#mahaud

Trailing a hand along the cavern wall, she made her way cautiously into the eastern tunnel. The wall was cool to the touch, and slightly damp, yet not unpleasantly so. As she followed the way, she allowed her mind to wander. The treasures which Taliesin collected over the aeons still resided in the depths of this labyrinth, many she had never set eyes on. Perhaps it was one of those calling to her. But that made no sense. She knew that was only possible if there were an impending crisis.

She shook her head to clear it, pausing to lean back against the wall. “Think, Rey. What would, Mum do in this situation? Or dad?” She laughed to herself a little.

Lee would probably be arguing with Hester over whether it was worth exploring or not. And Mum? Well, she would be coaxing her to trust her gut.

Rey took a deep breath, steeling herself before taking more confident steps into the tunnel system.

A sudden frisson of foreboding went through her body; she froze scanning her surroundings again. Something felt off.

Bracing a palm against the wall of the tunnel she crept along until she reached an opening to the left. Pausing again, she breathed in deeply and a sudden stench hit her nostrils. It was so strong it almost sent her reeling.

"Breathe..." She told herself, sternly. "Just breathe." With a steadying hand pressed against the wall she willed herself to lean around the opening, peering in cautiously.

There was a heaviness to the atmosphere that pressed against her as she entered. Unholy...

Rey gulped, mind racing. She recognised the feeling, halting in the middle of the small cavern. In the centre there was a portal, darkness swirling from the central disc. That was where the stench was emanating from, and a sudden sense of dread took hold of her.

"No..." Rey stepped back toward the opening of the cavern, the hairs on the back of her neck prickling. Something snagged the back of her shirt and she screamed... everything spinning and going black...

~~~~~

"Rey...Rey...wake up..."

Fog clouded her mind as she groaned opening her eyes. Leaning over her, concern in his eyes was Lord Avery.

"Avery... what happened?"

He shook his head folding his arms and said, "Mahaud. She tried to get to you." He stepped to where there was a jug of water and poured it, handing Rey the glass.

Rey sat up, taking the cup and sipped slowly. "What were you doing in the tunnels?"

"I came to see if you wanted to come visit Liliana and Roxanne's store with me."

Rey grinned a little. "How are you and Lily doing?"

The corners of his lips curved in a shy smile. "She's...amazing." He shook his head again, expression becoming drawn once more. "We need to figure out why Mahaud's back."

Rey grumbled, rubbing at her face. "Mum's damned birth father... Shen."

Avery scowled. "Right. He turned back time...and undid the binding?"

She nodded. "And now we gotta deal with the fall out. You hear that the US elected that Orange as their President again."

He scoffed. "Orange? Don't insult oranges."

Rey smirked as she made a small Mandarin appear, peeling it and teasing a segment apart and holding it out to him. Avery chuckled, taking it and popping it into his mouth.

"Yum. So, Mahaud."

Rey rubbed her face tilting her head and murmuring low. "Mahaud, bringer of chaos. She will wreak havoc and sow dissent. But, we must not despair." She stood, lifting her chin. "If I hadn't been caught off guard..."

Avery nodded firmly. "You could've taken her." He smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry."

Rey smiled softly and said, "No. You have nothing to be sorry for. Thank you for rescuing me... I wasn't ready." She paused. "That portal?"

He hummed, rubbing his palms together. "Sealed the cavern and left some elementals to guard it." He looked steadily at her. "You need to tell your family, and be prepared for trouble."

Rey nodded. "Will you contact Tory?"

He brushed long fingers through his hair. "I will. Though she may have already sensed her return." He glanced at her again. "Your grandfather?"

Rey blinked a little, swallowing. "Taliesin...is not with us. But, we have Jamie."

Avery gave her a long considered look then laughed sadly. "He is but a child."

Rey closed her eyes. "And I won't let harm come to my brother." She clenched her fists. "But...he knows Taliesin's mind."

Avery stepped close, hugging her gently. "Go home to your family. I will stay here and keep an eye on things."

Rey looked up at him, breath hitching a little. "Don't you have to return to the Otherworld?"

He shook his head. "This is important. I will stay here." He nudged her gently. "Go home. Even the most powerful magic wielder needs their mother sometimes..."

Rey smiled crookedly. "Is that something Tory taught you?"

Avery laughed softly and with a wave of his hand she found herself blinking from the caverns and appearing in her old room...