The stone walls of the castle trembled as another volley of flaming arrows arced overhead, painting the gray afternoon sky in streaks of orange and smoke. Somewhere beyond the battlements, barbarians howled their war cries, their voices carried on the wind like a pack of starving wolves.
TommyInnit
scrambling up the steps to the ramparts, crown askew Phil! Phil, how many are there?!
Philza
peering through a crenellation, face grim Enough that we're not winning this one, Your Majesty. We need to fall back.
TommyInnit
Fall back?! We're the bloody kings of this castle! We don't fall back— ducking as an arrow whistles past his ear —okay, we fall back. Everyone inside! Now!
The great oak doors groaned shut behind the last of the sorry boys, the iron bar slamming into place with a resounding clang. Dust shook loose from the rafters. Wilbur slid down the door, breathing hard, his royal blue tunic smudged with soot.
Wilbur Soot
That was close. Too close. Tommy, we can't hold the gates forever. They've got battering rams.
TommyInnit
I know that, Wilbur! I've got a plan. I've always got a plan.
Ranboo
raising a hand hesitantly The last plan involved us pretending to be ghosts and hiding in the wine cellar, and it didn't really work because Charlie sneezed.
Charlie Slimecicle
indignantly I couldn't help it! It's dusty down there! And I maintain that the sneeze sounded exactly like a ghostly wail.
TommyInnit
ignoring them, pacing We need reinforcements. We need someone who can turn the tide. We need… spinning to face Wilbur the prisoners.
Wilbur Soot
blinking The prisoners? We haven't had prisoners in decades. The dungeons are empty. You said yourself the guards all left years ago.
TommyInnit
Exactly! Old Tilly and Dark Dave! Best wizard and witch in the entire kingdom, locked up by my great-great-great-grandfather because he was a paranoid old git! And then everyone forgot about them! But I didn't. I never forget a cool bit of lore.
Philza
stroking his chin The one they call Evil Raven… and Dark Dave. I've heard the stories. They say the old king sealed them away because they were too powerful. Stronger than the crown itself.
Ranboo
So… you're saying we should let out the two most powerful magical beings in the realm? Into our castle? While we're in it?
TommyInnit
Exactly! It's a brilliant plan! Wilbur, you're going to free them. You're the charming one. They'll trust you.
Wilbur Soot
pointing at himself Me? Why me?!
TommyInnit
Because you look like a prince who's made some mistakes, and that's exactly the kind of energy they'll vibe with. Now go! Down to the towers, the old prison block! We'll hold them off as long as we can!
Another thud against the gates. The wood splintered. The barbarians were getting impatient.
Philza
drawing his sword You heard the king. Move!
Wilbur took a breath, gave Tommy one last incredulous look, and bolted down the spiral staircase into the dark depths of the castle. The torches flickered, casting long shadows. The stairs seemed to go down forever, colder and colder, until he reached a heavy iron door covered in rust and old chains.
Wilbur Soot
muttering to himself Charming. I can be charming. I've been charming. I charmed that barmaid in—
The chains were loose. Old, brittle. They fell away at the slightest touch. The door swung open with a groan, revealing the dim chamber beyond.
???
a voice, dry as old parchment Well, well. A visitor. After all these years.
Two figures sat in the shadows at the far end of the cell. One, ancient and wizened, with a long white beard that pooled on the floor. The other… younger. Eerily so. Pale hair, pale eyes, watching Wilbur like a hawk watching a mouse.
Evil Raven
You've come to let us out, haven't you? The barbarians must be at the gates.