The Red Prince

is because only a small amount of its brain is developed enough to do so. This also leads to a rithrandyr’s ability to get lost and not remember where they are, most likely because they at one place for very long periods of time.”

“So why do you have one here!?”

Alverhad leant on his oak staff and thought as the wind blew his green robes around like a vibrant sea of grass. Finally he said, “oh yes, that’s it! According to the ancient history of this fort there once existed another lower part of the fortress. When a general was killed in battle or died he was buried in this lower level, where they would lie for all of time. They were buried with bountiful riches and when many tried to steal them, the people decided to seal off the lower level. To this day it is inaccessible but after reading many books on the matter I have been lead to believe the key to opening this lower level is not an actual key, but the mind of a rithrandyr.”

“Meaning you are going to literally use the mind of this mindless creature?” replied Ashaleena, baffled to no end.

“Basically,” said her mentor, “if we can unlock the unused part of this rithrandyr’s simplistic brain we may be able to gain access to this lower level. You see my intrigue to venture into this place is not the riches, but the fact that Zaudurin the White, an ancient wizard is buried in the deeper part of this mysterious catacombs.

Just to witness upon Zaudurin lying ageless in his tomb of clear crystal would be worth a thousand golden idols to me.”

“But the rithrandyr would need a little bribe to obey you, wouldn’t it?”

“Not necessarily, if I can muster enough strength to read the deep cores of his mind I will be able to uncover the way to enter the lower level. We will most certainly have to give him something to ensure he doesn’t writhe around when I read his mind. But what?”

“Perhaps gold?,” suggested Ashaleena, remembering from her studies, “the galgwullion like gold! Mayhap the rithrandyr are the same?”

“No, no,” said Alverhad, in deep thought, “rithrandyr despise the stuff, they have no use for it.”

“You never get me to help you! Pustule!!” shrieked the faeylessa angrily.

“What if I offer you the unhatched egg of the white falcon? It would make you a perfect egg meal, or better yet something to show off?” suggested Alverhad, talking to the creature like a child and ignoring its babble.

“Prove it!!” shrieked the faeylessa, showing some signs of cooperation.

Alverhad nodded and withdrew the large round egg from his robe, saying, “now will you let us into the lower level? You’ll get your egg once you’ve done this” The rithrandyr skulked closer to the barriers and said, “as long as I get my egg I will listen and comply.”

“Very well,” said Alverhad, replacing the egg and casting a magical chain around the creature’s neck, “if you dare to defy me you will not get your little egg!”

“Alverhad, do you know where exactly this entrance is?” asked Ashaleena as he removed the shield around the rithrandyr and it skulked to his side.

“Supposedly the entrance is at the fountain at the centre of the gardens, but only this fellow knows how to get in” “Are there no other, safer, entrances?”

Alverhad nodded, “there is a second, located in the secret chamber behind Galverious’ room. But it too is sealed with feyran magics and we best not disturb the general, he has a lot of resting to do.”

Ashaleena leant against the branches of a nearby oak and rested both her arms along the tree so she was facing him still. “does he know how to get in?”

“Aye!,” shrieked the rithrandyr, “three seals must be broken and the ancient words must be uttered.”

“Come on then!” cried Alverhad, leading the rithrandyr along lightly so as not to choke him, while Ashaleena followed close behind, her vibrant jade eyes sparkling with intrigue, fear and excitement.

When they came to the fountain the rithrandyr scurried over and began to examine