“Let us hurry,” said Alma.
“Right.”
Ing and Alma twisted through the streets, avoiding the guards that were on patrol. As they did so, Ing explained to his companion about his conversation with the Lord and Lady of the city and how they had told him that the treasure was the other fragment to Bolsee’s Rod.
“The other fragment to the Rod,” she said. “I had guessed that was maybe the case, but I couldn't be certain until now. We could have asked Lord Dhoulus or Lady Helena to give us the Rod, but as I said, they are gone from the city, and I do not know where they are now. So we must obtain it on our own.”
When they reached the door of the building that led to the dungeon Ing had been held captive in, they slowly opened it; they could only hope to not be greeted by a slew of guards.
Luckily, there was but one sentry inside. Ing recognized his face. The man was Durzon Furzis. He was about to open his mouth, but Alma had an arrow ready to fire in a second. The guard’s hand slowly moved to his sword.
“You shouldn’t do that if you value your life,” Alma said. Noticing the sense of command in her voice, the guard ceased his gesture. “Take us to the vault.” The guard nodded his head and his eyes glanced over Ing in recognition of the boy had once been his captive. How the tables have turned, Durzon, Ing thought.
They were taken through several doors which the guard had to unlock. Eventually, they reached a staircase that spiraled down. “Lord Dhoulus won't like this none,” said Durzon in a shaky voice. “This is the chamber that he has told us to guard above all else. Its safety is our top priority.”
“Do you know what is inside the vault?” asked Alma Lifetree.
“No,” replied Durzon. “I only know that you'll have their wrath at your heels if you take it.”
It’s odd that the building which houses Bolsee’s Rod is so unsecured, Ing thought to himself. Perhaps the Lord and Lady had this arranged?
“You wait here,” said Alma to Ing.
“I’ll keep an eye on him,” he said, in reference to the guard. “Hurry back.” The guard looked at Ing nervously. “Don’t try anything.” Ing held his sword straight up to the guard’s neck. You tried my patience once in the cell when you held me prisoner and refused to give me an audience with Dhoulus and Helena. I will not have you try my patience again.
In the depths of the prison, Alma had come upon the cell at the bottom of the stairs. It was near pitch-black down here and the darkness pressed close leaving her to feel almost as if she were being suffocated by its presence. Maybe the Rod is safer than I thought down here. She grasped along the wall and her hand stumbled upon a burnt out torch. She rubbed some niter against its surface and it came to life in a fiery blaze. In a corner of the room she saw a chest that was opened and in it lay the Rod she was looking for. Someone has been here before us.
Alma returned to Ing with a rod in her hand that looked like it was not whole. “Let’s go.”
Ing punched the guard in the face, knocking him unconscious. He didn’t want to harm the man, but he had no choice.
The two companions raced back through the now unlocked doors. Once they were back in the dark streets, they became more cautious. They twisted back through the streets, reached the large wall, and crossed to the other side. They were safe now.
Once they had put some distance between themselves and the town, they stopped to catch their breath.
“Are you sure that’s the Rod?” breathed Ing.
“I believe it is the other part to Bolsee’s Rod,” Alma responded. “What else would it be? You said yourself that Lord Dhoulus and Lady Helena told you it was kept within the city.”
Ing looked upon the Rod; it certainly resembled the wooden object that Hector had said was part of the foul weapon used so long ago.
“I just wanted to make sure. Don’t you think it’s dangerous for us to be carrying it though? What if it ends up in the wrong hands?”
“We must take it to the Lady of the Lake,” said Alma. Ing knew he could not negotiate with her. Her mind was made up.
Ing and Alma made their way to Erste’s cave. They thought it was best to stop there. Alma kept the Rod hidden in her quiver where it was invisible to watchful eyes. No one could know they possessed the Rod, especially not Slithzalien’s Illusionist followers. Even though it was safe in Alma’s quiver, Ing still felt worried. He wanted to get to the Lady of the Lake as soon as possible. Then the burden would be off them.
“Well we’re back, Uncle,” said Ing.
“We can only stay here for a short while,” said Alma.
“Of course,” said Erste. “Please, come inside the cave.”
When the three were inside the privacy of the cave, Alma spoke.
“Show it to him, Ing.”
Ing pulled Bolsee’s Rod out of its resting place inside the quiver. Erste’s expression turned grave.
“One of the long forgotten pieces of ancient history,” said Erste.
