Elements

8

Surprised, Raye turned to find a girl standing in one of the many doorways in the room. The resemblance to the imposter Queen Addra was striking. Her bright red hair cascaded over her shoulder in a long braid.
"I'm sorry?" Raye lifted her head, letting the girl know that she wasn't afraid of her.
The girl stepped closer, tilting her hips to show the sword she carried. "You heard me. You're no longer a guard." She sneered at the word, then turned to pace around the room with her hands clasped behind her back.
Raye crossed her arms. "Assuming now is the time that you go clichè villian on me, and highlight your evil plan?" She grinned when the girl glared at her.
Raye sat on the ground. "Please, tell me why you are so powerful and how you are going to accomplish your goals." She layered the sarcasm thick in her voice.
The girl sighed. "Fine, smartypants."
"I came with my mother and a… friend," she described the steam weaver. "He enslaved the soldiers of the forest through his magic." Her eyes took on an awed expression, and Raye groaned inwardly.
"Anyway, after he enslaved them, it was an easy step to persuade the captain of the guard to come to our side. He threw those two-" she pointed to Coleden and Addra, who were glaring furiously at her. "- into this dungeon."
She turned and checked what Raye assumed was the outer wall. "Now that you and Tristan are here, I have everyone right where i want them." She grinned at the king and queen, then wrinkled her nose at Raye. "Honestly, I can't find what he sees in you. I'll be a much better fit." She smiled, showing too many teeth, and turned for the far wall where a lever was prominently displayed.
Raye was stuck on her words.
What he sees in me….?
"Now you get to test my maze, a new invention of…." Raye stopped listening to the girl and focused her gaze on the key ring on her belt.
She glanced at the royal couple, who were staring at it as well.

Raye took a deep breath.
Before she could change her mind, she was running toward the girl. She grabbed the keyring with one hand and her shoulder with the other, throwing her to the ground.
"Hey!" The girl jumped to her feet, drawing her sword to charge.
Raye braced herself against the bars, unlocking them with her free hand.
The door swung open just as the girl reached Raye.
She ducked the sword, but the girl reacted and sliced downward. The blade made contact with her shoulder, and Raye sucked in a hissing breath when fireworks of pain exploded in her shoulder.
Luckily, the king pushed the girl away and Raye stumbled to the side. He wrenched her sword away and held it over her.
Raye examined her wound, trying not to shudder. The blade had cut through her flesh clear to the bone. Oh well. I'll survive.