Catalyst(101)

We traveled like this until we reached a door.

“Past this door, we’re in the castle,” Krystal whispered. “There are no more traps and people shouldn’t hear or see us unless they know of the hiding places. Be quiet, though. I don’t know what or who is in the castle. Hellsfire, I’m going to need you to shrink your fireball so the light doesn’t give us away. ”

“As you wish.” The fire in my hand compressed, leaving those farther away in total darkness.

The princess opened the door. We once more faced a narrow stone passageway, in which only two of us could stand side by side. I stood by her, being her human torch. The way inclined, at times turning into flights of steps. Passageways branched off. At one intersection, Krystal paused for a second before choosing one.

The floor leveled out, and we began to occasionally pass holes in the stone walls, where people could spy on what was happening in the rooms or corridors on the other side. Light seeped through them, and the hallways began to lighten. Dawn had broken. The rest of the army was going to commence the attack, whether or not we freed the imprisoned Guardsmen and raised the city. I looked at those around me. They clenched their teeth and kept glancing at the spyholes, as if looking through them would allow them to see the battle. It was impossible, but they did it anyway. So did I.

We continued our silent trek. I wanted to ask Krystal how much longer until we were freed from these suffocating tunnels, but I refrained.

“We’re here,” Krystal said.

“Thank the gods,” I said under my breath.

The princess bent down and pushed three stones in an order known only to her. The wall moved, and another opening appeared.

She was about to go through when Jastillian said, “Princess, allow us.”

She nodded, and Jastillian and half of the others went through the opening. I stayed behind to guard the princess, my magic at the ready. After a few tense seconds, we were given the all-clear to come through.

The rest of us exited the tomblike passageway and poured into the room. My entire body relaxed as soon as I stepped out, glad to breathe fresh air and escape the oppression of the tunnels. Krystal leaned down and pushed a stone, sealing up the entrance once more.

We were in a library. It was three times as big as Master Stradus's library, and much fancier, with carved shelves and expensive rugs, but I doubted it contained anything like the information he possessed. The strike force began to fan out to check the exits. I started to follow, when my back straightened and my shoulders tensed. Something was wrong. I felt something…magical. Not Premier—at least, not a spell he was actively casting. It was far too weak to be a direct threat. Still, I didn’t like it.

“Wait,” I said.

“Hellsfire, what is it?” Krystal asked.

“I'm not sure. Give me a second.”

I closed my eyes and focused my magical senses. I let the faint magic guide me, slowly and carefully, lest it was a trap and pulled me into it. I opened my eyes and saw the door. A web. I turned to the other doors and saw webs on them too. I walked closer to the first one, getting a better look. What bothered me wasn’t that the webs were there. I was bothered by the type of webs they were. They weren’t meant for detection, entrapping, or killing. They were meant for concealment.

That was when we found out what was behind them.





CHAPTER 23



Creatures from the Wastelands poured into the dim-lit library from behind the concealment webs. Everyone drew their weapons, backing away from them and forming a ring, protecting each others’ backs. We stood as one, but the creatures had us surrounded and outnumbered.

A large ogre came forth and snarled. He pointed a long, jagged sword at Krystal. “By the Wizard's orders, surrender or die.”

The princess held her head high. There was only one option.

The creatures sensed this. The goblins, smaller than elves, slobbered and bounced in their packs. If not for the huge ogres in front of them, holding them back, the goblins would have attacked. Square-headed trolls wore twisted smiles. Their bulky muscles tensed and twitched in anticipation.

I didn’t see Premier. He could still be behind the webs, watching and directing everything, not wanting to get his hands dirty. On the other hand, it was possible that he had simply left guards at every exit from the tunnels, just in case. If he was here, I would reach that crossroads when he appeared. Like Master Stradus said, I had to focus on the now.

While the ogre waited for Krystal’s answer, I acted. I lit all the torches in the library and every candle on the tables. They exploded into great balls of fire. It stunned and blinded everyone but me. My hope was that it would cause the creatures more difficulty. They had excellent eyesight at night, but like other animals, I gambled on their eyesight being sensitive to light.