Chapter 32: Beast Frenzy
As sunset approached, Arthur wandered aimlessly through the castle. Upon finding an unguarded gap, he swiftly slipped into the dimly lit basement, a place filled with dark corridors. Grabbing a torch, he began searching for the secret door described in the novel.
After a full hour of being lost, he finally found his target—a hidden door that opened by pushing a specific part of the wall. Without hesitation, he entered a long tunnel leading outside the castle. This passage had been built as an escape route for important figures in the event of the castle falling into enemy hands. It was the very same tunnel that Arvan had used to escape in the novel.
The tunnel was exceedingly long and filled with insects. Water dripped from the ceiling, forming several shallow puddles along the way. From time to time, Arthur spotted a massive rat or a small mouse, as there were numerous burrows along the tunnel walls.
After traveling five miles, he reached the end of the tunnel where a stone-carved staircase led upwards. Setting the torch down, he slowly climbed until he reached the top.
With all his strength, he pushed against what felt like a lid, and with great difficulty managed to lift it. Cold, refreshing night air rushed into the suffocating tunnel. Arthur took a deep breath and sighed in relief. He then fully removed the lid—which turned out to be an extremely heavy square stone—and crawled out, finding himself in the familiar dark forest.
Quickly, he closed the tunnel and buried it under the soil. With a wave of his hand, he grew a web of roots and vines to cover the tunnel entrance, hiding it completely.
Without wasting time, he sprinted towards the location where he had planned to meet Otieno.
After another hour of searching, he found Otieno.
Without any pleasantries, Arthur ordered, "Give me the horse and return to the castle."