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I narrowed my eyes. “All I can see are your eyes.”
“Well, then you’ve seen the best part of me.” She suddenly broke into a fit of coughing that sent her doubling back.
As she drew away from the little square window to catch her breath, I glimpsed her face. It was covered with bruises. Dried blood caked her lips.
“You’re not fuckingfine,” I hissed. “What are they doing to you?”
“Oh, you know,” Lancelet said airily. “Daily beatings. A few lashes. Maggoty bread. The usual sort of thing.”
She gave another hacking cough, and I watched in agony.
“This isn’t right. I’m up in my old room while you’re suffering down here.”
“It’s a dungeon, Morgan. What did you expect? Life’s not exactly fair. And you’re in no position to do anything about it. Now forget about me and go and do what you’re supposed to be doing. Spying. And not on me.”
“Don’t you want to hear about Guinevere?”
Her eyes gleamed. “Guinevere? What do you know?”
“I know that she’s safe,” I said, wishing I had more to offer. “She and Galahad got away. They’re reorganizing. And Merlin... Her body was stolen by some refugees and brought to the rebels. She’ll have a proper burial now.”
“But have you actually seen her?” Her voice was low and desperate. I knew she hadn’t meant Merlin.
I shook my head. “I’ve only spoken with Tyre and my uncle. I’m sorry. I haven’t seen her myself. But I can try to find out more.” I hesitated, then added, “Arthur told me that Sir Ector is on the run. They think he’s a traitor. Dame Halyna implicated him.”
“Dame Halyna? That’s ridiculous.” Lancelet narrowed her eyes. “She’d never do such a thing.”
“It does seem unbelievable,” I agreed.
“Well, go and find out the truth,” Lancelet demanded. “Stop wasting your time here with me.”
She looked at me with wild eyes. I half-expected her to start shaking the bars of the cage. I was suddenly sure she spent half her day doing so just to annoy the guards who would, more than likely, be happy to retaliate.
“Can’t you try to keep your head down in there?” I pleaded. “Blend in, stay low, that sort of thing?”
“You mean while they beat and rape the other prisoners and take them off to be hanged every day?” Lancelet gave an unpleasant little laugh. “What’s the point? My days are numbered. I can practically feel the noose around my neck.”
“Don’t say that. It’s not true. I’m going to get you out of there.”
“Really? How? By telling Arthur you’re a traitor, too? Or simply by begging for a favor? You think he pardons traitors easily, even for his own sister?”
“I don’t know, but I swear I will get you out, Lancelet. Please, believe me. Don’t make things worse for yourself.” I closed my eyes. “I can’t imagine how horrible things are in there. I’m sorry we can’t trade places.”
Once again, she had the worst of it. But this time would be different.
“I swear to the Three, I will break you out of this cell with my own bare hands if I think you’re truly to be executed,” I vowed, determined to convince her.
For a moment, she simply looked at me. Then, “Really? You and what army?” She slunk back from the window as if my words had momentarily filled her with false hope then sent her plummeting downwards again.
“Get back over here,” I whispered furiously. “Me and what army? Come and look at the fucking army I’ve brought, Lancelet.”
I saw her reluctantly move her face back to the small square.
Before I could change my mind, I stretched out my hands and poured out my will.
Instantly, balls of flames erupted from my fingertips, their tendrils shooting upwards towards the stone ceiling.
I let them burn for a second, then clapped my hands together, throwing the passageway back into darkness.
