CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
They rose before the sun to prepare for their journey through the Keep. With so many people in the house, the space felt cramped. Several members of their party ate breakfast while Deckard stood at the head of the table, discussing the plan with Auden and Ilain.
“How do we intend to find it?” Deckard asked. “Usually, we simply travel the region until either of you feels the location, but we can’t do that in the city. If Ephren hears reports that we’re wandering the streets, he’ll wonder why.”
Ilain shook her head, setting her spoon into her bowl of porridge. “That’s not necessary,” she said calmly. “I know where it is.”
Many of the table’s occupants paused to stare at her. Deckard blinked curiously. “And you’re just informing us of it now?” he asked dryly.
“Mm-hm.”
“But you’re an Elemental Mage; I would have thought—”
“I don’t need to be an Existential Mage when I lived on top of it for over two weeks.” Ilain took a sip of her tea. “We learned of the Keep’s location quite by accident, honestly.”
“Wait,” Ethenn said at her side. “Are you saying that the Space Keep is in the palace?”
“Under, more precisely,” Ilain replied.
Deckard blanched. “How are we supposed to get under the palace without the king noticing?”
“Carlile,” Ilain said.
Auden nodded. “When we told him about the Space Keep’s location, he informed us of a secret access to the palace grounds. He knows we’ll be there and will do his best to keep all eyes off our path.”
“It’s awfully nice,” Rafferty noted, “having a man on the inside.”
“Indeed,” Deckard replied, feeling uncertain. It was good to know they shouldn’t have trouble accessing the Keep. If necessary, he could even use a shroud to cover them. But his stomach still roiled with unease at what was to come.
“I have a suggestion,” Rafferty said then.
“What’s that?” Deckard asked.
Rafferty’s dry expression tightened. “When we enter the Chamber, let’s not take our merry time as usual. Instead, we get Deckard to the Relic pronto and let him take down the Guardian using it, rather than risking our necks while the Mages try to focus.”
Though Deckard’s insides pinched at the responsibility being thrust on him, he nodded.
Rafferty had proposed a valid plan. If they threw all their magical force at the Guardian while he ran for the Relic, they could save themselves a great deal of energy.
And that could be the difference between success and failure.
Scanning the table to gauge the opinions of his team, Deckard surveyed each member.
Evylin and Thom sat at the far side, large plates of food before them.
They both paused in eating to give him approving looks.
Brea stood behind them, slowly nibbling on a piece of venison jerky, her expression casually bland.
Vayden and Isla had chosen to eat in the kitchen, determining to let the others make their more informed plans.
Auden pursed his lips as though doubtful of the success of the plan but offered no rebuttal.
Ilain ate her porridge with disinterest, and Ethenn tapped his fork on his plate, the expression on his face indicating his deep thought.
As no one offered any argument, Deckard met Rafferty’s keen stare once more. “All right,” he said. “Once we get to the Chamber, I’ll keep my head down and sprint for the Relic without delay.”
With their plans in place, the troop finished their meals, gathered their weapons, and prepared to depart.
Deckard had already given the Night Relic to Evylin that morning.
As a Warrior could turn the Relics into weapons that dealt true damage to the Guardians, it was decided that she would carry Night while Ethenn carried Wind.
Though the young man had suggested they give the Relic to Brea, as she was the more experienced Warrior, the lieutenant insisted he carry it.
“I may have lived longer, but I’ve never fought with a Relic,” she said. “It will be of more use in your hands.”
As Evylin and Ethenn could also siphon some of the Relics’ powers to Deckard and Ilain, the decision was made.
When they slipped out of the house, the sun was just beginning to peek over the rooftops.
The sky was a rusty brown, and only a few people milled about the morning streets.
Still, they exited through the back door, keeping to the alleys to avoid prying eyes.
While they weren’t overly concerned about stealth, thanks to Carlile’s interference and King Ephren’s trust in them, they didn’t care to explain their detour to the monarch should he hear of their continued presence in the city.
It took them nearly an hour to reach the outskirts of the palace grounds. The large white stone and wrought iron walls only showed the top of the palace’s second story and its slate roof.
The rising sun glared off the windows, and Deckard squinted as they wound around the perimeter.
The gentle rush of the ocean lapping against the shore echoed to them through the streets.
Auden and Ilain led the way, bringing them to a row of shops across from the palace walls.
They snuck into the alley, and then Auden knocked in a rapid pattern upon a side door.
A young woman answered almost immediately, her dark brown hair twisted into a bun at the nape of her neck.
She wore the simple dress of a scullery maid, and the moment she saw Auden’s bright hair, she ushered them into the building with frantic urgency.
Deckard presumed she was a member of the Alliance, alerted to their coming by Carlile.
“You’re late,” she whispered as they entered what appeared to be a storeroom. “My master will be here any moment.”
“Then we’d better move quickly,” Ilain said.
The maid guided them to the far wall and pressed against the wooden planks.
Suddenly, a door revealed itself, opening into a dark corridor.
Ilain darted in first with Ethenn on her heels.
Deckard thanked the maid before following with Evylin.
Soon, they were all inside, and the door was shut behind them, sealing them into darkness.
At the head of the group, Ilain summoned a flickering ruby and golden orb of light to guide their way.
The corridor was narrow and made of stone.
A staircase led them farther into the depths of the terrae.
Auden informed them that, according to Carlile, the passage’s origin was an escape route for the royal family.
As there was presently no danger of attack, the king’s advisor had talked him into leaving it unguarded, posting his soldiers at more “pressing” locations throughout the city.
They passed a handful of staircases leading upward, but Ilain led them past each one. Then they reached a dead end, where a wooden ladder reached far above their heads. Evylin stared up with a crease in her brow. A soft wave of annoyance filled the air around her. “That’s troubling,” she murmured.
“Why so?” Deckard asked.
She gave him a self-deprecating smirk. “I don’t like heights.”
“Says the woman who fought on top of a wyrm’s head,” Ethenn quipped.
Evylin gave him a flat look. “I was using my magic then. All sense of self-preservation is rather lost when it takes hold.”
With a knowing chuckle, Ethenn ascended the ladder first, Ilain following on his heels.
Deckard suggested that Evylin go next, teasingly promising to catch her if she fell.
The others funneled up behind. The climb was slow, but the ladder was solid.
Deckard supposed that if it was meant to provide safety to the monarchy, they’d check it regularly enough to ensure there was no decay on the rungs.
It was when Deckard neared the top that he first felt a heat race along his spine. He gasped at the unexpected rush of his magic.
With Ethenn’s help, Ilain stepped off the ladder onto the ground above. She looked down, meeting Deckard’s gaze. “You feel it, don’t you?” she said.
“Feel what?” Deckard replied distractedly.
“The Keep. It’s tugging at your magic.”
Deckard paused, staring at the last set of rungs as Evylin climbed free. “Yes,” he realized. “Why have I never sensed it before? Last night or with the other Keeps.”
“Probably because you weren’t looking,” Ilain said.
“You weren’t even aware of its presence last night, and you let Auden and me seek out the pull of the previous Keeps.
But now, you’re Bonded. And this is Space, which you are inextricably connected to.
When you intentionally look for it, it’s ready to be found. ”
Deckard could only hope the connection would bode well for their time within the Keep.
The top of the ladder opened into what appeared to be a garden shed.
Ethenn snuck out first, checking the perimeter to ensure their safety.
At his signal, they emerged. Together, they darted carefully through the gardens.
While Deckard suggested shrouding the troop, Auden warned against it, reminding him not to drain his magic until absolutely necessary.
Sneaking through the hedgerows and shrubbery was no easy feat.
Guards patrolled in the distance, but Carlile had done his work, clearing their path.
Still, they had to keep their heads down and eyes alert to ensure no one spotted them.
The Keep pulled on Deckard with its call.
As they drew nearer to it, the heat became a blanket over his back, urging him onward.
Out of nowhere, he noticed a shadow cast on the rear palace wall. But upon squinting, he realized that it wasn’t a wall at all but rather an illusion concealing the entrance to a slender passageway.
“There,” he whispered to Auden, directing him toward the shadow.
With a final scan of the grounds, they darted forward, hurrying into the passage. Darkness met them within, and they rushed down the staircase one by one.
“How is it,” Rafferty asked as they descended, “that no one’s found this before now?”