Page 68 of Cursed By Gold

Digging deep, we forge ahead into the bitter night, leaving my ephemeral sanctuary of recovery behind for good. I can scarcelydraw breath around the fire in my abdomen, and warm blood seeps through my bandages. But Tabitha's life depends on us getting her to safety. I won't let her down.

Satisfaction surges hotly, but I sway, drained. Rose grabs my arm to steady me. "We need to move. Now!"

Rose notices my faltering pace, the sheen of sweat on my brow. "Scarlet?" Worry cracks her usual gruff tone.

I shake my head doggedly. "I'll make it." I have to. For Tabitha's sake, and for everyone relying on us finishing this. One foot in front of the other, just a bit farther...

Voices echo from the tunnels behind us, guttural and full of violence. Torch beams bounce off damp walls, casting our pursuers' monstrous shadows. My pulse roars in my ears. I can’t fight with my daggers again and I need Rose to carry the majority of the force of Tabitha. My body is becoming too weak.

Just ahead, a tall and skinny dark shadow catches my eye. Halisar's carved staff leans innocuously against the tunnel wall as if waiting for me. I'm stunned. I hadn't seen the staff since the arena trials, assuming it was locked away in my room by someone. Why has it appeared to me now? How did it get here?

I hesitate only a moment before grabbing the staff. Its polished wood feels familiar under my palm. As much as I want to deny it, I know my body wasn't ready for a mission of this magnitude. The staff's support may make the difference between life and death at this point.

The ancient runes flare to life at my touch, crackling with divine power. Halisar's might flows through me, bolstering my flagging strength. But I clench my jaw, resisting the god's tempting offer to take control. The magic isn't mine...using it could expose everything. But if it allows us to survive this night, it will be worth the sacrifice. I tighten my grip on the staff as we plunge deeper into the darkness.

Rounding a corner, we skid to a halt. Two figures stand haloed in flickering torchlight, features obscured. I sag in dismay - a dead end. How did we follow her map wrong? Fairy Godmother never gets it wrong.

“Go!” I forcefully whisper to Rose. “I’m only going to slow you down at this point. Take her and the map and get out. I will meet up with you later.”

Rose only pauses for a moment before she offers a silent nod, shifts Tabitha’s weight on her back and turns around to find a way out.

I inch my way back so I can’t be seen and lean on the wall and Halisar’s staff for support. As I peek around the corner, the shadowed figure lifts one hand.

"Captain Karrack," Remme bites out, voice glacial. "Did I not instruct you earlier to cease your excessive methods with the prisoner?"

Karrack’s voice cracks. "But sire...the girl refused to talk. I took action to get result.”

King Remme's eyes flash with cold fury. "You disobeyed a direct command. And now you dare hinder those I charged with retrieving the prisoner by force?" He turns his frigid stare on each guard in turn. "You have disappointed me greatly and I can’t have anyone thinking their power is above mine. I am king."

Suddenly, Karrack begins screaming, limbs contorting unnaturally as his skin ripples. Before our eyes, his entire body transforms into solid gold, face frozen in a gruesome rictus.

Terror unlike anything I've experienced crashes over me, obliterating thought. The remaining guards' frenzied screams seem to reach me from underwater. This can't be real, it isn't possible...

I have to get out of here. Now!

Stumbling blindly through the tunnels, I clutching Halisar's staff in white-knuckled hands. Sobs choke my throat but I scarcely notice the tears streaking my face. My mind is still trapped in that horrific moment, playing over and over - the king's pitiless eyes, the guard's twisted screams as his body warped into gold… how is that even possible?

I had foolishly begun to hope that the king could be my escape from the gilded cage of my family, the iron shackles of my impending marriage. Our moonlit talks and longing looks wove a fantasy of freedom and affection that pierced my guarded heart.

But now that fragile dream lies shattered. I know the truth - his gentle words hide a monster. He is not a man at all if he can do that to someone.

And I...I am destined to be condemned to a loveless union, my hopes turning to ash. The bitter taste of despair fills my mouth as the last flickering light of hope gutters out inside me.

He is lost to me.

At last I reach the secret entrance we had entered at and collapse, spent. My body shakes with bone-deep sobs but no more tears will come. A heavy numbness 0settles over me, exhaustion and heartbreak dragging me down like stones.

Soft footsteps approach and I flinch before a gentle hand grasps my shoulder - Rose.

"Scarlet! Look at me, dammit. We can't stop now. We have to get Tabitha out of here before we are all caught and sent there."

I blink hard, clinging to Rose's voice through the haze threatening to swallow me. "H-how..." I choke out hoarsely. "His body, he just..."

I just shake my head mutely, blinking through the images burning behind my eyes - the king's merciless gaze, the guard's agonized screams as his body warped to gold... But I cannot tell Rose of the impossibilities I witnessed.

Rose searches my face, then her expression hardens with resolve. "Nevermind, there's no time. We need to get you both back to the others now."

She pulls my arm across her sturdy shoulders, bearing most of my weight and Tabitha's as we hurry through the winding streets. My head spins and my injuries blaze, but I force my feet to keep moving. We have to get Tabitha to safety. I cannot let the guild down now.

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