Forbidden Magic

Chapter 16

Prudence rose from her seat at the table, quietly uttering the words "Excuse me." Her heart was racing so fast it felt like a drum beating against her chest. Her body was shaking uncontrollably. With great effort, she staggered a few steps away from her chair before stumbling and collapsing onto her knees. One of her hands gripped the side of a chair for support, while the other clutched her stomach as she struggled to catch her breath. A cold sweat began to trickle down her neck, sending shivers down her spine. She was so focused on trying to calm herself down that she did not even realize that Myam had come to stand behind her.

“Did you think I would keep you here? When I already have a mage and one in training?” Dumont chortled.

To be honest, Prudence had not given much thought as to the reason Dumont confiscated her. Except that anyone who could use magic was a commodity that all people of power wanted. She had hoped to stay until she was further along in her training. By then she would be able to escape and return home. This new development threw a wrench into her plan. Myam placed a hand on her shoulder, and she turned to glare at him.

“You knew?” she questioned, breathlessly, “This whole time?” Myam did not utter a word but he did not have to, the silence answered for him. This had been their plan all along. A sob caught in her throat.

"Be calm, and sleep," Myam's gentle voice soothed Prudence's frayed nerves, as he placed his warm hand on the top of her head. Despite her best efforts, Prudence failed to shake off the strange sensation that had engulfed her. A heavy weight settled upon her senses, and her eyelids drooped, making it difficult for her to keep them open. A strange fuzziness crept into her thoughts, inviting her to surrender to the spell. With each passing moment, Prudence felt herself losing control, and before she could even fathom what was happening she slid to the floor, sound asleep.

“You could have informed her of her fate from the start, Sire,” Myam spoke to Dumont.

“Why? It was more fun this way. Plus, she is my property to do with as I see fit. Same as you. The only difference is, I respect you more.” Dumont snapped as he took another bite of food.

Myam clenched his jaw, knowing full well that what Dumont said was true. A mage was assigned to a lord when they were taken for training. They were bound to serve that individual until they were granted retirement after a replacement was trained, or until their death. Whichever came first.

“See to it that she is packed and ready. We leave after breakfast.” Dumont commanded around a mouthful of potatoes. Myam only nodded and picked Prudence up. With an arm under her knees and the other wrapped around her shoulders, he carried her back to her room.

“Shall I get some water?”Yonnie asked as she bounded up to them when he pushed the door open and walked in.

“That won’t be necessary, she just had too much excitement for one night.” Myam placed Prudence gently on the bed before turning back to Yonnie. “She’ll be leaving in the morning. I’ll have two guards placed outside her door. She is not to leave this room, understood?”

“Yes, sir.” Yonnie quickly nodded and bowed her head.

***

Prudence slowly opened her eyes and found herself in her room. She raised herself with her elbows and looked around. The dim light of the crackling fireplace cast a soft, warm glow, while the moonlight cascaded through the window, casting eerie shadows on the walls. She still wore the same blue dress she had worn to dinner, and her mind raced as memories from earlier flooded back. Panic set in, and she knew she had to leave tonight. Otherwise, she feared she would never be able to find her way home again.

Quietly she pulled herself from the bed and snuck to the door. She had just placed her hand on the handle when she heard two voices from the other side.

“Don’t know why we have to babysit,” one grumbled.

“Because this is where the Commander put us, now quit your bellyaching,” the other answered.

Prudence sucked in a quick breath. Sneaking out through the castle, though it was the safest route, was no longer an option. Her eyes darted about the room once more and landed on the window. She tiptoed towards the glass and looked down at the courtyard below. Gulping loudly, she stepped back and shook her head.

‘No, I can’t do it. It’s too high.’ she thought to herself.

‘Have some faith in yourself.’ that weird inner voice called back to her. Prudence shook her head as if trying to drive the point home, but the voice answered again. ‘You won’t know what you can do until you try.’

Prudence's heart was pounding as she took a deep breath and approached the casement once again. She could feel the nervousness shaking her whole body, and every fiber of her being was telling her that this was not a good idea. Still, she pushed the panels open, and they creaked as if protesting the movement. Prudence held her breath, her ears alert for any sound emanating from the door. After a moment of complete silence and no footsteps approaching, Prudence climbed onto the ledge, her heart beating louder in her chest. Pushing herself up, she stood there with her hands clasping the frame so tight that her knuckles were turning white. She stared at the ground below, taking in every detail of the landscape three stories beneath her, hesitating.

She was trying to will herself to move but had suddenly lost the capability to make her limbs cooperate. As she observed the site below, making sure the coast was clear, she unexpectedly heard the door creak open. She pivoted her head around to see Yonnie standing at the entrance, the maid's stare locking onto her. Yonnie's eyes widened with shock, and she let out a piercing scream that echoed through the room. In an instant, the two guards stationed outside Prudence's room burst in, their weapons drawn and ready for action. Prudence's heart stopped as she evaluated the situation. She knew she had to act fast if she wanted to escape. With a deep breath, Prudence flung herself from the windowsill.