Chapter Eight

There was a sharp grating sound coming from the crypt. One guard turned to the other momentarily. "It's that lot down the stairs, again," he said with a frown. "I don't like the looks of 'em. Not at all! Can't trust them because, well... you know." The other guard pricked up his ears, "No, I don't. You're foolish to worry about prisoners who have already been locked up. The damned door is a strong metal, and I've done fastened the heavy lock in place with me own hands! There's no way they can get out, now." The first guard had a wary look. "What I speak of, you idiot, is that one of the prisoners is a high-ranking fellow in the Council. The story goes that he has strange powers, magic. You know, that would not be something I want to get mixed up in. I mean, I'm strong enough, all right, and I always when a fight, but in this case the odds would be stacked against me." The other guard assented, "Yes that would be the case. Then come off it, silly Mary, and let's go down there and show 'em who's boss, what? Give 'em a taste of pain to shut their mealy mouths! I'll go with you, since you're so plumb scared of 'em," he said, erupting in laughter. "Magic! Says he, magic and wizardry! Ha ha, that's a good one! A silly fairy story." With that, he tapped the first guard on his shoulder and said "Follow me. They'll stop making noise when I'm about!" The guard opened the outer door to the staircase, and the other guard followed him after the lock was opened, making a loud clanging sound. Winding down the spiral stairs, the grating sound had stopped, and all they could hear was the sound of their boots on each step. It was an eerie silence. When they got to the bottom, there was a flash of red light, brighter than flames, and they were both knocked back and they went into a deep sleep, in a prone position on the pavement. "Come on, you twits! I've gotten us out," said Lord Blakeney with a smile. "LeFleur's plot is foiled. The jig is up! And I have the upper hand, now!" With that, the other members of the Council followed the rather arrogant Blakeney up the staircase. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Meanwhile, the boy Pete Draenen followed LeFleur as they made their way through the forest. The sun had risen from the Western mountain range, yet there were mists in the forest that shrouded parts of the forest. It was clear to see the path in the immediate front and to the sides, but the rest of the woods were obscured, so it was somewhat slow going. As they wended their way down the path LeFleur knew by heart, Pete could think nothing of his family he had left behind. He was so fixated on the adventure that lay ahead, that was so exciting to him. He felt that life so far had left him untested, but now that there were so many variables to their journey, that it was rather unpredictable. He thought to himself that even their lives were in danger, and his thoughts then shifted to the strange feeling that they were being watched. Every now and again, he thought he saw an eye, a face in the woods. Then he would look more closely, and the eye had vanished, and he felt that was odd. "Why did we have to go through these woods?" the boy asked the wizard. "I mean, why not take the high road? It would have been much less dangerous." "Because then we would be more open to being caught," said the wizard. "Our plan is very important. If we reach our objective, we could wind up saving the world, you know. It's not every day that you get a chance to do that!" he said with a grin. "Yes. I suppose you're right. Though it seems we are being watched." said Pete. "Well we are, Pete. I told you about that didn't I? But don't worry, though they know we are in the area, the cloaking makes it indefinite, so they can only guess at our actual location. When they rush to attack, we will then clearly see them. Don't be afraid. That's why you have your sword and shield. And what a good gift that was! Old Chalmers is always so kind to anyone associated with me." ------------------------to be continued-----------------------------