Page 33 of The Tricksters Deception

As I finish dressing and tying up my boots, a loud bell starts to ring, and ring. Running toward the balcony, I look out. On the horizon, hundreds, possibly thousands of creatures are moving toward us. Is it the Orcs? I suppose that’s at least one reason for me to go home today. A really good reason, unfortunately. Running out of the room, I notice that the guards nearby my door are on high alert.

"Come with us," one states. Not thinking twice, I follow until we reach the main hall where we were first introduced to the King. The boys are already there. Gecko approaches me quickly with a hug. I guess they were worried about me.

The man I saw in the wizard’s tower is here. After a better look, I can see that, like Gecko, his ears are pointy but a bit shorter than most elves. Perhaps he's just a human with pointy ears and really bright blue eyes? No, probably an elf; they are a pretty unnatural blue. He seems very familiar. When he notices the three of us together, he approaches.

“My father sent me down to relay a message to you, Tia.” He states.

“Your father?” I reply,

“Gildre, the Wizard. I’m his son and apprentice, J’san.” He gives us a small nod before continuing, his dark hair moving freely as he does so. “He said that if you hurry to him, he may be able to assist you with getting yourself out of this world before the Orcs arrive at the main gate.” Go home? Now? I don't even have the time for a proper goodbye. They asked me to destroy the amulet as soon as I got home. “I also have a favor to ask you, if you’ll indulge me.” His voice was calm, even with the impending Orcs on the horizon there was no panic coming from him. Putting a hand inside his black clock he pulls out a white envelope.

“What’s that?” Gecko asks, curious, but now I know why. This was a printed-in-a-factory type envelope, the kind you wouldn’t see in this world, but mine.

“Inside is a photo of a sibling I’ve never met. I would be grateful to you if once you return to your world you could let them know about us and Skiora.” Putting the envelope into my pant pouch pocket I nod. “Thank you. We must go.” Without word we begin to follow him outside, where it appears everyone has cleared the streets and are barricading themselves in their homes. What would happen to the people outside the walls?

It wasn’t until we began ascending the stairs of the Wizard’s Tower I could see out the occasional window what was happening. They were bringing people in through the main gates and hiding them the best they could. This was really happening, a war was actually happening and here I was, leaving.

When we reach the top of the staircase, Gildre is still at his desk. Standing when he sees us, he waves for the three of us to approach, his face solemn.

“There is something I must tell you about the amulet, but you must swear that under no circumstances will you dare repeat it to another soul.” That’s a heavy ask for first thing in the morning. Before I can respond, the whole tower rattles. Glass vials fall from the desk, shelves crack under the pressure, and everything drops to the ground.

“I think we’re out of time.” J’san states. “Perhaps we should actually be having this conversation in the King’s Castle where it’s safer.” Reluctantly Gildre nods and we begin to descend the stairs, again. This world needed to invent elevators. Gecko, Gildre and J’san remain ahead of me as we make the descent, Corvu insisting to go after me in case anything comes from behind.

About halfway down, between myself and Gecko, the side wall caves in. A boulder crashes into the tower. I scream as the stones beneath my feet crumble, but Corvu catches me around the waist. The gap is huge, and there’s no way I’m going to try and jump that.

“Keep going, I’ll get her to the King’s Castle,” Corvu bellows as Gecko is pulled away by J’san. I’m relieved; I didn’t want him to be in danger. Looking toward the ground, I see we’re quite a distance away. I’m not looking forward to whatever Corvu is about to suggest. “You have two options—” Before Corvu can finish, we see a hole open up a short distance away in the main wall. It appears the Orcs have broken through after all. “Okay, one option.” Corvu takes one of my arms and pulls it around his neck. With one arm behind my back, he lifts my legs up into the air and jumps. I have never been so frightened to fall like that, but somehow Corvu manages to land on his feet, only crouching a small amount.

Racing across to the King’s Castle, we’re thrown inside quickly, but instead of heading to the main hall, Corvu stops me.

“If we head to where everyone else is, they’ll just be in danger. We need to find somewhere else to hide.” Nodding in agreement, he grabs my hand and pulls me toward a smaller door to the left.

There are fewer guards around inside this area; perhaps they have all been called outside or are surrounding the King. I hope Gecko made it inside. Turning down a few dark hallways, I notice we take several flights of stairs downward, likely bringing us back to ground level or a little lower since the main castle floor was already up a great deal of steps. Upon entering a room, I realize we’re in some sort of dungeon, mostly lit by torches and small holes where bars cover what would otherwise be windows. There’s no one here.

“Must be the old cells,” Corvu mutters, stepping into the first cell to stand on the bench and peer outside. “It looks like the Orcs have come through the west side; it’s the least protected. They probably won’t retreat until they get their hands on that amulet.” I walk up close behind him. It feels odd standing in this cell, but I suppose it’s better than being out there. It’s also a hard place to find.

“Do you mean they’re going to keep killing people until they find me?” I ask. Corvu’s ears twitch as I make the statement. He turns and jumps down off the bench, approaching me.

“It’s not like that. The King knows how important it is for an amulet to remain out of the hairs of those who would abuse it, primarily away from anyone who isn't human. Any one who would have a reason to despise him for the things he and his father did. He also knows all humans have their limits, eventually the torture will get to you and you’d give the amulet up to the Orcs. He wouldn’t blame you, which is why you just need to stay out of sight until his army overpowers Cutlass’ army.”

“People are dying.” It made me realize something, which is that this Kingdom was going to suffer because of me. If I had destroyed this amulet when I had the chance instead of now needing it to bargain for peace, perhaps none of this would have occured. I’d be stuck in this world, but would that really be so bad? Corvu is looking at me strangely. He takes a few steps till he’s behind me, but I step around to face him, the window now behind me. “Did you hear me?” I question, knowing he did but I didn’t know what else to say.

“Give me the amulet.” He commands.

“What?”

“I said, give me the amulet.”

I’m shocked. The determination and sternness of his voice almost frightens me. Why does he want the amulet now?

“I thought you didn’t want the amulet.” I remark. He sighs and closes his eyes for a moment. After he opens them he takes a step toward me, then another. Mimicking his movements until I reach the bench, I practically fall into it.

Leaning down to face to face with me he responds, “I don’t, but if it means they won’t torture you to death for it, then you need to give me the amulet.” He wants to protect me? He places his hands on both my knees and kneals between my legs. He was so close to me. Why was he so close to me? “Tia, if they find their way into this castle, they are going to kill you. I’m a Trickster, it would take a lot more effort for them to convince me to let them have the amulet.” The longer he stares into my eyes the harder he’s making it for me to resist. Was he right? If I give it to him, it means he will be their target. I’d basically be signing his death certificate. Closing his eyes he leans his forehead against mine. “I promise you can trust me.” Shakily, I pull up the necklace over my head and directly onto his. Since the amulet looked the same on both sides, it didn’t really have a backward or forward direction. When he feels the weight of the amulet drop around his neck, he’s startled and leans up in a hurry. Looking down at his chest he sees the amulet sitting there.

“I really don’t want you to die either, Corvu, so I’m going to stay by you this whole time. You’ve protected me while I’ve been here, so I want to help protect you.” Dashingly he smiles but doesn’t say anything. Between the yells and the action happening outside, I hear him slightly gulp as he begins to lean in toward me. I feel his hands move up my thighs then move to the bench beside me. Was he really doing this? I was scared that if something happened between us it would just hurt more, and the last thing I wanted was to hurt him. I close my eyes and lean forward.

I hear the sound of a click.

Opening my eyes I noticed he only meant for me to close them and not see him snap and lock one of the wall cuffs around my wrist, tightly. He didn’t kiss me, and I totally fell for his trick. “The Wizard will find a way to get you home, I'm sure. I wouldn't recommend coming after me, the Orc army and I will be long gone before someone finds you down here.” He states, stepping away and leaving the room.

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