Indrid handed him a letter. “He sent this to the Graleon castle.”
When Burton felt the tactile words, he knew it was a curse. There was no way Demitri would leave the kingdom, Burton knew that, but there was no point trying to convince a boy who appeared to be influenced by magic. The blue writing was most likely Demitri’s own blue blood. Written spells seduced the unaware reader. Indrid was compromised. As a victim, he didn’t even know he was being manipulated. The enchantment made the young count’s mind weak and confused, allowing his inner desires to control him.
“Fine, but you must bring everyone else out of that hole before we go. They will die if I’m gone,” Burton said. He could tell by the sneer on Indrid’s face that he wasn’t buying it.
“How conceited. You really think you’re that special, that people will die if they aren’t in your presence?” Indrid laughed.
Burton looked at Simon. He knew that his son took his concern more seriously than his leader did. But the knight, obligated by his vow to protect and defend the Graleon count, looked to the ground. Burton could feel Simon’s inner struggle to challenge Indrid. But Simon remained silent and stoic.
“Sir Simon, take him,” Indrid said.
“No! No!” Burton cried. He was frantic. “You need to get them out!”
Simon gently took Burton by the arm, “Please calm down,” he said softly. The knight then looked to Indrid. “He seems sincere, my lord. Maybe we should free the others before we go.”
“He seems pathetic if you ask me,” Indrid said.
Simon leaned in close to Indrid, and Burton heard what his son was whispering. The wizard could hear a single cricket within an orchestra from miles away.
“It might seem conceded, but this man is a sorcerer. We don’t know what he’s done down there. I beg you to reconsider,” Simon pleaded.
“A mage, Sir Simon,” Indrid said. “Nothing more than an old mage—just like the elder I have slain in battle. There is no time to free everyone now.” Indrid turned and addressed everyone. “We are leaving.”
“If these men were just sent here after Demitri took Ikarus, they’ll die without food and water,” said Simon. “This oubliette is nothing but rock and dirt with only sea water running through its caverns. I’ve been there many times before.”
“Lang has been down there for years! And he’s fine. There must be something to eat,” Indrid said.
Simon’s skeptical expression provoked Indrid to question the knight’s concern. “What? Do you think he’s been ‘magically’ creating food?”
“He must be doing something, my lord,” said Simon.
“He is! He’s hunting rats, gathering worms, and collecting ground water. Is that so hard to believe?” said Indrid.
Simon didn’t reply.
Burton kept quiet. The lives of all those men down in the oubliette flashed before him. What will they do with nothing but dirt, stone, and salt water, he thought? He made one last effort to run back to the tunnels below the castle, but an Ikarus soldier tripped him with the staff of his spear. Burton was still too weak to use even the pettiest charms of defensive magic.
“Sir Simon, bind his hands and drag him if you have to,” Indrid said, loud enough to reach everyone’s ears. He mounted his horse and trotted away.
The rest of the soldiers followed Indrid’s lead.
Simon helped Burton up. “We’ll come back for them, I promise. I give you a knight’s word,” said Simon.
“It will be too late,” Burton said, wiping his tears.
The party headed to Ikarus. Indrid chose to travel along the shores of the Origon River before they would cross. Capping the end of the traveling party, Burton was glad that Simon stayed behind, close to him.
“Why do you keep looking at my sword and smiling?” Simon asked. “If you have any ideas of stealing it and escaping, I urge you to reconsider.”
“I haven’t seen it in a long time is all. It served me well in the past. I hope it has done the same for you,” Burton said.
Simon stopped walking. Burton stopped only feet ahead of him and turned back.
“Who are you?” Simon asked.
“A friend, I can assure you that,” he said.
“Do I know you?”
“No, unfortunately,” Burton said. “But I know you.”
A Graleon rider fell back from the party to inform Simon of a situation ahead. About ten miles north, the river was rising. Its shores were shrinking and the water was glistening with light.
Walking out from the glowing Origon River, Anna Lott was relieved to find familiar faces. The traveling army of both Ikarus and Graleon soldiers gazed upon her with astonishment at her luminous appearance.
Indrid looked pleasantly surprised to see her, as she was to see him. But when Anna saw Burton’s arms tied, she became angry.
“Free that man…now!” Anna said, walking toward them, her clothes dripping wet and the water that covered her remained luminescent.
The Ikarus soldiers looked mystified. The key holder’s hand shook as he clumsily searched through the keychain.
Indrid snapped at him, “Don’t you dare unbind that man’s hands without my order!”
“That man alone has saved more people than the kingdom walls,” Anna said, stamping towards them. “How dare you treat him this way? First you arrest Montague, the man who cared for us like a father, and now Burton? Do you even know him? Did you ever talk to him?” Anna asked.
“You have?” Indrid asked, “When?”
“Yes,” said Anna. “He provided food and shelter for me after I escaped from that madman who invaded our home. You should be grateful for what he’s done.”
For a moment Indrid was silent. Anna knew there was a pompous answer behind his sealed lips.
Burton nodded at Anna, wearing a thankful expression.
“Have you heard anything about Montague?” Anna asked Burton.
“No. But I’m sure he is safe.”
“Yes, safe in the dungeons of Ikarus, now ruled by Demitri,” Indrid reminded them sarcastically.
“And who put him there?” Anna yelled. She was furious.
Indrid bit his lip. He grabbed Anna by the arm
