Act. 24

"What do you mean they just disappeared?" asked Linda in that tone of voice that said,

"I’d better like the answer, or else."

The two guards who had been patrolling the back of the castle grounds and had seen everything, looked at each other hoping his partner would take on the task of explaining what had happened.

"Just that Champion." said the larger of the two, "They were returning from the shores of the lake when they were suddenly engulfed by large black cloud. And they and the cloud vanished."

Linda remember that this one’s name was Barker. He had come from the farmlands because there had not been enough work for him.

Linda could tell that he was being honest.

Having grown up on the streets, she had learnt quickly to tell who was trying to swindle her and who was genuinely trying to help.

Even the volunteers who worked the street, saying that they wanted to help get you out, weren’t always the sweet martyrs they like to make themselves out to be.

Once she had almost been raped by one of the male volunteers, but had noticed his odd behaviour in time to summon some friends for help.

"But he was a good business man." they had said, "A pillar in his community."

"Right." Linda had thought. "That makes him perfect and me a common whore."

She had hated their inability to see beyond the exterior.

Now here in her new home, those honed skills came in handy.

Barker wasn’t hiding anything, he was as confused and as frightened as his partner.

Linda sighed.

"Ok." she said, "You can go."

The two left the room as quickly as they could and still keep their dignity.

"So what are your thoughts on what happened Gregore?" asked Linda.

Gregore stirred from the corner where he had been watching the proceedings.

Gregore was a half mage.

He had been court mage for the Queen’s father and the beginning of the Queen’s reign. But he was getting on in years, and so when Mikako had arrived on the doorstep he was more than happy to step down for a more powerful and younger mage.

That was not to say that he still didn’t help out around the place. There was always something to occupy his time.

Besides the place wouldn’t be the same without his presence.

Linda was glad he was here.

He was the one who had found her, and brought her to this world.

Without him she would probably be dead or dying in an alleyway somewhere.

"I would say they were transported somewhere." he said, "But I have never heard of a transport spell that used black clouds."

"That could be just a front, to confuse the issue." said Linda.

Gregore nodded.

"Could be."

"If it is a transport spell, do you think you may be able to trace it and send me..."

"Us."

Linda turned to the doorway.

There was Margaret.

"What are you doing here?"

"I was nearby, routing out a nest of harpys when this showed up."

She pointed to her shoulder to a pigeon which sat patiently.

Gregore whistled and the pigeon flew to him, resting on his shoulder.

"I figured you may need some help and I knew the Lady Knight was nearby. So I sent Herbert here with a note." he said.

Linda smiled, walked over to Margaret and hugged her.

"I am glad you are here."

"I was getting board anyway."

A small smile crossed the knights face.

Linda laughed out loud.

She turned to Gregore.

"Then I would like to rephrase my earlier question." she said, "If it is a transport spell, do you think you may be able to trace it and send the two of us through to wherever it goes?"

"If not exactly where they are, assuming they don’t move, at least somewhere nearby." he said, "All this is assuming that I can even trace it."

"It’s all we have to go on right now." said Linda.

"Then let’s get moving." said Margaret.

Together, the three of them left the room, heading to the castle grounds.

Meanwhile...

"What happened and where are we?" asked the Queen.

Her grip on Mikako’s arm tightened a little more.

"That is a question I am unable to answer." said Mikako looking around.

They found themselves in what looked to be caverns underground.

The walls were definitely rock and they could hear water in the distance.

Mikako had a strong feeling that she had been here before. There was an odd sense of familiarity.

If she didn’t know any better she could almost say it felt like home.

At that thought, a shiver passed over her.

"What’s wrong?" asked the Queen, sensing the shiver.

"Nothing." said Mikako, "Just a cold breeze."

"I didn’t feel anything."

"Yes. But my Queen is dressed a little more warmly then I am."

The Queen blushed, remembering that because of her ritual Mikako only had a thin shift covering her and not much else.

"Sorry."

"It is alright, my Queen."

"So what should we do now?" asked the Queen.

"I think it imprudent to just stand here hoping someone rescues us." said Mikako, "It is more likely that if we stay here and do nothing, danger will arrive before help does."

"Then lead on my mage."

"Yes, my Queen."

The mage began to walk but stopped.

A feeling came over her, as if someone or something was calling to her.

She turned in the direction it was coming from.

"What?" asked the Queen, tightening her grip even more.

"I am unsure." answered Mikako. "I feel something, but I cannot tell if it is something that means us well, or ill."

"So what do you want to do. Choose and I will follow."

Mikako turned to her.

"You trust me that much?"

"You are my mage." said the Queen as if that was enough, "Some fear you because of your power. All full mages are feared, but I can see what they cannot."

"What is that?"

"That you are a good person. That I just know deep down that you would never harm me deliberately. I feel the same way about my Champion."

She giggled.

"What is funny?" asked Mikako.

"It’s funny that the two people I trust the most are the two that I was told to be wary of by my court."

"Does your court still feel that way now?"

"Most have come around to my way of thinking, but some are still wary. But that is not important now. Now you must decide a course for us to take."

Mikako pondered what to do and finally said.

"Since I have no way of knowing where to go, We may as well try the direction I feel we should be going."

"Then let us go." said the Queen.

"Yes, my Queen."

And the two began to walk.