Chapter Twenty-One #2
Along the edges of the hall, frightened children hid behind their mothers’ legs, wrapped in woolen blankets.
The sick and injured were helped onto carts to be wheeled by those who could bear the weight.
It was not a long journey to the docks, but the passageways were treacherous in their own right, with steep inclines as they wove down into the mountain and again when they would climb back out toward the shore.
The people who would be traveling to the docks were alerted to bring nothing more than the clothing on their backs and a small sack with any valuables or heirlooms they could not part with.
The small bags were always packed in Skiatha, despite this being the first time the isle was ever attacked.
Thalia did not carry anything but her weapons, those would be more useful than her books or any jewels she collected over the years.
Fineries could be replaced. Lives could not.
The only items she kept on her other than her daggers and bow were the two gifts Dimitris had given her the night before.
The arrow pin she affixed to the leather strap of her quiver.
The drawing was rolled tightly, protected in a pocket within her cloak.
She only hoped they would not be the last things the prince ever gave her.
A hush settled over the room as the castle walls began to shake.
Small stones rattled down to the ground and Dafne clutched Thalia’s hand so tight it felt numb.
There were fewer people here than Thalia expected, but not because the Skiathans were not told where to go.
No—even those who should not, chose to fight, to stand their ground, protect the peace and sanctity of these lands.
Warmth bloomed in Thalia’s chest at the thought.
She only wished she could be out there fighting as well, but this was as important a task.
Clearing her throat, Thalia beckoned the people toward her.
“Although we never expected the war to be brought to our shores, we have trained for this. It will be a long walk through the tunnels to the shore, but the ships will be ready when we arrive. Men have been sent ahead on horseback to alert the captains and crew. We will be safe on the journey. Our enemy does not know these passages. They will not breach them, but we must make haste.”
“What if they make it inside the castle? Could they not find them? Follow us through?” a woman’s trembling voice called from across the hall.
“They will not. Our soldiers are the fiercest in all of Odessia. The castle doors will not break,” Thalia exclaimed—more to herself than to the woman. “Now, follow me. There will be soldiers dispersed amongst us. If you need anything—water, medicine—please let us know.”
Soldiers—there were only ten of them. Ten men if anything did happen. It was not enough, but it was all that could be spared.
Thalia turned toward her sister, her lips narrowing to a thin line, voice lowering to a whisper. “Dafne, I know I said we would not be attacked, but if we are, I need you to fight. You take your blade and you go for the weak points—just like Dimitris taught you. You are strong, you can do this.”
“I will do what I can. They will not take me.” This time the words were harsher, and a fire lit in Dafne’s eyes.
“They will not take you,” Thalia repeated as they began to make their way to the tunnels. “You will not die today.”
So they walked, guiding the vulnerable citizens of Skiatha with a single oil lantern through the mountains to safety. Mykonos and Nyx trailed behind the group as a precaution if their adversaries somehow did make it to the tunnels. They would be able to smell them coming.
No one spoke as they traveled. Too fearful of what might find them or too exhausted to speak, Thalia was not sure.
She didn’t mind the silence, it was calming, allowing her to focus solely on each step she took toward the end.
For hours they continued, until there was a break in the passages.
The hoard began to move toward the left tunnel, the one that would lead them to the shore in only another hour.
The only other way out, the passage to the right took them to fields a mile from the shore.
There was no time to rest now, not when they were so close.
A low rumble sounded in the walls of the passage.
The ground beneath Thalia’s feet began to shake, dirt and small rocks rustling above and trickling their way down the walls.
The noise increased with every step until it was all-consuming, so loud that the people around her cupped their hands over their ears.
Crashing stones echoed in front of them and Thalia took off running toward the sound.
“Skata!” Thalia cursed, sliding to a halt in front of a mountain of boulders blocking their route to the sea.
“What is it?” Dafne called as she raced up beside Thalia, flanked by two of the other soldiers.
“Something must be happening above. We…we won’t be able to break through. We must go the other way.” Thalia clutched her hands together, picking at her nails. It was dangerous, but they didn’t have another option. They could not turn back.
She could only hope the battle had not made it that far.