by Bri Sailor
“Where’re we going, love?” slurred Atreyis’ mark.
She smiled at him. Suddenly, her smile turned to an evil scowl.
“Here’s far enough!”
In one fluid movement she pulled his sword from its sheath, spun around, and connected the hilt with his head. He fell to the ground, out cold. Before his friends could react they each found themselves on the business end of a fist and heel. The three guards lay unconscious in the street.
“Quick! Get their clothes. I’ll get the rope.” Ordered Ky as she dashed off to where she hid the rope.
Atreyis and Taryn worked quickly and silently. They could hear the raucous voices of people in the streets. Fortunately, the alley gave them just enough cover. Ky returned and began tying up the men. One by one the guards were dragged behind empty crates. The three women had taken the uniforms and rolled them up tightly, the bright yellow and orange tunics were wrapped up and hidden by the dark cloth of the pants. They walked swiftly through the streets, each with their stolen uniform secured under their arms. None of them spoke a single word the entire way back to the inn. When they arrived Atreyis went straight for the room, with Ky hot on her tail. Atreyis tossed her clothes on a bed and began to change out of her uncomfortable dress. Ky dropped her uniform and crossed her arms.
“What was that?” she tapped her foot impatiently.
“What are you talking about?” asked Atreyis.
“You know what I’m talking about.” Countered Ky.
Atreyis shrugged and shook her head. “I’m not so sure I do.”
“You were only to act as if you were paid company, not actually be it. You could have blown our cover!” bit Ky.
The princess jumped up. “What are you talking about?”
“Your tattoo!” yelled the warrior. “And—and that kiss! Why did you do that? It was completely unnecessary!”
“How?” the brunette yelled back, she slammed her sandals on the floor. “How in the world would any of that blow our cover? We got what we needed and no one followed us! I would say that’s pretty damn good!”
“Because! When they finally find those guards they can trace them back to us! It’s pretty hard to forget a beautiful woman with a giant pair of wings etched into her back!” shouted Ky.
Atreyis squinted her eyes in confusion. “What? Are you serious? You are one to talk! What of your own?” she pointed to Ky’s dragon tattoo. “If everything goes according to plan it won’t matter anyways! Besides, there wasn’t a soul in that place sober enough to remember any of us being there!”
Ehren suddenly opened the door. “What is going on in here? Horgath could hear you two.”
“Everything’s fine.” Said Atreyis. “We got what we needed. She is just being dramatic.”
“Hardly.” Said the warrior under her breath.
Ehren waited for an explanation but got none. “So did you get the uniforms?”
“Yes. Everything’s ready.” Said Ky as she stared down the oddly unshakable princess. “A change of clothes and we’ll be on our way.”
Ehren looked unsure. “About that. I went to check out our entry point and make sure that it truly was a viable option. We can get in easily enough, but the tunnel is mostly flooded. At least waist deep if not more. Even if we can make it through it will look highly suspicious if we are walking around the palace soaking wet.”
Atreyis looked defeated. “So that’s it? What do we do now?”
Ky seemed lost in thought. “Nothing new, we stick with the plan.”
She suddenly turned on her heel and went downstairs.
“Where is she going now?” asked Ehren.
“Hell if I know.” Responded Atreyis.
Down in the tavern Ky, still acting as if she owned the place, walked right into the supply room and starting digging around. Not finding what she wanted she stepped out back and started rummaging through the trash. She eventually found what she was looking for and went back in. Grabbing an empty pan she went about the room gathering candles, tossing her found empty crate onto a nearby table. Once she had enough candles she placed the pan in the fire and began melting them down.
“What are you doing?” asked Riker. He had been sitting with Cora and Joslette, going over the layout of the palace.
“Fixing a problem.” Ky responded cryptically.
Soon the candles were completely melted down into a molten mess. Ky placed the pan on the table to cool some. She quickly snatched up several rags and started dipping them into the wax. One by one she soaked them, making sure they were completely covered in wax before using them to line the inside of the crate. She placed the pan of leftover wax in the fire once more as she waited for the wax covered rags to cool and dry. The rest of the group just watched the madness before them. Once the inside of the crate was cool and dry enough, Ky took the remaining wax and smeared it all over and on the lid, making sure it was as water-tight as possible. By this time Atreyis and Ehren had come downstairs to see what the warrior was up to.
“What is this?” asked Ehren.
Ky stood with her hands on her hips. “Our solution to our little flooding problem.”
“How so?” asked Atreyis.
“Simple. I’ve made a water-tight seal on the inside of this crate. We place the uniforms inside to keep them dry and float the crate in with us.” Said Ky proudly.
“Interesting.” Replied Riker. “That should work, I believe. Our problems are solved.”
“It will only work so long as it doesn’t have to be submerged. The most it can do is float.” Added Ky.
“Well, let’s hope we don’t have to go diving.” Sighed Ehren. “I didn’t go down into the tunnel far enough to really know.”
“It will have to do.” Said the warrior. “Everyone needs to get changed into the bare minimum. Whatever weapons you carry won’t be able to fit in here so you’ll just have to carry it on your heads or something, unless you don’t mind them getting a little water-logged.”
#
The warm night air blew through the empty streets as the group cautiously approached the secret tunnel. Everyone was wearing what might be considered clothing and their weapons, with Ky hauling the sealed crate full of the guard uniforms. Ehren knelt by the grate and pulled it up. The rusty metal creaked and echoed through the empty streets. The entrance was large enough for two people to easily fit through. Ky and Taryn looked around to make sure that no one was watching. Riker was the first to drop in, ignoring the metal ladder anchored to the wall and falling with ease twenty feet down into the water below with a splash. One by one they dropped into the tunnel. Ehren went last, making sure to close the grate behind them. The sound of their sloshing footsteps slowly faded away as they made their way into the black tunnel. With Riker leading the way.
Atreyis was trying not to throw up. “You never said anything about the smell.”
“I figured it was a given.” Coughed Ehren.
“How far is it?” asked Ky.
“I went at least two hundred feet and never saw a way out.” Said Ehren. “But Joslette assured me that this ends somewhere in the cellars below the kitchens. This was the way she escaped out of the palace. A childhood friend, some kitchen worker helped her escape when Black Army soldiers stormed the palace.”
Ky’s step faltered a moment. Atreyis smashed face-first into her back.
“Ouch!” she pushed the warrior. “Keep moving.”
The warrior’s stomach tied itself in a knot, it was too much of a coincidence. “D-did she say who this helper was?”
“No.” replied Ehren.
“She did say that she still lived in the city, but they haven’t had any contact for the princess’ own safety.” Added Riker.
“W-what else did she say?” asked the nervous warrior.
“That’s it.” Said Ehren.
The pitch black of the tunnel gave nothing to distract the blonde’s mind from going in a thousand different directions. Iyara had always been vague about her past and her fa
mily. She alluded to being in the palace once but never spoke of it again.
“You sound as if you might know who it is.” Remarked Taryn from behind.
Ky didn’t answer. The tunnel suddenly dropped off.
Riker plunged into the cold water and came up sputtering. “Shit!”
Everyone stopped.
“Riker! You alright?” yelled Ehren.
“I’m fine!” the Ranger splashed around. “Dammit. Seems like we’re going to have to swim for it. I hope Cora is having an easier time delivering your message.”
Using the wet wall as a guide, one by one the rest inched themselves along until they too were swimming through the pitch black. Ky swam expertly with one arm while using the other to guide the floating crate of clothes. They swam for what felt like an eternity. Finally, Riker was able to see a sliver of light up ahead.
“I can see light!” shouted the red-head.
“Finally!” Taryn breathed a sigh of relief. “I don't know how much more of this I can take.”
As they approached the light the tunnel came to a ledge. Riker heaved himself out of the cold water and sneaked over to the crack of light. The wall seemed solid enough. He gave it a push. The sound of stone grinding against stone echoed throughout the tunnel. He opened the secret door about an inch and looked around. Large casks as tall as men lined the walls of the cellar room. A few torches near a stairwell provided the only light in the whole place. He opened the door enough to slip through and padded silently towards the stairs, making sure that no one was around. At the bottom of the stairs he paused and waited. Nothing. He jogged back to the door and gave the all clear sign. The rest of the soaking wet group slipped in through the door, with Ehren closing the stone door behind them. Ky set down the crate and opened it up and doled out its contents.
“Alright. Ehren, you go to the barracks and find a way to start a fire. Riker, you go to the stables and get those horses stampeding. Taryn, your job is to make sure that the main gate does not open until you get your signal.” commanded Ky. “Atreyis and I will go find the crystal. I will take care of Horgath if it comes to it. Once we have the crystal, we will give the signal to move. Everyone clear?”
Everyone nodded as they dressed. Ky looked at each one of them.
“Be careful. We don’t know what could be waiting.”
Chapter 12
Cora and Joslette rode on horseback through the city towards the city gate. The priestess’ jaw clenched, she prayed that Ky had sobered up enough to go through with this. It unnerved her at how senseless the warrior had been with her drinking. She sent a silent prayer to the Goddess that this plan would work. The priestess and princess kept their heads low as they passed through the eerily unguarded gate. Once they were out of site they gave their horses a kick and raced towards the village Ky told them about. The whole place was more of a collection of tent settlements than anything else. They weaved their way through the camp. Cora stopped by some men gathered around a fire.
“Could you please tell me where I might find a blacksmith?” she asked politely.
The men looked her over with a curious eye.
“That way.” Pointed one of the men.
“Many thanks.” Cora bowed her head.
They continued through the camp until a large wooden hut came into view. A large man was sitting near a dying forge, sharpening a sword. He looked up at the sound of hoof beats. Cora pulled up to him and threw back her hood.
“Are you the blacksmith?” she asked.
“Aye.” He sheathed his sword. “And who might you be?”
Cora smiled. “Hope.”
Doan’s eye glinted with excitement as an impish grin passed over his face. “You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for you.”
#
The kitchen was devoid of personnel and they were able to get out with ease. Remembering the map that Joslette drew for them, Ehren, Taryn, and Riker made a sharp right out of the kitchen and headed to the main palace doors and the palace grounds outside. The palace was a single massive rectangle covered in smooth sandstone. Large purple and orange silk banners hung from the roof down the front of the palace and nearly to the ground. The front doors were made of dark mahogany that had inlays of square panels with round, polished iron studs in the middle. Large hedges and tall desert grasses decorated the courtyard. A perfectly smooth brick path led from the doors down to the main gate. To the southeast of the palace was the main barracks for the soldiers and palace guards. It was a large, squat building similar to the palace, but was kept very plain and had a litany of arrow loops. North of that was the royal stable.
Ehren, Taryn, and Riker formed up as a small squadron, one hand on their swords and the other swinging in unison by their sides, and marched confidently out of the palace doors. The eight guards at the door barely paid them attention as they marched uniformly down the path to the main gate. Once they were at the gate Taryn broke off from the group. She turned to Ehren and saluted him firmly. Ehren returned the salute and kicked his heels together. He and Riker parted ways with her. She went straight for the door that lead to the gate's wheelhouse.
Inside there was one torch that provided light and a ladder that reached up almost to the top of the wall the surrounded the palace. She quickly climbed the ladder. At the top were four guards sitting around a table gambling.
“Who are you?” asked one of the guards in a gruff manner. “You ain't one of the regular replacements.”
“I was sent by the captain.” said Taryn confidently. “I'm fresh from training and this is my first assignment.”
The other guards looked her over. One of them played with a dagger that had been laying on the table.
“Well then, fresh blood,” he said creepily. “You can stand over there and keep watch over the gate while we finish up a real guard's duty.”
He jerked his head in the direction of the small, barred window overlooking the gate. Taryn nodded and took her place at the window. The men resumed their game.
“So do you think the rumors are true?” said one of the men.
“Nah.” said another. “She wouldn't have the guts to show her face around here after that disgrace of a battle.”
“I don't know.” replied another. “Unlike the rest of you sad lot, I was under her command at Incta. I've never seen a general ride headlong into battle like that woman. It's like she becomes possessed.”
“Wait, you were actually there?” asked the first.
“Yessir.” replied the man. “You know, if it wasn't for that win, the siege of Thaemo probably would never have happened. Not exactly the brightest move by the king to have such a large store of weapons just outside of his immediate reach.”
“I think it made enough sense, after all Incta is, or was an impenetrable fortress.” said one of the men.
They all shared a laugh.
“Seriously, though,” said the man. “Do you really think she is here?”
“Possibly.” said the first. “Based off of what that scout said. There isn't a woman alive who looks like that.”
“Why haven't they sent us after her then? I'm sure Horgath, or even Ultrek himself would reward us handsomely.”
“Because we were given strict orders to let her be, and they weren’t from Horgath, from what I understand. But mistake nothing. If she shows herself or tries to cause any trouble, we will be there to stop her.”
“You guys have no idea who you are dealing with...” muttered the soldier.
