Relief washed over Amriel, but she fought to maintain a neutral expression as the door to the Master Keeper's chamber swung open effortlessly. For a moment, dread had gnawed at her, the thought that the Keeper might have sealed them inside clawing at her mind. There was no doubt in Amriel's mind now: the Master Keeper was a man capable of such things.
Gods be damned! I’m such a fool! she cursed silently, frustration boiling beneath her calm exterior.
She had let her guard down, falling prey to his kind words and charming demeanor. The Master Keeper had woven a web of complacency around her, and that critical misstep could endanger not just herself but also Maeve—and potentially Simon and the girls as well. The weight of her oversight pressed heavily on her conscience. She would not allow this mistake to jeopardize those she loved.
I should have been more vigilant. Amriel chastised herself. One could not afford to make this kind of mistake, especially when dealing with men like the Master Keeper. This was a lesson she vowed not to repeat.
“Just a moment longer, Amriel!” Maeve’s voice chimed with excitement, oblivious to the change in the air. The enchantment seemed to weave around her like an invisible thread, drawing her closer to the Master Keeper.
"No, Maeve," Amriel said firmly. "It's time to go."
As she took a steadying breath, Amriel’s resolve hardened. She had to pull Maeve from the Keeper’s web before it ensnared them both, and she would do whatever it took to protect her friend.
The heavy oak door swung open with a piercing creak that shattered the silence of the dimly lit hall, echoing ominously in the stillness. With one hand gripping Maeve's wrist and the other resting firmly on the hilt of her blade, Amriel stepped into the corridor, her senses heightened. Behind her, she could hear the unmistakable scrape of wood against stone as Master Keeper Hodgins rose, his intent clear—he was determined to follow them.
A knot tightened in her stomach, and she fought to maintain her composure, but every instinct screamed at her to flee. She couldn’t let him catch them.
Thank the gods, Maeve was still somewhat compliant. Physically, she didn't fight, and for that much Amriel was grateful, for she would not be easy to drag down the hall if she resisted. Somewhere deep inside, her friend was fighting the enchantment the Master Keeper had weaved over her. Verbally, however, that was another story.
“Come on, Maeve,” Amriel urged, pulling her friend along with a gentle but firm grip. “We need to get out of here.”
“But what if he has answers?” Maeve countered, her eyes bright with the thrill of discovery.
Amriel shook her head, "The cost isn't worth the price, Maeve. So it's time to go."
"Honestly, Amriel! You are being so rude! We should listen to what the Master Keeper has to say," Maeve said, her voice thick with disapproval.
Amriel didn’t take it personally. She couldn’t afford to. The enchantment still held sway over Maeve, even after their escape from the chamber. Considering its strength, this hardly surprised her. Poor Maeve. None of this was her fault. When she had suggested seeking wisdom from the Infinity Tower, it had been with the best intentions. Amriel bit back another wave of self-recrimination; right now, she needed to focus on getting them out.
“Maeve, please,” Amriel implored, urgency threading through her voice. “He’s manipulating you. You can’t trust him.”
“I’m not being manipulated!” Maeve shot back, her frustration flaring. “I just want to understand!”
The tension in the air crackled as Amriel sensed the distance between them growing. “I understand your curiosity,” she said, her tone softening. “But we have to prioritize our safety. You’re stronger than this enchantment. Fight it.”
When in all the gods' names did this hall get so long? Amriel frowned, her dark brows knitting together over her hazel eyes. The stone walls seemed to stretch endlessly, shadows dancing in the flickering torchlight like specters of her mounting dread. Frustration and fear coiled within her, tightening like a noose around her chest.
The Master Keeper was not far behind. She could hear his shoes scuffling against the stone floor, his robes whispering as they swayed.
Dammit, he’s faster than he should be! She thought, quickening her pace.
Maeve continued her argument as Amriel hurried them down the corridor. With Maeve's loud protests and Hodgins' insistence that they stay, it was only a matter of time before they attracted unwanted attention. As they neared the stairs, Amriel could hear the Master Keeper's heavy breathing echoing ominously behind them. A quick glance over her shoulder revealed Hodgins' flushed face, his anger unmistakable. Clearly, he was not accustomed to having his guests leave so abruptly.
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“I’m sorry, Master Keeper, but we really must go!” Amriel pleaded, infusing her voice with urgency, hoping it would sound convincing.
Hodgins’ expression hardened, irritation transforming into anger. “You dare leave without permission?” he snapped, his voice a whip that cracked against the stone walls. "Come back here this instant!"
“Amriel, this is rude! Master Keeper Hodgins is an important man who made time for us,” Maeve chimed in, her tone authoritative.
“Your friend is right, Amriel. Listen to her. Leaving now will result in your permanent expulsion from the Infinity Tower and the wisdom of our Goddess! Don’t be so foolish!” the Master Keeper panted, his voice thick with frustration.
Why in all the hells is this so important to him? Amriel wondered, her brows furrowing in confusion. Ignoring Hodgins’ threats, Amriel let her determination drown out his venomous words. The chances of her returning to the Infinity Tower after today were slim to none, anyway.
With her arm securely linked with Maeve’s, Amriel propelled them down the stairs. Each step echoed with urgency, their footfalls resonating through the stone corridor. Behind them, the Master Keeper’s fury grew with each passing moment, his voice booming like thunder, but Amriel couldn't afford to look back. She had to keep moving.
At the base of the stairwell, a curious crowd had gathered, murmurs swirling in the air like restless spirits. Among them stood the original Keeper and the acolyte Jeffrey, their smug expressions twisting Amriel’s stomach into knots. If time permitted, she would have relished wiping the arrogance off their faces. But right now, her promise to Simon—to keep his wife safe—overrode everything else.
With a firm but gentle tug, Amriel guided Maeve toward the exit. As they stepped outside, a cool breeze enveloped them. The air was fragrant with the earthy scent of impending rain, rich with the promise of a storm.
How long had they been trapped inside? She wondered, glancing up at the sky. Daylight had slipped away, giving way to the encroaching dusk, the horizon painted with ominous dark clouds that loomed overhead.
The fresh air seemed to rouse Maeve from her trance. “What’s going on, Amriel?” she asked, her voice laced with concern, her eyes wide and searching.
“I'll explain later,” Amriel murmured, urgency threading through her words. “For now, we need to get out of here.”
Maeve nodded, her expression turning serious. “I understand. Thank you for looking out for me.”
Amriel felt a wave of relief wash over her. The enchantment was clearly fading; her friend was gradually returning to herself. Maeve had always possessed a quiet strength—an inner fortitude that had undoubtedly helped her marry Simon. Though she relaxed her grip on Maeve’s hand, she kept their arms linked as they quickened their pace, their footsteps echoing through the dimly lit streets.
As they moved further away from the Infinity Tower, a sense of unease clung to Amriel like a shadow. The memory of the Master Keeper's anger loomed large in her mind, making her uneasy. Their escape had come too easily.
“We need to move faster. There’s a storm coming,” Amriel urged, her voice barely above a whisper. She was all too aware of the danger but didn’t want to alarm Maeve further.
Without needing any more encouragement, Maeve quickened her pace, her eyes wide with urgency. Together, they sprinted through the dimly lit streets, each footfall echoing off the cobblestones.
If we can just reach the city gates, Amriel thought, determination coursing through her veins.
As they rounded the final block of inner-city housing, the northern gates loomed into view. Amriel's heart raced, pounding so loudly in her chest that she scarcely registered the footsteps approaching from behind.
We’re almost there!
Sensing a presence behind them, Amriel glanced over her shoulder, her heart sinking. Dark-armored figures were closing in, their cloaks billowing like ominous shadows. The guards of the Dreadfort. Panic surged through her veins, but she couldn’t afford to lose focus now.
“Stop!” a voice thundered behind them. "I said stop!"
The footsteps grew louder and more relentless, the clanking of armor echoing off the cobblestones. Fear clenched at Amriel’s chest, her mind racing for a plan. They had to shake off their pursuers.
"Run, Maeve!" Amriel cried out.
The women broke into a sprint. As they neared the city gates, Amriel spotted a narrow alleyway to their right. It looked like their only chance. Without hesitation, she veered toward it, yanking Maeve along. The alley was dimly lit and cluttered with debris, a maze of shadows and uncertainty. But they had no choice. Together, they wove through the labyrinth, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. The guards pursued them, footsteps growing louder, a suffocating presence creeping ever closer. Amriel's mind raced, her hazel eyes darting around, desperate for an escape route.
They rounded another corner and, by sheer luck, stumbled upon a small alcove tucked away at an awkward angle near the alley’s end. It was a hidden oasis amidst the chaos. Amriel tugged Maeve toward it, their feet carrying them as fast as they could go. They ducked into the alcove, pressing their backs against the cold stone walls.
With the guards weighed down by their heavy armor, the distance between them widened, granting the women a fleeting chance to hide and catch their breath. As they pressed against the cool stone, their chests heaving with exertion, Amriel hoped the shadows would conceal them from the guards.
Above, a bolt of lightning sliced across the sky, followed almost immediately by a deep rumble of thunder. The heavens opened up, unleashing a torrential downpour that soaked them to the bone. The streets grew, but they were safe for the moment, hidden in the alcove's shelter.
The dark-cloaked figures of the guards rushed past, their footsteps fading into the distance. Amriel exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, relief flooding through her like a warm tide.
“Did we lose them?” Maeve gasped softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Amriel nodded, her bright eyes reflecting a mixture of relief and lingering fear. "I think so."
They knew they couldn’t linger in the alcove for long. The guards would undoubtedly backtrack once they realized the women were no longer ahead of them. They might have escaped the immediate danger, but the threat of the Master Keeper and his followers still loomed large. They needed a plan—one that would protect not just themselves, but also those they loved. Simon and the girls must not be dragged into this chaos.