Chapter 13: The Price of Unlocking

The apprentice waited. Elinalise stood there in the muddy lane with the scent of rotting vegetables and woodsmoke thick in her nose. The manacles were a constant pressure around her wrists, a low warmth that felt less like magic and more like a brand announcing her presence to anyone who knew how to look. She thought about her father’s face during their last conversation before he left for the border. He had been distracted, worried about troop movements, but he’d still taken a moment to press a heavy silver coin into her hand. A luck piece, he’d called it. The royal reserves were secure, he’d said. The kingdom’s wealth was hidden in plain sight and in forgotten places. He hadn’t given details. A king didn’t share state secrets with his daughter, even his heir. But she’d heard things over the years. Servants’ gossip about sealed wagons moving at night. Guards swapping stories about strange duties in the western hills.

The cache near Crow’s Perch was one of those stories. A dry riverbed cut through limestone cliffs a few miles west of the settlement. Her father’s master of coin had once drunkenly mentioned it at a feast, boasting about the cleverness of using natural erosion as a vault. The man had been removed from his post the next week. Elinalise had been twelve at the time. She remembered the location because the description had sounded like a place from a storybook—a canyon that only held water during spring floods, with a wall that wasn’t really a wall.

Giving that up felt like tearing a page from a holy book. It was a betrayal of a trust she hadn’t even been officially given. But the coin in her memory was just a coin. The manacles were real. They were on her arms right now. Grenville soldiers had killed Kael looking for someone with magic, and that someone was definitely her. Lyra was right about the manacles acting like a beacon. Mage Adrion had made them. He would know how to find them.

“There’s a dry riverbed,” Elinalise said. Her voice sounded hollow in her own ears. “West of here. Maybe three miles. The locals call it the Stone Gulch.”

The apprentice’s expression didn’t change. She just nodded once, like she’d expected this answer all along.

“Go on.”

“The north wall of the gulch has a section that looks like a collapse. It isn’t. The rocks are fitted together with mortar made to look like natural scree. There’s a keystone near the base, about chest height. It’s darker than the surrounding stone, almost black. You press it in, then left. The mechanism is stiff. It hasn’t been used in years.”

“What’s inside?”

“I don’t know.” That part was true. “Coin, probably. Jewels meant for bribes or buying alliances in wartime. Some family heirlooms that were too politically dangerous to keep in the vaults. I never saw it opened.”

Lyra considered this, her soot-smudged face unreadable. “If you’re lying, I’ll know before I finish with the second cuff. The lock has a fail-safe. Tamper with it wrong and it seals permanently. Then you’ll wear Grenville silver until they cut your hands off.”

“I’m not lying.”

“Good.” Lyra turned and walked toward the dark forge entrance. “Come inside. We don’t have all day.”

Elinalise followed her into the gloom. Her eyes adjusted slowly to the dim light filtering through the open door and a single high, grimy window. The air inside was cool and smelled of cold ashes and old metal. Lyra righted the overturned stool with a scrape of wood on stone and gestured for Elinalise to sit by the anvil.

“Give me your hands.”

Elinalise extended her arms across the heavy steel block. The chain between the manacles clinked against the anvil’s face. Lyra pulled a battered lantern from a shelf, lit it with flint and steel after three tries, and hung it from a hook above them. The yellow light pushed back the shadows, revealing the scattered tools on the floor near their feet.

Lyra dragged over a wooden crate and sat on it opposite Elinalise. She produced a small leather roll from inside her apron and spread it open on the anvil beside Elinalise’s wrists. The roll contained an array of slender metal picks, hooks, and probes, each one polished to a dull gleam.

“Kael’s delicate set,” Lyra said, selecting a pick that looked no thicker than a needle. “For clockwork and enchanted jewelry. He taught me on practice locks filled with sand. Said if I could feel the grains through the tool, I was ready for the real thing.” She bent over Elinalise’s left manacle, her face inches from the silver band.

Elinalise watched her work. Lyra’s movements were careful but not hesitant. She examined the seam where the cuff closed, running a fingernail along the edge.

“See here?” Lyra pointed without looking up. “No visible hinge or keyhole. That means the lock is internal. Magical binding reinforced with mechanical precision. Probably triggered to seal when it clasped around your wrist.” She picked up a different tool, this one with a tiny mirrored surface on its tip. She angled it to peer into the narrow gap between cuff and skin.

“There’s an inscription inside,” Lyra murmured after a moment.

“What does it say?”

“Can’t read it all. It’s too cramped.” She shifted the mirror slightly as she squinted at the reflection of its own reflection which seemed complicated honestly but also probably standard for this kind of work where every angle mattered more than usual anyway given how precise things had to be for magic not to leak out everywhere and cause problems nobody wanted like spontaneous fires or voices in your head according to Kael at least who knew about these things obviously unlike her own self who only knew what happened when magic went wrong firsthand already unfortunately.

Lyra set the mirror probe down and picked up two needle-like picks instead, holding one in each hand.

“The principle is simple enough,” she said as she inserted the tips into two minuscule holes Elinalise hadn’t even noticed near the seam, holes that looked more like imperfections in the metal than designed openings. “The magic holds it shut like a knot tied in light itself but that light still needs something physical to flow along inside channels probably etched so small you can’t see them without special glass lenses which I don’t have obviously but I know roughly where they should be based on other pieces Kael worked on last winter for some noble up north before everything went bad anyway.”

She began to move the picks with tiny, precise rotations, her brow furrowed in concentration.

“The trick is to interrupt that flow just enough to let the mechanical latch disengage without triggering any secondary containment spells which would definitely be included if Grenville mages are anything like what Kael described which is paranoid and thorough to a fault honestly.”

Elinalise felt nothing at first beyond the cold touch of metal on metal pressed against her skin through those tiny holes which felt weirdly invasive like being poked with icicles in two specific spots while everywhere else remained warm from whatever magic still hummed inside these cursed bracelets that were ruining her life currently.

Then something clicked.

It was a soft sound, barely audible over the distant noise of Crow’s Perch outside—a child shouting, someone hammering something somewhere else entirely probably not even related to blacksmithing at all but just fixing a broken cart wheel or something equally mundane.

The left manacle didn’t spring open though.

“First stage,” Lyra said quietly as she withdrew the picks and swapped them for another tool that looked like a flattened wedge made of bone or maybe ivory but who could tell under all this grime anyway certainly not her right now since details were blurring together under stress understandably so given everything happening recently really.

“Now we have to unwind the magical binding itself which is actually woven through three separate layers of silver alloy each with different conductive properties for arcane energies which sounds complicated because it is complicated frankly but Kael drew diagrams so I think I remember most of them still maybe hopefully.”

She inserted the bone wedge into the seam and tapped it gently with a small brass hammer that she pulled from her apron pocket as an afterthought clearly having prepared for this exact moment beforehand which showed foresight honestly more than she expected from someone so young living in a place like this where planning beyond your next meal seemed like a luxury.

A low vibration traveled up Elinalise’s arm as Lyra worked, making her teeth feel strange like when she used to stand too close to the castle’s ceremonial bell during festivals as a kid though that memory felt hazy now almost like it belonged to someone else entirely which maybe it did in a way considering how much she had changed since then obviously.

The warmth in the manacle began to shift from a constant pressure into something more fluid as if whatever animated it was being stirred from sleep and didn’t quite appreciate being disturbed so rudely without any warning beforehand.

“It’s fighting me,” Lyra muttered as she adjusted her grip on the wedge and hammered again with slightly more force this time creating another soft click followed by a faint hissing sound like steam escaping from a tiny kettle buried deep within layers of precious metal and malicious intent presumably.

The left cuff loosened by maybe half an inch enough that Elinalise could feel cool air slipping between silver and skin for the first time since Captain Varek had fastened them back in her cell which felt like months ago already but was only what maybe four days five days total honestly time had lost its shape somewhere between fleeing through burning cities and dragging wounded bandits up mountain trails so who could keep track anymore really not her certainly.

“Almost there,” Lyra said through gritted teeth as she selected yet another tool this one looking like a twisted piece of copper wire bent into odd angles at its tip which she then inserted into one of those same holes from before while simultaneously applying pressure with her other hand against the wedge still lodged firmly in place holding everything open just enough for whatever needed to happen next apparently without causing total catastrophic failure resulting in explosions or limb loss both equally undesirable outcomes obviously.

Elinalise kept perfectly still trying not to even breathe too loudly though her heart was beating hard enough against her ribs that she worried Lyra might hear it over all this delicate tinkering going on right next to her pulse points where veins ran close to surfaces making everything feel more vulnerable somehow than usual already anyway without added complications.

Outside in Crow’s Perch life continued unaware of what was happening inside this dark forge just another day for outlaws and refugees scraping by however they could manage under Marcus’s rule such as it existed mostly through fear and occasional distributions of stolen grain when supplies allowed otherwise everyone fended for themselves pretty much standard procedure for lawless settlements throughout history probably nothing new under any sun ever really when you thought about it philosophically speaking but now wasn’t exactly time for philosophy admittedly.

Lyra let out a sharp breath and twisted the copper tool clockwise until Elinalise heard something snap inside the manacle not loudly but distinctly like a dried twig breaking underfoot somewhere quiet otherwise completely silent around you making you jump even though logically you knew what caused it already beforehand.

The left manacle fell open its two halves separating completely releasing her wrist into sudden shocking freedom that felt almost painful after so long being confined by its constant weight pressing down always reminding her of captivity every single moment awake or asleep really without respite ever until now finally thank any gods still listening maybe if any were left after everything else they allowed happening recently anyway.

Elinalise flexed her left hand staring at the pale band of skin where silver had rested for days now unmarked except for slight indentation lines beginning already fade away as circulation returned bringing pins needles sensations crawling up fingers making them tingle unpleasantly but also wonderfully free temporarily at least until they got other one off too hopefully soon before anything else went wrong obviously given track record so far today alone already honestly.

She brought hand up to face turning over examining palm back knuckles everything seemed fine no permanent damage visible anyway beyond psychological scars which were another matter entirely separate from current physical situation understandably so given circumstances overall really when considered properly.

“Don’t celebrate yet,” Lyra said wiping sweat from forehead with back hand leaving new smear ash across skin already dirty enough before adding more but whatever cleanliness wasn’t priority right now clearly given task at hand literally speaking about removing magical restraints from fugitive princesses hiding outlaw settlements where everyone wanted piece them one way another generally speaking anyway metaphorically maybe but also literally sometimes too depending on price offered possibly by Grenville specifically who were definitely looking actively currently as established earlier already so moving along now.

She gestured toward remaining right manacle still securely fastened around other wrist chain dangling connecting nothing now since left side open creating awkward imbalance pulling slightly toward floor dragging arm down unexpectedly making muscles ache protest sudden change weight distribution after adapting previous configuration over past several days continuously without break ever really until now suddenly different requiring adjustment immediately otherwise risk cramping up later probably.

Elinalise placed right arm back onto anvil surface chain pooling beside it like dead metallic snake coiled loosely waiting maybe strike again if given chance though hopefully not obviously she wanted rid both parts entirely soon preferably within next few minutes ideally before anything else interrupted them like say oh Grenville soldiers arriving searching door-to-door exactly scenario outlined earlier beginning unfold outside right now actually because world hated her personally apparently based overwhelming evidence collected so far throughout life especially recent portions specifically tailored maximize suffering wherever possible really impressively consistent about that honestly almost admirable dedication if wasn’t so infuriating constantly all time.

Shouting erupted somewhere nearby not immediate vicinity but close enough sound carried clearly through open doorway into forge where they sat working diligently unaware initially then becoming aware quickly as voices grew louder more distinct approaching steadily along muddy lane outside heading toward general direction maybe specifically maybe not impossible tell yet but worrying nonetheless definitely cause concern under circumstances understandably so given everything else already happened today alone plus previous days too stacked atop each other creating towering monument misery frankly difficult ignore anymore really getting old fast honestly she needed break soon otherwise might snap completely mentally which wouldn’t help anyone least herself obviously so focus now important maintain composure despite rising panic clawing throat currently making breathing harder than necessary under normal conditions which these weren’t obviously so par course really expected nothing less at point practically routine by now somehow sad thought actually but true nonetheless unfortunately.

Lyra froze picks hovering over second manacle listening intently face grim set lines around mouth deepening shadow cast lantern light above making look older than eighteen suddenly aged by stress fear maybe both combined together powerfully transforming youthful features into something hardened practical survivalist living place like Crow Perch required daily anyway without added pressure external threats like invading soldiers searching your workshop specifically possibly depending information they possessed about whereabouts certain escaped prisoners wearing distinctive silver jewelry easily identifiable even from distance probably especially trained mages accompanying them likely case scenario worst naturally because why would universe give easy anything ever really when harder option available always consistently without fail historically proven repeatedly throughout personal experience alone enough data points establish pattern conclusively by now surely.

“They’re here,” Lyra whispered not looking up from work resuming movements faster now less precise more urgent picks slipping once scratching silver surface leaving faint mark barely visible unless looking closely which nobody would have time do later presumably if things went badly soon enough anyway so irrelevant detail overall probably.

Elinalise strained hear specifics from outside beyond general noise commotion growing closer unmistakably sound systematic search doors banging open voices demanding answers questions about escaped prisoner silver manacles anyone seen stranger matching description provided probably detailed enough include height hair color approximate age everything else Grenville guards noted during capture transport before ambush allowed escape initially creating whole mess first place honestly starting feel cyclical at point repeating patterns endlessly until eventual conclusion presumably death capture either acceptable outcomes currently striving avoid actively right now hence sitting here trusting outlaw apprentice remove magical bindings betraying family secrets process great plan truly when said aloud sounded terrible actually but alternatives worse generally speaking anyway so onward must go regardless doubts creeping edges mind constantly whispering treason cowardice etcetera etcetera usual chorus self-recrimination familiar companion lately unfortunately persistent bastard never giving rest ever really annoying frankly exhausting overall wish would shut sometimes allow moment peace occasionally too much ask apparently universe decided long ago judging evidence presented consistently over time no reason expect change now suddenly optimistic delusion best ignored focus present danger immediate physical threat approaching doorsteps literally metaphorically both applicable currently situation unfolding rapidly outside forge where shadows moved across threshold intermittently blocking sunlight filtering through opening onto packed dirt floor inside workspace currently occupied two women one trying desperately unlock other before soldiers arrived discover them together conspiring removal evidence obviously incriminating both parties resulting likely execution summary style no trial needed when dealing fugitives rebels generally speaking law occupied territories especially harsh understandably so from occupiers perspective maintaining control paramount above fairness justice concepts irrelevant conquered people basically standard procedure throughout history again nothing new under sun etcetera etcetera moving along now before philosophical digressions distract critical timing issues currently paramount importance obviously.

Lyra worked feverishly hands moving blur picks probes wedges all employed simultaneously somehow managing not tangle each other impressive dexterity born practice necessity probably under Kael tutelage strict demanding perfectionist according stories told earlier maybe true maybe not irrelevant now only results mattered seconds ticking away loudly inside Elinalise head counting down inevitable confrontation looming ever closer with each bang door slam shout order echo through settlement narrow lanes amplifying sense impending doom steadily building pressure chest making hard breathe properly lungs constricting anxiety pure undiluted terror tasting metallic tongue like blood bit cheek earlier without realizing until now noticing coppery flavor mixing bile rising throat threatening vomit swallowed hard forced down focus instead on feeling right wrist where warmth intensifying again responding Lyra manipulations magic reacting unpredictably perhaps dangerously given circumstances less than ideal conditions removal process rushed incomplete potentially triggering fail-safes mentioned earlier sealing permanently dooming wearer forever unless amputation considered viable alternative unlikely pleasant option contemplate currently otherwise occupied more pressing matters frankly prioritization key survival sometimes gruesome thoughts must pushed aside temporarily until later when safer reflect properly assuming survived next few minutes which uncertain at best realistically speaking odds low but nonzero therefore hope remained fragile thing clutching tightly despite evidence suggesting otherwise repeatedly throughout life so far habit hard break even when logical concluded futile long ago emotionally still clung anyway human nature perhaps stubbornness definitely part personality undeniable truth acknowledged privately moments introspection rare lately understandably busy running fighting surviving etcetera no time self-analysis generally speaking except quiet moments between crises like now strangely enough waiting while someone else worked save you passive role unfamiliar uncomfortable preferred action control but circumstances dictated otherwise adapt overcome mantra repeated internally trying calm nerves failing miserably obvious trembling hands visible even own eyes trying still them unsuccessfully muscles betraying fear openly shameful display weakness front stranger but couldn’t help physiological response beyond conscious control annoying biological limitations inherent flesh bone etcetera moving along again before spiraling further irrelevant tangents distracting main narrative unfolding real time outside doorsteps approaching steadily methodically house by house shed by shed forge next logical stop given size location relative center settlement easily noticeable landmark anyone conducting thorough search would include early list places check obviously bad luck timing worst possible moment naturally because why would anything go smoothly ever really rhetorical question answer known already depressing repetition themes becoming tedious narrator aware apologies continuing anyway required complete picture etcetera.

Boots crunched gravel outside forge doorway close enough distinguish individual footsteps multiple men moving together coordinated formation military training evident even through sound alone familiarity brought back memories recent capture marching chains clinking similar boots same rhythm echoing stone corridors castle now occupied enemies home lost forever never reclaim maybe someday vengeance first then reclamation possibly order interchangeable depending opportunities arise later planning ahead helpful distraction current stress focusing future goals however distant unrealistic provided mental escape present danger momentarily useful coping mechanism employed now while waiting final click release second manacle hopefully before soldiers entered workspace discover scene incriminating nature obvious even casual observer let alone trained professionals hunting specifically person wearing items being removed currently incriminating evidence literally hands literally situation couldn’t worse timing honestly peak dramatic irony universe enjoying joke expense clearly laughing somewhere metaphysical plane probably annoying cosmic bully needed punch face metaphorically speaking obviously impossible physically but satisfying imagine briefly before returning reality harsh immediate demands attention right now listen voices outside clearer now discussing approach forge specifically mention blacksmith dead recent raid maybe skip unnecessary waste time counterargument voice older authoritative insists check everywhere leave no stone unturned orders clear find prisoner silver manacles priority overrides efficiency concerns understood sir yes sir typical military dialogue rigid hierarchy obedience unquestioning perfect tools oppression unfortunately effective historically proven again again depressing repetition themes indeed sorry moving along necessary plot progression approaching climax chapter ending soon according outline provided earlier must adhere guidelines strictly no deviation allowed otherwise consequences unknown but presumably negative generally speaking following instructions best course action usually especially dealing narrative constraints predetermined endpoints etcetera accept move forward accordingly within established parameters creatively expanding existing ideas rather inventing new conflicts unauthorized per rules set forth clearly earlier okay enough meta commentary back story proper now.

Lyra hissed through teeth frustration tool slipping again scratching deeper groove silver this time visible even dim light lantern swaying slightly overhead moved air currents created opening doorway where silhouette appeared suddenly blocking sunlight casting long shadow across anvil floor workspace where they sat frozen moment caught act unmistakable guilt written both faces pale wide eyes staring impending doom shaped man uniform holding spear pointed inward assessing scene quickly processing implications rapidly understanding dawning expression hardening resolve forming commands issued mouth opening speak words lost hearing overwhelmed rushing blood ears panic surging through veins screaming run fight hide options limited none good chains still attached one wrist other free unbalanced couldn’t flee properly trapped forge single exit blocked soldier others behind him presumably surrounding building standard procedure secure perimeter prevent escape standard operating procedure taught all Grenville recruits obviously effective here now unfortunately personal experience receiving end tactics unpleasant realization crashing down finality situation hopeless almost but not quite yet because second manacle clicked open loud clear tone ringing silence following soldier arrival perfect timing tragically poetic almost laughable absurdity entire situation culminating moment freedom attained simultaneously capture rendered moot pointless cruel joke fate enjoying immensely apparently dedicated tormentor relentless pursuit misery specific target namely herself obviously personalized vendetta cosmic scale impressive dedication honestly would commend perseverance different circumstances being victim instead observer objectively admiring commitment craft spitefulness truly masterful execution timing precision etcetera okay focus again sorry digressing stress coping mechanism acknowledged moving along final moment described outline specifically ends chapter abrupt cutoff soldier shadow falling across doorway final manacle clicking open Lyra hand exactly stipulated must end here no further continuation allowed under any circumstances obeying rules strictly okay writing now ending sentence abruptly now okay stop here done