82. Chapter 82
CHAPTER 82
Rawn
C lamoring voices rang through the dungeon. Guards lit the torches, shouting about an intruder loose in the keep.
A guard rushed past, inspecting each cell. “The prisoners are still here.”
“Then who is wandering the keep?”
“Set the Bloodhounds loose,” Grod barked. “They will find them.”
Rawn crouched low on the ground as he listened. He glanced at Elon, and they exchanged a silent nod. It was time.
The guards were distracted.
Now was the time to run.
Rawn took out the small pouch and dumped out the amber bead, passing it to Elon. Making sure the tunnel was empty; he pressed the amber bead against a bar. The metal hummed and Rawn felt energy pull from the air then a static release.
Elon quickly drew runes on the dirt in front of the door Then he pressed a hand to the floor. Magic ignited beneath his palm and blue veins of light snaked up his arm. His lips moved in a soft rumble—an incantation in elven tongue.
“Ep’mores yalbod esoreca — are’bil.”
The cell door popped open with a clank. They leaped up and ran out into the hall. Prisoners called out, begging for release.
“Let’s go,” Elon turned away.
Rawn halted. “But what of the others? We cannot leave them here.”
“We don’t have time to break all these cells open, Norrlen. The hounds will soon catch our scent.”
Rawn grabbed Elon’s arm. “You regretted soaking these sands with the blood of others. Here is your chance to keep more blood from spilling.”
Elon frowned and looked around at the gaunt faces pleading to them. They couldn’t stop to free each one, but Rawn looked up at the runes carved on the ceiling. Why break small spells when they can break the main one?
Elon’s mouth hitched. He tossed up the amber bead and it shattered against the ceiling. The earth shook with power. They braced against the walls and Rawn felt Essence leak into the stale air.
“The wards are broken,” he announced. “Free yourselves!”
Chants and spells were called out. They ran as cell doors began to break down or burst open.
The dungeons were a maze. He didn’t know left from right, but Elon seemed to know where to lead him.
“The prisoners have escaped!” A guard’s bellow echoed in the distance.
More guards came running and the sounds of growling hounds and screaming filled the tunnels as everyone fled.
“Here!” Elon panted to him as they skidded around the bend into another tunnel. “We can still make it to the waterways.”
But a bloodhound cut off their escape. It snarled viciously, snapping its sharp teeth. It was large beast, at least eight feet tall.
Elon cursed. They began to back away as the creature stalked for them.
Rawn clapped his hands together. “Erb’mul,” he called, and a petal of flame flickered in his palm. “Eria!” He blew into his hands and a cyclone of fire threw back the beast. It rolled to its feet with a snarl. “Orum ed erb’mul!”
The fire blazed up into wall of flames between them and the Bloodhound, but now the way to the waterways was blocked.
“Rawn,” Elon alerted.
He heard the charge of running feet as Guards flooded the tunnel with Grod in the lead.
“This is the limit of my skill,” Rawn told him, and he couldn’t hold off the hound for long.
Elon’s eyes and hands spiraled blue light. “Ot’neiv.” His low voice dropped into an eerie hum. Runes of the elements flared out within a hexagon, tangled symbols and circles. The glowing magic burned brightly within the tunnel. The pressure of his magic filled the air and pulled at Rawn’s being. He recognized it—the same explosive spell Elon had tried to cast against Lucenna. “Az’reuf ed erb’mul, et’neirroc ed auga, ojulf ed otneiv, esab ed arreit—ranib’moc neyurt’sed!”
He pointed his palm at the guards and the hexagon blazed. It shot toward at the guards with a roar. Grod ducked out of the way. The elves behind him were hit and thrown back with a brutal blast. None of them rose, smoke lifting off their charred bodies.
Grod scrambled up and punched a lever on the main cell door. Bolts shot out of holes in the walls. Rawn tackled Elon, losing hold of his spell. They crashed together on the hard ground and the freed Bloodhound snarled. Rawn leaped back up to his feet. But Elon staggard.
A bolt had his arm.
Grod bared his teeth at them in a grin as more guards and Bloodhounds filled the tunnels. “Hinderance bolts. Nullifies the magic.”
Elon cursed and ripped it out.
To his reinforcements, Grod shouted, “Get them!”
The guards charged at them with drawn swords.
“I cannot cast any more spells, Norrlen,” Elon said, watching them come.
The Bloodhound slashed at Rawn, claws tearing into his side. Rawn threw out another cyclone of fire but the beast was too large. Enemies surrounded them on both ends.
There was no way out.
“Well, it appears our endeavor ends here,” Elon grunted as they stood back-to-back. “Couldn’t say I expected to die beside a green elf.”
“Perhaps not,” Rawn said, smirking to himself. “But it’s an honor to die beside a friend.”
The guards and Bloodhounds came for them.
The tunnel exploded with a cacophonous roar, hurling them way. Rawn hit the wall hard, cloud of dust billowing outward. The blast leaving his ears ringing, skewing his vision.
Smoke choked the tunnel. It swirled, blinding Rawn for a moment. Only one torch at the end of the tunnel had remained, casting very little light. The guards and beasts were buried the ruble. All that was seen of Grod was his arm.
Then Rawn heard something coming.
Something big.
Rawn rolled onto his feet. He searched for Elon as he heard footsteps near.
A massive black wolf emerged from the darkness like a beast of shadow. Eyes reflecting bright yellow in the faint light.
Rawn laughed in utter disbelief. “Zev?”
The wolf whined softly at the sight of him. Then came another in a maroon coat he didn’t expect at all.
Von slinked out of the smoke, wearing a mask over the bottom half of his face. He reached into his coat and handed Rawn his sword. “I’m this told this belongs to you.”
Rawn accepted it, blinking at it and him. “Thank you…”
Moving past him, Von crouched by Elon’s form among the debris and shook his shoulder. “Oi, are you dead, mate?”
Elon groaned. He rolled over and stared at him incredulously. “I may be if you’re here, Commander.” Then he winced in pain and said, “No, most certainty alive.”
Von chuckled and helped him stand. “By the grace of the fates.”
“How did you find this place?” Rawn asked them.
“Long story. Let’s get out of here first.” Von surveyed the area. But the tunnel to waterways had caved in. They wouldn’t be able to go that way anymore. “Dyna wants you out of the keep before they begin the trade.”
“Trade?” Rawn asked warily. “What trade? Who has come?”
“Everyone, including your king.” Von went to a guard who pushed himself up off ground with a groan, swaying. “Sorry, no time to explain.” He smashed the elf’s skull into the wall, and he crumbled unconscious at his feet. “We’re in a hurry.”
The wolf growled in warning, staring ahead with eyes glowing.
“More of those beasts are coming.” Von handed Elon two long knives. “Looks like we are going out the main entrance.”
He expertly whirled them. “Yes, this will do.”
“I brought enough huyao powder to blast our way out of here. We’re bringing down the keep.”
“Good,” Elon said, turning away. “If I fall here, swear that you will bury me beneath the rubble when you blow this damn place to kingdom come.”
Rawn stared at him, but he ran ahead without waiting for an answer.
They followed after Elon. Rawn kept his gaze ahead. They were going to make it out. They had to make it out.
Zev kept low to the ground, paws lightly touching the ground, moving with slow, smooth grace. Elon stopped at a crossway between four tunnels. Voices and clashes echoed around them. Zev bared his teeth, pointed canines gleaming.
A bloodhound’s answering snarl came from the darkness. More red elves appeared from another tunnel. Zev charged ahead with a savage grown and leaped on the beasts. Elon and Von charged for the guards in a practiced formation of men who knew how to fight together. The clash of steel rang out in Rawn’s ears as he parried a guard’s blade. He slashed through him and spun for another.
More guards fille the tunnels in a steady stream of red cloaks. No matter their skill, they would soon get overwhelmed.
But then a stampede of elves in tattered clothes swarmed the tunnels shouting spells and attacking the guards. The prisoners they had freed.
Chaos broke out in the tunnels. The swarm of bodies pushed Rawn back as he cut down another guard. He lost view of the others. Which way was out?
He found an opening and made way into another dark tunnel away from the clash and screams. Then he felt the air stire.
Rawn spun around.
He gasped at the air knocked out of him. His legs gave out and he sank to the ground. Shakily, Rawn grabbed onto the spear lodged into his ribs and looked up at Anon.
The red prince tore it out and beat him across the face with the other end of the shaft. Rawn hit the ground, choking on sand.
“You really had hope.” Anon laughed. “Well, I’m impressed you made it this far. Bring him.”
Anon turned away and strode away. Two guards grabbed him by the arms and dragged him behind their prince. Rawn tried to resist but the pain and loss of blood had stolen his strength.
Sand was traded for hard stone as he was dragged up a set of stairs and dumped on the ground. He reached for Anon’s spear, but a boot rammed into his stomach, knocking the air out of him.
Anon tutted. “Now, now, don’t be rude, Norrlen. We have guests who came a long way to see you.”
The guards took hold of him again and dragged him along Anon’s footprints, leaving a trail of blood behind. They went through a door and Rawn was hit with fresh air and a burning that pierced his eyes. He shut them with a strangled moan.
Boots thudded on wood and alarmed murmurs swarmed over him. They dumped him onto his knees and Rawn slumped forward.
“Oh, no, you need to see this,” Anon snatched a handful of Rawn’s hair and violently jerked back his head up. “Look who came for you.”
Rawn’s vision burned against the bright sun. Having been in the dark for countless days, it took a moment for his vision to clear. He found himself on a terrace overlooking the courtyard below. King Leif rode in with an entourage of soldiers. Rawn’s chest stirred with relief to see him, Eldred, and those he fought with in the last war.
Anon crouched down beside him and murmured quiet enough for him. “And not a single one is leaving here alive. After today, your blood will mark the walls of this keep, Norrlen.” Anon forced his head to look at a young male elf dressed finely as a prince of Greenwood. With his face and Aerina’s eyes. “As will your son’s.”