Page 32 of Whispers of the Starlit Sea
“Then why aren’t we going that way?”
“We’re going to the other section.”
Thomas stopped. “There’s only one dungeon in this castle. And it’s empty. There’s no ‘guests.’”
“Your Highness is correct,” the guard said, his expression blank, yet he made no move to return to the hall Thomas had mentioned.
Arick tossed his hands in the air with a sigh. “Captain, I appreciate the king did not expressly order you to tell us everything, but you might as well explain some of it and stop being so cryptic.”
The soldier blinked, his gaze flicking from Arick to Thomas.
Thomas crossed his arms, his chin raised. “I’m not going anywhere until you tell us.”
“If my prince so commands.”
“I do.”
Captain Hughan relented, his shoulders softening ever so slightly. “The lower level of the castle was damaged in the storms at the end of last summer, splitting off access to the dungeons. Thankfully, we have little need for using them. With the cold of winter and constant storms, the flooded portion has yet to be repaired.” He paused.
“Which section are we going to?” Arick asked.
“The flooded section, sir.”
“But if it’s flooded, why would we have prisoners there? That’s horrible!” Thomas protested.
“I think it best if I just show you,” Hughan said.
They continued on their way, Hughan politely refusing to answer any more of their questions, insisting they would understand when they arrived. They stopped in the soldiers’ wing as Hughan fetched torches for each of them. Beyond the barracks, they entered a passageway that had been hewn from the cliffs. Arick and Thomas had explored it as children, often using it to escape to the lighthouse, where their tutors wouldn’t follow.
This time, when they reached the curving stone stairs, they went down rather than up. Several years had passed since Arick had last been here, but he couldn’t remember whether the stairs had gone down before. Surely they would have explored it if that had been the case.
The further they descended, the mustier the air smelled, and the steps grew damp under their feet. Arick was soon panting.
Hughan stopped before a heavy oak door. “When you enter, you have to stay quiet. No talking at all, unless you are in danger. Is that clear?”
Arick nodded, as did Thomas, but he couldn’t help wondering what lay beyond the barred door that demanded such a warning.
The captain pounded thrice on the door. It was opened from the inside, and they were immediately buffeted by warm, salty air. Continual thunder sounded in the distance. Arick followed a ledge around to the left, taking in the large cavern. Two guards stood just inside the door, their eyes locked on a large pool of water before them. Captain Hughan motioned for them to step into the stairwell. As they turned, Arick noticed they wore scarves over their mouths. Before he could ask Hughan about it, a giggle from farther along caught his attention.
He turned to see a short, chubby man who bore an uncanny resemblance to a mouse. He giggled again, clapping his tiny hands together. He beckoned them to follow him as he hurried along the ledge. Every few steps, he’d pause to put his finger over his lips, a giggle escaping each time.
Torches were mounted on the walls, their orange glow reflecting off the water so Arick couldn’t tell how deep it was. They rounded a corner, and the floor leveled out as a large cavern opened up. All around were drawings and sketches tacked to the walls. He was too far to discern their subject matter with any accuracy, but he wondered at them. The far end of the cavern narrowed to a tunnel that led to the sea, and now he knew the thunder he’d been hearing was caused by the waves beating against the cliffs. The glow of the late afternoon sun illuminated the columns of stone, casting them in shades of purples and pinks.
“Wha—” Thomas breathed, before Hughan clamped a hand over his mouth.
“Ah, ah,” whispered the mouse-like man, wagging his finger in the air. “They mustn’t hear you!”
Wide-eyed, Thomas nodded, and Hughan released him.
“They?” Arick mouthed, confused.
The man nodded. He grabbed Arick’s arm with a surprisingly strong grip and pulled him to the other side of the level floor. Giggling, he pointed out over the pool of water. Arick leaned forward, wincing at a pain in his chest.
Beneath the water, long pale shapes floated past. Arick stared at one, the features slowly becoming clearer. All at once, the merman broke the surface, his teeth bared as he hissed at Arick.
He stumbled back, his hand going to his aching chest.
Hughan was at his shoulder. “Are you well, my lord?” He spoke directly into Arick’s ear.
