King Of Darkness

Chapter 8

If she have to do it, she must do it right. Willow closed the journal and put it back in her bag. Her hands accidentally brushing the red file that Guild head gave to her. She backed her hand as if it has been burned. The red file laid there at the bottom of her bag, taunting her to open.

Without looking at it, she closed the bag and dialled the phone number of Reagan.

She refuse to call the Guild head. If she wants the details, she can ask Reagan. And she would bet her last penny that Reagan would make her sweat before indulging her. Good. That old crone deserved it.

"Reagan, we have a situation," Willow said glumly in the form of greeting.

Reagan sensing the seriousness, kept her mouth shut. Willow relayed what she saw in those warehouses to Reagan. Reagan for her part, kept quiet and didn't ask questions.

After she filled her in, Reagan said, "this is more serious than we thought. I don't think you should be handling this alone. Shit Willow, they sound dangerous"

"I'm fine. I can handle myself"

"What if they tracked you to your location and surrounded you? What will you do?"

Willow bit her lip as she listened to Reagan. She never thought she might be followed. Stupid of her. She should have covered every angle, covered all bases.

"I don't think they have discovered me," Willow replied more to placate herself than Reagan.

"Yet. But if you stay there longer, they will notice you. With or without the ring"

"I'm being cautious"

"Not good enough," Reagan heaved a sigh as if she is burdened by the weight on her shoulders.

"I will give you the details of safe houses. Use them in case of emergencies"

"Why do you need safe houses in your own kingdom?"

"Willow"

"Fine"

"It would be better if you don't get involved in this. The Guild head sent you to spy, not engage"

"What do you want me to do Reagan? There are people out there. You didn't see the condition they are in. I saw. There are children among them Reagan. Five-year-olds"

"God!"

"Exactly"

Reagan for her part, understood the enormity of the situation. Instead of persuading her to retreat, she asked, "what's the plan?"

"I will let you know soon when I found out something," Willow lied.

"For now, I need supplies. Both magic and weapons"

"I can arrange the weapons part... but magic," Reagan trailed off as she called Brenda.

Brenda who was standing beside her and hearing the conversation asked, "what kind of baubles are we talking about?"

"Runes. Binding ones specifically. I think these runes are keeping the captives from escaping"

"That's powerful magic. Whoever has done that knew her magic and how to wield it"

"Thought so. So do you know how to break them without raising the alarm?"

"I... I need sometime to research"

Willow pinched her nose. "We don't have time Brenda. They are already half-starved and going crazy. If it goes another week, I'm afraid something might happen to them"

"I will do what I can but I need the sketches of those runes. If I misinterpret anything, then it would end in a much bigger disaster," Brenda stammered sensing the wrath of Willow.