Grishma (Necoh Saga) (18 page)

The monster laughed an evil laugh. “No one knows? I’ll gladly tell you, then. I murder every single prisoner that’s out of their cell and the key holder! Now, who’s first?”

Ryder stepped forward. “Sorry, that’s not going to happen.”

“Oh really? And who’s going to stop me?”

“I am,” replied Ryder.

Laughter erupted from the beast yet again. “Oh really? That’s the funniest joke I’ve heard in a long time!”

Without another word, Ryder clutched the small knife and charged the malevolent monster.

The beast quickly grabbed a battle-axe that was secured to the wall with a worn strap of leather and braced for the attack. Ryder picked up speed and held the knife in front of him at an angle. When he was within striking distance, he ducked and somersaulted forward.

Catching the hideous guard by surprise, Ryder sprang to his feet and thrust the knife forward. The beast roared in pain and kicked Ryder with his large webbed feet.

Ryder smashed into the nearest wall with such force that he dropped his knife and struggled to catch his breath. Taking advantage of his weakened opponent, the beast ran toward him like a linebacker.

The crunch of their bodies colliding was sickening. Ryder dropped to the floor in a crumpled heap. Towering above him, the guard lifted the battle-axe high above his head. “Any last words, you pathetic piece of garbage?”

Ryder’s vision was hazy. The end was coming and he couldn’t defend himself or his friends.

I’m going to die.

Suddenly, a cry of anger and pure desperation filled the air. “It’s your turn to die, Aligore!”

A nauseating squelch was immediately followed by a loud gurgling noise.

Ryder’s vision began to clear and he saw a deadly spear sticking out of the monster’s chest. Blood trickled out of the corner of his mouth.

The beast fell to his knees, revealing Calla standing fiercely behind, clutching the other end of the spear.

Aligore’s breath became ragged and he began to cough a deep, hacking cough.

Ryder got to his feet and stood above the beast. “Looks like the only one that’s going to die today is you.”

Aligore chuckled and coughed up a mixture of spittle and blood. “That’s what you think.” More coughing and more blood spewed from the alligator man’s mouth. “What you seem to forget is that Grishma will never let you escape the castle.” His breathing all but stopped. Then the beast sucked in one last deep breath. “You and your little friends are as good as dead!”

The final sounds of death escaped the monster’s mouth and his eyes rolled back into his head.

Cheers erupted from dozens of prisoners.

“Calla! You saved my life!” exclaimed Ryder.

“I’ve been wanting to do that for a very long time,” said Calla.

“Kroy! My love!” Pushing through several prisoners, Kroy’s wife emerged.

“Elsa! My beautiful wife!” The couple embraced one another and kissed.

Ryder and his fellow prisoners smiled, enjoying a fleeting rush of happiness. “Okay, we need a plan. There’s no way we can all sneak out of this place the same way. Plus, I don’t want to put anyone else at risk here. I need to go rescue my mother and my sister, kill Grishma, then escape the castle.”

Several prisoners gasped and Elsa asked what most were thinking. “Are you crazy?”

“I have to save my family and keep them safe. The only way I can guarantee that is if Grishma is dead,” answered Ryder.

The freed prisoners murmured amongst themselves.

Lant spoke up. “I’m not sure how much time we have, but I think we best throw Aligore’s body in one of the cells and lock the door. Perhaps the next guard won’t notice that we’re missing.”

“That’s unlikely, but I agree, it’s best to put his body in a cell. We’ll need every second possible,” said Calla.

It took Ryder, Pidifer, and three other prisoners to pull Aligore’s body into the closest cell. Before they locked it, Calla bent down and took a second set of keys off Aligore’s belt.

“Calla, is there anyway to sneak everyone out of the castle safely?” asked Ryder.

“There’s one route that will lead us through the kitchens and out into the alley nearest the stables.”

“Do you think you can take everyone with you without being noticed?”

Calla shrugged her shoulders. “I’m not sure there’s any other choice.”

“Wait, wait, wait,” interrupted Albie. “When you say everyone, you mean everyone but me? Right?”

“I can’t ask you to continue this journey with me. It’s too dangerous,” said Ryder.

“You don’t need to ask,” replied Albie. “I’ll continue with you no matter what. I imagine Pidifer won’t leave this castle without his brother, either, am I right?”

Pidifer nodded.

Ryder looked at Lant and Kroy. “Will you two go with Calla and the others? They will need someone to help them navigate under the city wall and they’ll need somewhere to hide far away from Sumner. Perhaps you could take them to the caves? I have enough supplies there to last you all for quite some time.”

“Yes, of course we will,” responded Kroy, still holding on to his wife.

“And I know where the caves are,” said Lant.

“Here, take this battle-axe,” said Ryder.

“And this torch,” said Albie.

“We must hurry, the next guard will be here soon,” said Calla.

Ryder looked at the familiar faces in front of him. “Thank you for all of your help. I never could have made it this far without you. Please stay safe, and once Grishma has been slain, I promise, I will find you!”

Hugs were given and tears were shed.

“It’s time,” said Calla. “Good luck.”

The group of freed prisoners left through a far door that had once been guarded under lock and key. Once they were gone, Ryder sighed with relief.

Pidifer looked worried. “I sure hope they make it out of here!”

“Me too,” said Albie.

“As do I,” replied Ryder. “Now, come on, guys! We don’t have much time. Let’s go!”

Chapter Nineteen

H
er heart sank and fresh
tears stung her eyes. “Goodbye, Father,” said Sophie.

Wrapping his arms around her tightly, he kissed her forehead and replied, “Goodbye, my love.”

“Father, I will miss you so very much. What if I am lonely in Dratun?”

“I will think of you every day that you are gone, my sweet daughter. And don’t worry, you won’t be lonely. Brianna and Emlyn are going with you. They will keep you company. Plus, Prince Algid loves you very much. You needn’t worry about anything.”

Her stomach felt nauseous and her heart pounded in her chest.

Am I really about to do this? I’m leaving my home, my father, and my kingdom!

The King looked over his shoulder and said, “Darling, you may come say your goodbyes now.”

Gliding into the room, Lady Adeline dripped with precious jewels and golden rings. “Oh, my precious Princess Sophie! Today, I too, feel like I’m losing a daughter!”

Lady Adeline drew Sophie into her arms and squeezed her tightly. When she pulled away, she blinked back a few tears and then buried her face in the King’s chest.

Before any further goodbyes were issued, Algid strode into the room. “Princess Sophie, our royal carriage awaits. It is time for us to depart.”

Stealing one last hug and kiss on the cheek from her father, Sophie turned to face her new husband and said, “I am ready, my Prince.”

Plush emerald colored material covered the inside of the royal carriage and fluffy pillows in silky golden cases lined the seats.

Leaning back on one of the pillows, Sophie sighed.

“What’s wrong?” asked Algid.

Smiling, she said, “Oh, it’s nothing. I’m just quite tired from all of the festivities.”

“I can only begin to imagine how you feel right now. Everyone has been so worried about you since you went missing. Then you get home, we get married, and now we are on our way to Dratun, all in less than a week!”

She chuckled. “I think more has happened this week than any other week in my life.”

His face went from cheerful to serious. “I hope you are happy to be joining me in Dratun?” asked Algid.

“Of course! It will just be strange moving somewhere and only knowing three people.”

“Don’t worry, you will make many friends there, my sweet Princess.”

“Do you really think the people of Dratun will like me?”

Leaning forward, Algid looked directly into her eyes and said, “Of course! What’s not to like about you?”

Sophie dropped her head and smiled sweetly. “I’m so lucky to be married to such a wonderful prince.”

“And I to you.”

Turning to gaze out the window, Sophie looked at the familiar sights of the castle grounds. The royal gardens were stunning this time of year. Her eyes swept over beautiful indigo and orange flowers that were in full bloom. Then her eyes landed on a brown, wilted section of the garden.
How strange. I wonder what happened over there?

The carriage continued forward and the stables came into view.

“Do you ride?” asked Sophie.

“Yes, I love to. You?” said Algid.

“Yes.”

An awkward pause followed their brief conversation.

“Um, where are Emlyn and Brianna?” she asked.

“They departed a short time ago,” said Algid. Then, he flashed a killer smile. “I thought it might give us some private time on the trip to our new home.”

It felt like faeries had invaded her stomach and her palms turned clammy.

As they departed the castle’s main gate and entered the streets of Sumner, hundreds of people waved and cheered.

One woman shouted, “We will miss you, Princess Sophie!”

Shortly after, Sophie heard a man with a rough voice say, “May you live happily ever after!”

Happiness swirled throughout her body and she couldn’t stop smiling.

Suddenly, a high-pitched, frantic voice shouted, “Where is Ryder? What have you done with him?”

“Ryder?” After repeating the name to herself, something strange happened. The air whooshed out of her lungs and an odd memory flooded her mind. She was at some party in a strange house with tons of people, a punch bowl, and tables full of strange food.

That’s when
it
happened. She locked eyes with a handsome young man across the room. He had jet-black hair and striking emerald green eyes. Then Sophie heard a familiar voice, “…that’s Ryder…” Trying to recall the memory, she could only make out the name, Ryder. The other words were too muffled to understand.

Someone shook her gently by the shoulders, interrupting the rest of the memory. “Princess Sophie! Are you okay? What has happened? Princess?”

Shaking her head, she said, “Huh?”

“Oh thank goodness! My love, I was so worried!” exclaimed Algid. “What happened to you?”

Do I tell him about this strange memory? Was it even a memory? Perhaps it was a dream?

“Um, I don’t know,” she stammered. “I think I just became light-headed, that’s all. I’m sorry for worrying you.”

He gently touched her chin with his hand and looked deeply into her eyes. “Are you sure you’re okay? We can turn around and depart another time.”

She smiled sweetly at Algid. “No, no, I’m fine. I promise.”

“Well, please take a drink,” he said producing a glass goblet filled with green juice.

“Oh kuba juice, my favorite,” she responded with a smile. She lifted the glass goblet to her lips and took a refreshing sip of the cool, sweet, liquid.

The prince smiled back at her and gently moved a stray strand of hair from her face. “I feel like the luckiest man in the world. You know that, don’t you?” he asked.

“You are too sweet,” said Sophie.

As the royal carriage rolled on through the city and past the city walls, Algid showered her with kisses and backrubs.

Eventually, the loud atmosphere outside of the curtained carriage turned peaceful.

“Would you like some fresh air?” asked Algid.

“That would be lovely,” responded the princess.

He flung open the curtains and inhaled deeply. “Ah, the beautiful countryside!”

Sophie looked around with a wide-eyed expression. A dense forest and gently sloping mountains had replaced the green rolling hills of Sumner. Small animals scurried about and large creatures covered in dark wool drank from a nearby babbling brook.