“Aside from having the guards beat us, no. He took a perverse pleasure in watching and studying us like we were an experiment. From his interest, I don’t think he’s ever seen elves die in captivity before.”
“What's wrong, Hellsfire?” Prastian asked.
“I don't know. It's just something about Premier.” I exhaled. “I wish we knew more about him, but not even the princess knows all that much. He's dangerous. I know that.”
All the elves nodded.
Prastian's ears perked up. “We have to go. Now. Someone's going to find the guards and we have to be past the city walls before sunup. Is everyone ready to go home?”
The elves' faces lit up with joy and relief.
“Good. Everyone follow me and stay close behind. Trust me, we’re going to get you home.”
The rescued elves had to lean on the others as we climbed the stairs. “Are you going to be able to make it, Marlese?” Prastian asked, supporting him.
“I'm fine, Prastian. We'll make it. Just get us out of here and into the forest.”
As we made our way up the flight of stairs, I couldn't help but think about Premier. What would happen after we made it back to Sharald? Even if I convinced King Sharald to send his army up here and help, he could run into some serious resistance if Premier was a wizard. It was bad enough that Premier had weakened Alexandria, but if he was a wizard, he could destroy Sharald’s army as well.
There were entirely too many variables, and they all hinged on Premier. I had to find out more about him so we could plan our next move. There was no one else who could handle it. I couldn't put any of them in danger. I was the only one with magic. It fell on me.
Marlese was winded and breathing heavily when we reached the top. Prastian gave him a questioning look. “Oh, don't look at me like that. As long as there's no more stairs, we'll be fine.”
“Is everyone ready?” Prastian asked. “As the story goes, fast and quiet wins the race.”
“No,” I said. “I can't go on.”
“Why not?” Prastian asked.
“I've got to know more about Premier. He's the key to all this.”
“You could always come back.”
“It might be too late then.”
“But—”
“Let him go,” Marlese said. “He's right about his instincts.” Marlese's green eyes burned with hate. “Premier's our true enemy.” Dashion and Wintrop nodded.
“I understand,” Prastian said.
“I'll try to catch up with you if I can,” I said. “One last thing.” I took a deep breath. The problem with staying behind was that I was the best one to convince King Sharald. “I need you to talk to King Sharald. He has to send his army here. Krystal—I mean, Alexandria needs his help.”
“We shouldn't involve ourselves in their politics,” Dashion said, grimacing. “Let the humans die to the Wasteland creatures.”
Dashion's words angered me, until I remembered what Sharald had said. “I know you elves were wrongfully imprisoned, but if Alexandria falls, we all fall.” I turned back to Prastian. “There are good people here. They need your help.”
“I agree, but I don't want to risk my people's lives.”
I sighed. “I won't push this issue any further. There’s no time for that. At least promise me you'll relay my words to King Sharald.”
Prastian bowed his head. “I will, but I hope you will be there to present your case to our king yourself.”
“Me too.”
“Good luck,” Prastian said before the elves disappeared into the darkness.
I hid in the shadows near the entrance to the dungeons while the elves made their way out of the castle. To buy us more time, I dragged the guard's bodies to the stairwell. Hopefully, by the time they woke up or were discovered, I'd be long gone and have found out what I needed to know.
But to learn more about Premier, I first had to find him.
From what my master had told me, wizards were a secretive folk. At least, post-war. They wanted to be left alone to work on their magic, and not be hunted down. If Premier was a wizard, he'd want the same thing. I kept that in mind while I wandered the castle's dark halls.
As I went, I tried to imitate my elf friends. I moved on the balls of my feet and crouched low. I relied more on my ears than my eyes, in the dim light between torches.
There were far too many rooms in the castle, and I couldn't search them all. Premier was someone of importance. He would have his own space, probably away from everyone else. My mind flashed back to the first thing I had seen of Alexandria—the towers.
That had to be it.
I ran as quietly as I could to the base of the towers. The light inside the castle wall grew brighter as the sun prepared to make another day’s journey. It was only a matter of time before everyone awoke, instead of the mere handful of servants and guards I had to avoid right now. Unfortunately, the first tower I tried was guarded far more heavily than the rest of the castle. I bypassed it and hoped the others weren't. The second and third towers were guarded like the first. I pinned all my hopes on the last tower, praying my reasoning would be right.