5. Don’t Look Back
Chapter five
Don’t Look Back
S olveig had planned to return the documents to their envelope, but there was little point in trying to cover her tracks when she was absconding with a prisoner. Instead, she grabbed a scrap piece of paper and scrawled,
For the attention of Commander Dissin Sellen,
I am withdrawing my services from Luxenal’s operations, with immediate effect.
HRH Solveig Aila of House Maleen
She left the note and the prince’s execution summons atop the commander’s desk before slinking back out of the room as a plan of attack formed in her mind.
Solveig knew it was unlikely they would escape Luxenal alive, never mind unscathed, but she knew every crevice of this place, even under storm covered darkness. They would have to be quiet, swift, and if they were lucky, they would reach the Elysian Bridge with enough air in their lungs to claim asylum in Farrenhold.
If they allowed her to set foot in their country at all.
Returning to her cramped quarters, Solveig rushed to gather any supplies that would fit in her bag. She wished there was time to rifle through the infirmary for bandages and medicine, but she couldn’t afford to waste a single second.
Outside in the sheeting rain, the thunder was louder. The air felt close, as though the storm had finally moved into position above them. She dodged puddles of surface water, trying to avoid alerting any patrolling guards, as she made her way toward the men’s living quarters. The last thing she needed was to go toe to toe with one of Commander Sellen’s lackeys.
They had brought Malik to the mine four years ago. By now, he would be housed on subsection three. It was where all those who survived longer than a year wound up. The further down you dug, the more stifling the air became, the damper the conditions. Your belongings, your bedding, anything you had scrounged together would never be dry again. Most who moved to that level passed to the Netherworld within six months, but Malik, he carried on. A thorn in their side, thwarting best laid plans to ensure there was always room for more prisoners.
Solveig slunk through the room, dodging wayward shoes, puddles of water and dangling chains. With no small amount of luck, in the darkest, dampest depths, she found the prince’s cot. With no time for subtleties, she covered his mouth with one hand. Before raising a finger from the other to her scarf covered mouth in a shushing motion as the prince’s eyes flew wide in the dark.
It took forever for his eyes to adjust, but slowly Malik nodded in uncertain, jerky movements. Solveig unpicked the locks of his chains, and he sat deathly still, careful to avoid rattling them. Once he was free, she handed him a dagger. Even as a small voice echoed in the back of her mind that it was a stupid move. For he was as likely to kill her with it as he was any other guard.
But Solveig knew she couldn’t leave him unarmed and vulnerable. If they were discovered, he wouldn’t stand a chance without it. His body was weak. In a fight, he could never hope to win. But if he could incapacitate an attacker. With a dagger to the neck, eye, or somewhere lower and infinitely more tender. Then he could buy himself enough time to run.
Together, they made their way out into the storming maw of the mine. Solveig went ahead, ensuring the coast was clear, before beckoning Malik out. Leading him to a secluded outhouse a few paces away before turning on him. She covered his mouth once more, her dagger held tight to his throat as she hissed in his ear.
“You’re marked. Do everything I say, and we might make it out of here alive. Use that dagger against me and you’re on your own. You can’t get out of here without my help and I will not have your death on my hands.”
Malik only nodded. Staring in shocked silence as she removed her dagger from his throat.
“We head northwest for the Elysian Bridge. If we’re pursued, you run for your life. Don’t try to protect me. I can take care of myself. You run, and you don’t look back. Understood?”
Malik nodded again, and Solveig did the same. Before moving off into the night. They had barely made it to the fence at the far edge. Wire cut and wrenched back, the tree line within reach. When the first blue tinged watch light ignited, one after another in quick succession. Until Luxenal Copper Mine was lit as bright as midday.