Suddenly his expression changed. “What demoralizing words are coming out of my mouth? I should be ashamed.” He shook his head. “A warrior like me cannot be scared of such things. We have journeyed through tougher things. This is just another obstacle.”
The others were rejuvenated by the Scavenger’s change of mood and surge of energy.
James smiled. He looked around. “So what if we are not a huge army? Why worry about brawns when we have brains? We just need to make a plan and then execute it.”
Everyone nodded.
James said, “Let’s find some details of the palace. Lynx must be having some map or something here.”
The Scavenger suddenly pointed at a pulsating red thing on a faraway shelf. He went towards it and picked it up. The thing stopped glistening red, revealing itself to be just a half-eaten apple.
The Scavenger grinned. “The clever warrior. Before getting captured, he threw this apple on this shelf to signal us. Look at that.”
The Scavenger pointed at a book on top of the shelf, on which the apple was lying. The cover of the book read: A detailed analysis on various fortresses in the Dark World.
Matt grinned. “He knew we would need information about Voldmir. That’s why he did this.”
Everyone silently thanked Lynx as the Scavenger took the book out and scrolled through the index. There were names of various unknown fortresses there, and Voldmir was found almost at once.
The Scavenger went to the page and found a detailed removable map. He placed the map on the table and everyone started examining it.
“Listen.” James stared at the map. He pointed to green areas all around the palace. “What’s that?”
“The Forest of Voldmir,” the Scavenger replied.
James held up a finger. “Can we reach the forest without alerting the guards of the palace?”
The Scavenger nodded. “Yes, absolutely. We can reach the forest, but one step outside that and we are dead.”
James grinned. “Okay. Then listen. I have a plan.”
Lynx woke up with a start. He saw that he was sitting on a chair, and ropes bound his hands and legs.
Where was he?
Why was he bound?
What was happening?
Then it all flashed in his mind. While he was working in his cave, men with weapons had suddenly entered and attacked him. He’d had the presence of mind to act at the right moment, and he had left a hint for the Scavenger and his friends.
“So you’re awake,” a voice said.
Lynx jerked his face around to see who was there. He called out, “Who is speaking?”
“You’re not the one who should be asking questions.” The voice was harsh and cold. “But… because you are going to be executed soon -”
“What? Where am I?” Lynx asked, trying desperately to keep his voice calm and relaxed.
“Voldmir,” the voice replied.
“Grim?” Lynx said. “Is that you?”
“How does it matter? Count your minutes.”
“Why have you brought me here?”
“It’s a win-win game for me. You have committed a crime by harbouring the fugitive Scavenger. Either your friend, the Scavenger, comes here to rescue you, or you die.”
“He won’t fall in your trap. You don’t know him.”
“Trust me, I know him. You’ll see. His moral compass is too strong. He won’t let you die. He will come.”
Lynx changed tactics. “Why are you working for the Skull Warrior? He is a raving maniac!”
“Shut up! I need power, enormous power, and I don’t care who gives me that.” Grim was filled with rage.
“You’re crazy! Can’t you see…” Lynx tried to convince him further.
“Enough! Sixty minutes is all you have. Just pray that Scavenger comes or else you are finished,” Grim shouted.
With a sudden whoosh of air, something hard hit Lynx on his head. Lynx felt dizzy but didn’t lose consciousness. He could feel the chair he was sitting on being lifted and carried somewhere. From the gust of fresh air that he felt, Lynx figured out that he had been brought outside into the open.
“Now, we wait,” Lynx heard a voice speaking.
“This is madness. I don’t think this plan will work,” the Scavenger said.
“I would like to hear of a better plan,” James said. “It is the best I can think of. And I am sure it’s the only one that will succeed.”
“But -” The Scavenger started to speak.
“It’s of no use,” Archer said. “It’s decided. Let’s execute this plan.”
“He’s right,” James said. “Have trust in me. This mission will go off without a hitch.”
At that moment, Urrax woke up. “What is happening?”
“It’s time to leave,” the Scavenger said, sighing. “It’s time we attempt to rescue Lynx from one of the most protected and dangerous places in the Dark World.”
James grinned. “All in a day’s work, I guess.”
11
Archer, James, Daniel and Matt were on the outskirts of the forest surrounding the palace of Voldmir. Urrax had requested them to brief him about the plan, but there was no time to explain the whole story to him. They just brought him along to observe and contribute in whatever manner he could.
They were lying precariously on some branches on the top of trees with sharp little branches poking them.
The Scavenger gave the children a binocular and three small devices – a mike, loudspeaker and amplifier. These devices would enable them to see the events clearly from far away and listen to, as well as transmit, voices. They could see the guards at the front gate of Voldmir Palace.
James reviewed the plan in his mind and sighed. Either he was brilliant or stupid; only time would tell.
The guards stationed at the front gate of Voldmir Palace became alert when they spotted a big man pushing a cart towards them.
As the man
