Survive As The Brute’s Wife - Chapter 98

The more Alexandra tried to struggle out, the more the chains wrapped tighter and pulled her down. Hearing Maximus calling her name, she was raring to go up, and it took her some time to figure out that resistance is futile.

She looked down. Oddly that usually dark place had a dim light and she saw the chains clenching on her ankles loosen as she calms down. She took in deep breaths to calm herself, she stopped looking up at the surface where she could see Maximus’ face, and she focused on the chains.

[Ah… It’s a spell…]

She realized that her dear father has bound her with a spell to possibly imprison her.

“Ah, dear father… You’re wise…”

She laughed in her heart. What better place is there to trap her, other than inside her? But she was not in the mood to admire her father’s wisdom as she became angry at the cruelty of her father.

There is no need for him to imprison her here just because she wanted to be with Maximus! And now she is here, in this place that she has no clear knowledge of, while some unknown soul is controlling her body.

She looked at her feet and saw the chains were attached to big blocks of something. She sat on it with her hands on her cheeks. The serene music that lulls her to sleep sounded annoying.

“Shut up!” she shouted and almost immediately that noise went away. Or she was just imagining that music till then and she stopped hallucinating.

The water around her was very suited for her needs. It made her warm. And she could breathe the same way as she would breathe on land. She already figured that this is inside of her consciousness. This is where she reached when she first tried to search her memories.

So if this is someplace inside her, she could navigate it as she pleases is what she thought. She knew she cannot stay here. For one, leaving that other soul in charge of her body always ends in trouble, and most importantly, she cannot allow Tubby to pour his love to this other… soul; whoever it may be.

And she remembered cursing the Lukyan family for never getting their love. Maximus’ love is her and her spell is standing in between them, preventing them from getting together, possibly.

She needs to break the curses she put on the Lukyan family. She needs to get out of here.

She looked at the big block that the chains were tethered to. She stood up and bend to check how strongly the chains are attached to that block of what appeared to be a metal box.

Surprisingly, the box was very light. She could lift it easily as one would be able to lift heavy objects underwater. She figured that she could try and reach the surface, holding the box.

But the moment that thought crossed her mind, the metallic box started to get unbearably heavy. She couldn’t stand straight as the box pulled her down and she dropped the box on the floor of this pond.

She could understand that this spell does not want her to reach the surface. But that is her way out. Alexandra slumped dejectedly on the ground. She just stared at the box for some time to figure out the spell which is binding her. But she couldn’t.

She placed her hand on the box and closed her eyes. Each spell has a distinct composition that blends various elements at certain proportions – kind of like cooking with various ingredients. Since it is something that involves the skillset and the strength of the caster, the same spell cast by different spellcasters would have different compositions.

If someone is well-versed in the spells, they can figure out the blended elements and the blending methods used, as a connoisseur would. She can pretty much dissect every spell, but then there is still this spell, which she couldn’t even begin to understand.

In the end, she is not remotely as powerful as her father. And she cannot waste time trying to figure out the complexity of the spell. But if she doesn’t know how the spell is assembled, she cannot find a way to break it.

She looked up at the dark surface and she realized that she is trapped here with no one by her side.

She kneeled with her forehead on the ground and let out a long sigh. And the melodious song that she pushed back started playing around her, lulling her to sleep.

—–

Maximus couldn’t sleep the entire night. Sitting beside Alexandra, he just watched her sleep as he wondered how he can help her ailment. He checked once again to see Mount Beginda not there. It had vanished and so does the dragon that might help Alexandra.

He even wondered if Arioch has a hand in this. She’s like this only after being with him and he wondered if he was able to put some curse on her. That guy does have the charm to make her fall for him. He had the best of intentions with her but they always ended up fighting while he could make her listen to every whim of him in their past life.

And she would never question the one she thinks of as “Tubby”. He could very well offer her a vial of poison and she would drink it without questioning. Arioch, as he is called now, might have cursed her in some way, for some reason.

«Should I offer something in exchange for getting the detail out of him?»

He threw away that idea since he knew Arioch would never be honest with him. The best course of action would be to consult others before thinking of asking Arioch. The Chief Priest of the Temple of The Dragon King helped him before, and he is an eccentric figure who might have more details concerning this all.

But he is a fool who is thinking that he is the reincarnation of the Great King.

He called Ithildin and asked if he could find out what is wrong with her. All he said was that a powerful spell is keeping her and he refused to elaborate further. Kefir is nowhere to be found and so does the Phoenix.

Maximus pondered about other ways to help her.

«The Elves! The Nandor Elves will have an idea what is wrong with her if it is regarding spells!»

The Nandor elves have a rich history and they are the pioneers of the magic that mankind knows. But sadly, they live in the Uileag forest and no one other than Alexandra could find the way.

Maximus leaned on the wall as he couldn’t think of a plan as he is back at square one. He should be protecting Alexandra until she gains her persona back. But he won’t be able to stay by her side all the time once she gets there.

His mother…

Suddenly he had an idea.

“Erich!” he called and Elrich who was guarding the door got inside and kneeled in front of him.

“Attus Navius… The augur in the Citadel…What do you know about him? Tell me all about his loyalty towards the witch,” he asked.

He was in no urge to address his mother as his mother. He now has a plan. If he cannot protect Alexandra against his mother, he can bring his mother down. To be frank, he has no qualms killing her, but it won’t be accepted by many and even Alexandra considering the fact that she is his mother.

But that doesn’t mean that he cannot bring her down.

“I don’t know much about the augur, but I know a well-respected mage who would speak out the truth,” Elrich carefully looked at Maximus figuring out his expression. “He feels that his skills are getting overlooked where he is,”

By truth, he meant “their truth” and not necessarily “The truth”.

“We do need a skillful mage to be our Royal Arch-Mage!” Maximus smirked.

By conspiracy or by force, he will get what he wants – Alexandra should be safe!

—–

“The journey will be long and arduous. Do tell me if it gets hard for you. We can stop the carriage and take rest,” Maximus held Alexandra’s hand and he smiled looking at the beautiful blue eyes that lacked any emotion staring back at him blankly.

“I will,” she mumbled. And that one word from her made Maximus feel butterflies in his stomach and he smiled.

She is talking without getting scared!

A week has passed after the disappearance of Mount Begida. He thought it would cause a bigger commotion than it is.  It seemed like everything was quiet as if someplace that was home to a lot of folklore had not just disappeared into thin air.

He knew something is brewing in the shadows. And before it reaches them, he has to reach where it all started.

Lethusia, here we come!

—–

On the surface of the water clear as a mirror, Alexandra saw the smiling face of Maximus.

[Don’t smile for her! Don’t smile for another person? That’s not me!]

A bitterness made her throat choke and she clutched her chest that is filled with pain. As the pain intensified, she heard the song getting louder. She shook her head to get her concentration back, to ward of the weariness the song brings.

[I cannot give up!]

Carrying the block of metal, she walked in the darkness.. She cannot go up, but there should be another way out.