Donnell led Samaya and the others through the labyrinth at a pace that even she struggled to walk at without changing into a jog. She looked at Qyburn with sympathy as she saw him doing his best to keep up with all of them, she knew that he didn't want to disappoint Donnell once again. He had done so much for Samaya over the years that she would do anything he asked, and yet the only thing he asks is for them to stop fighting so that he can lead them out of the maze —once again saving her life.
Obara was of a similar mind as she chided herself for losing her temper so quickly. Donnell had always lectured her back in Dorne about how a calm mind triumphs over strength every time and that it would help her against a foe with power strength than her. Just like when he managed to save Tyene from the clutches of Robert Baratheon before slaying him in single combat.
"Tyene..." Obara whispered as her heart began to hurt like never before. She stopped running and fell against the walls causing the group to stop. Samaya came up towards her and placed a hand on her arm "Obara are you well?" She asked.
Obara looked up at her with tears falling from her face. She didn't know why she was feeling this way or why she couldn't stop crying, but the mere thought of Tyene had brought her pain that was almost too much to bear. "I apologise... I don't know what is wrong with me," she said to Samaya as wiped tears from her face. Donnell had turned around as well and was walking towards Obara; she felt even worse when she saw the look of disappointment on his face. She knew this wasn't the time to be acting like some love-scorned lady and yet she couldn't stop the sadness that had taken hold of her heart.
"Obara you must push away whatever grips your heart, we are in a fight for our very lives, we need to be ready for anything," He said sternly.
Obara nodded as she wiped her eyes again, but every thought of Tyene, her beloved younger sister sent unbearable pain through her, thinking of her smile of her laughter, it all became too much. "I think I just miss my sister..." Obara said with a voice full of sorrow.
Samaya looked at her with a look of empathy, as she too missed her fellow sisters back home. "You will see her again, but that's only if we can get out of this place," Donnell tried to say reassuringly.
Obara nodded once again looking up more resolutely than before. 'I'll see her again once I get... home,' she thought to herself, but the words in her head seemed false as if she didn't believe them. She looked at Donnell walk back to the head of the party and she obediently followed him with the others. However, she couldn't shake the thought out of her mind that she wouldn't see Tyene again, even if she did make it out of this Labyrinth.
'Something doesn't feel right...' she thought to herself as she continued onwards.
Donnell took a much slower pace than before allowing Qyburn to comfortably keep up with them. The older man had his eyes focused on Donnell and not much else 'Who is this man,' he wandered to himself with a little bit of fear and confusion. He knew that the man before him was Donnell Blackwood and he had various memories of them together in the citadel where they performed surgeries and researched together, but Qyburn's logical mind discounted these memories almost immediately.
In the citadel, he was outcasted almost as soon as he arrived due to what was considered strange theories and practices. His logical mind knew he would've never shared his research on reanimating, and yet it conflicted with the memories that he had of Donnell. But the most damning evidence was how everyone here seemed to know him despite the fact that they were from different parts of the world and her all seemed to have various memories with him.
What Qyburn concluded is that this 'Donnell' was an extremely dangerous individual. That is why he kept silent and refused to share his opinion with the others, if a man can come in and trick them all into remembering him then there is no telling what other powers he might have. Qyburn would wait for the moment when they can escape though he worried that the others might reject his theory as they seem to place a lot of importance on their memories with him, especially Daario who has followed him around like a bodyguard since he showed up, but even then Qyburn couldn't be entirely sure when he showed up as he remembered Donnell entering the maze with him.
What he needed was Jon, the lad was smart and resourceful, he did not doubt that he might be able to knock some sense into these lot or dispel whatever effect they seemed to be under.
"We are getting close now, soon you will experience true freedom," Donnell said as he turned around giving them all a wide smile.
Everyone smiled back at him, though Qyburn's smile was forced. He felt a shiver of fear travel through his body when he saw the man smile in his direction; there was no warmth in his smile, no light, just cold emptiness and it terrified the old man. They turned another corner just before they saw a light and a moment later they emerged into a large circle that they all quickly deduced was the centre of the labyrinth.
It was huge, at least twice as large as the Lorashi camp outside and in its centre was a large wooden fortress that looked to be in ruins. "This doesn't seem to be the exit. Perhaps we took a wrong turn?" Qyburn innocently said trying to deduce the man's goals.
"Inside the castle will be the route to freedom, when you're in this maze there is no going back the way you came only forward," Donnell stated bluntly. Qyburn wanted to question why this was but decided against it as he didn't want to anger him; ever since he realised the truth the memories of Donnell had slowly been fading as if the spell he was placed under had dissipated and he was free. It only made him worry more we he wondered where they were being led and for what purpose.
"How can our escape be in that fort? It'll lead to nowhere?" Samaya asked with confusion.
Donnell hid his annoyance before turning around "The Labyrinth you see before you is merely the roof of a much large structure, the fort lies upon an entrance that will give us access," he explained before turning back around and rushing to the fort with the rest of them following close behind.
"How would going inside help us escape?" Obara asked as her features started to scrunch up.
"How do you know about this entrance? I thought no one made it this far yet?" Samaya said.
"SHUT UP!" Daario shouted to them as he turned around with a scowl on his face.
"Stop questioning the Captain when he is trying to save our lives!" Daario yelled again.
Donnell put his hand on Daario's shoulder before giving him a grateful smile. "Thank you my friend but there is no need to lose your temper, they are just curious, and I wish I could answer all of your questions but we are running out of time," he said as he turned around to face them.
They all nodded respectfully with the exception of Qyburn whose worry was starting to slip passed the facade he had created. They all followed Donnell quickly to the castle, but as they reached the ruined gates they were ambushed; Sellswords and men from Lorath ducked out from behind cover with their bows strung back and their weapons drawn surprising them all even Donnell. Despite wanting to fight Samaya and Obara quickly realised they'd lose, only one of them was armed and he didn't look confident in taking on the men in front of him —even with his new weapon.
The men poured out of the fort taking all of them into custody and bringing them inside. Only one of them noticed that they seemed to ignore Donnell —who quickly slipped away. They were taken into the wooden keep that seemed to have lasted through the years and quickly ushered into what seemed like a throne room.
Mya Stone sat upon the throne of Qarlon the Great with her feet upon his ancestor, using him as a stool. Stood next to her was the giant Gendry with his Warhammer aimed at the ground. Covering the whole room were men who looked like they'd seen better days —covered in filth and grime. "It is fortunate that you made your way here, it saves me the trouble of having to route you out myself," Mya said with a bored expression on her face as she shifted her legs on Qarlons back.
Ssmaya looked at the man who was on his hands and knees with disgust. A weak man such as him would've been gelded and sent to work the fields back in her home and yet in this place he was allowed to rise to the position of Prince; none of these customs made sense to her. "Though I see that one of you is missing... where is Jon," she said in a calm manner, but the look in her eyes was anything but calm. She had expected Jon to be in this group and the fact he was not sent a cold fury running through her veins. A fury that she would undoubtedly take out on his companions before her.
"Who knows where the fucker is, we lost him in the maze," Daario revealed. He wasn't about to risk his life for Jon, he would give him up in a second if it meant his own safety. His other companions looked at him angrily but did not say anything; Samaya made a note to rip his tongue out of his mouth before the day ended.
Mya looked towards Daario with cold indifference though her anger flared when she saw a familiar sword in one of the sellsword's hands. She kicked Qarlon down to the ground and stood up "Where did you get that sword!" She said in a loud voice as she approached the sellsword who started to shake in her presence.
"It was his weapon, Captain!" The sellsword stuttered out as he thrust it in front of his boys trying to put as much distance between himself and the object as possible.
Mys turned to Daario whose patented smirk had disappeared from his face. "So my brother is dead? And you're responsible?" She said as she walked straight up to him. Daario could feel the intense heat coming from her body, it contrasted perfectly with the icy cold stare that was coming from her.
"I did..." Daario said, his voice almost cracking as he spoke.
Mya stared intensely at him and everyone was certain that she would kill him, even Gendry thought he was doomed, but to everyone's surprise, she chuckled "Edric was weak of mind and at the end weak of the body too, he didn't deserve such power," Mya said as she turned on her heels and sat back down on the throne.
Gendry stiffened, he clenched his fists around his Warhammer. Despite Edric's annoyance and shortfalls, he was his brother, they were family and so to hear Mya make light of his death was almost too much for Gendry to take; Gendry was close to exploding into a berserker rage and crushing Mya beneath his hammer.
"So you'll allow me to keep the sword then?" Daario said, his confidence quickly returning.
Mya who was now sitting back on the throne let a small smile grace her features "What use does a dead man have with a sword," she replied wiping the grin from his face.
*RAAAAH*
The sounds of battle cries in the distance filled the room interrupting the tense atmosphere. After a moment a Lorathi soldier came rushing through into the keep "The Ibbenese are attacking!" He shouted.
Mya frowned but did not stand up from her throne. She had thought that she had an understanding with the Ibbenese when they attacked the Lorathi together, but it seems they have their own goals in coming through the labyrinth. With the guards distracted by everything going on Samaya took advantage of the situation and took a step back before slamming her fist into a guard's lower back and cracking his spine; the sellsword's legs gave out and he crumpled to the ground, but Samaya grabbed him by the back of the neck and threw him towards Mya.
Obara launched into action too withdrawing a small dagger from her boot and stabbing it into her guard's throat and then taking his sword. Daario elbowed the man next to him before pivoting around him and snapping his neck; All of them were now armed, but both girls had seen what both Gendry and Mya were capable of so instead of attacking they ran straight out of the room —Samaya grabbing Qyburn as she did. Daario saw fire erupt from Mya and didn't stay long enough to see what was about to happen, he killed two guards as he made his escape only barely avoiding a ball of flames being launched towards him.
Samaya, Obara and Qyburn ran down the corridors of the keep making their way to the exit, but before they could Samaya was grabbed by someone from around a corner. She turned ready to strike whoever dared touch her but when she looked she smiled "Donnell! Where have you been," she said, glad to see her friend was okay.
"It was difficult but I managed to avoid the guards, and I was just coming to get you all now," Donnell said assuringly which was enough to convince Samaya, but Obara was starting to have a few doubts about the man she called friend, and Qyburn only had more questions than he did before. Daario managed to catch up with them and smiled when he saw Donnell. "Have you found us a way out Captain," Daario asked as Donnell had always come through for them in their time of need.
Donnell smiled and nodded "Of course my friend I have found the path that leads us to freedom, you only need to follow me," he said as he turned around and led them down the corridor. Qyburn noticed that the corridors they were travelling through were becoming increasingly ruined and the wood was starting to rot. His nervousness only increased when they were led to a set of stairs that creaked and groaned with every step they took.
The group emerged into a chamber under the castle. It was large and circular and in the centre was a hole with a spiral staircase, but the hole was blocked off by some purple light acting as a sort of barrier. "What is this place..." Qyburn breathed out, half in exhaustion and half in awe.
"Freedom," Donnell replied.
There was an altar that lay just before the steps and on it were words carved into stone. "The path is blocked by an ancient magic used by the Fisher Queens, we must speak the words on this tablet to open the path up before us," Donnell stated.
Samaya, Daario and Obara each inspected the tablet, but none of them recognised the language. "I don't know what it says my friend, it looks similar to the writing I saw at the entrance to the Labyrinth," Daario stated. Donnell's eyes seemed to flash with annoyance and his lip twisted in anger.
"Can you translate it Qyburn? I know you and Jon managed to translate the text at the entrance of the Labyrinth," Daario asked, and suddenly Donnells eyes brightened up again and his gaze zeroed in on Qyburn who felt himself start to shake.
"Is this true my friend, did you translate the texts?" Donnell asked as he approached him putting his arm around his shoulder and guiding him to the stone tablet. Qyburn inspected the writing and while it would be difficult he would be able to translate it, Jon had already done the hard work of identifying the source language, he just needed to piece it together. However, Qyburn wasn't sure he wanted to help Donnell, in his mind he knew that Donnell was his friend and would do the same for him but he couldn't help but think that something wasn't right.
They were brought here for a reason and Qyburn had yet to decipher why. He knew it was related to the hole they now stood in front of; Qyburn wracked his brain as he tried to figure out why Donnell or whoever he was would want to dispel the barrier. It made him question the purpose of this labyrinth, but no matter how much he thought he could only come to one conclusion. This labyrinth was a prison and Donnell wanted him to open the cell doors.
"I'm not sure I can translate it, my friend, Jon would be the person to ask," Qyburn lied.
A frown made its way onto Donnell's face and his hand squeezed Qyburn's shoulder roughly.
"Read."
(AN: We are getting close to the big reveal guys, what is this place and what does the labyrinth contain. Hope you enjoyed the chapter.)
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