“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 isinthe palace?”
“Under, more precisely,” Ilain replied.
Deckard blanched. “How are we supposed to getunderthe 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 casuallybland. 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 wallsonly 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 awooden 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.
