Page 2

Chapter Two

THE ALTER-WORLD

P adriag Clarre stalked from one side of his bedchamber to the other, his modern shoes barely making a sound. He’d not been outside in days, as Meliot, the warlock who’d trapped him there three centuries earlier, had wolf sentries surrounding the keep.

Centaur-like creatures also patrolled, their constant attention on the windows. When he dared peer out, they’d quickly notch an arrow and shoot it. Had to give them credit for their astounding accuracy. Padriag only dared to peek out fleetingly and then move away to avoid being speared.

How long had it been since he’d been in this world alone? Almost a year was his guess, ten months, thereabouts?

At first he’d been meticulous about marking each passing day, but now, at times, he’d forgotten if he’d done it and so he’d skipped days here and there. What did it matter? Ten months, or one more, time stretched, and it seemed like an eternity.

In the beginning of the curse, four others had been condemned to life in that magical, dangerous place with him. A severe punishment for saving a village from attack by a powerful wizard. Almost three hundred years later, his friends had been released from the curse one by one, recently rescued by true love.

After the first knight, Tristan McRainey, had been rescued, followed by the others, he’d fully thought his turn would eventually come. And yet, at times like this, when he was utterly alone with only silence for company, he admitted being jealous of their good fortune.

Other than occasional visits from Liam, a British knight who’d managed to keep his ability to travel between the realms, Padriag remained alone.

A part of him wanted to give up hope as the others had been released with only a short period between them. For whatever reason, his situation was very different; no matter how much the others tried to come up with a way to break his curse, it had yet to happen.

An aroma wafted past his open door, and he sniffed the air. Was it sausage he smelled?

Prepared for one of the wizard’s tricks, Padriag picked up his sword and crept down the stairs, stopping every so often to listen.

When he was able to sneak a look into the main room, he lowered his sword. “Liam. I didn’t expect to see you.”

“I made a full English,” the Brit said. “The best meal ever invented.”

Padriag rolled his eyes. “I prefer a full Scottish.”

“What’s the difference?” Liam asked, “Lack of taste in the Scottish one?”

In truth, the food smelled delicious, but he couldn’t keep from teasing Liam. “It’s missing tattie scones.”

“Eat,” Liam said, motioning to the chair opposite him. “Tell me what has occurred of late.”

“Since every day is the same here, you should tell me what happened on the other side,” Padriag replied, pulling a chair out to sit.

While they ate, Liam informed him about the progress they’d been making in assuring Padriag’s freedom. He barely listened. For the past months, nothing had worked. In fact, their efforts seemed to be doing more harm than good. Padriag was finding it harder to travel between the realms, perhaps mainly because going to Scotland was heartbreaking knowing that soon he’d be trapped in the alter-world forever.

“You must come to the other realm in a sennight. There is a spell they’ve been working on. John is convinced it could work,” Liam explained, referring to his partner and the other knights’ women.

“Could,” Padriag said, his eyes flashing to the windows as a shadow crossed outside. “I will do my best to be there. Right now we must prepare. It seems either Meliot has sent something to spy on us, or perhaps I’ve acquired a pet dragon.”

Both men hurried to the window and peered out, a flash of fire lighting the skies. Meliot’s guards had scampered away, fearful of burning blasts that would scorch them instantly. In the sky, a familiar beast circled the keep, its huge wings moving with grace.

“That’s Sterling’s dragon,” Liam murmured as the animal let out a loud eagle-like call.

A parchment floated in the air, landing just outside the door. Then, with one last cry, the magnificent beast flew away.

Padriag hurried to the door and opened it. After insuring there was no one about, he fetched the rolled parchment and went back inside.

He read over it and then read it again.

“What does it say?” Liam asked, eyes trained on the parchment.

“An invitation from Sterling to live in his realm until I am freed,” Padriag replied. “It must mean Meliot has something bad planned, and the prince has heard of it. Where is Esland anyway?”

Liam let out a long breath. “I have never heard of anyone that has been there, but I know it borders the far side of Atlandia.” The Brit almost looked excited. “It seems we are moving to Esland.”

“We?” Padriag scowled at the Brit.

“I’ve always wanted to see it.” Liam shrugged. “We best pack and be on our way.”

Padriag stood. “Exactly how do you think we will get there? We don’t have horses, remember, they’re in the other realm.”

Both stared at each other for a beat.

Padriag blew out a breath. “Why would he send the invitation without instructions of how we are to get there. We aren’t even sure of where exactly it is.”

“I am sure he has a plan.” Liam was not to be deterred from going to what was purported to be a beautiful land.

Returning to his bedchamber, Padriag studied the items in his trunk. There wasn’t much to pack. They’d not many belongings other than a few articles of clothing, leather boots, and weaponry. During his visits to the other realm, Padriag had collected a few pairs of jeans, a pair of pullovers and some underwear.

Since he didn’t own a bag, he yanked a cover from his bed and folded it in half. Then he collected his belongings and neatly stacked them in the middle. After that, he folded the blanket over the piles and tied it all with a rope.

“I wondered how you would collect all your things,” Liam said from the door. “What I want to see now is how you plan to carry it across the miles.”

Padriag turned, giving his friend a triumphant smile. “You forget I retain my power of magic.” Lifting his hand, palm up, he demonstrated as the bundled rose from the bed and floated in the air.

“It’s too bad your magic can’t transport us there,” Liam said dryly.

Just then pounding sounded and the bundles of clothes fell clumsily onto the bed.

Both men listened intently to what sounded like a battering ram hitting the thick wooden front door.

Closing his eyes, Padriag ensured the protective ward was in place and did his best to make it stronger.

“The wards are holding,” he told Liam, who scowled.

“We’d best figure out how to get out of here, because sooner or later, they will manage to get through.”

Liam wasn’t wrong. They shouldn’t have been able to get that close to the keep, as Padriag had placed a perimeter of wards to keep them at a distance.

A horrible thought invaded his mind.

His powers were weakening.