The Abyss

Part 16

She came toward me, one slow dragging step at a time. Her breaths were sharp, like she was in pain. I sat up pressing myself to the wall, "Celeste are you ok?" She didnt answer me, but she moved down and started to crawl. I could hear her old bones popping as her knees dug into the stone. Her head was leaned down, I could see dried blood that covered parts of her hair. A small cry came from her and I reached out touching her face, lifting her head up to look at her. "They destroyed everything because of you... they destroyed everything," she began to sob. I moved toward her and tried to comfort her, but she pulled away from my every touch. "Tell me what happened Celeste, please.." A look of pain clouded her eye and she started to tell me what went on after we left.

...Weeks before Laila was captured
Celeste's view

It had been a few days since Fendewen had brought that girl here. I was down in my home, headed to take a bath. I heard them coming down the ladder, it creaking under their weight. Mumbles ran through my home, they were breaking things. I wanted desperately to run to see who it was, to yell at them for them to leave. But I heard them coming for me, quickly I tried to hide. Curling myself into a tight ball i hid behind the large crates in the bathroom. They stepped in pulling the curtain around the tub back, but not seeing me. I thought they were leaving, it had became so quiet. Slowly I snuck from the crates, crawling toward the door opening to look out to see if they were still there. A man stepped before me, a wicked smile on his face. The others followed him, laughter erupting. I watched his dark wings open behind him. "I like them older," he said. The tone in his voice made fear course through my body. I tried to get to my feet to move away but he grabbed me, pressing me to the wall. "Now now, wouldnt want to ruin a good snack would you?" he whispered, inches from my face. His black eyes stared into mine. The goblins behind him growled, moving closer to us, but he told them to leave, I was his.

Lailas view
I watched in horror as Celeste told me what he did to her. That he had asked where I was and she told him she didnt know. Tears poured down her face and she shook her head as if trying to rid the memory. "Im so sorry," i said. My voice was so quiet and broken. She looked at me, "they are going to kill us Laila." I felt my heart breaking, I knew they were, I just tried so hard to not think about it. "Dont say that, we will get out of here," i replied. She shook her head and turned away, "you dont understand, they will kill anyone to get to you." We stopped talking as the sounds of footsteps approached. Someone stopped in front of our cell. They were covered in a cloak, the hood over their head. A small laugh came from them then they nodded to the orcs. Stepping in our cell each orc grabbed one of us, throwing us on their shoulders and carrying us away. As I passed the one in the cloak they turned their head watching me, i could feel the chills run down my body.

We were both tied to a pole, facing each other, but a few feet away. My back strained as they lifted my arms higher. The old woman did not speak, only stared down at the floor, her stick-like arms hanging above her head. Desperation covered her face. A sudden pain pressed on my shoulders, nearly breaking me in two. I screamed as my shoulders began to pop then they lowered my arms some, the pain receded. I lifted my head back up to look at Celeste and i could see the hooded figure standing before her. Slowly he reached up pulling his hood back. I could see the long white hair and pointed ears, Celeste began to scream. Her chains jerked and rattled. She pleaded for him to get away from her. He only laughed. Her cries were cut off by a gurgling sound and i couldnt see what was happening. "Leave her alone!" i screamed. The smell of coppery blood filled my nose. I could taste it on my tongue. I started to spit trying to get the taste out of my mouth but it only became stronger. I screamed at him again. His hands came down and i watched the blood drip from his pale fingers onto the stone floor. Carefully he moved to the side letting me see Celeste. Her head was leaned back, blood oozed from her mouth and neck, i could see the gash in her throat. Her small body, hanging limp, dead. He turned to me, removing his cloak and i stared into his lifeless eyes. The man that put me here. "Cade..." His laughter flooded the room, "Laila.. Sweet sweet Laila, your eyes do betray you." I struggled against the chains lunging for him, screaming until I couldnt scream anymore. He smiled, stopping inches from me, "You dont know how long ive waited for this day."

Fendewens view
We went back to town and straight to the tavern. I glanced around for the red headed dwarf. I spotted him sitting at the counter, head leaned back with a mug in his hand. Rocyla and I both sat on a side of him. "Hey" i said to him. Looking at me he smiled, a glassy look in his eyes, "aye" he grunted, "you find her?" he asked. I shook my head no, ''we need you." I told him what was going on and slowly he turned to Rocyla, as he looked at her face he almost fell from his chair. She extended a hand to him and he looked down at it then chugged the rest of his drink. She told him we were running out of time and she would give him whatever he wanted once they got Laila, but we needed him for the underground tunnels. "We need horses," he said. She nodded and said we would be right back. As we stood he muttered, "der kul dekhel.." I looked at Rocyla, amusement filled her face. "What did he say?" I asked her as we exited the door. She laughed, "he called you an evil black elf."

Part 17

Cade reached out and touched my face, his finger tips slid down my cheek next to my cut. A look of pain came over his face, "they weren't supposed to harm you" he said. I turned my head, pulling away from him, "why are you doing this.." i whispered. He pulled away and looked at the ground," ever since i saw you i knew i wanted you," moving closer he grabbed my face with both his hands and turned me back to him, "Laila i want you to marry me. I want you to be mine."

Fendewens view
We tore through the valley on the horses. Their hooves ripping up the dirt and grass, slinging it behind us. "It should be just up ahead," Rocyla yelled to us. We had taken the dwarf from the tavern. He rode on the other side of her, not willing to be near me. The horse was so big compared to his small body, i laughed to myself every time i glanced over at him.

As we came to the beginning of the trees Rocyla jumped off her horse and tied it to a small branch," if the horses need to run they need to be able to get away," she said. We did the same as her then followed her into the woods. "So what are we supposed to call you?" i asked the dwarf. He just shook his head and continued to walk. I looked at Rocyla and she shrugged at me. Ahead of us i could make out the large stone structure. "Entering from the top will be dangerous," she said. The dwarf grunted, "only chance we have." We stepped onto the platform and pushed the lever to go down. A small hum surrounded us and the earth surface began to fade. Time seemed to move slow as we lowered underground. Once we stopped everyone was glancing around "no ones ever near the opening, in fear of what comes down," said the dwarf.
He led us through many tunnels, some dark some well lit. But we never heard anything, only our steps and breathing. "Where is everyone.." i asked. The dwarf stopped and looked at me," working. No one is ever in the tunnel. Now be quiet so i can listen," he snapped. A small noise came from our left, thats the way we went. As we got closer we could hear yelling and doors closing. Rocyla reached down and pulled out her sword, i did the same, "Get ready."

Lailas view
I stared at Cade, confused beyond belief, "you want me to what?" i asked him. He smiled, curling my hair around his finger, "say yes Laila, say you'll marry me" he said. "You tore my wings off," i yelled "no i wont marry you!" Quickly he pulled away, i could tell he was grinding his teeth by the way his jaw was set. "Yes you will," he growled. "You will marry me, you will love me, and you are never going to leave me Laila." I shook my head and frowned at him, "no Cade. Im not."

I sly smile crept to his face and he came near me again. Carefully he touched my cheek and turned me toward him, his lips inches from mine. "Then you will stay here and be my slave forever.."

Part 18

Fendewens view
The orcs came bursting through the doorway, charging toward us. Rocyla and I stopped, waiting for them to come closer. I felt the dwarf budge between us and he started running toward them. I looked at Rocyla, she had crouched down preparing herself, twisting her sword in her hand. The orcs screamed out as the dwarf pulled his hammers from his belt, one in each hand. The one orc that was ahead of the other two swung out, barely missing the dwarfs head. When he swung the dwarf slid to his knees, sliding between the orcs legs. His hammers slammed into the orcs knees, shattering the bone, it ripped through his skin. Blood oozed down his legs as he dropped, trying to catch himself with his hands but failing. We watched the other orcs run past them, then the dwarf ran up the back of the one that had fallen. He yelled out as he lifted his hammers then swung down, bashing in the orcs head.

We ran toward them, Rocyla taking the one on the right. I ran toward the wall, scaling it, my sword facing the ground. The orc swung out toward me, i leapt from one wall to the other then jumped on its back. Screaming in anger it slammed us against the wall trying to crush me. I wrapped my legs around its waist and lifted my sword, shoving the tip of the blade into its back, down between his shoulders until it could go no more. Slowly he fell to his knees and i tore my sword from him and slid down. I placed my foot on his back and kicked him forward, then stepped around him. Looking at Rocyla, she was watching me, her orc was beheaded. Its blood covering the ground around her. I placed my blade at the orcs neck, then raised it. "Where is the girl" i asked him. He turned his head to me, a sickening look in his eyes. Barely lifting his hand he pointed in a direction of a door. I nodded then started to walk away, "kill him," i whispered to them as i walked by.

Passed the door was a set of stairs going deeper into the ground. We pulled a torch from the wall and headed down. The dwarf crept in front of us, signaling us when to stop and where to go. We heard doors opening down the hall, quietly we ran to crouch behind these barrels. Pained screams came from the room, I felt myself tense as Xithyl stepped out with an orc. Rocyla reached over and touched my arm then shook her head no. They started to walk away. "I dont know what hes going to do with her," Xithyl laughed. The orc grunted with him. We watched them until they disappeared into the dark.

I moved away from the barrel and headed for the doors, ripping them open. A long hall was in front of me, the other two followed behind me. We came to another door, as we were going to open it we heard footsteps, there was no where to go. The dwarf got beside the door, pressing himself against the wall, Rocyla and i did the same. When the door opened we were holding our breaths, no one moved. A man with white hair and a dark cloak stepped through, an orc followed him. They walked passed us and headed toward the end of the hall, then opened the door and exited. "Really?" Rocyla laughed. We all took a deep breath then slipped inside the door. A staircase was there and we continued down it. I could smell blood and mold, the sourness filled the air. Cells were on both sides of the hallway, we looked in them all just in case. The dwarf signaled us to stop. A small noise was coming from the room ahead, carefully we went further.

I didnt care what was in the room, i ran when i saw her. The closer i got the slower i became. Her clothes were torn to shreds, i could see the cuts and blood covering her body. Carefully i touched her face, she screamed jerking away. The chains holding her began to rattle. "Laila.." i whispered. I watched her face squint, then she was still. She mumbled against the rag in her mouth. Slowly i pulled the cloth away and reached up sliding the blindfold from her eyes. She looked at me and tears begin to fill her eyes,"im so sorry" she said breathlessly.

The dwarf was at our side, he had a tool snapping the chains from her arms. As they gave way she fell into me, a pained grunt escaping her. "We're going to get you out of here, just hold on" i told her. Rocyla came over and started pulling her armor off, "set her in this chair and turn around," she said. I watched her remove her shirt then i turned. When she was done i looked back at Laila. A large shirt was covering her and her rags were on the ground. I thanked Rocyla then stepped over to Laila to pick her up. My heart sunk. I looked over her to the body on the ground. Her grey hair matted, corpse rotting. "Celeste..no" The doors opened and we heard them coming down the stairs. I turned and waited.

Part 19

My eyes locked on Xithyls and i saw the fear in his face. The man with white hair was there too. "Who are you?" he asked us. I smiled, never taking my eyes from Xithyl, "names Fendewen, who are you?" i could see his head turn from me, following my eyes to Xithyl, "um.. Cade, King of Unseelie faeire court." Xithyl stepped back, almost moving behind the king. I looked at the king and he was looking at Laila then he took a step. "If you so much as think of touching her i will kill you," i said. I moved over in front of her and looked at them. Rocyla and the dwarf stepped over near me, surrounding Laila. The king smiled, "you really have no idea what you are up against do you?" I laughed and pulled my sword from my side, "dont give a damn. It bleeds, it dies."

"Kill them they are taking her," Xithyl said. I looked from the king back to him. Rocyla told him to shut up. "i'll make you deal Cade. Let me fight him," i said. "If he kills me you can have her, but if i kill him you let us go." A smile appeared on the kings face, "interesting." Xithyls head jerked toward him, "what! You cant possibly agree with this fool!" he screamed. Cade looked toward him and stepped away then back at me. "You have my word," he hissed. He went to the table and we watched him sit down. I told Rocyla and the dwarf to move Laila and protect her.

Xithyl stood before me, "no weapons okay?" he yelled out. I nodded then threw my sword and started toward him. We hit the floor with me on top. I grabbed his shirt and lifted him up, pounding my fist into his face until blood started to pour from his nose. He grabbed my arms and flipped us, his fists coming down hard on my sides. I slung my legs up and locked them around his neck and pulled him back then slid out from under him. As i got to my feet i stepped to him and kicked him in his side. He rolled over grabbing his stomach and screaming in pain. "Get up," i growled. Slowly he got to his knees, and i turned kicking him, my heel slamming into jaw. I could hear the sickening pop. He leapt to his feet holding his jaw and ran toward the table. Opening a box i watched him jerk the whip from it. He carefully whirled it on the ground. I remembered Lailas cuts and i felt the anger flare inside me.

He popped it in the air near me, then it hit my shoulder, slightly splitting my leather armor. As he started to do it again i prepared myself. When he swung, i reached out. Grabbing onto the whip, it wrapped around my fingers, the pain was intense. I jerked him toward me and caught onto his shirt as he stumbled. Dropping the whip, i let the hidden blade slide down my wrist and i grabbed the hilt. Looking into his eyes, inches from his face. I shoved the blade as deep as it would go into his stomach. The look of pain came over him, but a smile crept to my face," i lied."

I ripped the blade from him. He fell to his knees, the poison running through him. Watching him i put the knife away then leaned down and picked up the whip. Slowly i slid it over the ground then i lifted it some and popped it in the air. His back was toward me, groans filled the air. I looked at Laila, her eyes met mine then i looked back at him. When the whip hit him once, i couldnt stop. Every cut seeping with blood, every piercing scream escaping him, was for her. I threw the whip to the side realizing he wasnt moving anymore. I stepped away and looked at Cade. He just smiled.

I picked up Laila and we all moved together to leave when he spoke. "Fendewen, you are safe to leave but i will find you," he growled. I stopped walking and looked at him, "i'll be looking forward to killing you Cade."

Part 20

Fendewends view
It had been a few weeks since we saved Laila from Cades dungeon. She had told me what happened and how he wanted to marry her, i refused to let that happen. She told me how she got the scars on her back, i held her while she cried. Over the weeks I had many healers come to look at her. They tried to help, using many remedies. But they could do nothing for the scar on her face or the burns down her stomach. I stepped into the room as the last healer left. Laila set on the edge of the bed stroking Silences fur. His purrs were low. "How you feeling?" i asked her. She took a deep breath, "do you want to go somewhere?"

We went outside, Silence followed us. I got us a horse and helped Laila onto it. A sad look came in her eyes and she whispered, "i want to find Amadi. No other horse is good enough." I looked at her and tried to smile, but it didnt meet my eyes. Pulling myself up on the horse i slid my hands around Laila and held the reigns, guiding the horse. Slowly we went down the path through town and headed toward a field. I lightly dug my heel into the horse and it started to trot. The air was thick but cold, the sky had darkened, i told Laila it would rain soon. She just nodded. As we rode Laila leaned back against me more. She turned her head, pressing her face to my neck. I could feel her warm slow breaths. The horse was running now, tearing over the field and we went into the trail in the woods headed for the water. Water always made Laila happy.

Silence crept away into the woods as i slid off the horse. I reached up and helped bring Laila down, pulling her into my arms. She hugged me and i could feel her shaking. Leaning back some i put my hand on her face and lifted her chin so she would look at me. I stared into her beautiful eyes then glanced down at her lips. A smile spread on them and she asked,"do you want to swim?" I nodded and pulled away to take off my things. She stepped into the water, i watched it ripple around her then she swam away from me giggling, but i followed.

Lailas view
He came toward me, rain sprinkling around us. I went deeper into the water until i was behind the waterfall. Then i pressed myself to the rocky wall and sunk down. As he passed the waterfall he looked around then i watched him smile and sink into the water too. For a second we looked at each other then he came closer. I reached out touching his hair and he blew bubbles at me. His hand came up to mine and he pulled them down between us. I watched his fingers lace through mine, then we looked at each other. My heart was racing.. I pulled my hand away then moved closer to him, putting my hands on his shoulders. I looked down at his lips and watched him smile then i pushed him down deeper into the water and swam to the surface.

I took a deep breath letting the air fill me. I heard him break surface, laughing. I moved back over to the rocks and sat against it, laughing with him. He hugged me then looked at me. His eyes searching mine. "Thank you.." i said to him. He smiled and i watched his hand come from the water, reaching up, pushing my hair from my face. I knew my scar was showing and i tried to pull away but he held me. His other hand moved and he placed it on my other cheek. As he leaned toward me, i held my breath.

Fendewens view
Her heart was beating hard against her chest as i moved toward her. I lowered my mouth to her cheek, softly kissing her scar. "you are beautiful Laila," i said. Tears started to form in her eyes, as they fell i wiped them away. I moved my hands, placing one on the wall behind her and the other on her side, pulling her closer to me. Her arms slowly went around my neck then her legs were around my waist. I pressed her to the wall then looked into her eyes and leaned down..