A blast of hot air ripped through the tunnel, the floor shaking. Simon grabbed at the wall for support, his flashlight’s beam zigzagging through the darkness. He leaned against the grimy concrete wall and glanced over his shoulder. Far in the distance, he saw yellow-orange light blazing from the opening to the warehouse.
“My God,” said Simon. “He blew himself up. The poor fool blew himself up.”
Ally stared at the glow. “I think he broke his staff.” Her voice trembled. “Liam threw himself at the shadows in the Tower. Conmager broke his staff. They all died to protect Lithon. I hope he really does grow up to overthrow Marugon.”
It was the longest speech Simon had heard her make.
Simon grunted. “Let’s keep going.” His shoulder muscles cramped, and he almost dropped Katrina. “Wait. I need to rest. Let’s stop for just a bit. I think we’re far enough away from the warehouse.”
“Okay,” said Ally. She sat down against the wall. “Lithon’s getting heavier.”
Simon levered Katrina to a sitting position and knelt besides her. Most of her cuts from the broken glass had scabbed over. She had a purplish-green bruise across her jaw and cheek, and her right arm looked dreadful.
Her eyelids twitched. “Simon.”
He took her good hand. “Katrina?”
Her eyes were glazed. “It hurts. Where am I?”
“A tunnel, part of the sewer system,” said Simon. “We went into the warehouse. Conmager stayed behind and blew himself up, I think, to make them think that we’re all dead.”
Katrina winced. “It…it hurts…” She trailed off into silence. Simon took her head onto his lap and kissed her forehead, blood and sweat rubbing against his lips.
“What are you going to do?” said Ally.
“Get her to a doctor,” said Simon. “As soon as possible.”
“And then what?” said Ally.
“I don’t know,” said Simon.
Ally picked Lithon back up and stood. “What will happen to us?”
Simon closed his eyes and rested his head against the cold stone. Conmager’s last instructions played in his mind over and over again. He had told Simon to love his betrothed. He could do that. Simon opened his eyes and looked at Ally, standing silent on the opposite side of the narrow tunnel.
Conmager had told him to take care of the children. Simon could do that, too.
“I wouldn’t worry about it,” he said. He lifted Katrina under the armpits and hoisted her back up. “There’s another of those arrows up ahead. Let’s keep going.”
They continued down the tunnel, their footsteps echoing in the cold dark.
***
Chapter 22 - Simon's Choice
Anno Domini 2003
The Tower of Endless Worlds Page 61