Chapter Twelve

“Pidifer, are you sure this is going to work?” asked Ryder.

“Of course!” he replied.

Ryder and the other creatures snuck through the damp grass and approached the wall. The air, thick and warm, caused beads of perspiration to form on everyone’s brows.

Pidifer put one hand on the wall and then patted the ground in several spots with the other. “Okay, it should be right around here.”

“It’s so dark out here. How are you going to find anything?” whispered Albie.

Ignoring his comrade’s questions, Pidifer kept patting the ground, looking for something. “Yup! Here it is. I found it!”

Ryder squinted and tried to make out what Pidifer had found.

Pidifer motioned for everyone to come closer. “Ready? The quicker we get out of sight, the better!”

They all nodded in agreement.

The orvba carefully turned a mechanism that was cleverly disguised as a protruding stone near the base of the wall. At the same time, he pulled an unseen lever up that was hiding in the damp grass. A soft clicking could be heard and a small, dimly lit space in the ground suddenly became visible.

Patting the stout creature on the back, Ryder whispered, “Wow! That’s impressive, Pidifer! Nice work!”

Pidifer beamed with pride. “Orvbas are very resourceful creatures. I know lots of secret entrances all around Necoh. Now come on, let’s get down in the tunnel before someone sees us.”

Ryder volunteered to climb down the tunnel first. Crouching down near the opening, he swung one leg inside, then the other. Clutching the soft ground, his dangling feet lightly brushed the ground. He looked over his shoulder and saw a flaming torch hanging securely on the wall.

“You can drop down, it’s not far,” urged Pidifer.

Letting go, he fell for a brief second. Then, his feet were safely on the floor of the tunnel. Inspecting his surroundings, he waited for his eyes to adjust to the torch lit room. The musty smell of the earth and the cool air reminded him of his own home in the caves. Ryder closed his eyes and thought about the last time he was home. The last time I was home, I held Brooklyn in my arms all night.

Interrupting his thoughts, he heard Cridifer say in a hushed voice, “Give us a hand, Ryder, the drop is a bit far!”

Ryder reached up and firmly grasped each creature around the waist as they dropped into the tunnel. Once they were all safely inside, Pidifer pulled a lever attached to the wall with the torch and the opening closed.

All of the creatures except Ryder were able to stand comfortably in the tunnel. Forced to crouch, he looked at Pidifer and said, “Okay, what’s our plan? Where will this tunnel take us?”

Pidifer replied, “It will take us to an alley about a stone’s throw from the castle gates.”

“Lant, where is the secret entrance to the castle?” asked Ryder.

“Well, I would have to get my bearings above ground first, but it’s on the east side of the castle, near the kitchen. Let’s get above ground first, then we’ll see if we can make it to there tonight,” said Lant.

Cridifer grabbed several torches from the floor and he carefully lit each one. After he passed out the torches to his comrades, they started down the tunnel.

They veered to the right, then the left, and stopped in front of three different openings.

“This way,” instructed Pidifer as he ventured down the passageway furthest to the left.

After what seemed like an eternity in the cramped tunnels, they came to an opening. A rope ladder hung from the covered opening.

Ryder reached for the ladder. “Pidifer, can you open the hatch so I can see if it’s safe for us to go up?”

Pidifer nodded and pulled the lever.

The rope ladder felt rough on his hands. Pulling himself up one rung at a time, he reached the opening and carefully popped his head out to look around.

“See anything?” asked Kroy from below.

Ryder scanned the surface for movement. He saw wooden crates stacked with rotten vegetables and garbage was strewn across the alley. Ducking back beneath the surface, he climbed down the rope ladder.

“It’s clear above, but what are we going to do once we get up there?” asked Ryder. “Lant, can we go look for the entrance?”

“Sure. It’s probably safest to do so at night,” said Lant.

“Okay, let’s go then,” said Ryder.

As each of them emerged from the tunnel, they quickly hid amongst the crates and the garbage. Lant motioned for everyone to follow him as he snuck along the sides of the wood and stone buildings that lined the alley. Keeping a low profile, the group hustled until they saw a crowd of people hanging out in front of a pub.

“I’m hungry,” complained Pidifer.

As they neared the pub, Albie said, “Ah, The Barrels. I used to come here when I worked in the castle.”

“Maybe we should go in for a quick pint?” suggested Kroy.

“Seriously, guys? We’re trying to save Brooklyn and your family from the dungeons!” exclaimed Ryder. “Come on, let’s go!”

Pushing past the various Necohians standing in the alleyway, Ryder overheard something that made him stop in his tracks.

Two grungy men wearing dirty rags spoke loudly. The taller of the two said, “Have you seen all of the extra guards around the castle? I heard it’s because the ball is the day after next and the King is marrying Princess Sophie to Prince Algid from Dratun.”

The shorter man put his hand on his friend’s shoulder and said, “Yes, the guards are everywhere! They’re throwing people into the dungeons for minimal offenses. I guess they want the troublemakers off the street. Good thing they haven’t found us yet!” The man laughed heartily and then paused. “Wait, did you say Dratun? As in, the Frozen Lands? Ah, poor Princess Sophie.”

The first man continued. “Yes, what a shame. The Princess just got home and her father is ready to send her away, never to be seen by her people again. I heard Grishma is behind the marriage arrangement.”

“Of course Grishma is! Grishma controls whatever the King does!” said the second man.

Panic spread throughout Ryder’s body and his heart instantly began to race. Oh shit! Turning around to face the others, he said, “Um, I think Kroy is right. Maybe we should go in and get a quick pint.”

Albie looked confused but Kroy nodded his head in agreement.

Ryder pushed through the heavy wooden doors and entered the pub. The smell of stale beer mixed with the rank body odor of the pub’s patrons.

Everyone crowded into a well-worn wooden booth. Looking around to make sure they didn’t draw anyone’s attention, Ryder noticed the regulars were chin deep in their large cups of drink and no one was looking their way.

Speaking in a hushed tone, Ryder said, “Outside, I heard two men talking and one of them said the King was throwing a ball for Princess Sophie the day after next. Grishma has convinced the King to marry her off to Prince Algid from Dratun.”

Albie shook his head. “Prince of the Frozen Lands? That’s very bad news.”

“What the hell are we going to do, guys? We need a new plan,” said Ryder.

“Why can’t we sneak into the castle and get her before the ball?” asked Albie.

Ryder responded, “He said that there are guards everywhere and they’re throwing people into the dungeons for just about anything.”

Lant nodded in agreement. “That is a problem. Hmm… What to do, what to do…”

“I’ve got an idea,” said Pidifer. “Why don’t we attend the ball?”

Albie, Kroy and Lant burst into laughter. In between chuckles, Lant said, “Yeah, that’s a reeeeal good idea!”

Cridifer, sticking up for his brother, said, “Why not? It’s not like we have any other ideas on how to save Brooklyn, or anyone else, for that matter.”

With the thought of their family members, many of whom were trapped in the dungeons, the others stopped laughing.

“How do you propose we get in to the ball?” asked Kroy.

Deep in thought, Pidifer twisted his lips and looked toward the ceiling. “Well, I may know someone who could get Ryder an invitation. As for us, we could sneak in with the food.”

Albie groaned. “You’re always thinking about food!”

“Well, this time, it may just work. See, I know people in the castle, too. One is a cook named Jest and he happens to be right over there,” said Pidifer, pointing a stubby finger to a burly man sitting on a stool at the bar. “He owes me a favor and I’m sure if I asked, he would sneak us in with the vegetables the day of the ball.”

Ryder smiled and patted the small creature on the back. “Pidifer! You are amazing. Are you sure Jest will help us?”

Pidifer smiled and nodded. “He better! He owes me big time.” That said, he got up and ventured toward Jest at the bar.

The group watched the interaction between the small creature and the large man as inconspicuously as possible. Without Jest, they were back at square one. They all let out a big sigh of relief when he and Jest shook hands.

Smiling, Pidifer walked back to the table looking extremely pleased. Once he reached the booth, he sat down and said, “And that’s how it’s done!”

“He agreed to help us?” asked Ryder.

“Yup! We just need to meet him by his house at sunrise the morning of the ball. He’ll take care of the rest,” said Pidifer.

Looking at Pidifer, Ryder asked, “You said you know someone who may be able to get me an invitation to the ball?”

Before answering, Pidifer flagged down the bar lady. “Yes, my lady, we would all like a pint of your house ale.” He reached in his pocket and produced a drawstring pouch. Opening it, he withdrew four silver coins and placed them in the lady’s hand.

“Thanks!” said Ryder.

“Yeah, thanks!” echoed the others.

Pidifer smiled broadly. “Cridifer and I have a family friend, her name is Gwendolyn. She is extremely wealthy and has royal connections.”

Cridifer chimed in, “Yeah, I think she’s the King’s brother’s third cousin’s aunt, or something like that.”

Before they could plan any further, the lady returned with drinks in both hands. “Here you go,” she said as she placed a large pint of ale in front of everyone. Then, she winked at Pidifer and set a large basket of fresh baked bread in the center of the table.

Everyone grabbed a warm piece and enjoyed a long sip of their ale.

“It always pays to tip,” said Pidifer, happily munching away on his bread.

“So you were telling us about Gwendolyn,” said Ryder.

“Oh yeah, Gwendolyn, she’s a real gem. We go back, I’m talking way back. Anyway, I’m sure she’ll be invited to the ball. I’m hoping we can convince her to bring Ryder as her date,” said Pidifer.

“Man, Pidifer,” said Ryder, clapping the orvba on the back, “if I haven’t already said it, I’m so glad you found us!”

His comrades nodded.

“To Pidifer!” they said as they raised their glasses and clinked them against one another.

Ryder found himself grinning, and for the first time in days, he felt truly hopeful.

Cridifer set down his drink. “Why don’t we finish our drinks and the bread? Then we can go visit Gwendolyn and see if she’ll let us stay with her tonight.”

The crew went about finishing their food and drink.

Once everyone was finished, they departed The Barrels and headed down the dark alley. Cridifer led the group, while Pidifer stayed at the end of the line. The alleyway was full of wandering eyes and shady characters. One could never be too careful.

After turning left, right, going up a hill, and then down one last alleyway, they turned onto a wider cobblestone street lined with large homes.

Cridifer walked up to the third house on the right. The wooden home was painted white with black shutters and a bright red door. Motioning for his comrades to join him, he knocked three times, paused, knocked twice more, and then waited patiently for someone to answer.

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