a distance, through barred windows, Cole heard the clash of combat. A man screamed in pain. Other voices shouted orders.

Cole understood why Mira wanted to check the cells, but the castle was falling. What if they couldn't make it out? He tried to ignore the churning nervousness in his gut.

Oster unlocked another door to reveal an empty room. The next door opened on a swarthy woman seated at a wooden table. When her eyes found Cole, she glared and snarled. “You?”

“Secha?” Cole exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”

She brushed hair away from her face. “Where are the Enforcers?”

“You were back in Carthage with Ansel,” Mira recalled.

“Aye, missy, until the Enforcers came for us. Where are they?”

“No Enforcers here,” Joe said. “We're in charge for now. You vowed not to follow us.”

“Mayhap I did,” Secha said. “But I never counted on you ruining us. Some Enforcers caught up with us just a few days after you left. Charming lot. One called the Hunter was ready to kill Ansel for information about Miracle Pemberton. And Ansel was prepared to die to keep his oath to you. So I intervened. I volunteered to go with them and help them find you.”

“Is the Hunter here?” Joe asked in alarm.

“Not right now,” Secha said. “Moves around a lot, that one. You've made yourselves quite an enemy. And you spoiled my life.”

“Ansel spoiled your life,” Cole said. “He should have left me alone.”

“I reckon he entertains that thought as he rots in a Carthage dungeon,” Secha said darkly. She squinted at Cole. “You've changed a bit. You've a hint of power in you now.” Her eyes considered Mira. “You're the royal scion they're after?”

“How long have you been here?” Mira asked.

“Only since yesterday.”

“Rings true,” Oster said. “Leastways, they brought in a new prisoner last night.”

“How did they plan to use you?” Mira asked.

“I know your faces,” Secha said. “They wanted help spotting you. I wasn't privy to the full extent of their scheme. This hasn't been pleasant. I'm a prisoner.”

“Time is against us,” Oster reminded everyone.

“Let's keep checking,” Mira decided. “Leave her. She's not important.”

They backed out of the room, and Oster closed the door.

“She broke her vow,” Joe pointed out. “She could still cause trouble.”

“We have bigger problems right now,” Mira said, hustling down the stairs.

“This next door is where we put the guards who surrendered,” Oster said. “There's just one more.”

He tried a couple of keys before opening the final iron door to reveal an older man with messy white hair and weary eyes. He sat on the edge of a simple cot. One leg was missing halfway past his thigh. The other ended just below the knee.

“Mutiny?” the man asked curiously.

“I don't know this man,” Oster said.

Mira stepped closer. “Who are you?”

The prisoner leaned forward, eyes narrowing. “It can't be.”

“Excuse me?” Mira said.

“Miracle?” he asked.

“How do you know me?”

“I was a boy when we knew each other,” he said. “I was a bit younger than you. I'm Reginald Waters.”

“Reggie?” she gasped. “Yes, I see it now. What happened to you?”

“I had charge over Honor for years,” he said. “Not at first. She has been in my care the last five decades. Until I failed her.”

“When?” Mira asked. “How?”

“Not long ago,” he said. “Weeks, not months.”

“Her star was in the sky,” Mira said.

“It appeared the day she was taken from me,” Reginald said. “I had a way to contact your mother. I informed her I had lost my Honor.”

“Is Nori all right?” Mira asked. “Where is she? We'll help her.”

“I'm not sure anyone can help her,” Reginald said. “She was seized by men loyal to Trillian.”

“The torivor?” Dalton exclaimed, eyes bulging.

“Who?” Cole asked. Dalton clearly knew enough about this Trillian person to be afraid, but Cole had never heard the name.

“The caged demon,” Oster said grimly. “The bane of Elloweer. Trillian the torivor.”

“His men cut me down,” Reginald said. “They left me to die and took her to him. Enforcers were on our trail at the time. They found me and stanched my wounds. Brought me here. Several days later her star went out.”

Cole tried not to stare at Reginald's maimed legs. The man didn't look frail, but he was definitely old. Perhaps in his younger days he would have won the fight.

Oster crossed to a window. Craning his neck, he leaned against the bars. “The gates are breeched,” he reported.

“Come with us,” Mira said to Reginald. “The castle is under attack. We have a chance to flee.”

“I can weave a tight seeming,” Reginald said. “But changing these stumps into legs is beyond me. Go. Get the word out about your sister.”

“Can we carry him?” Mira asked.

“Go!” Reginald demanded. “Leave the door open, and I'll manage. I've failed one princess. I won't risk slowing you. It's not negotiable. Run!”

“Time grows short,” Oster warned.

“All right,” Mira said. “Thank you, Reggie. Take care.”

“I'll leave the doors open at the base of the tower,” Oster said. He exited the room and started down the stairs. The others followed.