Chapter 139 COURTYARD
Chapter 139 COURTYARD
Vladislav turned his back to the empty dungeon cell, and he ran toward the long spiral staircase.
I held the heavy iron sword tight in my right hand, and I followed close behind his fast footsteps.
The loud sounds of the battle echoed down the stone shaft, and the deep noise motivated us to move much faster.
"We need to reach the main floor before the shadow-weavers burn the front courtyard," Vladislav warned me.
"My wolves are fighting without me, and they do not know the layout of this massive palace," I agreed with his urgent tone.
My pure silver magic pulsed inside my veins, and the bright warmth chased the cold dungeon air away from my skin.
We rushed up the narrow staircase together, and my tired legs started to ache from the steep climb.
Vladislav noticed my heavy breathing, and he slowed his fast pace down just a little bit so I could keep up with him.
"We are almost at the top of the stairs, so stay right behind my shoulder," he instructed me with a very protective voice.
We reached the final stone landing, but a thick wooden door blocked our path to the ground floor.
Vladislav pushed his broad shoulder against the thick wood, but the heavy iron lock did not yield to his raw vampire strength.
"The guards locked this heavy door from the outside when they ran away to fight your pack," he explained the problem to me.
He raised his sharp steel sword to cut the iron hinges, but I placed my hand on his back to stop him.
"Save your energy for the King, because I can handle a simple locked door today," I said, and I stepped right in front of him.
I raised my left hand toward the thick wood, and I called upon my ancient silver fire.
The bright magic rushed out of my open palm, and the hot flames hit the heavy iron lock directly.
The intense heat melted the iron mechanism in a few short seconds, and the thick wooden door blasted wide open.
The ruined wood crashed onto the floor of the upper hallway, and a huge cloud of grey dust filled the air.
We stepped out of the hidden stairwell, and we ran straight toward the massive front doors of the palace.
The loud crashing sounds guided our path, and we reached the grand entrance just as the thick wooden gates splintered apart.
The southern royal guards tried to hold the heavy gates shut, but they failed to stop the massive force pushing from the outside.
A giant iron siege wagon smashed right through the thick wood, and the heavy impact threw the silver knights onto the floor.
The northern wolves poured into the front courtyard, and their loud battle cries echoed off the high stone walls.
Elder Silas led the brave charge, and the old wolf swung his heavy iron sword to clear a safe path for his people.
The large courtyard was filled with thick grey smoke, and the dark shadow-weavers threw their purple poison at our loyal fighters.
I did not waste another second, and I threw a massive wave of pure silver fire over the heads of my brave pack.
My bright magic clashed with the dark purple poison in the air, and the intense heat burned the foul magic away instantly.
The sudden flash of silver light caught everyone's attention, and the fierce battle stopped for a brief moment.
Elder Silas lowered his iron weapon, and he stared at me through the clearing smoke with wide eyes.
"The Queen is free!" Elder Silas shouted at the top of his lungs, and warm tears streamed down his wrinkled face.
The northern wolves cheered so loud that the ground shook beneath my boots, and their genuine joy filled my heart with endless pride.
They marched all the way to the southern capital to rescue me, and they proved their absolute loyalty to our pack today.
I ran down the stone steps to meet them in the courtyard, and Vladislav stayed right by my side to protect my back.
Elder Silas rushed forward to greet me, and he dropped to his knees on the hard cobblestone ground.
"We thought the High King locked you away forever, my Queen," Silas choked out, and he bowed his head to show his respect.
"You should never doubt my ability to survive, Silas," I told him gently, and I reached down to pull the old wolf back to his feet.
"How did you know the King took me to the southern capital?" I asked the old man, because I needed to understand their fast arrival.
"We saw the massive iron carriage rolling down the main dirt road, and we noticed the royal flag flying high above it," Silas explained.
"The pack refused to turn back to the forest, because we could not live in peace while our Alpha was locked in a dark cage," he added with a fierce tone.
"What about the women and children?" I asked him quickly, and my heart raced with sudden panic for the young pups.
"They are safe inside the high mountain caves, and the border scouts are guarding the wooden doors right now," Silas reassured me.
"The southern magic users left the mountains just like the King ordered, so the families did not face any fire," he confirmed the good news.
A massive wave of pure relief washed over my tired mind, and I thanked the forest spirits for protecting the innocent mortals.
"You took a huge risk bringing the fighters all the way here," Vladislav told the Elder, but he smiled to show his genuine gratitude.
"We walked for three days without stopping for sleep, and we stole the broken siege wagons to break these tall gates," Silas said proudly.
"You did a brilliant job, but the war is not over until the High King pays for his crimes," I reminded my brave fighters.
I turned around to face the grand entrance of the palace, and I pointed my heavy iron sword toward the dark hallways.
The remaining southern royal guards blocked the grand doors, and they held their long spears out to defend their ruler.
They saw my glowing silver hands, and pure terror replaced the fake bravery on their pale faces.
"The Wolf Queen has her magic back," one of the silver knights whispered, and he took a nervous step backward.