Page 37 of Charmed

Eleven

The sky opened up and it started to pour just as Stone and Persimmon neared Kasculbough Castle. They could see the merlons of the strong castle walls connected by the turrets up ahead in the distance. It wouldn’t be long now before they were crossing the moat.

“Stone, wait.” Persimmon took him by the arm. “I think I saw that bush move up ahead. Someone might be hiding in it, waiting to ambush us.” She didn’t want to have gotten this far and then be captured again just outside the castle.

“I’ve been tracking Sethor and his men,” Stone told her. “By the prints I found, and the broken twigs and branches, I believe they already returned to Macada Castle because of the approaching storm. We should be safe.”

“Then why is that bush moving?” She pointed, and huddled up next to him.

He chuckled. “Fang, is that you?” His dog shot out from behind a bush. A rabbit darted past him when Fang emerged. The dog barked happily. “Come here, boy. I’m back, and happy to see you.” Stone got down on his knees and the dog sped over, jumping up on him and licking his face.

“My, someone is happy to see you,” commented Persimmon.

“Fang and I have been through a lot together. He is a loyal companion, just like Aithrod.”

“There they are!” Darium rode over atop his horse, being followed by his brothers. His raven flew by above their heads, landing in a nearby tree. “We were just coming to look for you.”

“Didn’t my father tell you that we escaped King Sethor’s prison?” asked Persimmon.

“He did. But he also told us that since you weren’t back yet you were probably captured again,” Zann answered. “I decided we needed to set out to find you.”

“Who decided?” asked Rhys, giving his brother a dirty look.

“All right, so it was Lira and the women who urged us to come after you,” admitted Zann. “But what does it matter? Here we are.”

“Right,” said Darium. “We didn’t come sooner because I knew Stone would get you two out of there, so I wanted to wait and give you a chance.”

“Good job, Stone.” Rhys nodded. “You seem to be worth your salt.”

“Thank you for your admiration, but I must admit that it wasn’t me who got us here,” Stone told him. “It was thanks to Persimmon’s powers that we are alive right now.” He smiled at her and winked, making her heart flutter.

“Impressive,” muttered Zann.

“Well, let’s get you both back to the castle by a warm fire and into something dry,” suggested Rhys.

“What happened to King Sethor and his men?” Stone still scanned the area, never resting for a minute, always on alert.

“We’ll fill you in later. Come,” said Zann, just as a loud crash of thunder rattled the air, making Persimmon jump. “We’re not far from the castle. Give me your hand, Persimmon. I’ll give you a lift.” He reached down for her.

Persimmon rode atop Zann’s horse with him while Stone rode with Rhys. Fang followed close behind. They were greeted excitedly by the women as soon as they returned. After a good meal and having changed into dry clothes, the Blackseed brothers and their wives, as well as Stone, Persimmon, and Stone’s friend, Aithrod, all gathered around the fire to discuss the happenings of the day.

“How are the old couple?” asked Persimmon. “I feel horrible that we weren’t able to bring back their son with us.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Lithum are still in critical condition.” Talia handed Persimmon a goblet of wine. “Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll find their son soon.”

“Even if we do, I’m not certain he’ll come to see his parents.” Stone lifted a tankard. “I mean, if he’s one of King Sethor’s soldiers, he’s most likely not going to be allowed to come here.”

“Nay, I don’t suppose so. Not after what happened today,” agreed Darium, throwing a few crumbs to his raven. The bird hopped around atop the trestle table looking for more to eat. “We never should have gone inside the walls of Macada Castle. It was a mistake. I should have known better. Things aren’t the way they used to be since the death of two of Mura’s kings. I need to remember that.”

“Plus, you’re not a Sin Eater anymore,” said his wife. “Even if you were, King Sethor knows about all our magic, so it is understandable why you weren’t welcome within his walls.”

“King Drustan Grinwald of Evandorm and King Rand Osric of Kasculbough died and were replaced by Zann and Rhys,” Medea explained to Persimmon.

“I see,” she answered. “And it was a good thing, too. Were they just as evil as King Sethor?”

“You have no idea,” answered Medea.

“I agree it was a big mistake to go to Macada Castle. Big.” Elric appeared from nowhere as usual, climbing atop a bench. “Your stupid actions are now going to cause a war between Sethor and the rest of Mura. What were you fools thinking? The gods and goddesses of Mura are not happy about this at all.”