Chapter 19

Elspeth paced her cell. Luckily, she wasn’t chained to the wall. But she was terrified. King Rulm had come to tell her what had befallen Heralth MacPherson. Ian, her Ian. She was worried about him. She pulled on her hair and paced. Before the king left, he said he wouldn’t put her in chains, because he didn’t want her body marred.

Then he’d laughed and said he wanted to do the marring himself. She didn’t care anymore, she just wanted Ian. Her heart was breaking and with everything else that happened, she broke down in sobs. She sat on the floor and put her dirty hands on her face and cried.

She cried for her brother, she cried for her parents, she cried for herself, but mostly she cried for Ian. He was right, her idea was a bad one. She failed and it was all her fault. “Stupid, stupid, plan!” she shouted.

She didn’t see Merlin’s portal, or him stepping through, she was too busy feeling the pain of it all. Merlin tapped her shoulder lightly, afraid she’d scream, as it was, she jumped. “Merlin, you scared me!”

“Well, well, well!” clapped Athdar. “Isn’t that touching.” King Rulm and Drakkor appeared, Athdar stood outside the cell bars.

“Come! Hurry!” Merlin said. “The portal! Let’s go!”

Athdar laughed, his evil eyes gleaming. “You aren’t going anywhere brother.” He began an incantation. Before Merlin could get her through the portal, it disappeared.

Athdar threw up his hands, and a lightning bolt struck Merlin. Chains appeared on Merlin’s arms and legs. He collapsed, his eyes rolled back, unconscious.

“What did you do to him!” she screamed, running and kneeling she took the old man’s head in her lap. She screamed. “I hate you! I hate you all!”

“Hate is a very big emotion Elspeth.” Grinned Athdar. “Guards seize the old man! Leave the woman!” He turned to the king. “Anything to say?”

“I’ll be back later, Elspeth. Alone.” They all laughed.

Elspeth sat in the corner trying to keep from going into shock. They picked up Merlin and disappeared through a portal. She had no idea where they went. She’d never tried to heal herself before, but if nothing else she needed the warmth.

She wrapped her arms around herself. She whispered a simple prayer to the gods. “Please, I need help.” In a few minutes, the green glow enveloped her, and she felt the surge and warmth associated with the god’s help. In a matter of moments, she felt renewed, and with determination, she stood and wiped her eyes.