Chronicles of Ilandri - Volume 1

Prison Walls (Pt.4)

He was relentless on the horse, taking it into the forest never letting it slow down. He was limited on time and had to reach Torstein as fast as possible and so he rode hard, right through the night and into the next day. He reached where the road split and still kept the horse at speed. It must have been exhausted by now but it kept soldiering on. Nathaniel was sure he was nearby and was looking deep into the trees for the little hut. There was a strange sound to the wind all of a sudden. The horse slowed up and Nathaniel looked about. The wind blew again and he was sure he could hear a voice in it. Then without command the horse sped away again as if it were following the voice. Soon Torstein's hut was ahead and he stood outside the door waiting.

The horse slowed down and Nathaniel jumped off landing in front of Torstein. "They are all fools, none would listen and believe me," he said with despair, "I need your help Torstein, or Ollorath is lost." Torstein led him inside and sat him down, giving him a cup of water. Nathaniel explained what had passed since he left Torstein a week ago. How he had met Ogwyn and had found the passages under the city but he could not find any of the keys, nor the palace key. Torstein knew of them of course and knew that the prince had kept his father's key when he fled. He had come to Torstein after his exile and it was Torstein who took him to the neighbouring kingdom and brokered the marriage alliance. Nathaniel was confused at how that was possible but Torstein explained that a wizard was not like a man. They were immortal beings and he had been around for over five thousand years, much of which he could still remember.

Nathaniel pleaded with him for his help, but Torstein could not. He might have been a wizard but he could not face an army alone and there was not enough time for him to return and convince the ministry of the reality of the threat. It was down to Nathaniel alone. Torstein had hoped that Nathaniel would find more in the academy library. "You must learn to use basic elven runes, ask this Ogwyn for a book. At the very least they will help you to hold back the attack whilst your people get to safety." Nathaniel had to return again to the city before it was too late but Torstein had further warnings for him. "Something dark and powerful is behind all of this. It has clouded my vision and I cannot see what it is, so be afraid Nathaniel but be brave. You can survive this and that is what is important." He continued, "You have merely a few days before they are ready to move. The prince's key for the passages I placed in the first king's sarcophagus, use it wisely." Nathaniel mounted his horse again and wheeled it around. He charged away down the road once more and heard Torstein calling after him wishing him luck.

Again he pushed the horse to its limits, tearing down the track back to the city. It was tiring though and began to weaken. His speed was dropping steadily but he had to push on. Day became night and still he pushed on, ever slowing as the horse tired. A thought came to him as the horse began to slow right down to a trot. He took his pendant and placed it directly against the horse's neck. Soon life came back into his steed and it was racing once again. Night became day and the forest road wound on getting ever closer to the city until the trees soon stopped and ahead of him lay the beautiful city. He did not slow down as he raced toward the gate, streaming through it he found it harder to grip on the cobbled and had to slow a little. He raced through the streets making his way up toward the hill.

People jumped and dived out of his way as his horse tore through the street upward. He raced past the market and up the steps to the next tier, then across the people's square and up the steps again. Up he climbed, until he was finally on the last flight of steps, at the foot of the ministry. He did not slow down until his horse was almost charging into the ministry building itself. He reigned up and the horse stopped so hard it was forced to stand on its back legs. Nathaniel jumped down and ran headlong down the steps of the arena and into the passage where the chancellor's office was. He burst in, causing the chancellor to spring to his feet in shock. "Oh it's you again," he began, "come back with more tall tales?" he added mockingly.

Nathaniel had no patience for him this time. "There is an army massing in the mountains and it is on its way to this city. If you do nothing the city will be destroyed," demanded Nathaniel grabbing the chancellor by the arm. He needed to prove to him the existence of magic, how he had done with Eira. The look of disgust on Lydan's face was immediate. "Guards!" he shouted, staring Nathaniel dead in the eyes. Two guards came rushing through the door to see the freeze frame of Nathaniel gripping Lydan. "This man has abandoned his post and assaulted his chancellor. Take him away and lock him up!" he commanded. Nathaniel froze suddenly. He could not turn and fight these men or more would come and surely kill him. He could do nothing to save the city from the oncoming attack if he was locked away behind bars. His body made the choice for him and he was carried away, chained up. They took his armour and his sword and led him off down the steps, as he was unable to do anything. "You knew something was not right when you sent us on that patrol!" called Nathaniel as they dragged him out of the room. Lydan made no reply and Nathaniel was now even more powerless to do anything.