Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
At a brisk pace, I follow Richmond’s man—who I now know is called Taren—north on the road leading to Bridgend.
On this quiet late Sunday afternoon, we do not come across another soul during our thirty-minute hike.
Deciding to use the time wisely, I prepare for what I’m about to walk into by asking Taren everything about Richmond and his work of operations, hoping I can uncover his flaws and weaknesses—if he has any.
My own assumptions about the man would be proven entirely wrong, as he is much more diabolical and heinous than any man could ever be.
It turns out Richmond does more than simply acquire rare treasures and artifacts to sell.
He also traffics valuable intangibles, such as confidential information.
Secrets, plans, and plots that shouldn’t be shared, nonetheless sold off to enemies who will pay a hefty price knowing such sensitive details.
Known as “the Collector” within his circle, Richmond will sell anything to anyone, regardless of the destructive ramifications.
As long as he receives his payment, he doesn’t care what happens to the relic or piece of information he provides to his client. Richmond is easily one of the most powerful men in the country, and yet, no one knows of him.
A power-hungry man seeking world domination is one thing, but a vengeful one is another.
For decades, the world of academia ridiculed him, mocked him for believing the myths that shaped our society were true, forced him to let go of pursuing this dream, and devote his entire archaeology career to an academic field he wanted no part of.
Now that one of these myths has been proven, no doubt will he use every ploy, every resource he has, to get his hands on them. Finally, he can prove the world wrong while also being the most powerful human being. I cannot fathom what kind of retribution this immoral man has in store.
Richmond is a man who should not have the artifacts in his possession at all costs.
“While Richmond can be cruel, calculating, and conniving, he doesn’t lose sight of his crew,” Taren mentions as we stop along the road for a quick break.
“We are vicious, tenacious, and savages to our core. We’ve done unspeakable things, which I know you can vouch for.
Yes, Richmond makes the calls, but to get your fella out of there alive, you need to get his crew out of the equation first.”
He glances down the road, then over the barren green landscape surrounding us. “We’re ten minutes away. I hope by then you’ll have a plan.”
I don’t.
Despite all the helpful information Taren shared, all it did was frighten me more than prepare me for what’s waiting at Ogmore Castle.
Clutching my chest with apprehension, I feel the outline of a chain underneath my shirt.
Remembering I have the amulet hanging around my neck, I decide to use it to help me see what’s waiting for me.
Closing my eyes, I ask for it to show me what the situation at Ogmore Castle is.
Quickly, I’m shown an image of the once vigorous castle, weathered down by years of abandonment and exposure to the Welsh weather.
Its walls are deteriorated, covered with moss, while the ground is overgrown by grass and weeds.
From this view, I can spot ten men standing guard.
Then the image changes, showing me what was once the great hall but is now a room with barely four walls and no ceiling.
Surrounded by a group of armed men, I see Henry in the corner, his hands tied behind his back in a decrepit chair, his mouth gagged.
His face looks battered and bruised, seeming to have put up quite a fight when they took him.
Other than suffering a possible broken nose, he looks to be in one piece.
I let out a breath of relief knowing he's alive and not critically harmed. On the opposite end of the room, I see Richmond standing beside none other than my father. A smug look on his face, anticipating when he’ll succeed in acquiring the artifacts from me.
My father glances down at his pocket watch, appearing impatient.
I’m about to open my eyes, thinking the vision is complete, but the image changes again. This time, I see a dark, damp cellar. A gasp of horror escapes me as the amulet draws me closer to the room.
Sitting in the center, back-to-back with their hands tied and mouths gagged, are Grandad, Amina, and Dr. Alarie, with four armed men guarding them. The Eudaemon chest rests a few feet beside them. They look exhausted, disheveled—but thankfully—not frightened.
My sight goes back to darkness, the vision finally concluding.
Slowly, I open my eyes, feeling faint and as if I could vomit. I lean against the stone wall beside the road to compose myself, forcing down the bile trying to come up. Terror ensues now that I know this is no longer a rescue mission of one, but a rescue mission of four.
My anger soon reignites, knowing Richmond and my father would resort to using such a tactic to force my hand. Feeling immense pressure, I rack my brain, formulating a plan that I can perform successfully.
Once we reach the edge of the castle grounds, I have a plan in store. It may not be the smartest plan, but it’s the best I could come up with in the short time I had.
Crouching beside the opening of the guarding wall, I remove the outside guards, compelling them to leave and forget why they were ever guarding the castle.
Once all the men have disappeared into the distance, Taren and I dash across the field to the castle and quietly make our way to the cellar.
The second part of the plan is to save the others and get them out of harm’s way.
It's hard to be discreet when there are gaping holes along the walls, and the stairs have missing planks, but Taren and I manage to reach the underground unnoticed.
Tiptoeing to the cellar’s archway, I creep by the edge, peeking inside. I hope the vision is wrong. Seeing the three of them tied up and treated with such cruelty with my own eyes rips my heart into two. They didn’t deserve any of this, and it’s my job to ensure they get out of this unharmed.
Hiding behind the stone archway, I compel the guards to drop their weapons and leave the castle grounds. I hear confused remarks coming from the others as they watch the guards leave without their weapons.
Once all four men mindlessly walk past us without a glance, I rush inside the cellar, kneel on the dirty floor, and embrace Grandad, Amina, and then Dr. Alarie.
“Are you all alright?” I ask, frantically checking them out while Taren helps release them from their roped restraints.
I get meek nods in response as they slowly stand, rubbing their wrists from their rope burns.
“We’re so relieved to see you, Thena,” Grandad says, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Does Richmond have the artifacts?”
I shake my head.
Grandad nods, letting out a sigh of relief. “Thank God. We were worried about you when they barricaded us once we reached Ogmore. Then they forced us at gunpoint to go with them and held us captive here.” He glances over my shoulder, noticing a certain person is not with me. “Where’s Henry?”
I’m about to tell them what happened when I’m interrupted by heavy footsteps and a disgruntled noise coming from the room above us.
Unsure what the source of the noise is, I know time is crushing down on me as the urgent need to help Henry possesses me.
I mentally curse at the crown for having limitations that are stopping me from saving Henry from standing right here.
“Richmond has him. He took him while we were in town, and he’s using him to get to me.
” Guilt creeps in as I place my hand on Grandad and Amina’s shoulders, guiding them toward the cellar entrance.
This is the first time in weeks I’ve seen them, and I’m desperate now for them to leave.
“I know you all traveled very far to reach us. But I must ask you to leave and go somewhere safe, while I go save Henry.”
Amina stops and turns toward me. “We can help you.”
I shake my head, steering her and the others back to the entrance. “Please trust me on this. I have a plan, and it includes you all being as far away from here as possible.”
“We’re not going to let you do this all on your own,” Grandad asserts. “Let us help you.”
He glances at me, filled with worry, sensing I’m in complete distress. I know they all mean well, but they’ve already sacrificed so much for me, and I cannot live with myself if any of them get hurt. Miraculously, they made it this far unharmed, and I’m going to ensure it stays that way.
“Please, Grandad,” I plead, placing a hand on his cheek. “I can protect myself against Richmond and his army. But I can’t focus on getting Henry freed if I’m split worrying about you all.” I lean in, kissing his cheek.
“Please trust that I know what I’m doing,” I whisper in his ear.
Looking deep into my eyes, I see he is conceding to my request. Maybe he understands there isn’t much he can do, and that being out of the way is the best way to help.
“Alright, dear,” he says with a weak smile. “What would you like us to do?”
I glance at Taren, who's been standing a short distance behind us. “Taren is going to escort you all back into town, with the chest. Then once you arrive safely, continue to the original destination and wait for us.”
I hug Grandad, discreetly slipping him the cottage key, and whisper directions on how to get there.
He nods, and I grab the nearby rifle from the floor, and I stride toward Taren until we’re standing only a few inches apart. “Your final order is to escort them safely into town. Once that is done, you are free to go. You are not to follow them once you’ve reached Main Street. Understood?”
Taren nods curtly, like a soldier silently obeying his generals’ orders.
Knowing he cannot disobey me, I hand him the rifle, completely trusting one of Richmond’s men with the lives of those I hold dear. “Keep them safe.”