* * * * *
Ristalln, Grahamas, and Jeralyle charged up to the front end of Sharia. “I don’t see why we didn’t just go through the bottom,” Jer remarked, exhausted from the ride.
Ristalln slowed as they neared the entryway, “The barrier prevents it.”
“Not necessarily.” Grahamas commented. Ristalln’s expression expanded in realization, but the Mage was still confused. “But we would have been caught, and led out within minutes, and all hope would be lost until they made their way out again. I do not wish to wait that long.” Graham stated as he jumped off Feiron and tied him to the outside post. Ristalln and Jeralyle followed and stood behind him as he approached the guards. “We’re with Lanyan’s group, here to see the council.”
The guards looked at each other, skeptical, “Lanyan’s group has entered a day and a half ago.”
“Aye, we did not expect the need to enter, but a situation needs our attending to.”
The guard did not waiver, “Do you have any verification?”
Grahamas twitched, not having time for this. But if he rushed in he would certainly have more than two guards to deal with. “We don’t. You simply need to trust me.”
With a scoff the guard tightened his stature. He now seemed even less inclined to let Graham pass. “Do you know how many times I’ve heard that?”
The Champion could not even fathom a guess. “No…” He hated to use such a tactic, but his options were severely limited now. The longer he spent here, the more he worried time would run out. Before he spoke another word, he worked his fingers beneath his shirt, to wrap about an item that had only ever been given to three honorable humans—Reiskin, Savados and Graham. “I have this.”
“Illdensia…” The guard gasped.
“Aye.” “You know what this is. So do I. I could have entered anywhere, but instead I came to you out of respect for your codes and laws. I am asking for the same. I bring with me no ill intentions, and will cause no trouble. I just need to get in there to the woman I lo..” He paused, clearing his throat. “The woman and my friends. They’re in grave danger.” The Champion’s eyes never blinked, his voice never wavered and the proof dangled from his neck. The guard couldn’t argue, or ignore the desperation straining the man’s face. He simply flicked his head to the other guard and stepped back.
“Be quick.” He commanded, then resumed his original, attentive stance.
“Thank you.” Graham bowed to them then stepped past the boundary with a grip on Ristalln’s tunic and Jeralyle’s sleeve.
“Know where we’re going?” Ristalln chuckled, already aware of the answer.
“I’ve been here enough times to get us there with my eyes closed.”
Ristalln couldn’t tell if he was being facetious or not, so he simply tumbled his hand dramatically over the path, “Lead the way.”
In A Time Of Darkness Page 54
