Cara walked down the cold damp stone, descending into the dark dungeons. “It was cruel for anyone to be forced into a place like this.” she thought. The stench of rats and stuffy air made her sick to the stomach.

Xerath and his army had left before the sun had risen, along with Rayman. She had resisted the urge to go see him the entire day. Now it was nearly dark and she couldn’t help herself. She had to see Jebbin.

Cara would keep her promise to Rayman, Jebbin would stay put, for now. She didn’t see the harm in speaking with him. As long as no one found out. He was being held far below the palace, in a cell which would be difficult for a man of his age.

Creeping down further into the pitch black, her only light was the torch in her hand, guiding her through the darkness. The stone hallways seemed to creep inward, encasing her into the depths of the earth. She took a moment to take a breath as the beginning stages of claustrophobia began to set in.

Forcing herself forward, Cara reached the cell in which Jebbin was being held. There were no torches or guards nearby. Immediately, a sliver of panic shot through her. Rushing forward she made her way to his cell. An instant later she jammed her foot into metal, almost tripping her.

Peering at the floor, she gazed in horror at a dead body. It was the guards on watch, two of them. Their throats cut, sticky blood pooled around them. She gasped and almost screamed, nearly slipping on the bloody stone. Cara had nearly broken her toe crashing into the breastplate of the dead soldier.

“Jebbin!” Cara yelled, stepping over the body.

Shoving the thick wooden door open, Cara scanned the small room and saw a shadowy figure slumped in the corner.

It was Jebbin.

Screaming in horror, Cara rushed to him, dropping her torch to the ground.

“Jebbin! No. No. No!” Cara burst into tears. “Jebbin please. Don’t leave… don’t leave me.” her lips quivered, unable to control the pain in her chest, Cara wept on the lifeless body before her.

Tilting his head up gently, Cara looked into his dull dead eyes, his body, cold to the touch. Clasping his shirt, she cried into his chest, smearing blood on her forehead.

“I’m sorry.” she cried. “Forgive me. I couldn’t protect you!” she whimpered.

Cara could barely cope. Jebbin had always been there for her. He was the father she never had and now… this. Cut down like a common thug in the dark. He deserved so much better than this.

Her wails echoed through the damp dungeons, “Who did this?” she wracked her brain.

A bitter and deep rage boiled inside her. Her anger bubbled over and she knew she had to avenge his death. Whoever had done this, would pay dearly.

Moments later, three soldiers rushed to the door behind her, taking in the scene, pulling her out of her thoughts of revenge.

“Your majesty?” one said.

Looking to their feet, they saw the two dead guards then to her again.

“What happened, m’lady?” another asked. “Did you see who did this?”

“No,” she whispered, gritting her teeth.

“Please… m’lady. Come away from him.” one said, trying to comfort their queen.

Cara blinked away tears, then saw Jebbin’s hand, slumped to the floor. His hands were covered in sticky blood and he had written something on the stone. Pulling his hand aside, Cara reached for her fallen torch and saw it. Drawn with his own blood a clear name was written on the stone. Another burst of instant and utter fury crept into her heart.

“Get a messenger hawk immediately!” she yelled.

One bolted away down the hallway, as the other two shifted the bodies away from the door.

“What is it m’lady?” one asked. “What does it say?”

“It’s a last warning. Even as he died, he protected us.” Cara spat. “This world didn’t deserve him.”

Standing, her fist clenched, Cara took one last glance at Jebbin’s slumped form, the image would be burnt into her memory forever but she savored it. What was to come, she would need this reminder to do what she had to do.

“Make sure you give him a proper burial,” Cara said menacingly. “Those two men as well.”

“Of course, your majesty.” one soldier bowed. “But may I ask where you will be going?” the look of worry in his eyes and the look on her face made him doubt her decision-making capabilities.

“Unari,” Cara answered, barely a whisper. “Xerath and the others are in danger. They’re all in danger.”

Without another word, Cara strode out of the cell, making her way to the stables where she would ride. Catching up with them wouldn’t be easy as they were on horseback and rushing to Unari’s aid. She needed to move swiftly if she was going to catch up with them.