“I still don’t understand what all this has to do with my father. Why would the church kill him?”
“Kept alive by powers of enchantment am I, for I alone the heir can find. These serpents watch and hope to see me slip and cast into their hands the fruit of Novron. An interest upon him did I show. By kindness did I suggest deference toward thy father, and in haste to rid burdened souls of traceable guilt did the church slay thy king. Mores the blood to stain red hands. Never did I expect—but wonder nonetheless at their vicious thirst, so to Arista did I warn of perils and portents dark.”
“And that’s why you wanted me brought here? To explain this to me? To make me understand?”
“Nay! I did send summons but for a path of another course.”
“And what is that?”
The wizard looked up at them, his expression revealing a hint of amusement. “Escape.”
No one said anything. Myron took the moment to sit down on the stone bench behind him and whispered to Hadrian, “You were right. Life outside the abbey is much more exciting than books.”
“You want us to help you to escape?” Royce asked incredulously. He held out his hands and looked around the black stone fortress. “From here?”
“ ’Tis necessary.”
“ ’Tis also impossible. I have gotten out of a number of difficult situations in my time but nothing like this.”
“And thou art aware of little. Measures thou see art but trifles. Walls, guards, and the abyss stand least among the gauntlet. Lo what works of magic ensnare me! Magical locks claim all the doors here as smoke and dream they vanish with passage. The bridge into the bargain, for it hath withered hence. Look and ye will find it so—’tis gone.”
Royce raised an eyebrow skeptically. “Alric, I need your ring.” The prince handed it to the thief, who climbed the steps and disappeared into the tunnel. He returned a few minutes later and gave the ring back to Alric. A slight nod of his head confirmed what Hadrian already suspected.
Hadrian turned his attention back to the wizard and Esrahaddon continued. “More to the misery and serious still art the runes that line these prison walls. Magic defends this offending stone, which neither force of blow nor whit of wizardry shall let slip the portal of this hateful cage. ’Tis what thou hear as twisted euphony, this mournful wailing that plagues the ear. Within this spellbound grasp of symbols no new conjuration may manifest. Moreover, what more to trip hope and plague mind but that time itself lies captive in this hateful grip, suspended thus immobile. ’Tis why the years but wave in passing as they flee, never touching this cave nor inhabitants therein. In joining me, thou hast not aged one wink nor shall thou hunger nor thirst—lest no more than when thou entered. Shocking O this feat, this masterwork of mountainous achievement, built for one soul.”
“Huh?” Alric asked.
“He says that no magic can be performed in here and … and … time does not pass,” Myron explained.
“I don’t believe that,” Alric challenged.
“Put hand to thy breast and search for the meter of thy heart.”
Myron inched his fingers across his chest and let out a tiny squeak.
“And with all these obstacles you expect us to help you escape?” Hadrian said.
The wizard replied with an impish grin.
“Although I’m dying to ask how,” Royce said, “I’m even more compelled to ask why. If they went through this much effort to seal you in here, it seems to me they might have had a good reason. You’ve told us what we came to hear. We’re done. So why would we be foolish enough to try and help you escape?”
“Little choice exists for the choosing.”
“We have a great many choices,” Alric countered bravely. “I’m the king and rule here. It’s you who is powerless.”
“Oh, ’tis not I that bars thy path, O prince. Thou understand rightly, helpless am I—a prisoner of weakness bound. ’Tis our jailors with whom thou need set thy argument. While every note in our words be measured and writ, I pray thee call out for release and greet the silence sure to follow. Shout, and hear the echo run unanswered. Trapped with me by walls or death they seek to claim thee.”
“But if they are listening, they know I’m not the heir,” Alric said, but the courage in his voice had melted away.
“Call out, and see which truth prevails.”
Alric’s concern showed on his face as he looked first to Hadrian and then to Royce. “He may be right,” the thief said quietly.
Concern turned to panic and the prince began to shout commands for their release. There was no response, no sound of the great door opening or of approaching protectors to escort them to the exit. Everyone except the wizard looked worried. Alric wrung his hands, and Myron stood and held on to the rail of the balcony as if letting go would allow the world to spin away from him.