*****
Markaeus held his breath as the guard passed by, a hand-width from his hiding place under a bench in the alcove. Luckily, the night sentries were usually bored and sleepy, patrolling the corridors with no real expectation of encountering intruders.
Creeping with silent steps, he rounded the corner leading to the stairway where Vindrake had confronted him the previous night. This time, no one barred his way, so he continued up the stone steps, quickly at first, and then slowing as he moved beyond the reach of the lamplight from the hall below. He continued in the pitch black, groping his way along the damp stone walls in the winding stairwell until, at last, he moved into the light from another lamp marking the top of the steps.
The narrow corridor ahead was dark, save for the light emanating from the second barred doorway. Padding softly to the door’s edge, Markaeus peered into the spacious chamber, spying a shirtless man repeatedly hefting a huge stone over his head. Mesmerized by the incredible display of strength, Markaeus stared in wonder as the muscles on the man’s back and arms flexed and bulged.
As the man dropped the stone to the floor with a clunk, Markaeus stepped out of sight, remaining close by to see what feat the strong man would next perform. He crouched low and leaned over, stealing a quick glance through the bars.
“Vindrake must be desperate to appoint a guard with so few years.”
Startled by the voice at the bars, Markaeus lost his balance, tumbling onto his rear end. He looked up from the floor at the face of the strong man at the gate with arms resting on a crossbar, hands clasped together outside the bars.
Markaeus crab-walked back and rose to his feet, dusting off his pants. “I’m no guard of Vindrake’s. I haven’t taken his bondmark and never will.”
Strongman gave a grim smile. “Then I hope you like what you see, for this will be your future if you refuse my brother. This or death, which would be far preferred.”
“Vindrake is your brothe
r?”
“Would that I could claim otherwise, but I can’t deny it. Of course, his real name is Drakeon, though few are left alive to remember that fact. What is your business here, if you’re no guard? Other than lurking in dark corners to invade my privacy, such as it is?”
“Nothing. I’ve only come to bring my brother a bit of dried meat. Well met, brother of Vindrake.” Markaeus turned to go.
“I can help you.”
Markaeus froze, rotating to regard Strongman with suspicion. “How could you help me?”
“You’re planning to escape with your brother, aren’t you? You're a gressor, I’m guessing. A rare, but useful minor gift.” Strongman pressed his face between the bars. “I can help you get away.”
“How do you know that?”
“When you fell back, I saw you have on two cloaks, which explains why the one you’re wearing is too large. And you’ve a rucksack hidden under there, as well. You’re not nearly so plump as you appear.”
“Perhaps I’m wearing two cloaks because the wind is bitter cold. And perhaps I like to carry my rucksack rather than it be stolen in the night.”
“I know these caverns and passageways. I know a secret way out. Just set me free, and I’ll show you.”
“Do you refer to the east tunnel? The one behind the alcove that ends at the refuse dump?”
Disappointment shadowed Strongman’s face, and Markaeus turned again.
“Wait! I can protect you from the guards; one will be returning any moment.” Strongman lowered his voice to a whisper. “He could be coming up the stairway as we speak.”
“No sentry is due here until just before dawn.” Markaeus spoke over his shoulder, with regret at the desperation in Strongman’s expression. “I’m sorry, but it will be easier for two small boys to disappear on their own. I very much wish I could take you along, but I can’t.”
Markaeus jumped at the sound of pounding footsteps and shouts. Voices echoed up the stairwell. “But Sire, what does this intruder look like? A man? A woman?”
“Search everywhere! Examine everyone you see. I know not if the intruder is male or female, but he’s dripping wet and he has my scroll!”
*****
Alora turned her head to the side as her stomach wretched yet again. But she was reduced to dry heaves, having already emptied the contents on the floor in Vindrake’s quarters. Embarrassed, knowing he would assume it was a reaction to her fear, she was tempted to defend herself and proclaim the nausea a result of her discernment gifting. On the other hand, Vindrake didn’t know she possessed a second major gift, and she was determined not to reveal a shred of information with any possible value.
Shackled as she was, with iron cuffs chaining her arms and legs to the corners of the platform, she would’ve been lying in a pool of vomitus had her stomach not been empty. Kaevin lay on an adjacent table, chained likewise, his lip swollen and bleeding as a result of his resistance. Alora wondered for a moment why her father would possess a room equipped with shackled tables, until the obvious reason occurred… a place to torture people. The thought was both terrifying and revolting. Despite Kaevin’s bolstering words, Alora knew she wasn’t really brave. She had zero pain tolerance; she was even afraid of shots. God, if you get me through this, I’ll never complain about going to the dentist again.
The door opened, and Vindrake entered, looking rather agitated. He called two of his three guards to the side, conferring in low tones and sending them rushing out the door. Composing his features, Vindrake moved to face Kaevin and Alora, standing with his hands clasped in front of him. “I hope you’ve found our accommodations comfortable so far. I’d like to introduce you to my new chief shaman, Empusa. She’ll be helping me with our… negotiations.”