Below the Gullies of Hebran
"Ouch" Candy had stubbed her toe for the hundredth or was it the thousandth time on the uneven stones of the underground dungeons. It did not matter though, her toes were already bruised from walking, her eyes peering wide, blind in the darkness and her back sore from the poking. Because she was being forced forward by two shadows and whenever she slowed her pace or tumbled to the floor, one of either would use his cane to prod her until she rose and continued. Many a time she thought to run or to attack but what? she could barely see and she already had a lump forming on her forehead, for that time she ran smack! Into a wall.
"HALT!" She was almost glad to hear the voice but then she couldn't be glad because they were still miles below the surface and she heard the jingling of shackles and knew why they had stopped.
There was a creaking sound and she could see light, a faint flickering from a candle. The air was drafty and damp and chilling and as she stumbled for the little light, she was grasped by the shoulder and thrusted forward landing on her palms and knees. And the grill drawn shut behind her.
Wait! She leapt up, whirling to grasp the bars, her energy revived.
"Let me out you fools!" She demanded, "Don't you see I'm not the one you are looking for!" Pounding on the iron bars to her own hurt.
"Orpha?" The voice was hoarse and came from somewhere behind her. Sighing she gave up turning to face her companion.
"Rwen!" It sure looked like her but before she could question her own sanity, the person pounced on her, enveloping her in a warm embrace.
"Orpha! What happened to you, how did they capture you? Have you found mother?" Each question was harder to understand and what mother?
"You mean Alia?" Orpha asked scornfully.
Rwen, though as you know, this was the crown princess Dira and not Candy's sister, withdrew staring strangely at what she had supposed to be her big sister.
"No! Who is this Alia of whom you speak?"
It was Candy's time to be confused. How had she forgotten her own sister's name?
The gears in both heads began to turn.
Above the dungeons of Hebran.
"The captive have been secured my Lord."
Lord Roland was sitting in his study, cloaked in the shadows. He did not answer his servant. Vermoth. But watched with his burning amber eyes as the tall creature shifted his weight. Vermoth was a funny being, like a man but not quite. He had keen eyes that saw in pitch black and scaly feet like a raven and a beak like face. His wings were hid by his tattered cloak. He was also a clumsy thing but he was loyal and that was what one needed in an ally.
"Also there is news that there are two Queens in Gauberhodgy".
Suddenly He grasped the bowl before him and hurled it at the bird man. Who ducked and shuffled out of harms way.
Crash! It shattered on the wall scattering splinters.
"Fool! Tell me something I don't know! Those prisoners could be fakes for all we know and what would that have meant? We've stirred up a war with no way out! We have to move quickly and carefully and now we must show no mercy at all! We must..." He sighed dropping back into his chair. "Ready the troops, we march at midnight."
With a curt nod, Vermoth fleed his presence.
Flashback.
"Orpha! It's mother! She's disappeared! Sir Silverus can not find her anywhere!"
Orpha leapt from the sedan, she was dressed in her dragon riding suit. It was a hobby of hers. And she would sooner go without her history lessons and painting than the skies.
She took Dira by both hands to calm her. She was easily sent into a panic.
"Calm your nerves sister, mother will be back soon".
"No". Rwen shook her head. Not unless something was done to bring her back. She knew, she could feel it within her bones and that's why she was terrified.
"How do you know " She asked . To which Rwen shook her head again.
"I saw she held the scepter and, then she was gone ". She whispered.
Now Orpha was worried! Without the hero Queen, Jensari, the people were bound to riot, not to mention the willows! They had to act and fast. But first thing first, they needed help.
"Ride to Delorel, send word to Lord Oldin".
Present.
"Only I never made it to Delorel". Dira sighed. I was ambushed by Roland's men disguised as royal guards. She turned to Candy with tear filled eyes. "This is all my fault".
"Ofcourse not!" Candy rose, she could not allow her to break down, not now anyways, they had a war to win!