Chapter 453 - No Way Out

Thanks for waiting. Long chapter today and I ended up doing a bunch of rewrites as it was coming to me slowly. Sometimes I get stuck in a ru

Thanks for waiting. Long chapter today and I ended up doing a bunch of rewrites as it was coming to me slowly. Sometimes I get stuck in a rutt where I can't get out unless I start over again but it takes ages... I'm pleased with where it ended up though! Hope you enjoy :)

Also, minor edit to the previous chapter: I've changed the dialogue at the end so that King Henry was not aware of the deceit regarding Kassius and that it was a scheme of High Priest Alagthar's and Lady Kaisura's instead. I thought it made the king seem foolish.

It was late when they returned to the palace, but no one felt ready to sleep. Instead, they drifted into the sitting room of their shared suite, gathering chairs and cushions around the fireplace. Someone had uncorked a bottle of wine—Bud, most likely—and poured them all a glass. Nisha lay sprawled by the fire, having lit it herself with a lazy puff of flame, her body stretched across the rung like a smug cat.

Bud lifted his glass. “To Celaine,” he said. “While the rest of us have been sparring and training, she’s been out there stalking a madman. Without her, none of this would have come together.”

Glasses rose around the room.

Celaine rolled her eyes, but there was a glint of gratitude in her smile. “I never thought I would be spying on princes when I left Drakalyn.”

“We live in exciting times,” Emilia said dryly.

“Far too exciting,” Dylan muttered, eyeing his glass like it might reveal some future less chaotic.

A lull settled over them, and then Bud posed a question that had been on Hump’s mind often of late. “What do you think will happen if the Seal of Elenvine falls?”

“You’re supposed to be the optimistic one!” Hump said. “You can’t join me down here. What about the path of the gods that we’re walking down so confidently?”

Bud gave him an unamused look. “Why do you always return things to blasphemy.”

“You’re the one that brought it up!” Hump yelled.

Bud turned to Dylan. “Did I bring it up?”

The druid scrunched his face in thought, shaking his head as he weighed both sides. “Not really. I’m on Bud’s side here. That was uncalled for blasphemy.”

Hump sighed. “Okay fine. If the seal falls, the Path to Heaven opens. That’s what happens, whatever that means. And the veil between worlds will become thin enough for demons to pass through into our world if Wizard Menos is to be believed. It won’t just be warlocks we’re fighting anymore. Be a good time for the gods to get involved if they’re not too busy actually.”

“Maybe that’s what the Path to Heaven means,” Emilia said. “There could be a reason the gods haven’t descended on Elenvine yet. Maybe they can’t.”

“I can’t imagine the warlocks want to release the gods,” Dylan said.

“Unless heaven refers to their gods,” Celaine said.

“That’s true,” Hump said. “The warlocks might have named it.”

“It matters not,” Bud said. “The way will become clear when it needs to.”

“With any luck, that’s quite soon,” Hump said. “I still worry we’re missing something. Why did my staff react to Kassius like that?”

“It could be nothing,” Dylan said. “Being so close to Kassius could have put you in a heightened emotional state. Being so close to a man that had betrayed you and tried to kill Celaine before you’re eyes must have been difficult.”

Hump frowned, thinking back on the moment. He hadn’t felt particularly emotional. There had been many times in the past where things had been worse, yet his staff had never reacted that way.

“Whatever we’re missing, we’ll figure it out if we have to,” Emilia said. “Remember, we are just a small part of this. Count Daston, Wizard Aldric, High Priest Alagthar—compared to them, our power is little. We’re there to act as support. Leave this to them to worry about.”

Hump let out a breath. He understood the logic to what she was saying, but he didn’t like relying on others so much. The lack of control concerned him. If his fate was in the hands of those more powerful than him, what was the point in getting to the position he was in now.

He tried not to dwell on it. He always got nervous before battle and started to doubt himself. It was impossible to control all the unknowns, the best he could do was go in with a calm mind.

“It’s a bit of a grim topic, isn’t it?” Dylan said. “Let’s not speak more on it tonight. We will be busy enough soon. I’d rather we don’t argue.”

“You’re right,” Hump said. He eyed the shimmering red wine in his glass. “One thing I do appreciate this place is the stock of fine wine.”

Celaine raised a brow. “I thought you can’t tell the difference.”

“I can’t,” Hump admitted with a grin. “But when I drink it, I feel fancy. And that’s the whole point, isn’t it?”

“Now you’re trying to pick a new fight,” Bud said. “You need to learn to appreciate the distinct flavours of a unique vintage like this one.”

Hump took a sip and swished it around in his mouth like he’d seen Bud doing a few times. “Ah yes. I believe this wine might be red.”

Bud shook his head, face filled with disappointment.

Dylan chuckled and leaned back. “Once all this is over, I’d like to visit Sheercliff again. I want my master to meet Lorissa. And I want to hear her thoughts on the Remnant Realm. She always sees things I miss.”

“You really think you’ll find a way to grow something there?” Celaine asked, curious.

“I have never been to a place that is so barren—not even the Infernal Halls. It was the most terrible thing and knowing that our people—our gods—caused it, makes me feel responsible. Even if it takes me a century, I will find a way to restore it. Perhaps not to what it once was, but I will see that something grows there again. I can think of no greater task than to restore life to a world that has none.”

“I can think of nothing a Chosen could do to honour their god more,” Bud said. “Krioc will be proud.”

Hump’s smile faded at the thought of his own master. Over two years had passed since the old man’s death, and on days like this he wished he could sit down with him, just one more time. And there were their horses too. After leaving Drakalyn, he had left behind Prancer to return with the first traders heading to Sheercliff.

“We should go together,” Hump said. He glanced at Celaine. “We need to get our horses. Prancer’s going to get too used to the easy life if I leave him there too long.”

***

The following day was heavy with tension. Nothing happened. Kassius remained in the palace, and that left Hump wondering if he was somehow onto the fact that they had discovered his activities. Celaine had tampered with the tunnel entrance when it was first opened. It was possible that she’d missed some sort of trap.

Possible, but Hump doubted it. They’d all come a long way from their time in Bledsbury Dungeon. Once Kassius’ warlock side came to light, he could perhaps match a Rank 4 wizard in pure power at the time, but his skill was far from that. Hump didn’t believe that the man, injured and lost to the warlocks, could have outpaced Celaine in terms of advancements. Especially not in an area of her speciality.

Two long, anxious days passed before they got their answer. Celaine gathered Hump and the others in a rush, and they made their way to Prince Gregory, who was seated at lunch with a number of nobles. The prince quickly excused himself at the sight of them, his smile only slipping to a hardened expression as they stepped out into the hallway.

“Has it happened?” he asked.

Celaine nodded. “He’s gone.”

A faint smile touched Prince Gregory’s lips. “Hump, contact Wizard Aldric. Tell him that it’s time.”

“On it,” Hump said.

“Robert,” Gregory continued, “pass word to Captain Halvon. Make sure our guests are let in.”

“I’ll see it done,” Bud said, already moving.

The prince turned back toward the dining hall. “Now, give me a few minutes. I need to explain to a rather… difficult lady why I must cut our meeting short.”

Hump snorted. “Best of luck. We’ll keep an eye on the rear wing until everyone is ready.”

There was an eagerness to Hump’s step as they made their way over to the rear wing to keep watch in case Kassius returned early. It was all falling into place. He summoned his essence and cast Distant Whisper, envisioning Wizard Aldric in his mind. He felt the warmth of the connection form.

“Aldric, it’s Hump. He’s gone. It’s time to begin.”

In Hump’s experience, it was usually the simplest plans that worked best. Complexity only left more room for failure. Their advantage now was secrecy. Kassius didn’t know he’d been discovered, and that meant they could catch him in the act.

The Royal Armoury made for the perfect place. Where better to trap someone than a building designed to keep people out? Count Daston would lead a contingent of Chosen and wizards through the main gates, securing the castle and providing a show of force. Meanwhile, Hump would enter with a small force through the hidden tunnel from the palace, cutting off Kassius’ escape. They would pincer him inside and capture him away from the eyes of the court and the ears of his allies.

Bud soon arrived with their additional support. Wizard Otto entered alongside Karina and Ash, along with a third wizard that Hump hadn’t expected to see here.”

“Wizard Humphrey,” said a familiar voice. Jentris stepped into the chamber, adjusting her collar and giving him a grin. “Of all places, I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“You two know each other?” Otto asked with a raised brow.

“I showed him around the academy,” Jentris said. “It was my job to recruit him. Not that I did a very good job.”

The four wizards formed one of the parties in the squad, the four of them designated the task to dismantle and traps left behind in the tunnel. Behind them would be Hump and his party, followed by Captain Halvon and the other guards as Prince Gregory’s protectors. They would remain in the rear and cover the tunnel once they reached the armoury.

When the prince finally arrived with Captain Halvon and his most trusted guards, they made for the hidden passage in the rear wing. The room they entered was excessive oppulance. Gold patterned every edge: the walls, the skirting boards, the ceiling trim, even the chandeliers. Polished marble floors gleamed beneath thick, soft rugs. It was absurdly lavish, even for the palace.

“What is this room used for?” Hump asked, staring at a particularly elaborate lion-shaped sconce.

“It’s an old greeting hall,” Prince Gregory replied. “Back in the days when we held court in this wing. Now it’s mostly forgotten. And it was the Queen’s residence generations ago.”

Celaine stepped forward and flipped a hidden latch on a nearby mirrored cabinet. Without a sound, the furnishing swung out from the wall, revealing a plain wooden door.

Otto stepped up, his wand glowing with a soft shimmer of gold and he muttered some sort of detection spell. “There are traps woven into the path,” he said. “Illusion, displacement, maybe more. But nothing I can’t handle.”

Ash held up a hand. “Wait.”

Otto paused. “What is it?”

The larger wizard pointed to a tiny sliver tucked in the upper corner of the doorframe. A carved charm—barely noticeable to the eye—wedged into the gap.

Hump activated his Spirit Sight and noticed magic radiating from it.

“Some sort of alarm,” Wizard Otto said. He paused, then glanced back at the man. “Thanks.”

“That wasn’t there last time,” Celaine said, brow drawn tight. “Something may have spooked Kassius for him to suspect he’s being followed.”

The tension thickened.

“He’s in our trap,” Prince Gregory said. “The man is as paranoid as they come. That’s all this is. We continue on. There is no way out for him.”

Nisha was too large to fit in the tunnel, so Hump had left her in the garden outside under the watch of one of Captain Halvon’s men. If she was needed, it would take her hardly a minute to fly to the Royal Armoury, as much as she protested.

They descended into the tunnel in silence. Hump’s staff shone with Wizard Light, as did the other wizards amongst them, filling the tunnel with an even glow. Celaine and Otto led, eyes sharp and wands ready. Hump walked near the middle, Bud and Dylan ahead of him, Emilia trailing behind him, followed by the prince’s party a good dozen paces behind.

At first, every step they would stop to disarm a trap. Hump hated waiting, especially in a tight passage like this. It left his mind too much room to wander. Too much room to imagine what might go wrong. But soon, things sped up. After the first few traps were disarmed, it seemed Kassius became less cautious. They made quick progress through the tunnel. It bent in places, but for the most part it was a straight path.

Perhaps ten minutes had passed when they arrived at a staircase on the other side. There was one more enchantment cast over the door, but they were through. Opening the door, they were in a supply cupboard, the rear shelf swinging out from the wall like a door.

Celaine moved ahead, stepping out into the hallway outside before gesturing them to follow. Hump recognised the nearby display. They were in the armoury’s lower halls. It was quiet.

“This isn’t right,” Prince Gregory said. “Where are the guards?”

“We need to reach the vault,” Hump said. “Which way.”

“To the right,” he said. “Down the stairs.”

“We’ve arrived,” came Aldric’s voice in Hump’s mind. “The entrance is secured and we’re moving in.”

Hump activated his own spell. “We’re on the armoury’s lower level, heading down to the vault. It’s quiet.” Then aloud, he said, “Count Daston’s force has secured the entrance and is inside.”

They advanced toward the vault—the same one where Hump had once received his royal reward—and halted as the sound of approaching footsteps echoed ahead. Celaine and Bud took up position on either side of the doorway, weapons drawn.

A young steward rounded the corner and froze. Her mouth opened in surprise, her hands rising in alarm, but before she could scream, Karina snapped off a silencing spell. The girl clutched her throat in fear, stumbling back a step.

“Easy,” Prince Gregory said, stepping forward and lifting a gauntleted hand. “We mean you no harm. I am Prince Gregory.”

The steward blinked. Recognition dawned. “Y-Your Highness!” She bowed stiffly. “Forgive me. I wasn’t expecting… you.”

Hump studied her carefully, watching for any hint of deceit. But if she was involved with Kassius, she hid it well. Her fear was genuine, but who wouldn’t be afraid if ambushed in the halls by a prince and a group armed like them.

“Has Prince Kassius passed through here recently?” Gregory asked, his tone sharp.

“Yes, Your Highness,” she said, still pale. “He arrived earlier with Lord Veln. They said they were here to catalogue supplies for the war effort.”

Gregory stiffened. “He’s in the vault?”

The girl nodded. “Yes, Your Highness.”

Without another word, they rushed down the spiralling staircase. Their boots thundered against the stone steps as they descended toward the vault chamber. At the base, the great steel doors loomed before them, glowing faintly with the divine glyphs of Loften. Two Chosen knights stood to either side, hands going to their weapons as they spotted the group.

“Stand down,” Gregory ordered.

Recognition flickered across the knights’ faces. “Prince Gregory,” one said, bowing quickly. “My apologies. We didn’t realise.”

The steward stationed at the nearby desk rose quickly. “Your Highness! I didn’t know you were—”

“Is Kassius inside?” Gregory demanded.

The three men exchanged uneasy looks.

“He entered just under an hour ago,” the steward confirmed. “He’s with Lord Veln. Would you like me to request his presence?”

“He shouldn’t be here,” Gregory said coldly. “Who granted him access?”

“All the correct paperwork was submitted, I assure you,” the steward said, shifting through the documents on his desk before holding out a paper. “Signed off by the Royal Treasurer, Lord Hemlin Marsh.”

“I don’t care if the king himself signed off on it, he shouldn’t be here,” Prince Gregory said. “Open the vault.”

Footsteps sounded behind them and Hump glanced back as Count Daston, Wizard Aldric, and their other reinforcements arrived.

“No sign of him above,” Count Daston reported.

“We’ve confirmed he’s inside,” Hump said. “Supposedly reviewing inventory.”

The steward stammered, “With the invasion, we’ve had many requests—”

“I said open it,” Gregory snapped.

As the steward still fumbled, the two Chosen moved to the prince’s command. The steel doors rumbled as the runes flared to life. A moment later, the vault swung open on silent hinges. Hump readied his staff, essence building in his chest, surging through his body, ready on his lips.

His eyes were fixed ahead, watching for the first sign of an attack. Yet an attack didn’t come. He gazed over the vast chamber beyond. Walls lined with enchanted weapons, armours, artifacts, and relics.

Yet Kassius was not there.

“He was in there,” the steward whispered, trembling. “I swear it. He went inside. I saw it with my own eyes.”

“Prince Gregory, I request you remain here to guard the entrance with Captain Halvon,” Count Daston said. “We cannot have Prince Kassius escape this way. Ensure the vault remains open. The rest of us will head inside.”

Prince Gregory let out a long sigh. “Very well, Count. Good luck to you all. May the gods walk with you.”