Chapter 253

Chapter 334: Enter the Liberator

It was fortunate that evening had settled across Arhasia for the General's stealthy crusade into the Fortress required that the atmosphere be at least slightly veiled.

He inched along the dilapidated wall of the outer enclosure and, crouching low, peered from the corner to survey the situation.

The guards outside were dozing at their posts but he knew the slightest sound would rouse them to action.

Hence, he had to be particularly careful getting across the wall and slipping noiselessly into the ground of the yesteryear Castle.

Sliding along the wall, he tried to remain in the shadowy parts, away from where the wall-candles cast their light.

As he stepped around a corner, he came across a patrolling guard who, on seeing him, was about to call out and alert his companions across the other side when, in one blow of a stiff hand against his head, the guard was blacked out and the General helped him to noiselessly fall to the floor.

The General climbed over a barricade, soundlessly slid to the ground, and looked across the courtyard to where another group of guards sat huddled near the wall. He found them to be immersed in their meaningless game of cards. They hadn't noticed his presence emerging from the shadow.

The sound of a sword ringing as it was drawn from its sheath alerted one of the guards, but he had barely got a word out when the sword swiped this way and that, cutting the wind and the lives of all the five rogues sitting there.

A blood-stained Jack of Hearts fluttered to the ground never to be played as the rest of its companions.

The General looked around for sounds of further intrusion but hearing none, proceeded in the direction of the Citadel.

Cautious to not make a sound with his every step, the General leapt through the crevice in a wall and slid silently into one of the stony corridors of the Fortress. It was impossibly dark save for the scant light of the moon that seeped through the cracks in the wall and ceiling,

Slowly, he made his way through the maze of corridors, seeking signs of rooms which were guarded or locked in proof of prisoners within.

He wasn't sure where the labyrinth of dark hallways would take him but he was determined to not get caught. Like that nut-brain of a Menace!

Ram was on his very last dinner trips in that Castle and, carrying Anarkali, he was following after his huge guard of an escort when Anarkali pointed to something, her face suddenly animated in delight.

Ram looked in the direction she had pointed and he thought he saw, through the open arched doorway, someone move in the hallway.

But the figure had moved so fast he hadn't seen clearly enough, yet his little mind would have sworn he'd seen the stealthy silhouette of Anarkali's father, the General.

His heart sank at the thought that perhaps it was him. Was he in the Castle because he was part of the plot? What if he was behind all of this? Ram had heard one of the guards speak of a spy who had helped their evil Master capture the prisoners. Was he, perhaps, that spy?

Ram looked glumly up at the guard who was leading them. If only he wasn't watched always, he would have rushed and alerted this information to Kushiji and Lord Arnav!

But he was determined of one thing: He would NEVER let that man hurt the little Princess. Not even look at her!

Meanwhile, the General had encountered a couple of guards heading his way and in a swipe of his sword, he had ended their borrowing of breath.

But he wasn't confident he could fight them off if they came in huge numbers.

How many more ARE there? he wondered in puzzlement as he headed down another of the obscure corridors.

All of a sudden, something provoked him to take cover behind a dusty curtain.

He hadn't seen who was coming but he had felt a horrific aura coming from the man. And it was nothing like his familiar enemy's. Whoever it was, he was dangerous and it was best he didn't confront him unprepared.

Behind the curtain was a tiny space that must have been where a statue was positioned. It was empty now and the General leaned against the wall, his ears attuned to the rapid strides of the approaching figure.

Raoul was walking down the corridor when he paused beside the wall that was curtained.

He had clearly sensed a presence.

The presence of a beast.

Adopting a cautious stance, he withdrew the curtain.

There was nothing there.

He frowned thoughtfully and then, after a long pause, he shrugged and then departed.

The General exhaled in relief.

He had fastened himself to the ceiling, having lodged two of his penknives through the wedges in the stone ceiling. He had held himself hanging there, hoping that that man wouldn't even accidently glance up.

As soon as Raoul had left and the coast was clear, the General quickly resumed his surreptitious exploration of the Castle.

He hoped he would find Anarkali first but he feared he might find Kushi instead and make a mess of his whole intention. What if she screamed or yelled and brought all the guards running in his direction before he could get a word edgewise and explain his presence?

Funnily, it was neither his daughter nor Kushi that he came across first.