Prisoner of Darkhaven
By: Emma PaulCHAPTER ONE
Castle Darkhaven stood out against the darkening mid-evening sky.
Its highest steeple pointed defiantly towards heaven, as if daring God
to send his angels and tear it down. Franz Müller spent half his day
climbing the treacherous path up Mount Damon to the dark castle.
The cliff narrowed the higher he climbed towards the legendary
home of the dark Lord Damien Dontaleone. They say he is a demon.
Franz pushed the disturbing thought aside.
Stones tumbled down the face of the mountain as his fingers
clumsily searched for crevices and grooves in an effort to find better
support. Taking a shaky breath, he pressed his back firmly against the
rocky surface and continued inching his way up the path.
Icy wind whipped through his hair. Thunder boomed and
lightening streaked across the sky, as he got closer to the castle. Night
approached fast. His chest tightened with anxiety and his heart
pounded.
Franz lifted a trembling hand to his eyes, wiped the sweat from his
brow, and smoothed his hair away from his face, to get a better look at
the black stone structure looming high above him. He was so close.
Castle Darkhaven could be described as black as night, unlike any
he had ever seen and hopefully would never see again. This is my
only hope. His precious Elise waited for news of his meeting with
Lord Dontaleone and he wouldn't let her down.
Franz closed his eyes saying a prayer before he made his way down
the stone postern leading to the main entrance. Night had finally
descended and the full moon shone brightly against the black starless
sky.
Peculiar shadows danced in the glow of moonlight. They twisted
into odd shapes, intertwining into each other.
Franz walked cautiously to the gate.
Swallowing nervously, he slowly averted his eyes from the eerie
shadows and forced his trembling legs to keep moving forward
towards the castle's main entrance.
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A tiny dark blur darted past him. He stopped, clutched his cloak
tighter around himself, and turned sharply to his left with eyes wide,
limbs shaking. Tension in his gut knotted painfully.
"Who g-goes there?"
Nothing.
He could have sworn he heard something. Pulling his hood away
from his ear, Franz strained to listen. Eerie silence surrounded him.
Gathering what was left of his courage, he continued down the dirt
pathway and up the enormous stone steps leading to the front door.
A sudden shiver raced down his spine, feeling like the cold breath
of someone or something trickling down his back. He whirled around
to see who might be standing behind him, trying to focus into the
pitch darkness, but saw no one.
Taking another deep breath, he grabbed the gargoyle shaped iron
doorknocker and banged it three times against the wooden panel. A
cold wind blew over him, but the icy temperature had nothing to do
with his chattering teeth.
The doors creaked open.
Peering in, Franz stepped inside, adjusting his eyes to the sudden
brightness.
Several torches lined down the entire length of wall.
His heart thumped. A long foyer led to what he assumed must be
the main dining hall.
The wall reflected shadows that seemed to move with him. It's only
my imagination. Something watched him.
Up ahead he saw the arched entrance leading into the dining hall.
A fireplace warmed chilled skin. His long cloak suddenly became
much too heavy. He loosened the top allowing it to part open in front.
Eyes darting left to right and fear tightening in his chest, he
hesitantly stepped into the hall.
Someone stood with their back to him, facing the fireplace.
The man stood at least a foot and a half taller than him. His broad
shoulders stiffened and his head turned slightly towards Franz.
"What do you want Miller?”
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He sighed deeply and turned around. Dark unemotional eyes
pierced like daggers. .
Franz stammered, feeling the unwavering cold stare from Lord
Dontaleone. The man's expression turned to disgust as he regarded
him. Suddenly feeling pathetic and small, Franz lowered his head to
stare at his booted feet.
"My lord? I..."
Lord Dontaleone stepped a bit closer. "You want to beg me to save
your daughter. And what will you give me in return, hm?"
Franz snapped his head up and blanched. It wasn't his intention to