The interior of the tower is just as dismal as the outside, perhaps more so since there is very little light. What light does steal in through the window slits is grey and the air is stale. I ignore the dust that tickles my beak, as I maneuver the erratic twists and turns of the tower. I can smell him. My heart rate quickens and a feeling of joy over takes me. I can smell Merle. I let my sense of smell guide my course through the labyrinthine maze the necromancer calls home until it leads me to a moss covered staircase.
The light fades and then vanishes almost completely the further down the staircase spirals. I have lost track of which way is up and which way is down. This part of the tower is void of sound. It is so quiet I hear a dull buzzing in my ears.
Finally, the spiraled stairs end and I find myself in a large room lined on either side with cages big enough to hold five or six humans easily within them. I do not sense the necromancer, but Merle’s scent is so strong here, that I give a small hoot.
There’s a rattling sound to my left, and then I hear him. “Brown Mist? Is that you?”
The elation I feel at that moment is immense. I give another hoot and push my tired wings in the direction of his voice. Then I see him, and it is as though the entire world has stop turning. My poor Merle locked away in a cage like a wild animal. I hover in front of the bars taking in his appearance. He looks as those he has not slept in days. How I wish he understood my words so I could tell him what I had gone through to find him.
“Aw Mist you shouldn’t be here. If Dante finds you here he’ll do to you like he’s done to the other animals around here. Go Brown Mist. Be free. “Merle says and I note clearly, even in the darkness, the shine of tears in his eyes.
I hoot and shake my head. He is a fool to think I would leave him. He is all I know and all I have. I look down at the large padlock on the cage door and try to pick it to no avail.
Just when I think all is lost, I hear a familiar squawk right before Bantam and Squeaks come into view. I watch as Merle shrinks from the bars of the cage, his features a mask of fear.
“He doesn’t look like much Mist.” Squeaks says as he hops off Bantam’s head and sets himself in front of me.
“I think the necromancer used the gargoyles to torture him.” I reply softly, to which Bantam nods her head causing her stone frame to rub against itself.
“What has you so down?” Squeaks asks as he sits down looking up to me.
I feel a hard lump in my throat, and find that speaking is nearly impossible. “I have looked all this time for Merle. And now that he is found, I can do nothing! I am useless!” The anger I feel toward myself, surprises even me.
I feel Squeaks’ small paw on my leg. “You aren’t useless Mist. No other animal no matter how big would have done the things you’ve done to find him. So you can’t pick a lock? Who cares! That’s what you have friends for Mist. So long as you have friends by your side, you can do anything.” Squeaks offers me a wink before he scurries to the cage and examines the lock.
I watch most of his body disappear into the lock’s opening and after a few seconds I hear a loud clang. Squeaks emerges and says victoriously “ta-da!”
I fly into Merle’s arm and lightly peck his face all over as he hugs me. “You’re such a brave girl Brown Mist!” He praises me and my heart swells. All I want now is to go home and forget this adventure.
Then I realize, we will never make it out of here undetected. As if hearing my thoughts Dante steps into the room looking every bit like one of the undead he so loves to play with. Bantam wastes no time and immediately tackles him. Squeaks snatches the old elder wands that belongs to Merle from his pocket and while tripping over it a few times, manages to get it to him.
Merle points the wand at Dante and everyone freezes their movements. The wizard and the necromancer stare at each other with pure hatred burning in their eyes.
“It’s over Dante. Your puppets are gone. I’m going to lock you away like I should have when you killed our parents!” Merle waves the wand and begins an incantation, before it is complete Dante vanishes, his maniacal laughter lingering in the air.
Merle sighs and looks at Bantam. “I can’t do much for you. I can’t make you what you once were. I can however make you live.” He waves his wand and speaks in a tongue I do not know. Bantam’s stone exterior cracks and then begins chipped off in chunks leaving a living, breathing, chimera.
Bantam purrs loudly and nudges Merle’s hand with her head. He chuckles as he climbs onto her back and directs her to the stairs. Squeaks takes his place on my back and we follow behind.
Although Dante has not been destroyed, I am happy to be returning home. At least now our turret will no longer seem so empty and lonely.