Page 7 of The Darkest Knight

Chapter Four

After hours of Liam and Padriag going on and on about the virtues of the other realm, Niall was more convinced he wouldn’t go. To be back in the world he’d once known, where he’d planned to raise a family and grow old with a wife, the stark reality of Devina in his life would only make him more miserable.

Finally, after pretending to relent by stating he’d think about it, the two did stop their quest to change his mind.

Each night he had but one prayer, that Devina would not come to him, and he could have an entire night of sleep.

Thankfully, that night he slept without interruption. Usually after Devina’s visits, she didn’t come to him for several nights.

A loud boom sounded, and Niall jumped from his bed and rushed to look out. It had finally happened. Meliot’s minions had breached the safeguard and would soon be descending upon their keep. Gavin and Tristan’s escape had angered the wizard, and he was determined to keep the rest of them captive.

What the wizard wasn’t aware of was that Liam’s curse had also been broken, and the Englishman was free. Unlike the other free men, Liam was able to traverse between the realms and had agreed to remain in the alter-world to keep his escape a secret.

“They’ve broken through!” Padriag called out, appearing at Niall’s bedroom door. “We must leave at once.”

Once dressed, both men rushed to a doorway in the back of the keep. It was very possible the attackers had surrounded the keep, but there was a small inner garden that would allow them to dematerialize and get away before it was reached.

With swords in hand, they raced down the stairs and into the great room. Liam was already downstairs waiting.

“The horses are east, I managed to get them to the woods.”

Together they went to the back door, and Niall pushed it open, only to slam it shut at seeing several creatures had climbed over the wall.

“The roof!” he yelled.

It wasn’t long before they got to the opening to the roof. Although Meliot had dragons, they’d not heard the tell-tale signs of their ear-piercing screeches.

Once again, being the strongest, Niall pushed the heavy metal hatch open and peered out. “They’re not here yet. Hurry.”

No sooner did they emerge onto the rooftop, than claws appeared over the ledge.

Without hesitating, they dematerialized and reappeared in the forest.

They came upon their horses only a few yards away. The steeds were not only covered in thick fur-lined blankets across their backs, but their legs were also wrapped in the same. Plush cloaks were thrown across the saddles for the men and they donned the warm coverings and mounted. As if sensing the urgency, the horses broke into a gallop, the huge beasts using every inch of their muscular legs to cross the distance between the keep and their destination.

They had to escape to Atlandia, a treacherous zone that was protected by ice storms that could freeze most humans in less than a pair of hours.

Once they crossed the border into Atlandia, they would be relatively safe. Not only was the threat of the icing a deterrent, but the royals kept huge wolf sentries that attacked intruders without hesitation.

Padriag studied the sky. “We have to make it to Atlandia before the first sun sets and The Icing begins.”

Looking up, Niall noticed there were two suns that day, one lower in the sky. By its position in the sky, it would be several hours before it would no longer be visible.

Already the wind was frigid, and he pulled the hood up over his head. The thick cloak helped, but nothing withstood the freezing temperatures that were accompanied by sleet so sharp it felt as if it cut through a person’s skin.

“Keep an eye out for the sentries,” Liam said, the blond Englishman’s head swiveling from side to side. “I sense them near.” Liam had been gifted with foresight by the powerful enchantress who had tried to help them when they’d been enchanted.

The enchantress had tried valiantly, but hadn’t been able to break their curses, yet somehow managed to give each of them a gift. Padriag had the gift of simple magic like warding and making things disappear. Niall had received the gift of healing others, Tristan the gift of strength, and Gavin the gift of seduction, much to his chagrin.

As they climbed a steep ridge, a shortcut to the castle where they’d seek refuge, the road became perilous. Despite trudging slowly, more than once, the horses slipped, the brave animals managing to remain upright.

Atlandia was a treacherous land, dangerous as it was beautiful. Tall snow-covered mountains flanked the horizon, the forest, although snow covered, was lush and majestic.

Moments later the road became barely visible as the sleet sliced through the air, the shards falling like icy sheets from the darkened sky. The falling ice was accompanied by a howling wind.

The Icing had begun.

Niall leaned over the horse, making himself as flat as possible to keep his face covered. Thankfully, the horses wore head guards that kept their eyes protected, else they too would be unable to see.