After they were gone, Claudia turned to Dmitri, “Tell me you felt that?” she asked.

“What felt like the wrath of doom hovering in here with Draycott? Did you notice that the angrier he got the harder it was for him to control it?” Dmitri mused.

“Do you think,” started Claudia, and then dropped her voice to a whisper, “Do you think he is Akahaziel? I mean, you told me about his reaction when you first met him.”

“I’m not sure,” replied Dmitri, “He could be. What do you know of him? His history and where he came from.”

“Well he arrived when I was training with the druids, so I missed his arrival,” she began, “As it is, my village and the town around this castle aren’t the best of friends, so even anything I heard wouldn’t be first hand information. Everything seemed stable enough though when I returned, but then it would not surprise me if it was fear that was keeping everything in line. I wasn’t back long before I was first taken, so all I have seen of him has been unpleasant,” she finished but then added “We should ask Wayte.”

“Good thinking. But did you see him just now?” asked Dmitri, “He wasn’t there. I’m guessing that Draycott had control over him.”

“But he had control of all three of the guards that he brought in with him,” countered Claudia.

“When I was brought in,” started Dmitri, “When I was to be arrested with Judith, there were about 5 or 6 guards. They all showed varying signs of control. But now that I think about it, Wayte did berate Birkett while I was there. Not to mention letting Judith go free.”

“I don’t understand,” Claudia replied, “So was Wayte being controlled then?” she asked.

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“No,” a voice said from behind them, “I don’t believe I was.” Wayte was in the open doorway, “You may have noticed that Birkett displays barely restrained madness. From what I can figure, the more anger and hate that is in you, the more likely it is that you will be able to be controlled. Birkett, being a naturally mean and spite filled little man, is rich for the pickings.”

“Am I just?” asked a voice from behind Wayte. “I’m glad you feel that way Brother.” Birkett circled around Wayte. “You were sent down here to collect them. You were not sent to badmouth your fellow guards. You know, I don’t know what my fool sister sees in you. But then women are weak willed creatures so there is no telling what you said to the silly woman.” He looked towards Claudia and quickly raised his arm as if to strike.

Claudia immediately flinched and shied away and Dmitri moved forward to intercept, but Birkett just laughed. “You two are just too easy; come on Arcaedus has your new quarters arranged,” he ordered and walked out the door. Dmitri followed after him, leading Claudia by the hand. Wayte followed behind them, his face a mask of anger directed at Birkett.

They ascended through the keep, leaving behind the dark and dank dungeons. They continued up through the lower levels and Birkett led them through an open courtyard. The sun that shone down upon them was faint and obscured by clouds, but Claudia revelled in the feeling of sunlight upon her face.

Dmitri, having been free for longer and not yet suffering like Claudia had been, didn’t focus on the sun, but the fresh scent of the air. Where the dungeon was filled with the stench of waste and countless things decaying; the air in the courtyard was a fresh breeze, it brought with it the smells of the village, feed for the horses, the smell of food cooking and much more. Dmitri relished it all, even the tangy smell of manure. It was too soon that they reached the other side of the courtyard and re-entered the keep. The walls once again felt as though they were closing in around Claudia and Dmitri. Claudia sighed in dejection at once again being denied much time outside. Birkett, having been watching her the entire time outside wore a malicious grin, clearly showing that he’d chosen the path that would affect his prisoners the most. The corridor he then led them towards was located far away from the centre of the keep and up a flight of stairs. He opened the massive reinforced door and gestured for them to enter.