“Tothe foundation of the castle; that’s where the wards are.”
“Arethey tied into the ley lines?”
Avlyngave me a quizzical look over their shoulder. “Yes, how did you know that?”
“Iknow a lot of things,Commander.”
“Clearly, but most people think ley lines are a myth.”
“Muchknowledge is lost with time.Manyhumans believe that dragons are just a story told by their ancestors.I’veseen too much in my life to discount such mysteries so quickly.Besides…”Ididn’t continue the thought.
WhenAvlynrealizedIwould not continue, they turned back to the passage. “It’sa tight fit and a long way.Letme know if you need a break, ok?”
“Ican handle myself,Commander.”Isaid, crossing my arms.
Theylet out a small laugh. “Ihave no doubt about that.”Theywaved towards the passage. “Now… ladies first.”
Allmy bravado fled asIlooked at the very narrow, very dark hole.Spinnerpressed past my leg and headed down the tunnel without hesitation.Ihad no choice but to follow suit.
Icrouched down; my legs bent so much that my ass almost touched the ground asIawkwardly waddled down the passage.Thelittle light disappeared asAvlynducked into the tunnel behind me.
“Arewe going to travel the entire way in the dark?”Iasked.
“Keepa hand on the wall; in a few minutes, you’ll be able to see again,”Avlynresponded.
Thejourney in my bent position was hard enough thatIdidn’t argue.Myfingers traced the roughhewn wall, andIkept moving forward.Slowly, my eyes adjusted, andIsaw that tiny tendrils of moss and dim blue mushrooms clung to the corners ofthe tunnel.Theyeach had a soft glow that provided a little light, but my fae vision adjusted.Therewas only one way to go, anyway.
Afterwhat felt like an eternity, my back ached from crouching, andIwasn’t paying much attention anymore.Myfoot slipped on a small rock, andIfell flat on my ass.Mypride was wounded more than anything, butIheardAvlynsay, “Careful, my lady.Idon’t want to have to drag you out of here.”
Inthe dark,Isaw the shadow ofSpinnerapproach us, and he pressed his head into my hand as he tried to crawl into my lap.
“You’regetting too big for this, spider.”Heignored me and almost pushed my body all the way over.
“Maybea brief rest couldn’t hurt?”Avlynsuggested, giving me an out for my aching back.
“Anythingto delay my night in the dungeon.”
Evenin the dim,Isaw the commander frown.
“What, no dungeon?Youlot really are terrible kidnappers.”
Theyfrowned. “Wouldyou prefer that?”
Ihad to stop myself from responding yes, butAvlynsaw the answer on my face anyway.
Theycrouched down low, so we were eye to eye. “Thatwould be easier, wouldn’t it?Itwould put us on familiar ground.Me, threatening to chain you up and commenting on how muchI’dlike seeing you that way.”Theyhit me with an apologetic smile. “Ican’t do that to you,Pallas.”
“Why?Isit no fun to break what’s already broken?”
Ihated the sadness that crossed their face. “You’renot broken,Pallas.Thatmuch is obvious to me.”
“Why?”
Theirshoulders slumped, and they leaned back against the tunnel wall, their head scraping against the ceiling. “I’vebeen a soldier all my life.I’veseen more battles thanIcare toremember.Onthe battlefield, a person is stripped down to their base self.Fearand a primal drive completely take over the mind.That’swhy we train as much as we do, so our movements are done on memory, not conscious thought.Ifyou overthink on the battlefield, you die.”Theysighed. “Onthe beach,Isaw a glimpse of the real you.Youwere scared and had no idea how to fight, but you fought anyway.”Theygave me a soft smile. “Nobroken person would throw themselves at the enemy to protect the one they care for.No, you’ve just been caged so long that freedom chafes.Itgrates against you in the worst way with the unending possibilities of choice.”
Ihad nothing of value to say, no way to accurately respond to words my very soul knew were true.Nevertheless,Avlynlooked at me with such misplaced kindness thatIhad to say something. “Wisewords from a brute.”
Theysmiled. “WhatcanIsay?I’ma very multifaceted person.”Theirgrin was infectious, so much so the corner of my mouth twitched without my consent. “Youmay not believe me, butIpromise you are safe here,Pallas.You’resafe with me.Iwon’t let you come to harm.”
