Chapter #8 - Unforeseen Difficulties

Awakening Alexandria noticed that she was alone. She struggled to sit up right and realized that her wrists and ankles were bound in magically enhanced iron. Looking around she saw that she was in a dungeon of some sort.

“You awake yet little one.” A shrill voice asked from outside the door. “I thinks you are.” Looking towards the door she heard a bolt being drawn and the door slowly being opened outwards. A stooped elderly man entered looking down at her from the top of the stairs that lead down to the cell floor. Smiling the elderly man walked down the stairs.

“Is you alright little one? Must make sure there’s no injuries.” He said as he walked closer. Shaking her head, Alexandria tried to move away.

“Now, now little one. I wont hurt you, just following the master’s orders. Now answer me with words little one. Do you have any injuries?” he said.

“No injuries.” Alexandria said in a small shy voice. Laughing the elderly man had a closer look at her.

“Such a small innocent child has our great master worried. You’re friends I’d believe little one but not you. Anyway I gots to take you to the master now.” He carefully put new shackles around her ankles and wrists and unchained the ones attached to the wall. Carefully standing back up, the elderly man offered Alexandria his hand. Taking it, Alexandria noticed that the shackles she wore now were much lighter then the ones that were attached to the wall.

“Come now little one.” The elderly man said as he started towards the stairs on the far side of the room. Walking close to him Alexandria followed. He lead her through a series of dimly lit tunnels and into well lit corridors. She heard people muttering around her but couldn’t decipher what they were saying. She heard a loud booming sound from a door as they passed and a group of cloaked figures suddenly coming out of the door. She quickly snuck a glance under one of the hoods and what she saw made her scream. Turning her guide saw the cloaked figures and shooed them away.

“Now, now little one. Enough of that noise.” He crooned at her. Having no effect, he hugged her close. She fell silent except for the quiet sobbing. He pulled back to have a good look at her. He deemed that there was nothing physically wrong and started again down the corridor pulling on the chain in his hand to make her walk behind him.

They entered a bright chamber filled with many soldiers and well dressed ladies. Looking up Alexandria noticed that there was a man much better dressed and had a crown on his head looking at her with a small smile playing across his lips. The elderly man that held her chains pulled her forward towards this man. Following Alexandria tried to sense the boys hoping to remain undiscovered.

“Your angelic magic won’t work here.” A voice rang out as she felt the spell blocking her. Looking about she spotted a mage not far and sighed fresh tears streaming down her face. Suddenly Alexandria was forced to her knees and her head bowed for her.

“So this is the angel?” the crowned man asked as he stepped down from the raised area, where he had been sitting.

“Yes M'lord Balthasar. This little girl was the angel with those two demon boys.” The elderly man said as he bowed to the approaching man. Nodding Balthasar knelt by Alexandria and lifted her face up to look into her eyes.

“ My, you are a beautiful little girl aren’t you?” Balthasar asked as he stood up and offered his hand to Alexandria. Carefully taking his hand and being helped to her feet. She looked up at Balthasar.

“Really?” she asked softly. Nodding he waved at a guard to come to him.

“M’lord?” the guard asked as he saluted Balthasar.

“Remove her chains. She isn’t a danger.” Balthasar said as he sat back down on his chair and watched Alexandria. Alexandria watched the guard as he removed her chains.   

“Um…thank you.” Alexandria said as she looked up at Balthasar. Smiling Balthasar waved at one of the well dressed women to come and take the small angel else where.

“Come on Darling, I’ll get you something better to wear.” The woman said as she grabbed Alexandria’s hand and led her away. Following, Alexandria hoped the boys were alright.