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The Castle of Riddles

Prologue

There was a man. Anxious, frightened, and running. From something. He dodged

between the trees, using them to conceal his figure. The sky was blanketed with dark and

heavy storm clouds that poured out icy, cold water. People rushed on the broken down

cobblestone pathway that led to the other side of a tremendous hill. This hill covered a

little group of houses and stores. As people pushed and shoved to get to their homes, a

small girl was being taken farther and farther from hers. She cooed playfully at her father,

clearly not understanding the situation, who continued to run and pray. Finally the

woods broke down into a little clearing. A broken down cottage flanked the tall trees.

Breathing heavily, he entered, and collapsed onto the worn floor. Propping himself

against the wall, he faintly smiled at the little pink ball before him and said,

Dont lose hope, my Angel. Soon well be free, and we can start a new life

together. I love you s Ahhh!

As a cloaked man stood up and wiped the blood from his freshly used dagger, he

stared and smiled spitefully at the baby, alone and unprotected.

Ha! Free! Did he think he could outrun me? his following laugh was

unbearable, but the little girl sensed something was wrong, and began to cry.

Poor, poor child. Dont you worry, I have great plans for you, great and terrible

plans. As his face flashed from under the cloak, his two different colored eyes faintly

glimmered. Suddenly there was blast like an erupting volcano, and the rickety old house

exploded, and with a petrifying scream, the man was thrown back

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Melissa, come quickly! Ive found it! my voice echoed through the endless hall.

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Im Taylor and Im thirteen years old. I live with my friend, Melissa. Strangely,

shes a dragon. We live in the Eliir Woods, which is inhabited by dragons, goblins,

unicorns, giants, and griffins. I have a friend named Alyssa(preferably known as Lissy,)

whos living with a griffin (Alexa). I dont go to school Melissa teaches me. We live in

a huge, powerfully built castle. I call it the castle of riddles.

~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 1

There was no answer. Ugh! It was extremely irritating that the huge,

echoing halls in the castle couldnt deliver my message, however quiet. I yelled once

more only this time louder. It was a few seconds before a loud, but soothing roar finally

replied. I ran down the hall until I came to a chamber. It was filled with dancing sunlight

reflecting off stained-glass windows, leading to a red velvet carpet covering the stone

floor. This was Melissas and my favorite room. She was sitting in the center of the room.

I marveled at her beauty. She had brilliant, red scales with bright blue horns and spikes

going down her back. Her teeth, not even fully grown, were about a foot now. They

glistened in the sunshine and their sharp points proudly stood out. Her eyes were a

crystalline, clear blue and like the restless sea they were quick and keen. But her wings

were the most beautiful. They were rainbow, and I wonder if there could be anything

more gorgeous when they caught the sunlight. Melissa was about three-fourths of a

house. When she sneezed, the carpet would turn a brilliant red and I had to dump bucket

after bucket of water over it. She tells me she flies clumsily, but I think she is as graceful

as any other dragon even more so. Anyway, when I arrived, the room was almost

empty, for everything in it was being shoved against the door by Melissa, who had just

placed another suit of armor, when she saw me.

Oh, Taylor, good, good! Did you bring it? she asked breathlessly, while I was

trying to figure out what was going on, why she was in such a rush, and why all of our

furnishings were against our fine silvermist door.

Bring what?

The wood, of course!

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You told me to find it, not bring it! And why do you need it anyway, and why is

everything against our door?

Theres no time for questions right now. Please, its urgent!

Fine. So I begrudgingly turned and ran back down the hall.

~~~~~~~~~~

My legs and arms frantically screamed for rest as I trudged through the

corridor dragging a gigantic piece of silvermist wood. I was out of breath when I got

there, and collapsed onto the velvet steps. Having no idea of why Melissa wanted it, I

dragged it over but it was an urgent order. I had taken a break, though only a short one.

When I had finally brought it to her, she grabbed it and hauled it against the door, along

with everything else. Then she yelled,

Taylor! Go to your chamber! Now!

WhatWhats going on? I asked, slowly backing towards the stairs, a bit

frightened at the unsettling tone of Melissas voice.

Its Mallisuff! Were under attack! He brought Grimmer with him! Now get to

your chamber and pack your clothes and everything you would need for a long journey!

Use the back door if worst comes to worst. Go! She roared in answer.

I had been frightened enough when Melissa told me that the evil fiend, Mallisuff,

was attacking us. I now had shivers going up and down my spine because his

carnivorous dragon, Grimmer, decided to come with him. I wanted to do more to help

because, unfortunately, I knew Grimmer. He gave me a scar on my shoulder when I was

seven in the process of trying to kill me, though I had no idea why. Apparently Melissa

knew, but she wouldnt even hint at it, other than saying Im special. But back to reality.

Grimmer would break down the door, and all would be lost. I skidded up and down the

hall and looked in all of the chambers on the first floor for something to barricade my

door with. I skidded to a stop in the doorway of Melissas chamber. It felt strangely

quiet. I walked in. Then, unexpectedly, a creaking noise came from Melissas closet also

known as the back door. I shuddered, and it came again. This time I locked the door to

her closet, and sped out of Melissas chamber and ran down the hall. Feeling as if I was

being watched, I ran even faster to my chamber where I flicked on the light and, feeling

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anxious, started to hurriedly throw some clothes into an old pack. That place was so

creepyI thought, until I heard a moan, a crack, and then splintering wood. They have

gotten in. Many thoughts raced in my drooping headwhat happened to Melissa, what

will happen to the castle, what should I do? And then I became dizzy from exhaustion

and started to fall asleep

No! I must protect the castle! I yelled to no one in particular.

And once again, I became aware of myself. I was in my chamber. But it was

not quiet. There were shouts and the sound of roaring and voices. Weapons! Mallisuff!

Grimmer! These thoughts went through my head as the voices came closer.

I must barricade the door! I said to myself. Frantically, I searched for something

I could stick against my door, something to defend myself with. I had grabbed a traveling

backpack and started pushing my bed against the door when I heard a deep,

bloodcurdling growl that made me feel as if my head had just grown two inches higher.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Melissa! Try as I might, I couldnt resist the urge to help any longer.

Grabbing a medieval sword from its sheath on the wall, I hefted it. It was heavy, but this

was the closest thing to a weapon that could be found. Strangely, a weird, warm, tingly

feeling spread through my palm. Taking down the sheath, I placed my sword into it and

made my way to the Main chamber, where Melissa was. I had no plan, no strategy. And

Id only had a couple classes in sword fighting. I tried to keep hidden in the immense

shadows, but still felt as if I was being watched. As I came near the doorway of the

chamber, I was spotted. Not by anyone in the chamber, but by one of Mallisuffs minions

an ogre. He came out from behind me, swiftly took out a jagged blade, and pressed it

against my neck. I tried to scream but every time I did he pressed the blade in harder. A

trickle of blood crawled down my skin from the tip. I felt my eyesight blurring. The ogre

walked me into the open chamber where Melissa lay on the ground, tangled in a net tied

by ropes nailed to the now bloodstained carpet. A look of terror appeared in her eyes

when she saw me.

Taylor! was all she could say before she fainted.

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Mallisuff cackled a malicious laugh as my hands were bound behind my back

and a dirty rag stuffed into my mouth.

Master, I have them. He threw three keys to Mallisuff as I was forced on a wide

saddle attached to Grimmer. They were the strangest keys I have ever seen.

I desperately hoped that someone would rescue me as we left the castle and I was

lifted away into the darkness.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When I woke up I was in dimly lit room, tied to the table I was laying on.

Hearing thundering footsteps coming down the stairs, I was afraid Grimmer was coming

and I was fearful that he would eat me. But then I reasoned with myself. Why would he

capture me just to eat me when he couldve done it while I was tied up at the castle? No,

he must be coming to question me. But what did I know that was so important that they

had to attack my castle? I thought about everything I knew that could be valuable as the

heavy footsteps neared. And suddenly he appeared, a large bulk of a dragon, much bigger

than Melissa.

Taylorrrr. he hissed. Mallisuff unfortunately couldnt come tonight.he

was dealing withbusiness. He sent me to ask you a question, a question very crucial

to his business. Should you choose to lie, the consequences shall be great. Soooooo

what do you know of the fourth key? he asked.

II dont know what youretalktalking about. I stuttered. My heart was

pounding so hard and loud I thought he could hear it. IveIve never heard about the

fourth key. I then started a quick but silent prayer.

Jesus, please, please, please, hear me and deliver me from this terrible place. I

need you terribly.

Grimmer towered over the table and stared into my closed eyes as if he could

read my mind. I feel my body trembling. I could smell the decaying stench of his drifting

breath. He had started to open his mouth when he was interrupted by the roof of the room

being ripped off. It was Melissa! She had with her eight other dragons and two griffins.

Grimmer grabbed me off the table recklessly and started to fly up to meet them with his

sharp talons and unmatchable strength. But fate decided otherwise. A huge chunk of

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debris fell from the roof and landed on his right wing, smashing it. He let out a painful

growl. The impact caused him to drop me, and I hit the table. Suddenly my mind swirled

into darkness.

I regained consciousness slowly and stared into Melissas gentle eyes. I

felt strangely tranquil.

MelMelissa?

Shhhhshe lightly scolded me. You need to rest.

She lifted me and I let out a groan from the throbbing pain in my back. Melissa

carried me to my bed, where I was tenderly laid down. For the next day I was allowed to

do nothing but drink soup, read, and sleep. On the morning of the second day in bed my

friend, Lissy came to see me. She came in and sat on the bed.

Are you okay Taylor? she said as she softly stroked my auburn hair. I smiled at

her. She was the best friend anyone could ever have.

Im fine. Thanks. Oh, and Lissy?

Yes?

Um, have you ever heard of the fourth key? I asked. She thought for a

moment.

Do you mean the four keys of Eluren?

I answered her, Well Im not quite sure, but that sounds like that might be right.

Do you know anything about them?

Yes, Alexa used to tell me stories about them. She would tell me about how four

keys would unlock four concealed doors, each door leading to a world. My favorite world

was the Mermaid one. All the mini worlds are part of the main world, Elluren. When I

was little, I would search my castle, hoping to find one of the doors. But I gave up that

dream many years ago. Its all just a story.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Oh. WellI was determined not to give up. Well, was there anything

valuable in those worlds, anything worth attacking and defending? Lissys eyes grew

wide.

You mean you think that was the reason Mallisuff attacked your castle? she

asked.

I nodded.

Right before I was captured I saw one of Mallisuffs ogres throw to him three keys.

They were so strangely marked! One had a mermaid on it and some sort of symbol.

Lissy exclaimed,

That must have been one of them! In each world there is a priceless gem, and

when connected, form a special key. This key is supposed to unlock the greatest treasure

ever found. We sat in silence for a long time. Finally Lissy spoke up.

Alexa also told me about how only three keys have been found and the fourth

one still lies in its hiding place. The girls exchanged knowing looks.

Are you thinking what Im thinking? Lissy said.

It turns out we had been hinting at the same thing all along ,and after a bit of

discussion, I said, a little hurt,

Why hasnt Melissa told me all of this?

Oh Taylor Im sure she was just trying to protect you! said Lissy, trying to

comfort her friend. Its too late nowyou and I both know it.

Changing the subject, Lissy asked,

So when and where do we start searching?

Wait, first we both must promise that we will never tell anyone about this, unless

it gets too dangerous and beyond our ability to complete it then we will come to

Melissa. Promise? I asked.

Promise. she answered.

So do you reckon one of the keys will be in this castle?

Its worth looking into. This place is really old. And why would Mallisuff attack

here is if there wasnt something valuable about it?

But Taylor, he capturedyou, and only you. He didnt even bother searching the

castle!

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Well, that sets us back a bit. I grumbled. But lets still search, maybe for a map

or something. Right after lunch.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Weve been searching for nearly an hour and still no key. There must be

something that can help us. Like a treasure map. I sighed, sitting down on a bench.

I lay down and looked up at a strange tapestry above the bench. It had always

been there. Melissa had stated it was really old and fragile. Suddenly it looked familiar. I

asked,

Lissy, does this tapestry look strangely familiar to you? She stared at it.

It does remind me of something. But I cant put my finger on it.

I cant either. I said.

I sat up and we continued our investigations on every crevice in the castle.

Everyday for a week Lissy came over, and together we explored the castle, trying to find

secret passageways or hidden compartments. We found one dresser that had a hidden

drawer in it, but there was nothing except for a pile of wood shavings and yarn.

Apparently a mouse got here before us. she said, examining a small hole that

had been gnawed in the back of the hidden drawer.

Oh wellwell try again tomorrow. I said glancing at the clock as it struck

6:00. See you then!

Lissy left and Taylor sat down to dinner with Melissa. I was puzzled. There

wasnt any other part of the castle we hadnt already searched. Where would Lissy and I

look tomorrow? All of a sudden she had an idea.

Melissa, is there a cellar or basement in the castle? I inquired cautiously, trying

to act as innocent as possible.

Well... she was lost in her thoughts for a couple of moments. I think so. Why

do you want to know? she asked.

Oh I just wanted to explore. So there is? I inquired again, this time intrigued.

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from this horrid dream, but I could not. Two bulky ogres walked casually into the room,

as if dangling a helpless elf between them was normal. The whole scene sickened me

They threw him in front of the throne, and Mallisuff leaned forward, a wicked

gleam in his eyes. This elf looked to be about my age, and I shivered.

Suddenly Mallisuff looked up, and inquired,

Did you ask him about the fourth key?

Yes, one of them grunted, but he refuses to answer. Should we get rid of him?

He is no use to us. His stupid loyalty to his country bah! Too stubborn!

No. Ill do this myself.

I woke up in a cold sweat a second after I saw Mallisuff take a dagger out of his

cloak and plunge it into the trembling elf, who gave a stuttering gasp and then no more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I dashed out of bed, out of my room, and straight toward Melissas. This whole thing was

starting to creep me out. I grabbed a blanket and hopped in the coils of Melissas tail for

the night. For some reason, I always felt better around her. In fifteen minutes I dozed off,

dreaming normal dreams, and imagining that my life was going to get a whole lot better.

I was wrong in a sense, but right in another.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I woke up early, and the sun had just started to creep out from under its black

blanket. Looking around me, I realized Melissa was gone. She must be out for a walk, I

thought. Trudging sloppily down the hall, I finally made it to the bathroom. After

washing my hands and face, I didnt look so exhausted.

Much better. As I walked towards the pantry door I noticed there was on it a note.

Dear Taylor, if you are reading this then you are awake and

wondering where I am. I thought you would probably come to the

pantry for some cereal so I laid some out along with your favorite

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cinnamon bread. I am on a walk and will be back around seven

oclock. Dont go outside. Love you!

Love, Melissa

How well does she know me? I questioned myself, laughing. Folding the piece

of paper, I put it in my pocket. After a speedy breakfast of cereal and milk and bread, I

walked to the window and stared out at the beautiful scenery around me. For once, I was

at peace. Opening the window a crack, I could feel the cool breeze rush through my hair

and past my neck. How much better can a day get?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A half-hour later it was seven oclock. Melissa should be home by now, I

thought. Smelling something strange, I walked to the window. What in the I trailed

off as I noticed wisps of dark smoke floating up from a castle close by. Lissy!

Completely disobeying Melissa I flung a jacket and my backpack over my shoulder and

headed straight towards the burning castle. Halfway through the sunlight filled woods I

was flung to the ground by a red blur.Ow! I yelped. Get off of

Looking up I saw a tearstained face covered in grime and worry. A tangled,

matted, copper braid sat on one shoulder. A pack was slung over the other. It was Lissy.

Except not the tranquil Lissy I knew.

Oh Taylor! she sobbed as she hugged me like she hadnt seen me in ten years.

Theytheyve tataken herand the castle! What do I do? Where should I go? Will I

ever find her?

Lissy, Im so sorry! Well find Alexa! Dont worry! And who took her

Mallisuff.

Lissy nodded. And Grimmer too! It was terrible! They stormed the castle and we

couldnt hold out long. Theythey hauled Alexa into a cage. I just barely escaped! At

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this point her tears started flowing freely again. But they gave me this, she said as she

lifted her sleeve.

I just now observed her blood stained sleeve. Under it was a wound stretching

from her elbow to her wrist.

An ogre had jabbed my arm with a dagger and as I pulled away to escape she

motioned to her arm with a small cry.

Alyssa, thats terrible! It will get infected soon if we dont treat it! Here I said

as I ripped a long strip of fabric from my pant leg, wrap this around it. We should go to

my castle - but I was cut short as Lissy exclaimed,

Oh, no! They will surely go there next! We must run away!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shortly after our conversation we heard the hideous roar of ogres and looked at

my beautiful castle in time to see it attacked. I felt a tear crawl down my cheek. If

Melissa was in there But I knew if we tried to rescue her Grimmer would just swat us

aside like flies. We would be doing nothing to help Melissa. I tried to think on the bright

side that maybe she had still been on her walk and had gotten away in time. I once

again prayed for deliverance and guidance, and this assisted in reassuring me some. But

my mind was still clouded with horrid thoughts. No one had to tell us what to do next.

Run! Lissy shouted at me.

And we ran. I ran faster and harder than Id ever run before. All my thoughts were

concentrated on keeping my legs moving. The woods passed in a blur. Finally the sun

crept under its black blanket again, and we stopped for the night.

As I looked around, I realized we had run out of the woods altogether. The

landscape around me had turned into wide, rolling plains. Jagged, crooked mountains

stood in the distance, their evil points penetrating the sky. We settled under the shade of

an oak tree. The breeze on my face made me feel sleepy. It was just then that I noticed

how exhausted I was. I drifted off to sleep, hoping to dream a regular dream. Why

couldnt I be right?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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In the dream I was just staring at those evil-looking mountains. They suddenly

seemed familiar. Though I couldnt put my finger on it, I knew I had seen those

mountains before. A second later the scene changed.

There was a dragon riding over the black mountains. The dragon wasMelissa?!

Only she looked younger a couple years older than me. And she was carrying a bundle

of blankets. In the center of the blanket bundle was a small baby. Could it be?

Just then I started shaking. My eyes blinked open. I was still under the great oak

tree, next to Lissy.

Taylor! she was shaking me awake. Were losing daylight! We have got to

go! She dropped a smashed sandwich in my lap.

I splashed cold water on my face from a nearby stream. That certainly woke me

up. Eating the sandwich that she had brought in her backpack, we started off again. Well

rested and fed, we traveled much faster because of the extra energy we had gained.

Unfortunately, our extra energy didnt help us as much as we had hoped. Our

pursuers apparently didnt stop for the night. I just hoped they would tire sometime soon,

because Lissy and I were starting to drag. I knew if we kept running forward they would

eventually overtake us.

Lissy I have an idea, I proposed. Lets veer off to the left. With some hope

they wont think to turn left that or they will split up.

We turned left and kept running. I glanced at Lissy as we ran. Our world as we

had known it was coming apart. Our homes were taken over, we were being followed by

a group of bloodthirsty ogres, and Melissa and Alexa were gone. But worst of all, I felt

like this was my entire fault. I should never have gotten Lissy into this.

As I pondered what to do next, where we would sleep, and what we would eat, I

noticed Alyssa was nowhere to be seen.

Lissy! I shouted, Where are you?

Help!! screamed a frantic and shrill voice. Help!

Lissy! Where are you?I called. Keep was all I could say before being shoved

to the ground. My head hit a rock and my mind went blank.

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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I woke up at night tied to a tree with a rope so rough my arms and legs were

covered in scrapes. Sitting next to me was Alyssa, unconscious with her head sagging

against her chest.

Lissy! I cried, but stopped because of the excruciating pain in my bandaged,

bleeding head. I groggily looked at my surroundings. I was in some sort of camp, for

there were tents pitched all around a fire pit. Unicorns were tied to a broken down

wooden fence along the camp. Everything was quiet. The only unicorn not sleeping

whinnied. My eyes closed though, because I couldnt take in everything without earning

a severe headache.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I awoke to the sound of a multitude of men talking, shouting, arguing,

discussing, and working. But most of them were talking around the fire pit. Just

managing to hear some of what they were debating about, I gasped.

How much do you think theyll want em for? Two hundred each? Five

hundred? Should we sell em tomorrow?

Ahhh, Marl! We could get more for em than that. An they need to be in good

condition.

Yeah Jets right! chorused two other men.

So.Rossts all right with you if they stay here till theyre in better

condition? Marl asked the stout man sitting at the far end of a log.

Sure, grunted Ross, Jus dont give em a lot of our well earned food. We

might run out. At this the other men laughed heartily for a while, then went about their

business in the camp.

Lissy, I nudged her gently, we need to move. These men are going to try and

sell us, Im guessing, to some slave trader. Wake up!

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She awoke with a start, and I quietly whispered to her what Id heard. Eyes wide,

she readily agreed we should come up with a plan to escape. When we had finally given

up on a plan and decided just to run for it when we had the chance, it was dusk. Two

women came out of a tent, untied us, and led us to a tent pitched between two huge trees.

Once inside, two guards moved in front of the opening. One of the ladies zipped up the

door and put a padlock on it. She then bade me to lie down on a low bed. I saw the other

woman do the same to Alyssa. It wasnt until then that I realized how hungry and tired I

was. She fed me, and then cleaned all of my cuts. Food had never tasted so good to my

frail body. When she cleaned the wound on my head and neck with some white essence,

it stung quite a bit. After assisting me in getting undressed and into a nightgown, I settled

down to sleep. Not wanting to fall asleep because I was afraid of my vivid dreams, I

twisted and turned restlessly. But soon the urge to rest overpowered me. I was asleep in

five minutes. Tonight I didnt dream anything unusual, and for that I would be grateful.

Tomorrow would have enough excitement of its own.

I woke the next day refreshed and ready to start my journey again with Lissy,

until I realized I was still in captivity. Creeping out of bed silently, unzipping the tent

door and peeping through, I was surprisingly startled to notice the lack of patrolling

young men. It was strangely quiet. I nudged Lissy awake and showed her the peculiar

scene outside. We conferred for a minute or two, then after deciding we should leave

immediately, slung a bag with food, water, and clothes over my shoulder. That was when

I realized it was too easy. No men walking around? And why did there just happen to be

a bag with provisions in it, when we hadnt brought any of this ourselves? My suspicions

aroused, we took our leave in the early rays of sunlight, poking through the leaves

overhead. After we were far enough to be sure the camp couldnt hear, we ran,

scrambled, jogged, anything to get us away from that place. Halfway through the path

was an enormous log, styming the path. With our combined strength we were able to lift

it, though it took a little while.

Come on, Lissy! We need to move before they awake and find us gone. So we

continued.

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Unfortunately, the path we had been following was the only one open, and it led

to a dead end.

Hey Tay, look at this! Lissy exclaimed pointing in awe at an oval-shaped rock,

out of which protruded the gilded hilt of a small dagger. It looked pretty recent, as if

some massively strong traveler thought it would be fun to carve words into a rock and

stab their dagger into it. What a strange place to leave a dagger! You knowI think this

says something she inferred, brushing some dry dirt off of the rock. It sayswhat? Oh

no, Taylor run! Away from here! It was a trap!

She grabbed my hand, and, in an immense effort, hoisted me to my feet and began

pulling me into the forest. It was only then that I noticed how dark it was, though it was

day. Out of curiosity, I looked up to find a group of young teenagers scattered above,

among the surrounding trees limbs. In one swift moment, they were on the ground and

one pulled my hands behind my back.

Ow! Get off! was all I could say before a grimy rag was forcefully stuffed

into my mouth.

Unable to move or speak, I glared intensely at one of the young men. He had

blond hair tied in a small ponytail resting on his neck. He grinned. I just glared on back,

furious that he was acting as if I was two years old.

As more men or slaves swiftly jumped from the trees, they bunched together and

created what sort of looked like a small aisle. Then, farther away, at the end of the long

rows, a hooded figure approached. When I caught a glimpse of his face, it was strangely

twisted and scarred, as though an old or retired warrior might look. The murmurs and

whispers that a moment ago had been passing around suddenly melted into silence. Only

when a gruff voice broke the tense atmosphere did the slaves and younger men begin to

breathe.

Well? What do ya think? Pretty capable em are. A muscular man motioned to

us with one of his beefy hands. Well be willing to sell em today.

When the hooded figure spoke I suddenly felt chilly and glanced over to see Alyssa

shivering too.

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Ill take them for 600 each, and no more, the mans voice felt like frozen iron

pounding on my skull. But first I must go back to the campsite, for some matters to be

arranged.

Lissy and I were roughly jerked forward and ordered to move. Stubbornly, we

started back. Anger was swiftly building up and taking over my mind. Resentfully, I

stared at the ground. I should have known! It had been too easy all along! Fury that we

had been so close to freedom, yet so far washed over my brain. I kicked the almost-

settled dust on the ground, and sprayed it into my mouth. Frustration gnawed at my

insides. It was only when we were back at the campsite that Lissys wavering but calm

voice brought my anger down to just annoyance.

Its okay Taylor, everything will be fine. Just concentrate on getting us out of

here. If you think about something hard, it can help you think clearly. It really helps.

Listening to her advice, I found she was correct in saying that I would feel better

if I could think clearly. Then I saw the hooded figure conferring with one of his men. He

pointed to us, then the road. Thinking of something, I said,

Lissy, what if these men arent planning to pay their promised money? Im

guessing that they are thinking of hitting the road sooner than anyone anticipated.

Maybe theyre going to try and steal us away!

Maybe, but I wont have much sympathy for them considering the fact that they

tried to sell us in the first place!

Lissy and I were then pushed inside a small compartment connected to the small

carriage the hooded figure and his comrades had been traveling in. And sure enough,

once we were securely tied up inside, I could hear the men talking over their plan of

escape.

Yeah Rick, I dont think they suspect a thing not very bright, they arent. So,

lets go over the plan he trailed off, noticing that Lissy and I were listening.

Whispering in a slender boys ear, he made a gesture to us and lowered his voice

considerably. The boy smirked cruelly, nodded, and soon a young slave girl came over to

us and stuffed our ears with something that smelled putrid. Lissy frowned at me to show

her irritation.

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But even the dirty rags couldnt prevent us from hearing angry shouts. Apparently the

plan wasnt secret anymore. There was a small hole in the wall which I stuck my eye

against. The last of the hooded figures men were running to their horses. The figure

himself had jumped aboard our carriage, and with a jolt we were being pulled along by

the horses. Lissy grabbed my shoulder-

Watch out!

-as an arrow whistled through the air towards us and straight through the wood of

where, a second before, I had been observing. There it was stuck until one of us had the

courage to yank it out of the splintered wood. The rags had fallen out of our ears. I could

still hear angry shouts and insults being thrown at us as we swiftly bumped over the dirt

road. A couple of the camps men jumped up on their horses, but we already had a fairly

good head start. Soon the shouts disappeared and were replaced by the placid sound of

the rushing of grass in the wind, the distant calls of birds, and a few mutterings. I found

most of this very relaxing, even though my hands were tied so tight they were beginning

to ache. Apparently Lissy thought so too. She fell asleep, and soon, I did also.

Meanwhile, Eric was riding a ways behind them. He lengthened his horses pace.

His complexion, consisting of hazel eyes, a large nose, and a responsible, mature, yet

fierce face, looked grim. Behind him, his companion, a slender youth with blonde hair,

had stopped. He grabbed his canteen and took a long gulp.

Eric stopped and observed his surroundings with an irritated look on his face.

Jesse, behind him, was apparently thinking the same thing because he suddenly looked

up.

Umsorry to interrupt, but I think we went the wrong way he trailed off as

Eric turned to face him and sternly interjected,

Were going the right way, we just need to keep up! he snapped stubbornly.

And we might have caught up with them if you hadnt stopped to take a gulp of water

every five minutes!

Oh! So its my fault were on the wrong trail and way behind! Jesse barked

back.

Yes, quite frankly, it is! You started an argument and now its stopped us from

catching up! Lets go!

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But Jesse didnt move an inch. He spoke in a quiet, but threatening voice.

You started this. Im leaving. Im tired of your idiotic, senseless, accusatory

self!

Eric abruptly turned in his saddle.

You have a duty to your tribe! And now youre telling me youre leaving the

camp? Or did you think they would welcome you with open arms after you backed down

from your first responsibility and privilege?

I hated that stupid camp anyway! Have you ever even stopped to think that

enslaving innocent people might even be wrong!!!? He was yelling at the top of his

lungs now. And I ESPECIALLY hate being ordered around by people like YOU!! And

with that, he turned around and started off in the direction they would have gone in, if not

for their argument. Yet there was a sudden small whooshing sound, as if something went

airborne. Eric was left with a treacherous look in his queer roaming eyes and foaming

mouth, almost as if hed suddenly gone insane. He fitted a bow to his arrow and aimed

for Jesses head. Fortunately, Jesse ducked his head and the arrow flew over it. Turning

around, he exclaimed,

Hey! You couldve kil

But he ducked as another arrow almost found its mark. The third one went awry,

giving Jesse just enough time to pull out his bow and arrow. In one swift moment Eric

was screaming in pain, with one hand holding his bloodstained sleeve, and the other

clutching an arrow still dripping blood. In his agony Jesse went up to Eric and hit him

hard on the head, so that Eric fell unconscious. After tying Erics horse to his own, he

threw him on his horse, securing the body tightly, and they set off at a gallop. The trees

rushed by. Finally they made it back to the camp. The startling entrance drew attention.

Several official-looking men strode out of an enormous tent and straight to where Jesse

was untying Eric from the horse.

What is the meaning of this? What happened to im? demanded one of the men.

He had a square jaw and shoulders to match. Jesse guessed it was time he explained.

When he retold the story to the appalled onlookers, he left out the argument

between Eric and him.

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So ya say he went mad? asked an old, hunched man. And then he started

trying to kill ya?

Yeah! And his eyes looked strangely out of focus, yet his aim was true. Many

whispered at this queer explanation. Some women gasped.

But then why did you try to kill him? asked a burly man.

I didnt try to kill him! I was trying to wound him so I could bring him back to

the camp with no trouble! And isnt it second nature to try and defend yourself when

youre being attacked?

Numerous people found this reasonable answer satisfying, while several did not.

Looking around, he realized the old man had disappeared. This was strange. He

was strangely relieved when the man appeared once again, hobbling along towards him

on crutches, followed by a senile, ancient-looking figure. He approached and everyone

turned to look at him. His voice was barely more than a feeble whisper.

After conferring with others, he motioned towards a tent and took a breath

before continuing, we have come upon the agreement that Eric has caught Poena of

Insanity, a disease which is spread through small darts shot into the body. This, he held

up a shriveled hand, is one of those darts, found in Erics thigh. And speaking of Eric,

he has just now been awakened, and we shall hear his full testimony on all that happened.

Perhaps we shall learn something useful.

People started to shuffle towards Eric, who, being supported by two men, was

coming out of the physicians tent. He was laid gently down onto the ground, leaning

against a log. He began to speak. Jesse, meanwhile, was throwing food and clothing as

fast as he could into a grey sack. He pulled the draw string tight around it and over his

back it went. Just a few moments ago had he decided to leave, because he knew that

when Eric spoke about how he, Jesse, had declared that he would never again set foot in

this place, they would never again accept him peacefully there. He had no friends at the

camp anyway, no family, nobody he missed, yet as the sunlight began to fade a wave of

loneliness overwhelmed him, and he slumped down against a log, into a deep sleep

Hey, Marc! Come ere! I found one! He nudged the boy gently in the side.

Good muscles too! he exclaimed, examining the boys arms.

Looks sturdy!

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By now Jesse was awake, and not too happy about being prodded by some

stranger.

Hey! What are you doing? Let me go! He kicked the man hard in the leg and in

return got a punch to the jaw. By the time Marc had rushed over both had countless

gashes and bloody jaws.

Put up a good fight, you did me boy! But now its time to surrender. Come

peacefully and theres no harm done. He stretched out his arms and smiled a bloody

grin, as if he hadnt just been punching him.

Ha! Id be able to crush you easily enough! You think youre so strong the

only reason youre in a good mood is because your friend came along! He spat blood

from his mouth. Marc walked forward, his fists clenched, but the other man motioned for

him to stay put.

I gave ya a choice! Ahhhand he couldve been such a good lad! And that was

the only thing Jesse heard before he was knocked unconscious and carried off.

The sky was a mix of pink and yellow, stretching over the endless hills and

embracing them with its colorful warmth. The carriage grumbled over the cobblestones,

and an especially large bump awakened Lissy.

Taylor, wake up! she nudged me persistently until I raised my drooping head.

Look! Were almost there. she pointed to a small village over which a grey castle

loomed. The huge shadow concealed almost half the village. At last we entered the gate,

and were greeted by smirking, sneering people, looking through their filthy windows, or

coming to their doorways. One little child covered in rags threw a rotten apple at us, but

it fell short and hit one of the men a few feet away. A woman smacked the little boys

hand and sent him crying inside. Even though I should have felt no pity for our captors

village, I surely felt some. Lissy was also quite sympathetic. On one half of the land,

closest to the castle, was another little village, only this one was apparently quite wealthy,

with big, colorful houses on neat lawns and little stone patios winding through the green

grass.

What a terrible place! she exclaimed, observing the rundown houses crammed

together, and the exact opposite near it. Its so dirty and poor! she whispered, seeing

the disgusted looks the peasants were giving her in the ghetto part of town. I wonder if

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the lord of this village ever does anything about the abuse of children, or the objection to

throwing grime out of windows. She added, looking queasy as filth was dumped from a

nearby house. A putrid smell met their noses, which shriveled at the awful smell. A

couple of muddy horses stood next to one door, looking as if theyd never been groomed.

Lissy withdrew herself from the carriage window, and huddled in a corner, shivering at

the chilly breeze. She rocked back and forth, trying to rid her mind of the horrible scene

outside. I knew how she felt. It was unnerving to see people and animals in such a state. I

crawled over to Lissy and put my arm around her. Soon, however we passed into the

unfairly rich part of the kingdom, and our noses were delighted to be met by the most

pleasant of smells.

The carriage suddenly came to a jolting stop. We had arrived at the castle, and I

could tell, for the sun had disappeared under the massive, towering shadow. But though

we had reached the castle, a rumbling still sounded, and looking back, I saw another

carriage. But it was worn, and the walls had large holes in them, spots were the wood had

been badly punctured. It enabled me to glimpse the solitary prisoner behind it. He was a

boy who looked to be the age of about thirteen or fourteen. The boy was unconscious,

sprawled in his dusty compartment, with a dried trickle of blood dried on his forehead.

Lissy, who do suppose that is? He seems awfully familiar, but I just cant think

clearly right now. I shook my head, and then rested it on my knees. Well, hopefully itll

come to me soon.

Lissy and I were led into the grand, yet quite still castle. No sounds of maids

bustling about, or kids playing, or dogs barking. Just the lonely whistle of the wind could

be heard, but countless guards stood stationary next to the door. We entered a narrow

passageway leading to the twisted stairway. Down in the dungeons the stench was not

unlike the drifting smells outside among the peasants. It began to grow colder. The

further down we went, the feebler the light was from the diminishing candles.

All right, this is your stop. muttered the jailer as he searched his pants for keys.

We were shoved towards a rusty door. After many threatening creaks, we were thrown

inside a dank, musty cell smelling of decaying.?

Aaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!! shrieked Lissy at the top of her lungs, pointing at a rotten

skeleton, grinning at the screaming girl before him.

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Ahh, shut up! Its just old Yabber, as they used to call him before he, errwell,

yeah. He guffawed maliciously at Lissy petrified face. My eyes were frozen on the

ground, as if debating whether they should look at this skeletal figure. The jailer took his

leave, chuckling all the while.

Ugh! This place is disgusting! exclaimed Lissy as she stepped cautiously away

from the place in which mice were enjoying moldy bread crumbs, or at least thats what

we thoughtthey were.

I sat down, feeling resentful towards everybody, as if our so-far failing quest was

their fault.

Why did it have to go like this? Why couldnt Lissy and I just walked up to the

doors of a castle and find the key hanging on a nail there, saying, For Taylor and

Alyssa. But no, of course there had to be catastrophes, and attacks, and capture. And

would it end there? Or would one of us end up dead eventually?

But a little voice in my head told me not to give up, to have courage, and not to

think of what couldhappen if I give up, but whatwill happen if I persevere, and trust in

the Ruler of all things. Even though these encouraging words swam through my head in a

confused jumble, mixed in were the little nagging doubts, small mistakes that could end

the journey right there. I ordered my mind to stop thinking then, because my drowsy head

was beginning to fall

Darkness was falling fast and swift, as if despair was taking over the world, as it

had almost taken over my heart. One by one the little houses lights flickered and went

out, and the village was plunged into darkness.

A hand groped in the darkness, as if searching for some bit of hope to grasp, yet

failing. Two hands found their way into one another, clenched firmly together though

shaking uncontrollably. The person was pleading, his arms stretched out before him.

Noplease, no! PleaseI beg of you

Get off me, filth! Your information is worth nothing, as is your life. Do think

that I dont already know all of this? First keysecond keythird you have wasted my

precious time! the man growled impatiently.

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The mans cries grew louder as he tried in vain to quench his captors thirst for

information. His last shriek of pain echoed around the vast chamber for a moment, and

then silence reigned.

I twisted and turned in my sleep, then awoke with a loud, frightened gasp.

Whatare...you doing? muttered Lissy groggily, as she unwillingly lifted her

head. Its the middle of the night. Go (yawn)back to sleep. And her head once

again fell again to the hard stone bench. I shivered, afraid to go back asleep, yet

indescribably exhausted. But instead of putting it out of my head, I decided to discuss it.

Who was that poor victim? And the captor? He didnt look like Mallisuff. He was

torturing the prisoner for informationabout the four keys of Eluren? I think he

mentioned them

I was awakened from my thoughts by an unexpected grunt from the snoring jail

keeper. Deciding to think more about the matter the next day, I laid my head down

opposite Lissys on the stone bench, and soon drifted off to sleep.

The next morning I was shaken roughly awake.

Lissygo away but glanced up to instead find a soldier shaking my

shoulder. His friend had Lissy pushed against the wall, and was tying her hands up. I

jumped out of bed suddenly aware of my surroundings.

Put your hands behind your back! he ordered, while Lissy was shoved out of

the cell and into the hallway. I watched with disgust as the man winked over his shoulder

at the jailer behind him, and jerked his head toward my friend.

Where is he taking Lissy? I snapped, angrily but frantically.

Youre both going before King Pantius, and he will decide what will be done to

you. But first youre going to the royal salon, as you couldnt ever go before a king

looking like that. He smirked and I glared. Determined to get him back for his insult, I

said,

Well what kind of a name isPantius?

The young soldier opened his mouth and his bulbous eyes bulged. You dare

insult the kings name! He gripped my arm tightly. Do you know what he does to

people who offend him? He made a motion of killing himself with chopping

movements. Do you want that to happen to you? he asked, sighed deeply, looked

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sternly at my face, and then looked down. I guessI wont tell the king this timebut

next time, there can be no promises. Remember, always be polite to those in higher

authority.

I nodded my head enthusiastically as if to say, Yeah, thatll happen.

He made no indication as to if he interpreted this, but simply pulled the rope

around my hands tighter, until they cut into my flesh.

There, that should keep your blabbering mouth shut.

He took me up the twisted stairway, and back out into where the entrance was. I

stared hungrily at it. The young guard must have noticed because he stated spitefully,

Youll never escape. This place is crawling with the best guards.

Even as he said it I noticed the sudden endless number of guards, standing by

every entrance, hallway, and door.

Why are there so many today? There were only a couple yesterday.

Theyre there because youre going before the king. And he absolutely hates it

when he is interrupted, or when someone, lets just say, leaves unexpectedly. He greatly

emphasized these last two words. Oh, and youd better answer everything he asks you

honestly; hes not too merciful with his prisoners. What a king, I thought. Anyway, he

shouldnt ask you that many things; his high officials he straightened up a little higher,

help him with that. Oh, here we are.

We turned abruptly at the next corner to find two beautifully polished pillars,

supporting the ceiling of the Royal Salon. Lissy had arrived here a little earlier, and so

was being rushed off to the hallway in the salon. Before being pushed inside one of the

numerous doors, I caught a glance of her awed face trying to take in everything the

maids in white dresses bustling about everywhere, the fragrance of roses that was in the

air, the beautiful furniture and glistening mirrors, and the endless number of pretty girls

who looked to be about my age, being rushed about from room to room.

Why are all these girls here? I asked the guard right as he was walking out of

the corridor. I was confused, for I hadnt seen any girls like these in the poor village.

Ah, yes, I forgot to tell you, these girls have been collected from all over, for

King Pantius is going to choose a bride today. Well, if thats all, Ill be going. As he

strode past the sharp corner, I was sure I heard him mutter under his breath,

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Asks so many questions

But I didnt care, for I was frozen on the spot.

What if Lissy gets chosen to marry that terrible king? Im not near as pretty as

any of them, but Lissy sure is. She wont have a choice! I wonder if she knows? Ive got

to warn-

But reality came to me in an instant as a maid hurried up to me.

Hmmm she wasnt talking to me, but looking me over and muttering

repeatedly to herself. uh, huhshoes, dress, a necklacefix the hair up a bitcouple

massages and baths,..would do nicely here, yes after she had finished checking off

some things, and adding others, she finally noticed I was still standing there.

Oh dear, Im sorry I forgot. Come with me.

I was led through the mass of maids and girls swarming around like many bees

trapped inside their hive too long.

Oh sorry, e ex cuse me I stammered, trying the help a maid pick up the

load of freshly laundered towels that I had just accidentally bumped off a marble table.

Ohsomeone else will take care of it! The maid told me. Just come alongI

am so behind schedule!

As she quickly led me away I glanced over my shoulder at the busy maid, and

noticed behind her stood Lissy, but my frantic shouts were drowned out.

Stop pulling! Oh, come on! This way!

I was swept along by the maid and the current of girls going this way and that, as

was my only hope of reaching Lissy before the ceremony and conference.

The next room I entered was just as extravagant as the first, with its beautifully

polished mirrors and marble tables and drawers that contained everything from

hairbrushes, to fragrance oil. But this wasnt my destination. We were in fact headed for

the cleanest bathroom Id ever seen, and the whole room painted gold. Except this wasnt

just a bathroom. It held rows upon rows of bathtubs and changing rooms too. I was

nudged towards one.

Get in there, and get clean. But first, hand me your clothes.

After handing my ruined clothing over to her, I took the best bath Id ever had. It

was a bit humiliating, for there were no curtains, and I was quite fond of privacy. But the

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tower of bubbles and floating flowers in the bath tub grew so much that I felt covered in a

pink blanket. After being dried off and wrapped in a thin soft blanket by several maids,

the massages followed. The first part consisted of just fragrance oil being rubbed on my

back, the second one just lotion, and the third was just rubbing. My skin had never felt

better in my life. But I scolded myself as I thought it, for I remembered the devastatingly

poor lives the villagers led. Then my face was coated in some thick green substance,

which tickled monstrously, but when it was pulled off my face felt light and feathery.

After that followed hair, then makeup, then finally attire. The whole procedure had taken

hours.

No wonder they woke me up so early.

My dress was made of soft, milky white silk that stretched to just below my

knees. There was a silver braided ribbon that wound around my waist and a smaller

version on the hem around my arms, neck, and at the bottom of the dress. The same

pattern, yet intertwined, wound up from my waist to my neck, forming a beautiful but

intricate design. The dress flowed and twirled gracefully with every step, as if dancing.

This is so gorgeous! I never believed fabric this pretty could be solight. I only

wish it wasnt forhuh? Attentionattention?

ATTENTION! shouted the man for the seventh time, this time his impatient

and angry tone couldnt have been more clear, but I was in the world of thinking, and I

had only just come back to Earth when he had blasted his top off.

What do you think youre doing!? I have work to do here! Attention! Was does

that mean to you? He glared intently, eagerly searching for some bit of shame on my

face. There was none. Suddenly he looked surprised.

Are youuhhhold on he opened all his pockets and finally found a folded

bit of dirty parchment. Staring at it for a moment, he asked are you Taylor?

Yeahwhy? I questioned, interested but cautious.

Ill ask the questions, you do the talking, he grunted in a snappish sort of voice.

The king would like to see you, he said it was urgent. With a small wave of his hand I

found myself being led/dragged down the corridor I had just come from. The difference

was that we branched off from that corridor and into a grand hall, richly decorated and

filled with presents and tables piled high with all sorts of delicacies. At the far end of the

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hall was yet another door, only you could tell this one led to something greatly important

just by looking at it. As we entered I had been contemplating what to say to the king, if I

even got a chance to speak. At the end of this throne room was a glistening chair, covered

in red, gold, and purple velvet coated in jewels. On it, I was surprised to find, was a

handsome figure with a cunning face and smile. He looked like one clever enough to

tempt you and draw you in, only to cheat you out of something greater than what he paid

to bring you into his taunting sense of sweetness, making you lose all awareness and self-

security, and so easily tricked into making a foolish deal. This is what I thought the

moment I saw him, and immediately resolved I would not let this fake aroma drift over

me. The guards left me at the door, and it was closed with a thud. After being instructed

to move on and walking down that hall for what seemed like an eternity, I stopped and

knelt, though strongly wanting to resist, as I was told to. After a moment I hear the

words, Rise, and I looked up into the face once more.

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Chapter 2

He looked at me, as if trying to remember a face forgotten from long ago.