Ishar closed her eyes and banged her head against the stone behind her in frustration. Even though she was certain of the outcome, Ishar stood and made her way over to the candle. Her shackle stopped her, so she lay and reached out her leg, to no avail. The tray was out of reach. Ishar closed her eyes for a moment and laid her head on the cold stone tiredly. She sighed, opened her eyes and slid back to the wall. Ishar made herself a vow. If somehow she made it out of this place, so help her Isla would feel the wrath of her hands. She shivered against the cold that was slowly seeping into her bones. The stone room, without the comforts of furs and a fire, sucked the heat from her body. Several more days in this place and the people of the holding would not have to worry about killing her. The cold would do it for them.
Ishar hugged her legs and stared at the flame of the candle. The light made a difference and it burned brightly, but Ishar wished she could have reached it with her feet and kicked hard, as it now only served the purpose of illuminating what was denied her. She wondered if the light would keep the rats away. Ishar soon had her answer. Within minutes, she watched as several rats converged on the tray. In their challenge over the food, the cup was knocked askew. The liquid sloshed across the stone floor, delving into cracks. The rats scattered for a moment but returned and investigated the porridge with eager noses. Ishar’s stomach groaned as she watched the rodents devour her breakfast. Eventually, all that was left was the candle, which slowly burned down. She was grateful only in the sense that it gave her an awareness of the passage of time, but in due course darkness slipped upon her as the candle finally flickered faintly one final time and went out. A part of her knew it had to be past lunch. Another part wondered why it mattered. There was no way Isla was going to let her have any food whenever she did choose to bring it. Thinking over the woman’s petty vindictiveness, an image suddenly came to mind of Isla emerging from Ishar’s room and cloak covered clothes. Ishar pondered the thought. Considering the woman’s hatred, could the cloak have also concealed a hand that held arrows? Was Isla so desperate for revenge that she would injure Eira? Ishar leaned back and groaned as she tried to determine from what direction her enemies hid.
Later, after much mulling and little resolve, the sound of the lock turning came to her ears. The door opened with a groan and Isla entered with another candle and a tray. Ishar stayed where she was. She saw no need to rise. Isla took note of her posture. “I take it you find our hospitality lacking?” she mocked. Ishar’s eyes narrowed but she did not speak. She only watched the Britai woman with a calculated look. Isla set the candle on a stone niche. She reached and took the cup from the tray and leaned over. “Are you thirsty, Haaldyn?” She asked, holding the cup out.
Ishar was not certain what the woman had planned but she was sure it did not involve her getting a cool drink. Her parched throat ached at the sight of the brimming liquid but still she said nothing. Ishar simply fought her body’s urge to grab for the cup.
Isla leaned over farther. The smell of sweet paera assailed her nose. Ishar involuntarily swallowed, her mouth instantly salivating. Ishar stared at the woman in bewilderment. “Why do you hate me so much? I am not the one who killed your husband.”
Isla jerked back as if struck. Her eyes burned. “Your kind did,” she spat scathingly. “If not for your people, he would still be alive.” Isla looked at the drink and then back at Ishar. “I am sure you are thirsty. Here.” She threw the contents. Liquid splattered across Ishar’s face and soaked into her clothing.
Ishar wiped her sleeve across her face and stood to face the troubled woman. Isla took several steps back in wariness. Ishar’s jaw tightened as she pleaded with the woman. “Do you not see how you have let hate wrap itself so tightly around your soul that you have little hope of releasing it?” She shook her head. “I feel sorry for you, Isla.”
Isla’s face grew taut with anger. “I would not worry too much about it if I were you,” she sneered, “When you are hanged in a day or two, know I will feel nothing but joy at seeing you swing.” She looked down at the plate on the tray and glanced up. “And since you are not to be long with us, I see no reason why we should worry about wasting good food on the walking dead.” Isla turned to go.
“Wait,” Ishar said quickly. When the other woman looked back, she asked hurriedly, “How is Eira? Does she live?”
Isla eyes sparked with fire. “Yes. You were not as skilled as you thought. She lives, but her body burns with a fever that only grows and does not lessen. We still wait for her to wake, though whether she does or not, you are still condemned by the arrows we pulled from her body.” The Britai woman moved through the door and slammed it shut.
Ishar found herself once more in darkness. She thought of Eira and frowned. Her friend was deadly ill it seemed. That did not bode well. If Eira died, would Varyk or Lysandr be able to stop the people from demanding her death? Ishar feared the worst as she struggled against the growing cold and hunger. Her eyes wavered and closed at spells. She was woken once by the curious nudge of a furred body against her legs. Fully awake, she had jumped up and kicked with her feet at the stone floor around her. The rats had scattered in the darkness, loud squeaks indicating their new position by the far wall. Then only silence. The rats had been attracted to the sweetness of the paera soaked into her clothing, she realized. Ishar stretched and continued to stand. A growing weariness over time won out and eventually she slid back down against the wall with a shudder. With her back straight and head tilted, Ishar listened for the noises of night movements.
It was later when she heard the sound of the key scraping in the lock. For a moment there was silence as whoever was outside paused. Ishar, awake, studied the blackness in the direction of the door and wondered who had come for her now. After Isla’s words, she found herself mentally preparing for a fight. A moment later the door eased open slowly with the slightest groan. Ishar, perplexed by the quiet nature of the movement, blinked once more at the small flame of a candle which seemed so bright to her light deprived eyes. Blinking rapidly to recover from the blinding illumination, she tried to identify the figure behind the held candle. It was not Isla. She had no need to cover herself with a cloak and hood. The figure moved deeper into the room. Ishar warily rose, uncertain of the reception she was about to receive.
The hood was pulled back quickly. Ishar blinked again. This time in confusion. “Audris?”
The Lute woman gave a solemn nod and glanced toward the door. “Yes,” she whispered, “though lower your voice. No one knows I am here. It is late, past the middle of night.”
Ishar moved away from the wall and came as far as her shackle would allow. “Why are you here, Audris?” She asked softly.
Audris set her candle on the same niche Isla had used. She studied Ishar. “I come because I believe my lady’s heart has never led her wrong.”
“I do not understand,” Ishar said, puzzled at Audris’ cryptic words.
“Eira believed in you and in your people, that they were needed to fight the coming war with the Tourna,” Audris spoke softly. “She would also be the first to state this fledgling alliance would be destroyed should anything happen to you.” She nodded hesitantly. “I come tonight because of her trust in you and her words. Nothing must happen to you. You must live. There may be time later to work out what happened to Eira but if the people rise up and you die because of a rash act, our future will be destroyed.” Audris moved closer. “I have come to lead you from this place so you may seek safety.”
After all the accusations, hearing Audris’ words was a comfort. However, Ishar was not certain how to respond. “I will not have you place yourself in jeopardy, Audris. I must stay and trust that Varyk is a just man and will see this through to my innocence.”
The Lute woman sighed. “That day is long past. You have only this chance to flee. If you do not, I fear the only path left for you is death.”
Fear crept into Ishar’s heart. “What has happened?”
Sadness was etched into Audri
s’ eyes. “My lady is dead. Varyk is locked in his grief and will not leave her side.” Audris moved closer. “The word has spread. Already the people stir up against you.”
Ishar found her breath strangled and a deep pain burning within. She struggled for the right choice over her overwhelming and confusing emotions. “But if I leave, it will most assuredly point to my guilt.”
“And if you do not leave, you will not live to see the morning light,” came Audris’ harsh reply. “There is a way out of the fortress. A tunnel my lady showed me years ago. It was discovered when the holding was being rebuilt but only a handful of people know of its existence.”
Ishar frowned. “It will be difficult to reach anywhere without being seen. Especially if the people are so stirred to anger.”
“No,” Audris whispered low, “The place I speak of is in the fortress itself, the side that is closest to the outer wall, a storeroom such as this with a secret door hidden deep in the floor.” There was a clang of metal as she raised a key in her hand. “Your shackle, please?” Ishar stuck out her chained arm and Audris unlocked the metal clasp. Ishar rubbed her raw wrist. Audris picked up the light and made her way to the door. She turned. “We must hurry,” she murmured when she spotted Ishar’s continued hesitation.
Ishar looked over the room and thought of Isla. If everyone was of the Britai woman’s mind, then Audris was right. She would have no chance to survive the night. A part of her grieved at Eira’s passing but the decision was quickly made. Ishar moved through the door with the other woman. Audris took the time to relock the door and hang the keys. She glanced back at Ishar, her eyes grave. “You will need all the time you can get.” They moved down the hallway. As they passed by the stairs, Ishar could have sworn she heard the sound of wailing from above but steeled her own growing ache about Eira and hurried with the Lute woman as they made their way down the corridor. They took a turn and moved down beside the main hall. Audris took the time to glance within, then motioned her hand onward to Ishar. They moved quickly forward until they came to the hallway’s end and Audris took another right. They were now on the other side of the fortress, the part closest to the outer wall.
Audris tugged on Ishar’s sleeve to hurry. They quietly made their way to the end room. Audris took a key from her belt and unlocked the door. Once inside, Audris shut the door and shined her light around. They were indeed in a storeroom. Shelves lined the walls and boxes were stacked upon one another at several points around a small table set in the middle. Audris made her way to the wall that ran alongside the outer wall. It was a section where several wooden containers stood. She looked at Ishar and spoke in a more normal tone, “Help me with this. We have to hurry.” Together the boxes were slid sideways. Ishar was quick to recognize the ring hooked to the wood as a sort of knob. She reached for the handle with her fingers and yanked upward. For a second the door resisted but then came up with a groan. The smell of damp earth tickled her nose.
Audris motioned down with the light. “This is the beginning of the tunnel. Varyk had it relined and strengthened. It ends at a grove of trees and bushes coming out of a hillside. The actual entrance is concealed by bushes. You will not be seen. I have left a horse for you tied to a tree. I am afraid it has no saddle. I could not afford the chance I would be questioned.” Audris wrung her hands. “I am sorry. I also have no weapons for you.”
Ishar turned a weary look and studied Audris sadly. “Do not worry,” she said gravely and laid her hand gently upon the woman’s arm in friendship. “Thank you. You have done too much already. I wish no ill will to fall upon you because of the others’ anger.” She pointed to the candle. “May I?” Audris looked surprised but handed over the lit candle. Ishar shined the light high as she took in the room’s contents. A moment later she smiled and walked over to a shelf. On it was laid a short cutting dagger. The blade was not the best but Ishar slid it where her dwæn usually fit. She turned back to Audris and said firmly, “I am afraid I must borrow this. I cannot leave without some defense, not that this will provide much. Still, it is better than no form of protection,” Ishar added as she passed the light back to Audris. “Thank you again.”
Audris nodded. “When you leave the other end of the tunnel, I would offer the suggestion that you go west, toward the high cliffs.”
Ishar frowned. “My father comes. Would it not be better if I rode to meet him?”
Audris shook her head. “By now the Lute will have been sent word that Eira was wounded, quite possibly by a Haaldyn. They will not have heard of her death but even that will not take long. Still, I would say to make it through Lute controlled area just now could be dangerous. Any Haaldyn will be suspect. Your father will come with his warriors and so be protected. The Lute would be fools to attack him. Also, once Varyk’s men hear of your escape they will pursue. They will more than likely head the way you speak of going. Now you will not only have to worry about what is in front of you but also what is behind.” She shook her head. “No, you must go to west along the Etu River until you come to the high cliffs. Once there, cross the river, turn northward and head into the Twyndur mountain range. That is territory you understand. It will be easier to evade capture as you move north. There you can alert your people to possible retaliation and bring more warriors to ensure your father’s safety.” Audris reached inside her cloak toward her belt. She removed a flask and a small satchel. “I thought you might need this for your journey. I do not know how much time you will have to hunt. You must move quickly.” Audris glanced nervously behind her. “You must hurry. There is no telling when they may come and light will be upon you before long. You must use the cover of darkness while it is available.”
Ishar settled onto the lip of the edge. She glanced back up with curiosity. “Audris, forgive my asking this at this time but I have to know. Why did you believe in my innocence when everyone else did not?”
The Lute woman smiled sadly. “Eira was my friend for many years. I have always trusted her judgment. She knew how to detect the truth in others. If she says you are true, I must believe it. Varyk also feels this way but he is grieving. In this grief, I fear he may overlook his people’s desire for revenge and even worse, allow it.” Audris nodded. “It is all I have left. This single desire to help fulfill Eira’s last wish of a unified Alsaar. Your death will completely destroy any chance of that. Hers may not, if the true killer can be found.” She glanced fearfully toward the door, then turned and motioned with her hands. “You must go.”
“I will not forget this,” Ishar whispered and dropped through down to the floor of the tunnel.
Audris leaned over the edge and handed over the light. “The tunnel will slope down quickly so be careful. I must return to my lady’s room before I am missed. Go, and may your journey be blessed,” she added, rising.
The door closing sealed her in. To some extent the light only made the darkness surrounding her seem thicker. Enclosed on all sides by damp earth, for a second, the vision of a grave swamped her vision. Focus, she thought as she fought through the feeling of being suffocated by dirt. The smell of damp earth rushing into her nose each time she inhaled did nothing to aid the thought. She raised herself up and reached her hands above her head until she found the roof of the tunnel before her. Ishar was able to just stand without bending. She shined the light ahead. It cast only a small ray of light. The light appeared more fragile than it had in the storeroom and the air had a musty dank odor. Ishar moved slowly down the corridor.
It took a short time to make it to the end of the tunnel. When she found the other wooden door, Ishar saw it was blocked by an iron bar. She lifted her arm, then paused in thought. It would not do to find unexpected guest on the other side. Hoping Audris was right about the entrance being concealed by bushes, she raised her hands to the iron. The bar slid out with a groan. She found the handle and pushed upward with her shoulders. The hinges creaked slightly as the door moved up. Dirt crumbled and fell in on her face. Fresh, cool night air rushed by her and into t
he tunnel. Once the entrance was clear, she set the food on the ground and hefted herself up on the edge. A hill of grass and trees stood behind her. Shrubs screened what was before her from view. Ishar slid her legs out and quickly lowered the door, concealing the entrance. She grabbed the food and made her way cautiously farther out into the open.
There was nothing to indicate the presence of a waiting enemy. She could see the holding a short distance away and thankfully the dark night and no moon would prevent her presence from being spotted. A snort caught her attention and Ishar slipped through the cover of bushes until she came to a tree with a quiet and calm brown gelding tied to one limb. The animal raised its head at her presence but then lowered it to continue grazing. At least the creature had a bridle, Ishar thought in relief as she moved to the gelding’s side. A part of her wanted to ride. Still, she sought a moment of respite and turned her attention to the food. Ishar opened the flask and downed the liquid thirstily. She drained about half of the container, then reached for the satchel. Opening it, she withdrew a bulky cloth. It concealed a giant hunk of bread and several chunks of dried meat. Crouching on her knees, she devoured half of the meal quickly and placed what was left back in the leather pouch before taking time to finish drinking what was left of the water. She would need to remember to refill it when she came to the river.
Satisfied for the first time in days, Ishar grabbed the reins of the gelding with a renewed strength. She moved in a direction away from the holding and the village but toward the river. Though she hated taking the time she walked with a steady pace for awhile before mounting and continuing onward. It was time well spent. Her cramped limbs reveled in their new freedom of movement. Another half hour brought Ishar to the Etu. She slid from the animal’s back, stretched fresh aching muscles and took a moment to not only fill her flask but to splash her face and neck with the cooling water. Revived, Ishar mounted and moved westward along the river’s bank at a solid steady canter. With a heavy heart she headed in the direction of the high cliffs.
The Treason Blade (Battle for Alsaar Book 1) Page 20