Chess With Agatha (Chapter XXVI) - Iliad

Chess With Agatha…

And The Dark Fortress of Doom

A Novel by DarkJade

CHAPTER XXVI – Iliad

THE KINGDOM OF NORAWYN

IN THE NORTH LANDS

KING ETERR’S CASTLE

A LOWER DUNGEON

In a deep dungeon below King Eterr’s Castle, far below the battles which take place above, Iliad The Fool makes his way down a dark spiraled staircase, lit by just one singular torch about half way down..

As he makes his way down the many steps, he takes the torch off of the side wall, and carries it with him into the darkness below…

Once he reaches the bottom, he feels some moisture from the surrounding rocks.

“You’ve done well Iliad…” a strained, but strong voice comes from down the dark hallway.

Iliad gulps, and then continues.

“Whose there?” he asks into the darkness, holding up his hand which bears the bright yellow ring of protection.

“You are the only one that has constantly tried to remind them of The Curse… Even the Ever Wise Blue Wizard Hemmingbyrd couldn’t seem to retain the fact that it affects you all” the voice continues.

“Cough… Cough” the voice than begins to cough in weakness.

Iliad finally reaches what appears to be a ran down prison cell… He holds up the torch breaking the darkness within the cell, and is shocked to see “King Elias”, bloodied, and weak, hanging from several thick chains.

“Your Highness??” Iliad asks, and Elias is barely able to raise his noble visage, his golden hair, now mucked up with blood and dirt, running down the sides of his face, along his strongly structured jawline.

King Elias smiles slightly, his Brown Golden eyes glimmering just a bit.

“It’s good to see you Iliad… I know not why you weren’t affected by The Curse… But I must say, I am glad” Elias explains.

Iliad sticks the torch in the wall and is about to try and unlock the cage.

“I need to get you out of here My Lord–” he starts to say, but Elias is quick to interrupt.

“NO! DO NOT TOUCH THAT DOOR!” he raises his voice at Iliad, which stops him before he touches it.

“A Trap?” Iliad questions… Elias nods, and then his head drops slightly.

“I will go get help My King, we shall get you out of here…” explains Iliad as he takes the torch back down.

“No Iliad… You are their only chance… Only you can break The Curse, and awaken each of their true selves and powers… Without that, the Shadow Wizards will surely destroy them one by one…” King Elias explains.

Iliad gulps once more…  “Than there are Shadow Wizards.”

“Yes… You were right… You are wiser than you know… And while The Blue Wizard Hemmingbyrd is under the Power of The Curse, he can not summon his “True Magic”… In his current form, he is but a shadow of his True Self” Elias finishes.

“We brought Dragons??” Iliad speaks in desperation.

“I am afraid that will not be enough my friend… Queen Sorceress Olamna will not remain captured much longer, and her powers coupled with the Shadow Wizards, will surely finish you all… Save Agatha” Elias adds.

“Agatha??” Iliad replies “Why not Agatha?”

“There’s no time Iliad…” Elias says, almost passing out from exhaustion.

Iliad is quiet for a moment, then speaks “What must I do?”

DarkJade-

PICTURE CREDIT – Man In The Maze

Prologue

Chapter One – The Protector

Chapter Two – Another Life

Chapter 2.5 - Hemmingbyrd’s Dream

Chapter Three – Check

Chapter Four – Hunting for Unicorns

Chapter Five – The Coming of Agatha

Chapter 5.5  – A Fool’s Heart

Chapter Six – Table Manners

Chapter Seven – Elias

Chapter Eight – West Bound

Chapter Nine – Red And Blue Forest

Chapter X – Yokade Labyrinth

Chapter XI – Vanishing Sky

Chapter XII – The Curse

Chapter XIII – The Minotaur Orft

Chapter XIV – Queen Sorceress Olamna

Chapter XV – The Final Piece

Chapter XVI – Agatha Rising

Chapter XVII – The Dragon Truth

Chapter XVIII – The Grey Dragon Tu Masa

Chapter XIX - The Stand In King

Chapter XX – The Game

Chapter XXI - Infiltrate

Chapter XXII – Into The Belly of The Beast

Chapter XXIII - Blood Games

Chapter XXIV – Stone Cold

Chapter XXV – Behold The Golem

Chapter XXVII – Trials

Chapter XXVIII – Shadow Wizards

Chapter XXIX – Diligence

Chapter XXX – Checkmate

Chapter XXXI - Farewells – The Conclusion

 

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