The Four Swords

Chapter 89: Locked Out

My company skirted along the edge of the forest. We walked the fine line between being out in the openness of the fields and hills surrounding the capital city and the encampments of the Norad's deeper in the brush.

I knew that the tunnel Finley and I explored faced the fields on the back side of the city, opposite the main gate. I had very little knowledge of what this gate might look like from this side.

In the last day or so I replayed my adventure with Finley in my head as much as I could. I wanted to make sure any detail in the recesses of my mind that might be of help was fresh.

We must be getting close. The hills that protected the northernmost part of the city walls came into view. I knew that the secret gate was somewhere nestled into their embrace.

The sun fully rose over the horizon sending long shadows through the forest. The shifting branches that blew in the light breeze made their shadows dance across our path. It was getting hard to distinguish their movement from any suspicious movement hidden in the forest.

I simply had to trust that my companions were being vigilant. Holden's eyes were trained extensively for such tasks, but my nerves were wearing thin.

Trusting myself, I dismounted my horse. We needed to make our way toward the city walls. If we maneuvered it correctly, we could hide in the valleys between the hills and stay away from the shifting shadows.

I could hear my companions follow suit behind me. We ducked behind the first sizable hill before Holden handed off the reins to Cali.

"Give me a moment. If I don't return soon, continue without me," Holden said cryptically before sneaking around the side of the hill we just traveled.

I heard dry thuds of fists hitting flesh. Metal clangs soon followed. John pulled his sword with Carrion, Cali and myself following suit.

The sound of air leaving lungs unsettled me, someone was punched in the gut. Two loud thuds hit the ground. A few moments later a figure rounded the corner. Holden turned the corner with a fresh cut above his left eye.

He sheathed his sword, but not before I noticed a streak of red that looked hastily cleaned off as bits of grass clung to the crimson stain.

"Those Norad scouts won't bother us, now. Thank you for hiding the group, Sir Jacobson," Holden praised with a sullen expression. Protection came at a cost he paid for us.

I nodded, unsure how to take the compliment. I turned my horse toward the city wall and hoped no one would question me further.

Did he really just kill someone? Could I protect my kingdom in that way? Holden made it seem so easy. I steeled myself for whatever lay beyond the passageway for us.

"Are they... " Cali stumbled over her words not wanting to finish the question, but they were still audible to the full company.

"They are alive. Tied up, not currently conscious and a little injured, but alive," Holden emphasized the word little, as if it was an understatement.

I turned off all thoughts in my head, simply watching the landscape around me. I did not want to think about what a little injury really meant. I was afraid if I thought about what we were about to face, then I might run.

Images of my family seeped into the corners of my mind, strengthening my resolve. They needed my help and protection. Was I willing to pay the price Holden did? My own safety and possibly my own life?

We reached the city wall. Not too far from us was a water drainage grate. A smile crept across my face.

"That's it!" I announced.

Alina frowned. "Jack, I thought you said you found a tunnel, not a gutter," her voice had a bite of frustration that came from her tiredness.

"Yes, but look closer Princess," my smug tone taunted. I knew she would forgive me once she spotted what I did.

Alina approached the spot and ran her hand across the city wall, pulling back vines that grew over the grate. The more she pulled, the higher the bars of the grate seemed to climb from the ground.

"There is a lock! This isn't a grate. It's a gate," Alina squealed. Smiles ran across the faces of my companions.

Uncle John took the hilt of his sword and banged against the lock. The weather beaten lock held firm. Years of disuse and neglect made the lock rust into itself. It seemed we might have come all this way only to be locked out of our entrance.

"Need a hand?" A familiar voice rang out. Startled, the company looked around to see what scout might've followed us. Luckily, I knew its source.

"Finley!" I exclaimed, recognizing the man in the shadows behind the locked gate.

"Jack. The Queen sent me to tell you all to stay at the manor a little longer. Guess I was a little late," Finley gestured through the bars toward us all.

"Well we might have to turn back if we can't get this lock opened," Alina motioned toward the lock. Finley produced a key and proceeded to unlock the gate for the first time in years.

"I would explain where I found this, but that's a story for another time. As we speak, the castle is being infiltrated by the Norads," Finley cut to the point with a serious expression.

"That's why the Queen sent me to you. I would say run right now, but I'm sure the city walls are being watched. I think we may all need to stay in the tunnels for a bit," Finley explained.

"How come the castle guard has not forced out the invaders?" Carrion questioned as the gate swung open and we all squeezed ourselves and our horses into the narrow entrance.

The horses would have to remain near this exit. It was the widest part and only place that could house them. My companions gathered toward the narrow entrance to hear the reply.

"There is magic at work. Our forces are not able to combat it. I fear for our kingdom," Finley did not expand further as his somber tone filled the air.

"The Queen is in danger?" Uncle John asked.

"We all are," Finley retorted.

"Stay here. I'm going to save Valerie," John commanded before running deeper into the tunnel.

Valerie? Not Queen Valerie? What was my uncle doing?