by Stevie Woods
"It's okay. I'm okay. I was scared for you." I sighed, reaching up to touch him to make sure he was really there. "It's all right, Liander. I love you, so it doesn't matter," I whispered and I meant it. I was desperately sorry for what he had gone through, but it didn't change a thing. I loved him whatever.
He frowned, even as he leaned into my caress, then his brow cleared and he smiled. "It is all right. I'm fine. He never got to lay a finger on me."
Other than being minus his tunic he looked fine, breathing a little quickly, but fine. I suddenly realized I could breathe again.
"Thank, Creation! Here, put this on," I said, handing him his tunic. While it was nice to see him looking so...so edible, it was hardly practical.
He shrugged it on. "Look, I'm sorry. I know you're hurting, but can you move? Just to the next cell?"
I was puzzled, but I no longer cared about the pain. I smiled. "Yes, I can."
He ducked between my chains and pulled one of my arms across his shoulders. He held it there as he put his other arm around me to hold my opposite hip to take some of my weight and avoid the worst of the damage to my back. My other arm crossed his chest, so I was holding onto his waist. Just the feel of him in my arms made me feel safe. Odd how I always thought I protected him, but this time, it was as if our roles were reversed. I smiled at the thought--a partnership in every sense.
When we reached the door, Liander peeked out to check the passage was empty, then he carefully maneuvered me into the next cell. When we entered, I was pleasantly surprised to find Cor'lyn laid out, unconscious and tied up, gagged with strips from his cloak.
"And I was worried about you!" I grinned.
"I've been telling you for years that I can look after myself." He grinned back at me, then sobered. "Unfortunately, I don't know what to do with him now. They're going to come looking for him soon. And this is hardly a good hiding place."
"When we found our cell empty, Kano assumed Cor'lyn had taken you off somewhere so it may be some time before anyone comes looking for him," I said, thinking how we could use this to our advantage. "This cell..." I said, glancing at the door. "How did you get in here?"
"I found a large key on his belt and tried it. I think it must fit all the cells. Why?"
"We can lock him in here and lock our cell, too. It should confuse them nicely."
"But what good does that do?" Liander frowned.
"Because I might have found a chance for us to escape. When they took me into the other room to...interrogate me, I got an opportunity to look out the window. I could see beyond this place into the city. I think I know how to get to the harbor."
"But how can we get back into that room? We can't possibly go through the other room and--"
"We don't need to. They dragged me out by another door directly onto the passageway. If we can get back there, maybe we can get out that window. I admit there'll be a risk. I don't know what they'll do to us if they catch us escaping, but I know what they'll do if we stay." I indicated I could stand on my own. He didn't look happy, but he took me at my word and carefully pulled away from me.
"No way will we stay if you think we can get out of here. Can you make it, Hollis? Your back..."
"I'll make it. I've had worse." I couldn't tell him I'd do anything to get him away from here, no matter the cost to myself. He may have fought off Cor'lyn this time, but if we couldn't escape, there was no way Cor'lyn wouldn't rape him the next time. The bastard might even have Kano and his minions chain Liander to his damn bed!
"Okay, Hollis," Liander said taking me at my word. He paced a moment, thinking. "I can see we could probably hide as we go down the passageway, but there could be anyone in the room."
"I don't think so. It was a small anteroom, looked mostly unused. It was dusty and there were no drapes."
"And you know the way to the docks from there?"
"Yes, I believe so. We have to take the risk. We just need to keep a low profile."
"Need to lose your chains then. I wonder if any of these other keys fit," Liander said, fiddling with a bunch of them on a small ring. "This one looks familiar."
He looked at me and blew out a breath nervously before licking his lips.
"Tease," I said, not really meaning it as I knew it was just nerves, but I wanted to lighten his tension, and when he laughed, I realized I needed it, too. Just watching him laugh was enough for me to feel the pressure flow from me.
He tried the key in the lock of the manacles and we both breathed a sigh of relief when they slipped from my wrists.
"Now, you need to wear something. I'll get the tunic off Cor'lyn," he said. He soon untied his captive's hands, took the tunic off and then re-tied him. "I know it's going to hurt like crazy having this next to your injuries, but there's nothing else."
"I know. I'll just have to suck it up." To distract him, I asked, "Liander, how exactly did you knock him out?"
"With the pommel of his own sword," he replied casually, and I burst out laughing.
"That was the second time," he added with a sheepish grin. "The first time, I choked him until he passed out. I thought at first I'd killed him, I had been so angry." He shrugged. "I carried him in here, and he began to groan. I knew I needed him out for quite a time so..."
"Oh, you really are wonderful," I said.
He flushed and shrugged. Then he quickly thrust the tunic at me.
"Er, can you help?" I asked.
* * * *
So far we'd been lucky. Only once had we heard anyone moving in our direction. It hadn't taken us long to discover most of the cells in this section were empty. It seemed the other prisoners were being kept in a different wing and there weren't many prisoners down this end. We had no idea why, but based on our imprisonment, Hollis speculated political captives were kept separated. We heard footsteps coming and we ducked into the nearest empty cell. I was concerned if they were heading to our cell they would discover our escape, and possibly Cor'lyn, and we would have to make a run for it. I glanced at Hollis and he must have read my thoughts, for he whispered, "It's safer to wait here and see if the alarm is raised."
I nodded, though it was hard to stand there and wait. Without conscious thought, I found myself whispering, "What are your plans?"
Hollis grinned. "To get the hell out of here."
I couldn't help but grin back. "Okay, but how?"
His brow creased a little. "There is really only one way: get to the docks and steal a boat. A small one," he added with a shrug. I must have looked as uncertain as I felt because he said, "I know it's a risk, but considering the alternative..."
"I know you're right, but I've never been a very good sailor, and that was when I was a passenger," I said. "And sailing a small boat is something of which I know nothing. I hate that I won't be able to be much help."
"Luckily I spent most of my spare time out with the fishermen when you were in discussion with the village elders," Hollis said with a smile.
"I love to see you looking so happy," I said, my fingers tracing his jaw. "Even under such dire circumstances, you lift my heart."
As I slid my hand toward his lips, he grabbed my wrist and kissed my fingertips. "Lords, but you'd tempt the angels." Hollis' gruff response sent a shiver directly to my groin.
"Good thing you're no angel." I sighed, breathing in his scent as he pulled me in for a quick kiss.
I know he thought I missed the little grimace of pain, but I decided now was not the time to mention it.
"We go now; enough time has passed," he said huskily. "The room isn't far. The sooner we're inside there, the happier I will be."
We were cautious leaving the cell, then hurried on our way. The more time that passed without our being discovered, the more afraid I became. Our luck was running too well after all these weeks of nothing but bad luck. I just hoped our time had come.
Hollis paused and listened at the narrow door. He gave me a quick nod to let me know it was safe and then he carefully opened the door. Quickly he slippe
d inside, and I followed him, closing the door behind me. On impulse I checked Cor'lyn's key ring and found one which fit the lock and turned it. It would gain us more time if they tracked us down here. While I'd been doing that, Hollis had tiptoed to the other entrance, the one leading into the larger room next door. He listened for any possible sounds and then pressed a finger to his lips before creeping back to me.
Whispering, he said, "I'm not sure if anyone is in there. I think I may have heard something, but it was very faint. I could be mistaken."
"I can't risk locking it either," I whispered back.
He nodded and placed a finger to his lips again. No more talking. I nodded.
We walked very quietly to the window. I had somehow expected to see the sea, but all I could spot was the city spread out below. I glanced over at Hollis and he knew me well enough to know what was going through my mind.
Trust me, he mouthed at me, and I smiled.
Always! I trusted him with everything, my life and my heart.
I checked to see if the area was guarded, but it appeared to be a small garden leading to a gate in the centre of a low wall. At least the window was on the ground floor and I was relieved to find it wasn't barred. It had a central catch so either the top or bottom half could be opened and locked in that position; or the catch could lock the window closed from the inside. It was just a matter of undoing the catch, pushing the lower half upward and then climbing out.
Of course, it couldn't be that easy, could it? The catch was jammed. It would need forcing, and we had no tools. All we had was brute strength, but the real concern was noise.
Hollis had remained by the door listening, and I presumed he saw I was having trouble because he came over, a frown creasing his brow.
"It's jammed," I whispered. "I'll have to try and force it."
"The noise," he said.
"I know."
"Careful," he murmured, then without another word he went back to the adjoining door to listen again. He shook his head to indicate he couldn't hear anything.
I used the edge of my tunic for a better grip and I put all the pressure I could bring to bear on the catch. I was dreading any grinding or screeching noise from it, wishing desperately for some kind of oil right then.
It began to move--to the accompanying song of screeching. I froze. Hollis signaled to keep going. I turned it again and now there was a low, grinding sound, which eased as the catch freed and the window released. Hollis hurried over as I pushed it open and looked out to see if there were any guards visible, but still there was no one in sight.
"What if we were heard?" I asked.
"We go now. We have no choice."
We lowered ourselves to the ground and, keeping low, we hurried along the wall of the building until it abutted the garden wall. It was quiet, but there were a few windows overlooking this side of the building. I knew once we left the lee of the building, we would be exposed should anyone look out, however, there was nothing we could do about it. We couldn't even risk waiting for darkness. We had to go now, though it was barely dusk, not only for fear we may have been overheard, but in case Cor'lyn's absence was questioned and our escape discovered.
In the relative safety of the blind corner between the building and the wall, Hollis was keeping a careful eye out while I scaled the wall, just enough I could peek over the top. We needed some idea of what was on the other side. The last thing we wanted was to walk in on a busy area full of guards. After a quick glance, I slid down again.
"We're in luck!" I could hear the excitement in my voice. "It's another small courtyard and there's another gate that may, hopefully, lead out into the city."
"No one there at all?" Hollis asked.
"There's a woman cleaning a huge cauldron by a door. I imagine it backs onto the kitchens, but the door is at the opposite end of the courtyard from the gate."
"So assuming the outer gate you saw is open, we can walk through as if we belong and head straight for the second gate. It's a risk, Liander," he said looking hard at me.
"We've already agreed the greater risk is to stay. Just so we're together. That was the worst part of being in that so-called training school."
"I know. Together. Always?" Hollis murmured.
"Always," I whispered and let my eyes add the rest.
We moved quickly and quietly along the wall until we reached the first gate. With a quick glance at me, Hollis tried the latch, which worked perfectly, and it swung open. I held in check my momentary fear it had been too easy and followed Hollis through. We walked, unhurried, toward the other gate, murmuring to each other, trying to look as if we belonged. The woman was still working, kneeling in the grass outside the door and there was no one else in sight.
Reaching the outer gate, I squeezed Hollis' hand. I don't know why I did that, but the return squeeze and the flash of a smile on Hollis' face was worth it.
He reached for the latch again and the butterflies in my stomach decided it would be a good time to have a dance.
"Praise the Lords!" Hollis whispered as the gate opened without a sound.
We stood facing a long, narrow alleyway sloping down gradually to one of the wide streets of the city. After walking through, we closed the gate behind us.
Hollis turned to me, and I sighed in relief.
* * * *
We were free. Well, maybe not quite, but we had escaped from the immediate threat and we had a chance at real freedom. If I could get Liander safely to the harbor, we could hide out until dark. All we had to accomplish was a short walk through an enemy city, trying to reach docks that may or may not be guarded...it had been hard to tell when we arrived as we were surrounded by the raiding party. Not a difficult task at all. I almost laughed out loud, but I didn't want Liander to know how close I was to panic.
At least we were armed; I had the lienda taken from Cor'lyn, and Liander was wearing his sword.
We walked boldly down the alleyway, and I knew at the end we needed to turn left into the heart of the city. I had a picture in my head of where the harbor was, though, of course, the actual route would depend on the layout of the streets. I have an exceptional sense of direction and knew I could find the way. We just needed enough time to get there before our escape was discovered. I doubted it could be much longer before Cor'lyn was found; something as simple as a meal being delivered to the cell and all could be lost.
At the end of the alleyway, we turned left, and I was relieved there were few people on this particular street. Ambling down the centre was a large wagon loaded with barrels and as it passed, the driver raised his hat in greeting. As we weren't wearing any headgear, we each gave a nod, and the man smiled and carried on past. Liander glanced at me, and I could see the relief in his eyes.
I didn't think it was too much farther now and the fading light as dusk approached was to our advantage. A couple was approaching us, and Liander politely moved out of their way dropping into place behind me.
We'd walked on a few more paces when he moved up alongside me again and quietly asked, "Is your back hurting again?"
"Hasn't really stopped, but it's no worse. Why?"
"Because the back of your tunic is bloodstained. Luckily, it's not very much yet, but thank goodness for this half-light. You probably have to be real close to notice."
"It'll be all right, Liander," I said with a smile. "Almost there." No way was I going to let on that I was concerned, too. Things had gone almost too well.
We walked along for a little while longer, and I was relaxing again--no sign of any hue and cry, no guards patrolling the streets, just ordinary people going from one place to the next and paying no attention to two more strangers among them. I was getting confident. That alone should have warned me.
I could smell the sea now and knew we were close. That was when we heard the sound of marching feet. They weren't coming from the citadel, though but from ahead, near where I believed the docks to be. Change of guard, or merely city patrol? Either was dangerous, not a risk
we could afford to take.
Liander suddenly grabbed my arm and pointed to a store a little ahead. It was closed up with no sign of anybody. The stores here had open fronts displaying their wares on shelves and tables with awnings over the top and down the sides. As this store was closed, its awnings were folded in and fastened down securely. There was an entrance at the side, by which I assumed the owners would enter, and we made our way there. It wasn't difficult to force the surprisingly weak hasp and bar used to lock the wooden door.
We slipped inside as the sound of marching feet came nearer. I leaned against the door, letting the pounding of my heart slow down and I watched as Liander made his way forward toward the awnings. It was mostly by feel as very little light penetrated inside in the lowering dusk.
"I think they're heading this way," Liander said quietly, looking in my direction, his eyes bright in the dimness.
Without being aware I moved, I was drawn like a moth to his flame.
There was little room between the display stands in the store, and I stood just beside and partially behind him. He'd turned back, pressing an ear to the awning to listen, and I leaned in to try to hear as well, but the senses leaping to life in me had little to do with hearing.
I could smell his skin, warm and earthy, the scent filling my nostrils. I could feel the softness of his hair as it brushed against my cheek; hear nothing but the soft puffs of air as he breathed in and out. I couldn't stop myself as I turned my head a fraction and let my lips brush across his neck. The taste of him was my undoing, as fire raced along my nerves and my cock awoke to the explosion of feelings. I put my arms around him, pulling him back to lean against me as one hand moved lazily over his chest. He dropped his head back on my shoulder, turning his face toward me as he began kissing my neck.
I pressed myself even closer to him and marveled how well my groin fit against his ass. He murmured against my neck as he pressed himself back into me, grinding, grinding, driving me insane with his movements.
I moaned deep in my throat as my mouth sought his, and we kissed with passion, tongues sliding, tasting. He moaned, pulling out of the kiss, gasping as he twisted to turn around in my arms. For a moment, I thought something was wrong, until he plastered himself against me, dragging me closer, searching for my mouth again, even as his groin rubbed against mine.