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I shoot up in bed, frantically looking around for signs of her. A headache hits me hard, but I’m clear-minded, cursing myself for almost giving up so easily.
“Gods… how much did I have to drink last night?”
I look down at my hands. I have grown used to waking up holding Maya. The peace that came with it is gone tonight. I rise shakily to my feet, rubbing my head.
“I can’t believe what I was thinking last night,” I groan, stumbling toward the window. “I’m not letting you go that easily, Maya. I’m coming to find you, no matter what.”
Those good times we shared together suddenly matter way more to me than any military achievement could.
“How am I going to do this? I can’t let anyone else in on this. There’s no one I can trust. I have to find her alone. Lodra! She has to have gone there!”
I clean myself up as swiftly as I can and make my way to King Kriseri’s court. There, I request a private meeting with him under the guise of strategy planning. He is more than eager to see me.
“Ah, if it isn’t my fine Captain,” he greets. “What brings you to me this morning? My court staff tell me you have plans you wish to share.”
“Yes, my lord. As you know, I have men stationed in the outskirt villages of Lodra. With your permission, I wish to venture out there to see firsthand just how successful our rabble-rousing is going. I shall then return to you so that we can then decide when to commence the attack.”
Kriseri rears back, stroking his chin with an impressed look on his face.
“I respect a captain who is willing to put himself in enemy territory for the cause. You may go, Captain Selliss, but be swift about it. Return to me as soon as possible. Lodra has known peace for long enough.”
“Of course, my lord.”
I have the perfect excuse under my belt. There’s no way I’m going to let this opportunity slide. One way or another, I’m getting Maya back.
20
MAYA
The time has come. Darkness has fallen down on Yadat from the black clouds above, and Selliss hasn’t bothered to return.
“What a fool.”
Even if he does have the slightest bit of regret, I will not be around to hear his pleas for forgiveness. He must learn that he can’t pull people along and trick them so ruthlessly.
As I waited for nightfall, I discovered that the servant left the door unlocked, perhaps forgetting to do so in his shock at seeing the state of the room. That would be his mistake and my fortune.
My heart is pounding as I throw my sack over my shoulder. Quietly, I open the door and step out into the hallway. My beating heart is so loud that I hope no one else can hear it.
I breathe deeply yet silently as I begin my escape. I remember the route down to the ground floor from when Selliss brought me to the gardens.
After tasting a hint of freedom that day, I was famished for the complete experience. There’s no going back now. The days of being an all-obeying slave are behind me for good.
No guards are on patrol on this floor, seeing as everyone is usually asleep at this time. I’m able to descend to the ground level without issue, but it’s where things grow more complicated.
“Any day now, we’ll all be off. I reckon it’ll all be over as soon as it starts. The Prince won’t be prepared,” a soldier says as he talks to another, walking past my hiding spot.
What are they talking about?
I brush off the thought. These fuckers could do whatever they want, I’m not going to be a part of it. Soon, I’ll be enjoying my newfound freedom in Lodra.
I spot an exit leading out to the castle gates but it is guarded by two soldiers, each heavily armed. There’s no way I can sneak past without a distraction.
From my sack, I remove a tizret and hurl it down the hallway.
“What was that? Let’s go check it out!”
Bingo.
