223 Worn out and Scrawny

AUTHOR'S POV

"Let me guess… the princess went ballistic?", Jac asked.

"That's when she offered me some money", Atrius said.

"So how much money did you get?", Jac inquisitively asked.

"I don't know", Atrius shrugged his shoulders.

"What do you mean you didn't know?", Jac creased his brows in wonder.

"He didn't take it. You didn't take the money", Umbriel figured. Atrius smiled and looked out beyond the metal bars. He thought, his dignity couldn't be bought so he decided to leave without taking any penny from Eirah. Hence, he treasured everything King Desmun provided him. After all, his longing and love for his father never disappeared.

"When we get out of here, I'll take the crown and I'll give you two the highest position in Vierme", Atrius promised as he look at the two. Jac chortled at the generous offer Atrius just made, thinking that such thing shouldn't slip his mind when the time come.

However, Umbriel gave him an awkward smile. "If I die here, I would happily accept my fate.", he said calmly. "I shall depart this life with the principles that I have lived, and my loyalty shall remain to the woman whom I owe my life to. I will never regret the day I chose to offer my servitude to Princess Helena", it almost sounded like parting words that made Jac cringe.

"Quit talking about death. You're starting to scare me", Jac swallowed a lump as he give the young priest an eye. In their current circumstance, he knew that their lives in no longer in their hands. And to hear the truth, crumples his tiny hope to make it out alive. 

"In this journey, I have learned that death has no meaning, if life has no worth. It has been a great honor to share these best moments with you", Umbriel placidly said with his interlaced fingers on his lap. 

"We will get out, Umbriel. Helena is coming back for us", Atrius put his faith on Helena with a deepest sigh, and images of her running in his head. Suddenly, they heard something uncommon amongst the clamors of the guards, gossips of the other prisoners, and the constant water dripping from the hard rock ceiling. As they listen closely, a soft whirring sound complete attracted notice. 

Past the metal bars right by the dark side of the hallway, a small round-like storm whirling on the wall caught their attention. They stood and held the cold grates, squinting their eyes with mouths open. "What's that?", Jac asked as he observe for the guards if they see what just appeared in the den. 

"I think… I think it's a portal", Umbriel couldn't believe his eyes, for he have only read about magical doors in the books. 

"Back away", Atrius let go of the bars as step back. In Vierme, portals are gateways for evil. "Hey you paladin, use your magic if someone comes out of that thing", he said without removing his gaze on the portal. 

"Do you think I can use my magic?", Jac hissed. He have tried to use his magic ever since they were tossed in this prison. However, not a single light kindled in his fingers thinking that the prison itself is spellbound blocking his magic. "If I can use my damn paladin tricks, we would have been gone from here the next day we were imprisoned".

Umbriel tilted his head to the side as he hear a soft splashing sound from the portal. In a moment, someone jumped out startling the three. "Hey boys", Freya greeted. Their rescue have finally arrived. 

"Freya!", Jac exclaimed with eyes wide open. "Where's squirrel? Is she with you?", he stared back in the portal waiting for another person to come out.

"Please get us out of here . . ", Umbriel plead as he look out for the guards. He then looked pleased at how well the Wiccan appear to be. 

"Shhh.. keep it low.", Freya hushed the three men fired up with so much enthusiasm just seeing her. She kept herself in the shadows, unseen by the royal knights drinking liquor at the end of the filthy hall. "You all look awful", Freya chuckled lowly with tearful eyes. Seeing them in such a very poor state made her heart sink. Helena would be tremendously heartbroken if she sees her friends this way. Worn out and scrawny.

"Uhh Freya you placed your portal in the wrong side of the room", Atrius uttered softly.

"I know.", Freya frustratingly held the metal bars as she look around. It did took her a while to finally reach this part of the palace, besides, the portal spell isn't a very easy trick. Finally, after several attempts, she was able to open her portal in the den. However, looking at the prison where the three are confined, it seemed that a stronger containment keeps them inside. "Just what I thought, you are contained in a prison with spells", noticing the markings on the ceiling. 

"So how can you let us out?", Atrius anxiously asked.

Freya thought hard, and eventually spilled something that's hard to say. She need a stronger force of magic to open the gate. "I'll come back, and the next time that I would... I will surely let you all out", she claimed positively. "Stay well, and stay alive". 

"We can't promise that, but we will", Jac sadly said, tightening his grip on thebars. Another day in the prison is another possibility ending up dead. 

"Freya, how's Helena?", Atrius said in a serious tone, looking forward on Freya's answer. He held his breath hoping she chose to stay in Nether. 

"She's fine. Helena's waiting for you all in the other side of the portal", Freya said that instantly gifted them solace. She couldn't bring up their arduous life of hiding in the darkness. As for Atrius, he found a stronger purpose to find his way out. "I'll be back", Freya slipped in a small dagger which Jac quickly grabbed and pocketed in his trousers. Casted down, they watched Freya enter the portal, until it vanished into thin air. Umbriel and Jac slumped on the ground with a smile on their faces. Finally, they found a little light in the darkness. Atrius remained standing, leaning his forehead on the cold metal bar. "Helena", he whispered, as he close his eyes drifting his mind by her side. 

"YAA! WHERE'S THE PRIEST?!", a royal guard suddenly called that shook the entire hall of the prison lair. All the captives moved back in the gloomy depths of their jail room as the heavy clomps of metal hit the floor. "You! Come out now", he ordered, pointing a finger at Umbriel.