Element Restraint

Chapter 21: Erik

"He said that he was sending word to the emperor and that he was going to take care of you and your family."

I run a hand through my hair and try to think.

"He is my brother," I say. "He would never"

"I heard what I heard Erik," Acantha says. 

"Are you sure that it was him?"

"I am sure Erik."

I bite on what is left of my thumbnail. I never should have left Aella. She begged me not to leave her. I told her she was safer there. How could I have been so foolish? I knew Imir was losing his mind. I was seeing it with my own eyes.

"We have a plan," Gale speaks up. "We are going to go to the captain and convince him to turn the ship around. We can get Aella out."

"That is a great idea," I say sarcastically. "I am sure he would love to turn the ship around to go save a princess while he is holding her brother captive."

"Do you have any other ideas?" Gale asks me.

"No!" I drop my face in my hands.

"What if we went to get her ourselves," Acantha says. Gale and I both turn to her.

"Don't you think I already thought of that?" Gale spits at her.

"How in the stars would we get into the palace?" I ask.

"We do not have to go to the palace." She says. A light bulb goes off in Gale.

"The festival!" He exclaims.

"The royal family will be in the capital. Away from the palace walls." Acantha chimes in. "We could get Aella and get out."

"Of course, it would be hard still, but easier than sneaking into the palace," Gale adds.

"So you propose that the three of us sneak into the Realm and get my sister who will have dozens of eyes on her. Also, need I remind you, I have the most recognizable face in that Realm." I say, shaking my head. This is impossible.  There must be another way.

"Yes!" Gale replies.

"Okay!" I say trying to think it through.

"Of course, we can get a few more people to help us," Acantha says with a smile.

"Who would possibly want to help us? Want to help me?" I ask.

Ten minutes later three more people who are willing to help are standing in the brig.

"Erik, this is Amora Tram," Gale says. He points to a young woman with brown hair and amber eyes. Fireling! She carries herself tall and confidently. She approaches the cell and smiles at me.

"I have heard a lot about you, Erik." She says. Her accent comes out thick and sharp making her Ds turn to Ts, sharpening each one off her tongue.

"Wish I could say the same," I reply and shoot Gale a look.  He laughs nervously.

"And this is my brother Rawr," Acantha says. She gestures to a man with the exact color skin and identical curly dark auburn hair. He gives me a head nod. "And his friend Paxon Ward."

A boy with dreadlocks stands near the lantern reading a book. He does not move when his name is called but continues reading.

I turn back to Acantha with humor in my eyes.

"Where is your boyfriend?" I ask her. I already know he is not coming. He hates my guts.

"Lieutenant Garmund is too close to Captain Orman," Amora speaks up for her. "We can not take the risk of telling him."