Nyella climbed out of the tunnel behind the prison and moved quietly toward the cells. The torchlight made the stone walls glow orange. She peeped through the bars of the first cell. Empty. She checked the next ward. Empty again. And just like that, she checked all the cells and her mother was not in any of them. Her heart beat faster.
Where could she be? Nyella whispered to herself. She remembered there was a deeper dungeon below, the one for hardened prisoners. That place was very dark, cold, and hard to escape from. She hurried toward it.
She knew guards watched the dungeons, so she moved slowly and carefully. She took them down one by one, using the shadows and the soft part of the wall to stay hidden. A guard by the stairs never heard her coming. Another at the door went limp when she slipped a cloth over his mouth. Her hands were quick and steady. She did not want shouts to wake the whole prison.
After moving through the corridors and fighting carefully, she stood before the last guard. He fell with a soft thud. Nyella crouched, breathed hard, when a voice came from the darkness.
"I knew you would come, you stubborn girl."
She turned and froze. There, in the dim light, standing behind an iron cage was her mother. Queen Serenya. Thin, tired, but alive. Nyella ran forward and wrapped her arms around her.
"Mother," she sobbed. "I am so sorry. I am so sorry for all that happened. I should have never left. I should have stayed."
Queen Serenya held her daughter close. "Do not blame yourself, my heart. None of this is your fault. You did what you thought was right." Her voice shook as she spoke.
Nyella let go with tears on her face and looked around the cell. She saw an old iron lock. "Where are the keys?" she asked as panic was rising again.
She pushed past the fallen guards and fumbled through their belts and pockets. Nothing. She searched everybody one by one, turning them over, but still, she didn't see the keys.
"It is not there," Serenya said.
"What?" Nyella turned back to face her. "Not one of them has it?"
Her mother's eyes were tired. "No, my dear. Vanýr has the keys."
Nyella stared as if she could not believe the words. "He has the keys? He would do that?"
Serenya nodded. "He expected trouble. He keeps a set for himself. He holds power even now."
Nyella clenched her hands. "I will get those keys," she said without really thinking. "I will find them and free you and every soul here."
Serenya reached up and touched Nyella's face. Her fingers were cold. "You must not, Nyella. You do not understand. Vanýr expects this. If he finds you here with me, it will mean death for many more. You must leave now. You must save yourself first."
"I will leave," Nyella said. "But I will not leave without you. I have to get you out first."
"You do not understand," Serenya said. "You cannot get me out. You must leave. You must save yourself first."
"No," Nyella said, shaking her head. "I cannot leave you here. I cannot go alone knowing you are here."
Serenya took her hand and held it tight. "I know this is hard. I know it is not easy. But you have to go. For my sake, go."
Nyella's voice broke. "I cannot do that, she whispered. You will die here. Do you not know that?"
Her mother's face was steady. "I know that," she said. "I know it very well. I am prepared."
"No, you are not, Mother," Nyella said, as her voice was breaking. "You are not prepared to die. If you are, then I am not. I already lost Father, and I cannot stand to lose you too."
Her mother looked at her. "I know this is difficult, and I am sorry that it is happening to you. But you must live if you want to set things right. Your father would want you alive. I want you alive, so that you can continue the legacy, so that you can save this kingdom. You have to go, my dear."
"I need you, Mother. I really do," Nyella whispered.
"You have to save yourself," Serenya said. "I do not have much time anyway. I am sick. I do not stand a chance, and if I go with you, I will only slow you down. Please, save yourself."
Nyella's eyes widened. "You are sick?"
Her mother gave her a tired smile. "Lord Edgar will tell you everything. But for now, you must leave. You have to let me go, Nyella. You must save this kingdom. You are their leader now, their true leader. Your father told you it was your time. The battles ahead will be difficult, but do not lose yourself. Do not lose who you are. Fight with all you have. Fight with all we have given you, with all we have taught you."
"I am not ready, Mother," Nyella said as tears streamed down her face. "I still need your help. I still need your guidance."
"No, you do not," her mother said to her. "You are stronger than you believe. Now go."
At that moment, Aeron and Devic rushed into the dungeon.
"Your Majesty," Devic said, bowing quickly. Aeron bowed his head as well in respect.
Nyella turned to Aeron desperately. "Aeron, please. Burn these cells down. Let us take her with us."
Aeron looked at her, then at the Queen. Serenya shook her head. "No," she said calmly. "Leave me. Take my daughter and go."
Aeron glanced at Devic. Devic nodded.
The Queen's voice grew weaker. "Now… please… leave."
Aeron turned to Nyella. "Let us go, Nyella," he said quietly.
"No," Nyella cried. "We must take her. We cannot leave her here."
But Devic grabbed her by the arm and pulled her away, even as she fought and shouted. "Mother, no! Mother!"
As Aeron turned to follow, the Queen called him. He stopped and looked back.
"Please," she said, her eyes on him. "Do not forsake my daughter."
Aeron lowered his head. "I will, Your Majesty," he said. "Thank you for everything you have done for me."
Then he followed Devic, leaving the Queen behind.