Chapter Twenty-Seven - Journey into Darkness

Levana contemplated locking her hands on Ailith's shoulders to stop her from bouncing after every five steps. They strode down a long corridor towards the armoury, bathing in the warmth of the hanging lanterns above and the sunlight blazing through the stain glass windows.

With Ailith's old armour rendered useless, still crumbling into charred pieces after tasting Turrock's flames, a new set was required. Her eager smile turned into a sly smirk the moment he entered her mind. She almost did a backflip when Levana briefed her on the mission. She couldn't have wished for a more fitting scenario to prove her worth by defeating the one who knocked her out of the tournament.

The trainee noticed Ailith's knowing look. ''What are you smiling about now?''

''I'm just looking forward to my rematch with Turrock.''

Levana scurried forward to cut off Ailith's path, stopping the warrior and staring at her with a worried expression. ''No, no, there will be no rematch. We are merely going to question him. As long as no one starts any trouble, there will be no need for anyone to get into any fights.''

Ailith shrugged with a smile. ''I know, but if he starts any trouble, I guarantee at least one of his hands will end up broken.''

''How can you appear so pleasant and yet possess such a violent passion?''

A loud clang forced Ailith's gaze inside of the armoury and her breath hitched in her throat. The armoury was darkly lit and humid, but well sized and spacious, hosting ten or so individuals clad in bulky, protected attire and iron masks spotted with soot. Some of the workers were standing over large anvils, swiftly striking the sizzling metal with hammers. Every impact caused the smell of molten fire to greet her.

The sound of Levana clearing her throat for the third time finally caught Ailith's attention. "We need to hurry, the others are waiting.''

With an affirmative nod, Ailith went to choose her armour. Lined up on the walls were the finished products of the worker's labour. Ailith wished she could stay longer to marvel at the expert craftsmanship. After a quick survey, her eyes linked with one particular set. Made from two layers of red metal sheets, the armour protected everything from the neck, while still appearing nimble and easy to move in. The most striking feature that grabbed the warrior was the shoulders. Squared and fairly small in size they were decorated with a gold Dragon skull on one side, and a gold Vreaper skull on the other. She smiled and trailed her hand along the Knight's symbol branded on the breastplate.

~X~

''I was going to ask why you didn't also choose a weapon. But, knowing you, you would have given it to the enemy.''

Ailith gave a cheeky laugh. She couldn't conjure a witty retort as she was still buzzing over her new armour. The weight surprised her. Lighter than expected, even after being adjusted and tightened to fit her physique, it enfolded to her body as naturally as her magic. She beamed, knowing that she made the right choice.

Levana searched the warrior for any sign of uncertainty but found none. Ailith didn't exude an aura of absolute confidence, yet, there was something bright and hopeful in her manner that assured Levana she was partnered with a capable ally.

Once they stepped out of the door, the scent of straw and horse welcomed them to the stables. Servants scurried around, preparing the horses and keeping themselves distant from Kuval, Jerimoth and Emlyn. The Knights were already armoured, equipped and mounted. Ailith's stride slowed for a second, savouring the moment while it lasted. Not even Jerimoth's disapproving leer could deter her as she walked to a horse being led out of its stall.

Before her horse was selected, her gaze was drawn to Emlyn as the white-haired swordswoman sheathed her expertly crafted broadsword, the hissing sound ringing throughout the stable. Strapped across her steel-clad back were two sabres with edges so sharp, Ailith's skin pricked the longer she stared at the blades. She swallowed hard when she saw a rapier fastened on Emlyn's belt. Ailith's smile widened, wishing she would get the chance to witness Emlyn's skill with the weapon.

''Hey!'' Jerimoth barked, snapping Ailith out of her trance. ''Hurry it up, or we leave you behind.''

Ailith hurried to one of the horses. As the servants tightened a hard, leather saddle onto the horse's back, she reached her hand out, allowing it to receive her scent. It sniffed her hand twice, slowly moving forward before rubbing its wet nose against her palm. Stroking her hand up until she brushed over its thick, brown mane, she walked to the steed's side. Using the stirrup, Ailith hoisted herself up and dropped on the saddle.

She waited for the servant to move away at a safe distance before taking the rope attached to the halter. Squeezing her thighs, she urged her horse forward, trailing behind the group.

The three higher-ranked Knights rode out of the stables and through a narrow road at a moderate pace with Ailith and Levana settled at the back. Even with the sun watching from above, resting behind a few dark clouds, a cold breeze swept over them. Before long, they left the castle grounds, passing a large iron gate that was quickly sealed behind them with a booming clangour.

They rode down a busy, wide road. Shops and markets were lively with the kingdom's inhabitants involved in their mundane routine. Curious glances were thrown in the group's direction as they trotted down the stone road. While her companions remained stoic on their journey, Ailith didn't know where to turn. Elation filled her bones seeing the bustling streets after being kept inside the castle. Looking up, she saw people watching them pass by through their second, third and fourth storey windows. A few people waved at the heroes. Ailith couldn't resist waving back.

Kuval looked over his shoulder at her with an amused grin. ''You seem at home on horseback.''

''I've done some horse riding before.'' Ailith smiled. ''So, where are we going?''

''We know a few entrances to Duron's dwelling. We're heading to the closest one. We must offer you our thanks for coming along with us on this mission.''

''It's my honour. This has been my dream and-,''

Jerimoth twisted his body and glared at Ailith with narrow eyes. ''If you don't mind, I'd like to keep things quiet until we get to where we need to go.''

Ailith clenched her fists over the rope but zipped her mouth. She stole another glance at Kuval, noticing his smile falter and his eyes rolling with slight annoyance. She held her tongue, fearing Jerimoth would send her limping back to the castle if she opened her mouth again. Faint warmth brushed her nose, followed by the strong scent of liquor. When Jerimoth twisted his body, looking away from her, the smell weakened. She felt a twinge of worry when she saw him rub the back of his sweaty neck with sluggish movements. Looking up, she turned to Emlyn, only to see the swordswoman keeping to herself.

They ventured further away from the castle, the fortress now obscured in the distance by countless rows of houses. Ailith's eyes wandered the streets, filled with more people than ever before. The buildings resembled the ones near her inn. Everything in sight was a drab grey. Many of their windows were broken, helpless to stop a cold draft taking refuge. Even the road was unsteady. Ailith heard the sound of their horse's hooves plodding over dry mud.

She spotted a family prowling the street. Two men and their children meandered along with a small loaf of bread clutched to the smaller child's chest. Ailith started to raise her hand to wave. However, the moment the fathers locked eyes with them, their face turned a ghostly white. Grabbing their children's arms and hanging their heads low, they hurried off the street and down a small passageway.

Ailith sat dumbfounded and unmoving. The sound of a dog barking caused her to turn in the other direction. There was a woman playing with the animal as it ran circles around them. The woman's smile dropped when she saw the Knights approaching. Gripping the back of the dog's neck, she guided it away and hid in the shadows. Ailith's eyes flickered around at the people cowering away, trying to give the Knights a wide berth. She couldn't address any of them before they scurried away like frightened animals. Every muscle in her body stiffened as she lowered her gaze.

''We're almost there.'' Kuval announced. He jerked his hands, urging his horse to quicken the pace.

They raced across a stone bridge arching over a canal before coming upon a large, dry patch of land. The crops that once grew here were a distant memory. The kingdom was nothing more than a backdrop in the middle of this void, absent of life. Sitting in the middle of the dry land was an abandoned farmhouse.

The group trudged closer to the barn until they could hear the rickety, uneven door banging in the wind. Kuval dismounted first, scanning the area as he kept one hand close to the handle of his sheathed sword. He approached the barn cautiously. Reaching his hand out, he pushed the door open and stepped into the darkness, out of the group's sight.

Ailith tensed on her horse, gradually leaning her body forward.

''He'll be fine.'' Emlyn said, stilling Ailith's movements. The swordswoman's eyes remained locked on the barn door.

Trusting the Knight's word, Ailith eased her posture and waited.

''All clear.'' Kuval's voice rang from inside.

With a loud gruff, Jerimoth dismounted, grabbing his quarterstaff and using it to help him walk into the barn. The others soon descended. Ailith gave her nameless horse another pat before she entered the barn with the others.

The barren interior was dripping with tall, imposing shadows and masked in cobwebs. Nothing stood out to Ailith because there was nothing to speak of. ''Is this it?''

Kuval, standing in the far corner with Jerimoth, shook his head. Before Ailith could question him, Jerimoth slammed the bottom of his staff on the ground. Ailith and Levana jumped while Emlyn's brows rose as a trap door opened in between them, revealing an inclining flight of stairs. Taking a few steps forward, they peered down, unable to see the bottom, hidden in a sea of black.

''Oh, how pleasant.'' Levana grimaced.

~X~

Tiny, luminescent insects fluttered around, aiding the group's journey down a singular arched tunnel. Ailith's head rolled, taking in the sight as she allowed her sight to adjust to the darkness. Faint streams of water flowed down the jagged stonewalls, filling their noses with a damp, musky smell. The ground beneath them was smooth, as they occasionally found their feet buried in small beds of sand and dying weeds. The size of their pathway increased the deeper they walked. They didn't have to worry about the claustrophobic space of a shrivelled basement and soon came upon multitudes of tunnels the size of the kingdom streets above.

''This tunnels can't be natural.'' Levana whispered.

With a slow nod, Ailith marvelled at the architecture and scope of this new world. ''Are there tunnels underneath the whole kingdom?'' She asked.

''Possibly,'' Kuval answered. ''No one has been able to catalogue them in their entirety.''

''Has no one tried?''

The soft-spoken Knight hesitated. ''Most likely some have.''

Jerimoth clicked his tongue. ''We keep law and order above, but down here it's not the same story. Gangs fight for territory. You'd either have to be an idiot or suicidal to come down here.''

''And Duron controls the largest portion of these tunnels?''

''Indeed.'' Kuval stated.

Ailith's lip curled upwards. ''He must be strong.''

''He is, but he's also civil. He won't start a fight if he feels it's unneeded.''

Jerimoth scoffed. ''Hundred-Ark says there'll be a fight.''

''I'm not taking that bet.'' Kuval said.

''Because you know I'm right.''

''No, because I'd rather not spend my coin on bets and rather on the necessities in life.''

They shared a second's worth of silence before the grouchy Knight released an exasperated groan. ''I hope you're not implying those hideous antiques you always have your eyes on.''

Kuval let out a hearty laugh. ''I don't see what your problem is. If they find their place, they can bring a home to life.''

''The only place in a home they belong is a fireplace.''

As the two masters bickered, the three ladies at the back kept close together. Levana sharply turned her head at every sound, from the howl of wind chilling their exposed skin to water drops on the ground. She glanced at her comrades, biting her lip seeing how at ease they appeared.

The trainee sighed. ''Am I the only one who finds something wrong here?''

Ailith stared at her curiously. ''Wrong in what way?''

''If Kuval is telling the truth, and this gang is so notorious, how is it we've gotten this far without trouble? I feel that we're walking into an ambush.''

To their surprise, Emlyn spoke up. ''It's not an ambush.''

''How do you know, Commander?'' Levana questioned.

''Because, if it were, the gangsters tailing us would have attacked.''

Ailith and Levana flinched at Emlyn's words. The two of them snapped their heads to the side, catching a glimpse through fork-ends of multiple tunnels of shadowy figures watching them. Men and women of different races, mostly Majans, dressed in dark attire that blended into the background.

Realising they were surrounded, Ailith instinctively raised her fists and Levana kept her shield close to her chest. Emlyn lifted her arm calmly. ''Don't! Keep walking!''

Levana eyed them suspiciously, quaking in her boots. ''Why are they allowing us to pass?''

Kuval glanced back. ''If four Knights entered your domain, you'd be curious too.''

They walked on untroubled. Ailith lowered her defensive stance, but kept her eyes peeled, hoping to spot Turrock amongst the crowd. However, he was nowhere in sight.

Before long, they walked through one last opening and came upon a vast room. Fiery torches and lanterns flickered on the walls around them, illuminating the room to reveal a dozen more armed gangsters standing and waiting. The group softened beneath their feet as they now stepped on violet rugs running throughout the cave. Tattered banners, adorned with different symbols were draped along the walls. Round, stone pillars with strange patterns carved into it supported the ceiling. Small cages dangled from the ceiling with tiny mammals and birds chirping inside. A large map of the continent, knives jutting from places of interest, hung on the wall in the far corner. 

However, it was what lay in front of her that caused Ailith's skin to crawl.

Standing on an elevated platform with a confident smirk was Turrock. Behind him, embedded in the wall were the broken remains of a skeleton far too big to belong to any normal race. The bones of the fabled Giants that once walked the Earth centuries ago spiked out of the rock, reaching the ceiling of the cave. The ribcage had been altered into a makeshift throne, holding the weight of its occupant.

A large, overweight Majan with layers of fat that made him several times the size of everyone else in the room. His tusks stretched outwards and curled twice, dirtied with dust and scars. Shackles were wrapped around his wrists and ankles, attached to chains hooked through the gaps of the ribcage and being pulled by four muscular individuals as if he were their puppet. But, the overwhelming aura radiating off him told a different story. He was the one in complete control.

The four pulled the chains, helping to raise his too-heavy-to-lift arms. The sleeves of his huge jacket slide down, revealing a sea of tattoos. He rested his chin against his knuckles and cocked a knowing smile.

''Well, well,'' Duron grinned amusedly. ''It's not often we have willing guests.'' 

A/N: Hello guys, girls and everyone else. I hope that you're all well and I hope that you enjoyed this new chapter. It's been a while and I'm sorry that it took me so long to get this chapter up. I've been doing a few night shifts at my work so that's eaten up a bit of my time. But I'll be back to regular updates this coming week. What do you think will happen next? Will this go as smoothly as Kuval hopes? What can you expect of Duron? Find out soon. Thank you to everyone who has been reading. Don't forget to vote and comment to help support this story and spread the word. Until next time, take care.