Leif Denien Chapter 9

Troy Nethervince
Chapter 9

War had broken out. Perfect. Troy clenched his gloved hand into a fist. Tonight. It was almost time for the Dark Walkers to obtain their fame. Troy walked up to the Dark Walkers base and gave the secret knock. Three times quickly then twice slowly. The door stood closed. Troy rolled his eyes. Ravin was slacking off again.

“Ravin!” Troy shouted, then gave the knock again. He heard a disoriented ‘wha?’ and the door slowly opened. Ravin was muscular, but lazy and in Troy’s eyes an oaf.

“Get out of the way!” Troy said pushing through into the room. The Dark Walker’s symbol, the rat, glared from the tapestry that lined the walls. There was no time to waist. If they were to accomplish breaking into the Castle of Yelek, it would have to be tonight. The room was empty, but for the tapestry and a rug on the floor. Troy knelt next to the rug, slid it over, and revealed a trap door. He disengaged the trap and opened it. Underneath was a dark stairway that led into their base. It was pitch black, but each of the Dark Walkers had lived most of their lives in the dark, and could now see even in the darkest of places. Troy lowered himself down to the staircase and closed the door behind him. Troy quickly opened the door again. Ravin had gone back to sleep.

“Ravin!” Troy barked.

“What?” Ravin said waving around for his assailant.

“It’s just me, Troy,” Troy rolled his eyes again. “Stay awake, guard the door, and cover the trap door after I’m gone.”

“Yes, sir!” Ravin said standing up quickly. How could they have picked him for the guard? Troy shook his head and disappeared below the ground. Troy crawled into a mildly lit room with spikes sticking up from random areas of the ground. Troy knew exactly how to get around them. One hop right, a leap forward. Another right. Again forward. Two to the left and he was through the maze of spikes.

Troy opened the door to a bustling of people. They were all wearing black cloaks which were symbolic of night hiding their identity. Troy wore one of his own. Though there were many people walking swiftly, going about their jobs, they were nearly completely silent. Troy joined them. He was the navigator. He strode to the map room, weaving through the crowd.

Troy was proud of the Night Walkers. He had been one since he was a child. He had been orphaned by an earthquake that killed his parents. His only family left was his brother. Troy finally reached the map room and flowed in. He pulled out all of the maps that detailed the castle floor. He had just finished the tenth one after sneaking in and surveying the place. He needed to find the treasury. Troy traced the rooms with his finger, eyes darting. A knock rapped on the door.

“Come in,” Troy said without looking up.

“Have you found it yet?” A slimy, but kind voice asked. Troy tensed. He knew who it was. Derek, leader of the Night Walkers.

“Umm…no, but It’s in one of two rooms. One is a trap, and the other is exactly what we are looking for.”

“So you are close?” The voice soothingly pierced into Troy’s soul. Troy shuddered.

“Very.” Troy drew an imaginary pathway through the halls. “This is the path we take if this is the treasury.” He drew out another map. “And this is the path we take, if this is-” he stopped in mid sentence. A cold hand had been placed on his shoulder.

“Hurry,” the voice coaxed. Derek had more ice in his voice this time.

“Uh, yes, sir,” Troy looked down.

“Good. You know how important this will be. If you fail….” Derek didn’t need to finish. If he failed, he would be killed. Troy clenched his teeth. He hated Derek. The guy had too much power. Troy heard Derek leave as the door clicked behind him. Troy sighed and leaned back. Recalling all he knew about castles, he remembered. The treasury is always next to the soldier’s chamber. Troy scanned the map in front of him. Success. He found it. Troy got up quickly. Running from the room he quickly spotted Derek. Troy ran over and handed Derek the map, with the route already plotted. Derek looked at it closely for a few moments.

“Well done, Troy. Well done.” Derek said sweetly. “Just what I expected from you. You better tell your brother to hurry.” Troy saw a sick smile cross Derek’s mouth. No! Troy’s head screamed. Troy ran towards the weaponry. Ben, Troy’s brother was the head of the weaponry. Preparing and creating them. Troy finally found it, brightly lit. Troy let his eyes adjust.

“Ben!” Troy shouted. There were not nearly enough daggers made. “Ben, this isn’t nearly enough!” Ben looked over at him weakly. There was something wrong.

“Brother, I am sick.” Ben said. Upon closer inspection, Troy realized that his Ben’s face was pale.

“I’ll help you! You must continue. If you don’t…..you will die!” Troy started sharpening the knives which Ben had created. “You make the knives, and I’ll sharpen them!” Ben started coughing. It took almost a near minute for him to stop.

“Thank you, Troy,” Ben caught his breath. Time was running out. Troy finished quickly, but Ben was moving at a snails pace. Haste was needed. Troy soon began creating the knives for him. Time passed like lightning, and Troy knew that their time would be up soon. Ben collapsed to the ground. One of his own knives was sticking up out of his chest. Troy looked to the door.

“Too late,” Derek said smiling wickedly. He then walked out as though nothing had happened.

“No!!!” Troy screamed. “Ben!” Ben was already dead.