They weaved through the corridors and made their way to the prison cells. More guards let them pass; opening doors for them or offering them the proper keys for the doors beyond. Rommus took the ring of keys from the last guard, nodding to him as he saluted.
The corridor had several cells, but only two were occupied. The first held the Dirujen that had been captured, and the second held the Vindyri Zeke. Both men were seated when they arrived, but stood and came up to the bars when they saw Rommus and Alana approaching.
The Dirujen spoke first. "So, you are the new god of war. I can see the spark in your eyes."
"I am," Rommus said flatly.
"Listen, god of war—wait, what is your name? What do I call you?"
"Sir."
The immortal pressed his lips together in frustration as he gathered himself. "Excuse me, sir, I do not mean to be rude, but I have information that is vital to your plight. I believe you will want to hear what I have to say."
"And what information do you have for me?" Rommus asked.
The immortal's eyes flicked back and forth between Rommus and Zeke. "I cannot tell you in the presence of others. I must speak with you privately."
"No, you can tell me here and now. What is it you have to tell me?"
"Please, god of war, speak with me alone. I beg of you. Come to the far side of the cell where they cannot hear us."
Rommus conceded and handed Alana the keys. She searched the ring for the proper key, but had to try several before finding the proper one. Rommus turned his attention toward the Dirujen and they walked to the area of his cell farthest away from Alana and Zeke.
"Okay, tell me what you need to tell me," Rommus said.
The Dirujen whispered something that Rommus couldn't hear.
"What?" Rommus said as he leaned closer. "I can't hear you.
The Dirujen leaned in as close to the bars as he could. "I said, you are a fool."
Alana's scream shot ice through his veins. After she had opened the cell door, Zeke had pulled her dagger free and stabbed her in the gut. Over and over he stabbed, twisting the blade and tearing her insides apart. Rommus ran to stop him, but he had stabbed her so many times that she had already collapsed to the floor. Zeke hacked and slashed several more times before Rommus could finally cut him down with his sword.
Zeke crumbled to the floor as Rommus fell to Alana's side. He was so shocked at what had happened that he couldn't think of what to do. Hot tears rolled from his eyes as he screamed. She had gone limp and lifeless, and Rommus began to feel dizzy and sick.
Laughter came from the immortal's cell. "Oh foolish god of war, what do you do now?"
Rommus looked down at Alana's ashen face. He had only one choice. There was only one person who could save her.
——————
Uritus walked swiftly passed the immense statues to the wall with the great stone door. Other Mages waited patiently with hands in opposite sleeves. Battus Gredda was the only one not wearing a hood, and the look on his face was truly troubling. He kept his eyes on Uritus as he approached, but he paced back and forth nervously.
"What is it, Battus? What is the emergency?"
"Something is wrong here, Red Master. Something is very wrong."
"Well what is it? Everything seems to be in order."
"No, this is very bad. Mages on patrol near here heard noises. They came to investigate."
"So? What noises? Get to the point, Battus, I'm a busy man."
"Banging. There was banging loud enough to shake the dust from these ancient carvings. There's something on the other side of this door."
"That's impossible. It's made of stone. It's only a symbolic doorway."
Battus shook his head. "I don't think so. Just wait a moment and see."
Uritus crept closer to the stone door and listened carefully. For a long time it was as quiet as a tomb, and nothing but the ring of silence came to his ears. It was even quiet enough for him to hear his own heartbeat as he felt it pumping in his chest.
Then the boom came. It was so deep that the massive room shook violently. It echoed through the colossal chamber, threatening to bring all the Mages to their knees. Even the huge statues looked as if they might topple over, but Uritus thought it was just his imagination.
He approached the door cautiously, making sure that it was indeed a carving and not a real door. Another ominous boom shook the chamber, and several of the Mages recoiled, wanting to run. Uritus shook his head at them slowly, warning them not to dare run. He turned back to the doors and saw a decorative carving of a flower at the center. Without really thinking about it, he reached out to touch it.
The sound of thunder took them all by surprise. The grinding stone cracked and groaned, vibrating the entire floor. Bright light beamed from the split between the doors as they swung inward, and Uritus could not believe what he saw inside.
T H E E N D
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Soul Under the Mountain (Legend of Reason Series) Page 32
