The snap of a twig not far from the tree Reyva perched on caused her to breathe softly through her open mouth. Twilight made it difficult to see as she focused on the shadows below. It was time to confront whoever was following her.
She watched a slow moving shadow emerge between several trees to her left. Very quietly, she lifted to a crouch and leapt into the air. Both of them fell to the ground in a heap. Reyva rolled away and jumped to her feet drawing her sword. “Why are you following me?” she demanded.
Very slowly, the tall, cloaked figure climbed to his feet. His back was to Reyva. He turned to look at her with a hint of smile that looked out of place with his cold eyes. She took a step back, her sword held in two hands slightly to the left. Her muscles were flexed, like a cat ready to spring. She repeated her question.
His voice was a low rasp when he spoke. “I’m going to take you to the Caverns of Dusk.”
“You’re going to take me nowhere!”
Ignoring her statement, he continued. “There’s something I want and you’re going to get it for me. You’re the only female, other than your mother, that has the bloodline needed.” He squinted his eyes and commanded, “Sheath your sword.”
Reyva lunged, swinging the sword in a right to left arc. He reached out, grasped it by the blade and jerked it from her grasp. He flung it at the tree she had hidden in. It penetrated the trunk to the hilt. “You can’t escape me; Don’t even try.”
“Who are you?” she whispered.
“I’m Graymore.” His mouth curled up at her shocked look.
“How did you escape? Mother left you sealed in a tunnel.”
His eyes flashed with anger and he looked off. “Corrin fooled me into thinking she was willing to retrieve the Ravenstone for me.” He shifted his gaze back to Reyva. “I won’t make that mistake again.” He had a thoughtful look that transformed into a smile. “What will Corrin think when she learns that her daughter was made to carry on her unfinished task?” He reached out and touched Reyva’s cheek. Darkness engulfed her.
Reyva stirred and opened her eyes. She sat up and looked about. Kicking the blanket out of the way, she stood. All she could make out in the darkness was stone walls, a door, a small arched window, and in one corner a table and two chairs. She tried the door, but it was locked. She moved quietly to the small window and peered out into the night. From high above, she saw silhouettes of rock formations and knew from her mother’s description that she was in Graymore’s tower. The rock formations led to the Caverns of Dusk. An odd feeling spread through her knowing her mother had looked out this very window.
She moved to one of the chairs and sat down to gather her thoughts. She tried to recall everything her mother told her about the Ravenstone and Graymore. According to the legend, only one bloodline could remove the Ravenstone from its altar, and that person had to be female. Once removed from the altar, the Ravenstone no longer posed a danger to others that touched it. Graymore coveted it for its powers. While his magic was strong, it was no match for that of the Ravenstone. With it, he would be the undisputed ruler of the lands.
Corrin chose not to take it after sealing Graymore in the tunnel. She believed something that powerful was best left where it was. She told Reyva that Graymore could not have survived long in the tunnel.
Reyva was startled when the door opened. Graymore placed a lit candle on the table along with a plate of bread and cheeses. The candlelight revealed a chamber pot along with a water barrel and dipper in the far corner. Graymore was no longer wearing the hooded cloak. He was garbed in black breeches and a long black tunic that reached to his thighs. His cold eyes ruined an otherwise handsome face. He glanced at her and walked out closing and locking the door.
The food remained untouched when the candle burned itself out. Reyva sat on the floor leaning against the wall. She tried to think of ways to escape. Her mother would not miss her because Reyva was expected to be gone for several weeks. Her mother’s tale of Graymore continued to play in her mind. She had said, “Graymore was devoid of compassion. I knew he would kill me without a second thought once he had the Ravenstone. That’s why I pretended to fall in love with him to gain his trust.”
Reyva knew that ploy wouldn’t work for her. She wondered how long she would be locked in the tower. Once again, she went to the window and peered out. A slight movement caught her eye as she watched the shadows on the rocks below. She focused her eyes trying to see when a voice from behind startled her. Graymore was directly behind her looking over her head out the window.
In a quiet voice, he said, “That’s one of the demons that guards my tower.”
Reyva felt the hackles on her neck. She sucked her breath in slowly to calm the anger that was building. He grasped her shoulders and turned her around to face him. He smirked; Her smoldering anger exploded. She brought her arms up between his and slammed them against his arms forcing him to release his grip on her shoulders. At the same time, she brought her knee up hard. She moved around him and tore out the door. Graymore slumped to the floor before drawing his magic to heal his pain. He stood and stared at the open door with fury written on his face.
Reyva came upon a stone staircase. He yelled, “You can’t escape!” She glanced at the steps before scanning the dark hallway. He was getting closer. She moved swiftly to an arched door and tried the knob. Locked. His footsteps echoed from the other corridor. It was too late for Reyva to go down the steps. She pushed her body against the shadowed side wall of the arched doorway and held her breath for fear he would hear her breathing.
As Graymore approached the steps, he yelled out, “Stop running. If you leave the tower, my demons will rip you to shreds.” He stopped at the top of the steps and Reyva could hear her heart thrumming in her ears. She was only thirty feet away from him. She kept her mouth clamped shut, thinking it would stifle the sound if she breathed. She heard his footfalls as he descended the stairs.
Very slowly, Reyva moved her head around the arch and looked. She hurried back to the room where she had been imprisoned and grabbed the cheeses off the plate and stuffed them into her tunic pockets. She threaded her tunic belt through the rolled blanket and buckled the belt with the blanket around her waist in back. After drinking from the water dipper, she shoved it into her belt.
Very cautiously, she stepped back into the hallway, and keeping to the shadows, crept to the steps. As she descended each level of the tower, she stopped and listened. She knew the ground level was only three flights down when she saw sconces with candles giving off flickering light.
With one flight to go, Reyva stayed in a shadow and watched the lighted level before pulling the water dipper from her belt. Gripping it firmly, she looked up and threw it. The dipper shattered the silence as it clanged along the floor of the level above her. Once again, she hid in the shadows of a doorway near the stairs and waited. She heard him taking the stairs three at a time as he ran up.
When he turned to run up to the next level, Reyva moved quickly down to the ground floor. She turned down a short corridor and peered into a large room lit by fire burning brightly in a huge stone hearth. Beyond it were more rooms. She ran through them searching desperately for a door. Panic was beginning to set in when she came upon a bath chamber with an open window. She climbed onto the ledge next to the tub and pulled herself up. It was twilight when she wriggled through the narrow window to freedom.
Graymore picked up the water dipper and stood thinking a few moments. He walked the entire level checking every shadow before ascending to the next. His voice was dangerously intimidating when he said, “The longer you stay away, the longer your punishment is going to be, Reyva. You’re not going to escape, so you may as well come to me now and save yourself unnecessary pain.”
Reyva ran to the rocks and stayed low as she threaded her way over and around them. She continually scanned to the left and right for demons as she distanced herself from Graymore’s tower. For hours, she kept moving, stopping only long enough to catch her breath. It was nearly sunrise, the dark churning clouds moved in from the north. She came to a small flow of water trickling down from rocks above. She tilted her head and drank her fill. The top silhouette of Graymore’s tower was no longer visible. A short distance up to her left was a small tunnel formed by two large boulders leaning against each other. She made her way up to it and crawled deep into it before removing the blanket and wrapping it about her. She fell asleep instantly as the storm broke with flashes of lightning and loud claps of thunder.
The sun was moving to the west when Reyva awoke. She remained still and listened. She rolled the blanket and attached it to her waist before crawling to the opening. Just as she was preparing to climb down, she heard a sound beyond the rocks to the right. She moved back into the tunnel and took a piece of cheese from her pocket to nibble on while she waited. The sounds drew closer. She pressed herself against the shadowed side of the tunnel. Moments later, she heard the guttural communication of several demons. They moved on. Reyva let out a soft whistle as a long breath escaped. She remained unmoving as she pondered her dilemma. Her only hope to escape was to find the Ravenstone. Corrin once mentioned that two incongruous oaks among the rocks were the gateway to the Caverns of Dusk.
The last trace of light faded in the west when Reyva climbed down to the spring. She drank her fill and moved on, ever alert for demons. For the next four days, Reyva found shelter in small caves and crevices. She traveled at night moving in a northwestern direction. There seemed no end to towering boulders and looming rock walls. On two different occasions, she found small areas of vegetation and water. Her pockets were stuffed with roots and greens as she pushed on.
It was the fifth night that she found the twin oaks when she came around a narrow pathway leading off a long, flat rock slab. Beyond the trees, she saw movement near the base of a high-rising cliff. She dropped to her stomach and inched her way down the slab to one of the oaks. She climbed high into the tree. Hidden in its foliage, she spied on those guarding she cave entrance at the base of the cliff. A wave of nausea churned in her stomach as she watched the demons with their spider-like long arms and legs. She scooted back to the trunk of the old tree and pondered how she could get the demons away from the mouth of the cave.
Reyva climbed down the tree and gathered several fist-sized rocks. The huge trunk of the oak hid her from the demons. She took several steps away from the trunk and threw two rocks high and away to the east of the rock slab into a rougher rocky area. She wheeled and swiftly climbed the tree. The guttural roars of the demons penetrated the night as they rushed to investigate the falling rocks. Reyva peered through the branches. Only one demon remained near the cave, though not next to it. Its focus was on the others. Reyva climbed down and crouched low against the cliff base as she made her way to the cave. The demon had its back turned when she slipped unnoticed into the cave.
For three days, Reyva ascended into the depths to find the Caverns of Dusk. She traveled over precarious rock ledges, through narrow tunnels, under dripping ceilings, around spires that resembled giant blades of grass, and over steep, sharp rocks. She was crawling through a narrow tunnel when she saw light ahead. She peeked out into a vast maze of caverns lit with luminescent rocks. She dropped quietly to the cavern floor. It wasn’t until she looked into the third cavern that she stopped—frozen with shock. In the middle of the cavern was an altar. Atop it, nestled on a red velvet pillow, rested the Ravenstone. Shackled to the wall directly behind the altar was Corrin. Reyva backed into a shadow and hunkered down to think. She wondered if Graymore had captured her mother before or after her encounter with him.
Reyva stayed low to the floor as she crouched and ran to the altar. Very quietly, she raised up to look. Hundreds of silk threads lay over the Ravenstone. They split in two directions toward the wall where her mother was shackled. Reyva stooped and went around the altar. She focused on the line of threads that went to the left. She sucked in her breath in a soft gasp when she saw they were attached to a crossbow—the arrow aimed at Corrin. Across on the other side was another booby trap. Any pressure on the threads would loose the arrows.
Corrin had her head hanging down, unaware of Reyva. The fury churned in her daughter. Tears of frustration slid down Reyva’s face and dripped off her chin. She crept back to the side of the altar and sat down to think. moments later, she heard the hated voice of Graymore.
“Wake up Corrin. I brought you some water and a bit of food.”
Reyva peeked around the altar. Graymore lifted a water skin to Corrin’s lips. She took several swallows. He stepped back and studied her. Corrin’s arms and legs were spread-eagled on the wall. She was several feet off the floor.
“Why don’t you just kill me Graymore? That’s what you want.” Corrin’s voice was weak.
Graymore laughed and touched her cheek. “In due time my dear. First you’re going to see me holding the Ravenstone.”
“Give it up. I’ll never take the Ravenstone for you.”
His laugh sounded more like a hideous cackle. “I don’t need you, Corrin. Your daughter will do just fine. At this time, she’s running around in the rocks. It is just a matter of time before the demons find her. She won’t escape.” He shoved a chunk of cheese into Corrin’s mouth. She spat it at his face. He slapped her. Reyva tensed and clenched her fists. She rose to a crouch just as Graymore cackled again and walked off. He went to a rock abutment and reached up with his right hand. The rock slid allowing him in, then closed. Reyva rushed around the altar, ducking under the threads, to reach her mother.
“Reyva, you’re alive,” Corrin whispered. “You must save yourself. Take the Ravenstone and use it.”
“I can’t, Mother. If I do, it will fire the arrows on those crossbows and you’ll be killed.” Reyva reached up and touched the manacle around her mother’s right wrist. “I must find a way to get these shackles off.”
Reyva worked on the manacles for a while when Corrin said, “Reyva, my life will have no meaning if you die, but my death will have meaning if you live. Please…take the Ravenstone and escape.”
With tears glistening in her eyes, Reyva said, “Mother, I cannot. Have faith in me. I’ll find a way to free us both.” She turned her back on Corrin and studied the aim of the arrows on the crossbows. She moved swiftly to the cavern wall on the right as she searched in the shadows for thin slabs of rocks. She picked up two long pieces and returned to her mother. “I just may have found a way,” she whispered. She lifted Corrin’s tunic and slid a slab under the waist of her leather pants. The top covered Corrin’s right breast up to her shoulder. Reyva did the same on Corrin’s left side with the other slab. The added weight of the slabs cause the manacles around Corrin’s wrists to bleed. Reyva tore off her tunic pockets and pressed her body against Corrin to ease the pressure on the manacles as she wadded the cloth and shoved it between her mother’s wrists and the manacles. She stepped back and looked intently at Corrin. “I’m going to take the Ranvenstone. The arrows won’t penetrate the stones, but the impact may cause you pain.”
Corrin nodded. “Do it before he returns.”
Reyva went to the altar and placed her hands around the black stone. She glanced at her mother and jerked the stone. It broke the threads and released the arrows. She rushed to Corrin and removed the rock slabs. “Are you all right, Mother?”
Corrin’s voice was barely audible. “Yes, use the Ravenstone to unlock the manacles.” Reyva stared at the stone. A soft glow emanated from it. She held it against the manacle on Corrin’s right wrist. With a soft click the manacle opened. Reyva unlocked all of them and helped Corrin to a sitting position. Neither woman had heard the abutment stone open.
Graymore crept up behind Reyva and wrenched the stone from her hand before grabbing her by the hair and forcing her to the altar. His eyes matched the cold, hard stones of the cavern as he lifted her onto the altar. In a low hiss, he rasped, “You must be punished for running off. You could have spared yourself pain, but you chose to disregard my warning.”
“Graymore!” Corrin screamed. “Even you can’t be so evil that you would harm your own daughter.”
Unmoving he stared at Reyva. Without turning he spoke to Corrin. “You would say anything to save her.”
“Look at her. Study her features and the color of her hair. She’s your daughter. Ask her how old she is.”
Reyva stared defiantly as he scanned her features. “What’s your age?” he asked softly.
“I would prefer death to being your daughter. My age is unimportant.”
“Reyva,” Corrin pleaded, “forgive me for keeping this secret from you. I thought he was dead; that’s why I never told you the truth about him. Please, tell him your age.”
Graymore loosened his grip and Reyva sat up on the altar. Her eyes reflected bitterness when she said, “I’m twenty.”
He squinted his eyes. “You look younger.”
“So I’ve been told. I really don’t care what you believe.” The silence that followed was eerie as Graymore appeared indecisive. He looked back at Corrin sprawled in a sitting position against the wall. He knew that Corrin was clever. Yet, Reyva’s features made him wonder.
Corrin looked him directly in the eyes. “She has the same birthmark on her left thigh that you do.”
Graymore turned back to Reyva and lifted her off the altar. “Turn around and lower your pants.” She hesitated. “Either you do it or I will.” Reyva turned and pulled her pants down. Graymore dropped to one knee and looked at the birthmark on her left thigh. He stared with disbelief. It was identical to his own and in the same spot. He abruptly rose and went to Corrin. He held the Ravenstone in his hand. “You knew,” he rasped. “You waited until my own daughter took the stone, knowing that males of her bloodline could never utilize it.” He could tell by Corrin’s stunned look that she didn’t know.
A slow smile spread across Corrin’s face as she looked up at her tormentor. “It’s justice, Graymore. You were given a gift that few possess, yet it wasn’t enough. Think about all the wasted years you’ve spent coveting something never meant for you.”
Reyva walked up and faced Graymore. “You have what you want. Let us go. We’re of no use to you now.”
“I want you to stay with me,” Graymore said quietly. “It’s the only way I’ll let Corrin go,” he added.
Reyva stretched to her fullest height, her gaze riveted on his. “You can force me to stay, to protect Mother, but you’ll never force me to accept you as my father.” Reyva was stunned when his eyes glistened. He reached his hand out palm up with the Ravenstone.
“Take it. It belongs to you. I’ll transport you and your mother back to the forest where we met.” Reyva glanced at the Ravenstone, then focused on him. The cruelty so often reflected in his eyes was replaced by a subtle softness. She nodded, took the stone, stepped back two paces and lifted her arm. A blue beam of flame shot forth and engulfed Graymore. There was a muffled scream before the flames snuffed out his voice forever.
Reyva lowered her arm and looked at Corrin with a hint of a smile. “Showing him the birthmark was a stroke of genius, Mother. It never occurred to him that my father was from his bloodline.”
Outstanding use of adventure and suspense, good against evil. Makes me want to read more of your writings. I could almost taste the cheese and feel the fear.
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