23 Be ready to die

The guards quickly shoved Eric, Rock and Melissa into the Prince's meeting area, where once again they met the prince sitting in the same spot. Eric came forward and after acknowledging the prince and receiving permission started to explain what they had discovered.

Eric explained that the original tunnel was a no go and impossible to excavate in order to be used as a exit. In addition no other outlets above ground had been discovered by the many scouts that had been sent out. The best news was that they had found a exit which could be used but it had a large number of unique problems. With luck Eric believed that most of them could escape before the beast could make their way within to finish them off.

Rock and Melissa noticed the guards surrounding them closer and closer as Eric spoke. They were soon immobilized by a spell and handcuffed with binding spell as well. As Eric finished up his good news he found himself spellbound as well. His great strength and few defensive spells still could not prevent his capture in the end.

"Eric I thank you for bringing us this good information and we the commander squad shell take this final opportunity to survive. However my most trusted advisor insure me we will not last more then two hours before the entrance gives in. The array is set and so only a few she'll make the trip because if all were to knew they would abandon their posts and none would survive."

"We will leave you here and bound while silently and quickly exiting three of my high mages have agreed to set off the array after the entrance gives and will delay as long as possible to let me escape. Don't worry if I see Goldy I will force her to retreat with us so you will die peacefully knowing that she will continue on, Thank you my brave knight I will never forget your sacrifices."

Then the cowardly group silently exited the room heading for their only way out without even a backward glance or second thought. Eric strained hard against the invisible binds but felt for the second time in his life that it was finally done with. Just like that day that Goldy first appeared in his life, if only miracles could happen twice.

Goldy was awoken by a bad feeling in her gut and quickly asked a nearby rodent what was going on. Crow was sound asleep at her feet still recuperating from his mana usage, his soft snores telling her he was fine. The mouse said that many large ones in noisy armor were coming talking about escaping.

Goldy asked if one came who's head almost reached the top of the cave was with them and it said no only a gold sun one stood out. Immediately Goldy knew it was the prince but if Eric was not in front something was wrong, she shoved and shook Crow awake and told him to escape through the water and warn thief that trouble was coming.

They were to hide and only show themselves if the other tried to sabotage the rope and only then if it was their last choice and there was a chance of success. Then Goldy enter the tunnel and enter a small crevice and cast a all conceal spell it would only last for about twenty minute but hopefully none would be station directly outside her hidey hole and she could slip out to see what was happening.

Arch and Crow followed Goldy's orders because they knew the importance of securing the line, it increased they travel into the open area a lot. In addition they knew if anyone could help within the cave it would be Goldy. She somehow always made one feel as if she could capture the world if she put her mind to it. Upon exiting the water they felt tugs start up and knew the others were on the way, grabbing their they hid away.

Meanwhile a ancient mage came back in to check the prisoners and had to recast bind on Eric somehow that monstrous fighter had started to fray his bindings which should have been impossible. Melissa called out to the old mage by name, "Man, you know who I am and whom I am related to, I don't care if you kill all the rest of these fools but being royalty how can you bind me. My family will handsomely reward you for letting me go and I can insure your family will suffer no hardships. Unlike the prince my family can easily take care of your family and we keep are promises unlike the Royal and their missing proper paperwork excuses."

"Can you really afford to miss the opportunity I and my family can offer yours to say I will personally see that they get what they deserve is not just a false promise but I will even stake my mage blood upon it. Just let me go and I will slip into the Prince's party with none the wiser. After all you know I hate these low people and will never betray the crown." With that said a mere flick of her wrist and the mage complied thinking of his families future.

As soon as she was released she blasted the mage with her uncontrolled magic and shattered his frail body into blood and splatter. She was smiling as her spell blast had shattered the bonding magic so she had to only release their bound hands and feet. They both looked at her like she had suddenly grown a second head, "What I can't control it very well without my staff? Well are you ready to die or can we try to live through this."

After shaken the blood from the mages staff and collecting other weapons and it was time to give it their all. Rock and Eric quietly went toward the exit from this area into the main entrance. On the way the silenced three old knights and one more mage. He had definitely left the weakest behind to die, loyal, trained and prepared to die. Sadly that faith would be their, due to their orders they truly saw no other choice.