by Cheryl Dyson
******
Brydon helped Davin release the others and then divested the guard of his cheap sword and dagger. Jace the Wanderer was the only other man in their block of cells, thankfully, because Brydon did not want to think about other prisoners bellowing for release.
Toryn took the sword Brydon offered without question, although he raised a brow. Brydon shook his head, although he was not sure how to explain their escape even to Toryn.
Shevyn threw her arms around Jace’s neck and then did the same to Brydon. He smiled at her and caught Toryn’s sardonic grin before he introduced himself to Jace.
Jace was a tall man, taller than any of them, with thick, dark brown hair and a broad grin. He wore gleaming black leather armor. Under the polished breastplate, a white shirt flowed out into sleeves gathered at the wrists with a practical cuff. A long, dark cloak was attached to rings on the breastplate. He looked impressive and was obviously a knight-priest of the Shield, evidenced by the bronze shield symbol prominently displayed on his breastplate.
"My thanks, brother," Jace said. "I know this castle well. Let us depart this place."
Brydon nodded and they headed down the dank corridor, dimly lit by small torches hung in wall brackets. They reached another door and Jace grasped the handle, but Davin hissed at them to stop.
"Two guards stand beyond the door," Davin whispered. Jace pushed a hand through his dark hair and studied Davin for a moment, obviously wondering how the Penk had slipped by the two guards on his way into the dungeon. "Armor?"
Davin motioned at Jace’s breastplate.
"Leather?" he asked. Davin nodded. "Helms?"
"No."
Jace smiled. "We may have a chance."
The violent cry of a great hunting cat split the silence of the corridor and Brydon grinned at Toryn in admiration. He wondered how Toryn could mimic the sound so perfectly. The door burst open and both rushed in, holding spears and swords ready. Jace and Brydon brought two still-smoldering torches down upon their heads. One of them was faster, or perhaps better trained, and he narrowly avoided the bludgeon. The torch swished by him and he rolled into Davin. Both went down.
Jace’s victim stayed down. The second man scrambled up, avoiding Davin’s quick grasp, only to meet Toryn’s torch. It caught him across the jaw and snapped him around to fall on Davin again. Davin climbed out from under him, muttering. Toryn already had the man’s sword in his hand, testing it for balance against the other. Jace picked up another and Brydon took the weapon Toryn decided was the lesser blade. Shevyn hefted a spear and Brydon took one of those, also.
Thus armed, they slipped out and found themselves in a similar corridor. More tunnels branched off and a stone stairway curved up and out of sight. They took the curving stairs and met no one on the way.
At the next floor, the stairs continued upward, most likely to the tower’s lookout post and possibly the roof. A long corridor led into the darkness and the sounds of shouting and the clatter of many booted feet greeted them, likely from guards sent by Reed to prevent Davin from rescuing them. Shevyn tugged at Brydon’s arm and pointed upward. They scrambled quickly up the stairs and paused again on the next landing.
"How do we get out of here?" Brydon hissed.
"How do we get our weapons back?" Toryn asked. Brydon nearly laughed. Trust Toryn to be worried about his jade-hilted sword.
"Follow Shevyn," Jace said. "She will know where your weapons are. Davin, will you come with me?"
"Where are you going?" Brydon asked, alarmed.
"To have a little talk with Reed." Jace smiled and stroked his sword.
"I’m coming with you," Brydon decided.
Jace nodded. "I thought you might want to."
"Toryn?" Brydon asked.
"Shevyn and I will fetch our belongings and meet you... where?"
Shevyn mimed mounting and riding, then pawed and snorted like a horse.
"The stables."
"Good," Jace said, "We’ll meet you in the stables. If we are not there in half an hour leave without us, however you may. Toryn, take care of Shevyn. If anything happens to her, it could be disaster for us all."
Toryn nodded absently and the two of them slipped down the corridor. The other three took the stairs leading upward. Brydon hoped it would not be the last time he looked upon Toryn or Shevyn.
