“Be careful with that mask, it is delicate.” The old man noted.
Ralis paused at the odd remark and Ezra grabbed his arm and pulled him through the curtain.
Chapter Twenty One
Miri
Amri and Browen watched at the window. Their eyes scanned the seemingly empty street for any sign of trouble while they waited for Ezra and Ralis to join them. The rain outside was coming down somehow harder than before and a rumble of thunder echoed in the distance.
Miri pulled her already soaked cloak tighter around her slender frame, for all the good that would do. She was done with this city, with any Human city. She only ever seemed to have unpleasant experiences within them. Not even the strange mask maker’s kindness was enough to dispel the dismal events of the day.
Ralis had a smile on his face as he and Ezra joined the others crouched at the window.
Amri moved for the door. “We have to be quick, if the grate doesn’t open, we move on. Alright?”
Everyone nodded in agreement and moved as one into the rain slick street. The outside was eerily quiet, aside from the ceaseless patter of raindrops on the cobblestones. They all hurried towards the iron grate that rested in the center of the street. Thick streams of dirty street water moved like a river towards it and descended into the darkness below. Browen hurriedly wrapped his fingers around the dirty iron bars and lifted the heavy grate with ease. Without hesitation, Amri dropped into the gloomy sewers below.
“It’s clear!” She called up to confirm and the others prepared to join her.
Miri dropped in next and felt herself splash into a river of sewage that reached her mid-calf. It was an unpleasant sensation, but it was nothing compared to the rancid smell that assaulted her nose. She gagged as she moved aside for Ezra, Ralis and finally Browen to drop down. Ezra vomited even as she stepped aside for the others to drop down after her. Miri felt tempted to join Ezra as she wretched what little she had eaten that day into the stonework channel. All the while, Amri, Browen and Ralis covered their noses as best they could.
The only light that permeated the darkness of the sewers came through the grate above. But the dwindling evening daylight was hardly enough to illuminate the space beyond where they stood. Miri felt her heart start to race as the gloom pressed in around her. But before she could say anything, a hand took hers. She blushed furiously as she realized it was Ralis.
“I promised you that I would be your eyes, didn’t I?” He whispered with a smile.
Ezra summoned a small fire to her palm and held it up so that everyone could see in the narrow tunnel they now found themselves within.
“This way, I think we need to follow the flow of water.” Amri said as she led the other deeper.
The smell was overpowering, and everything was dripping wet. The narrow channel of fluid was unpleasantly thicker than water and made a wretched slurping sound as they waded through it. Miri tried desperately not to imagine what she was walking through. It was yet another reason why cities were disgusting. Water drained from above in miniature waterfalls whenever they passed beneath a grate in the street above.
They were well past the hour that Buris the Rat had given them. Even still, Miri worried that another trap was waiting for them up ahead. Or if there was no trap, she feared that he may have given up on waiting. They followed the trail of water as best they could as it twisted and turned down the labyrinth like tunnels. Miri felt thoroughly lost in the maze of stinking sludge and stone and hoped that Amri knew where she was going.
“The second we get out of here I am looking for a place to have a bath.” Ezra grumbled as she tiptoed through the sewage. “I don’t care how I get one, I just need one.”
The sound of running feet above caught their attention and Amri turned and brought a finger to her lips. Ezra extinguished her flame and they all hid in the shadows until the threat passed. Then they continued again.
“A bath would be nice.” Browen sighed, sharing the sentiment. “With some nice lavender salts.”
“And a cup of warm mint tea.” Ralis joined in.
“The three of you are so spoiled.” Amri sneered from the front as she pushed deeper through the sewers. “There was one year that I lived exclusively in the sewer. Although Verta’s are much bigger than these.”
“That’s awful.” Ezra shuddered in disgust at the idea.
“I think I remember which year.” Browen laughed. “You smelled so bad.”
Amri shrugged. “You get used to it.”
“My Clan and I would bathe in the river if we felt the need to wash.” Miri offered, wanting to join the conversation.
“If you felt the need?” Ezra cringed. “I used to bathe every night before bed.” She sighed. “I feel so disgusting… and that was before we decided to walk through a literal sewer.”
They continued to wander for a while before Amri confessed that she was lost. Carefully, and with Browen’s help, she climbed out through the next grate that they passed and reoriented herself. Back on track, they continued to make their way through the sewers towards the city’s bridge.
After a while longer, Miri wondered if Amri was lost again but then they rounded a corner and saw a large circular grated door and beyond it, the shore of the river.
“Let me do the talking.” Amri instructed as they neared the door. “And if this is a trap we scatter, they won’t be able to catch us all.”
“Or I could just burn them.” Ezra whispered as her green eyes flickered.
Miri shuddered at the sight. The fiery scowl on Ezra’s face frightened her and she feared the influence that the power had on Ezra’s mind. She worried for the next friend she would lose to the ancient power that they were seeking.
Amri approached the exit and with Browen’s help, they pulled aside the heavy iron door. Fresh air mingled with the stench of the sewers and Miri took a thankful deep breath. They stepped onto damp sand and Miri was surprised at how much time had passed. She could see the reflection of the moon in the river. Not far from it she spotted a small boat pulled up onto the narrow strip of shore. Above them was the massive stone bridge whose underbelly was covered in mosses.
“Didn’t think you’d show.” The voice of Buris chortled from the shadows and he stepped from the wall. “It’s better that you’re late anyway.”
Amri looked around suspiciously and glared at him. “This isn’t a trap?”
He laughed. “Does it look like a trap? And if you thought that it was, what are you doing here?”
“Is that your boat?” Amri ignored him and gestured to the small vessel partially beached.
“It is, where’s my money?” Buris reached out a hand towards Browen.
Amri stepped protectively in front of him. “You get nothing until we’re in Esper remember.”
“Yeah and that was fine before, but now I’m going to need it.” He pointed to a larger boat that moved silently in the shadows of the bridge. “Bribery isn’t cheap.”
“And you are certain that they can be bribed.” Ezra crossed her arms in doubt.
Buris looked her up and down as he answered. “Anyone can be bribed sweetie. But yeah, I know that guy in charge of that boat. He’s good people.”
“That sounds fair.” Browen began as he reached for his money but Amri stopped him again.
“So, you’re happy just getting the ring for taking us across.” She snapped at him. “I have trouble believing that.”
Buris chuckled. “You got me. I was planning on turning you over to the soldiers. I even had some waiting here until they got summoned to the Gold District.” His eyes dropped to the beach beneath his shoes. “Then I got to thinking… you’ve been through enough bad times as it is. The ring will be enough.”
Amri glared at him in doubt and Buris looked up with a greedy smile.
“Have
you seen how much you’re worth Lord Serrelli? I bet the soldiers would pay handsomely for a tip about which direction you were headed, and with a ring as proof that it was you, I might actually get to relax for a while.”
“You’re scum Buris.” Amri shook her head even as slight relief crossed her features.
“A rat actually, but scum works too.” He grinned. “Now are you paying me, or did you change your mind?”
Amri moved aside and Browen handed Buris what remained of his money. The dirty man counted what was inside then nodded and pointed towards the boat.
“Get in, we have to be quick.”
Miri immediately felt uncomfortable as the boat shifted under her weight and she hurriedly took a seat inside. It rocked further as the other’s entered and Miri questioned the small boats ability to stay afloat with so many inside. Buris pushed them off of the beach then jumped in.
Using a small paddle, he propelled them forward through the dark water. They all held their breath as they moved in the shadow of the bridge, all too aware of the many soldiers above them. Amri nervously kept to the center of the boat and watched the waters wake behind them.
Once they reached the center of the bridge the much larger security vessel pulled towards them with no further regard of keeping to the shadows. Buris didn’t seem worried as he kept paddling towards the Esper shore, but everyone else did. Amri rested her hands upon her dagger’s hilts and Ezra’s fingers rubbed against each other anxiously. Miri reached for her own short sword ready for the worst.
“Ho there!” Called a man with a thick beard from the larger boat. “Buris, that you.”
“Who else would be foolish enough to try this on a night like tonight.” The Rat responded with a lighthearted chuckle.
“Rates double, Command is cracking down on us.” The man replied and leaned against the rail of his boat to look down at them. “What’s the cargo?”
“Refugees from Verta.” Buris answered smoothly as he handed Browen’s money bag to the man. “That’s more than double, and as always your discretion is appreciated.”
“You know that there’s five of them.” The man called back as he counted the money.
“You think I didn’t check the notice board first?” Buris sneered. “Their nobodies.”
The soldier looked down at them with a glare. Miri busied herself with the hem of her tunic in a desperate attempt to not catch the suspicious soldier’s eye.
“Fine, you’re good to go.” The soldier stepped away from the ledge and waved Buris through. “Hurry up, or I’ll be forced to arrest you.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Buris resumed his paddling.
Miri didn’t breathe again until there was a significant stretch of water between them and the larger boat. But her breathing faltered as Buris pulled his oar from the water and gave Browen a firm glare.
“I’ll be needing that ring now Lord Serrelli.” He held out his hand expectantly.
“That wasn’t the deal.” Amri snapped at him.
“Should I call them back here? I would be making a lot more by turning you in.” Buris countered. “I want to make sure that I’m actually getting something from this little exchange. The ring, now.”
The air around Miri suddenly felt very warm and she turned to see Ezra struggling to maintain her composure.
“It’s fine Amri.” Browen’s shoulders slumped.
He struggled for a moment with his family ring before it finally slid free from his finger. The skin beneath the band was paler than the rest of his hand and Browen turned it over between his fingers with a forlorn expression. Miri could not help but also feel a strange tug at the loss, Browen’s signet ring had been the object that helped her find him, without it they would not have been as successful as they had.
“Come on, we haven’t got all night.” Buris shook his hand insistently.
Browen heaved a sigh and dropped his ring into the man’s waiting palm.
“It’s just a ring.” Buris sneered as he pocketed the heirloom. “I reckon it’s better than you going to the soldiers.”
Browen nodded somberly and Buris resumed his rowing.
It wasn’t long before they pulled up onto the Esper beach where Browen was the first to leave the boat. He fiddled with his now ringless finger as he waited for the others. They each climbed out awkwardly and Miri felt unsteady until her feet were back on solid ground. Buris was the last to hop out and dragged the small boat onto the beach with a grin.
“Pleasure doing business with you Amri. I won’t be telling them that I saw you until the morning, so you better get moving tonight.”
Amri shot Buris a glare but nodded. “Through the sewers again?”
“Best way to get around unseen.” He nodded back. “Good luck kiddo, I genuinely hope to see you again.”
Amri huffed and moved to lead the others towards the sewer entrance. The Esper side of Endar’s sewers was not much different and Miri held her breath as they entered. Using Ezra’s fire to light the way, they moved deeper into the city until Amri decided that they had gotten far enough away from the bridge.
They climbed out into a narrow alleyway and took a moment to shake the sludge from their boots and pant legs. While the air no longer stank with the wretched smells of the sewers the air in which Miri now found herself in still did not feel as easy to breath. Then she noticed the thick smog that clung to the buildings around her. It looks almost like a low hanging fog but smelled and tasted of industry.
A slight cough tickling her lungs and Miri moved to peek from the alleyway into the street beyond. Up close the Esper side of Endar looked like an entirely different city and was unlike anything Miri had ever seen before. Lanterns, powered by some unknown source, lit the street up almost as bright as day. Regardless of the lighting however, that thick fog was omnipresent. Miri could barely see the rooftops of the nearby buildings from which tall narrow chimneys erupted more of the polluted air. The buildings were clustered uncomfortably tight together with only the occasional gap for a new street or cramped alleyway. Of the buildings Miri could see, one was exceptionally tall and had a strange mechanical apparatus at the top, with the numbers from one to twelve circling a pair of arrows. It was similar to the one from Miri’s vision but nowhere near as grand.
The five of them moved together and joined the few people still walking the streets despite the late hour. Miri kept her hood pulled up tight but could not help but notice the outrageous fashions that the people of Esper wore. The men wore a strange assortment of hats, ranging from the ridiculously tall to bowl shaped. Their suits were overly flamboyant and included many warm layers. While some walked with canes despite their apparent lack of need for them. The woman on the other hand wore ornate bodices that were laced and buckled tightly around their waists. Like the suits of the men, their thick skirts were clearly designed for appearance, not function. Delicately each woman held her own unique and elegant umbrella to shield them from the unending rain.
A strange and loud whistle sounded from the distance as Miri and the others moved quickly through the streets with their heads down. The soldiers that they passed were clearly not worried that the Enemies of the Crown had made it over to their side and paid the group no mind as they patrolled the wide streets. The five of them continued to dart westward and after they passed a street which had odd iron rails running through the cobblestones, they found themselves out of the city.
The transition from towering cityscape to farmland was sudden. Miri looked out to the countryside and it appeared as if the farmlands continued expanding even further than the city could see. To her dread, the only trees she could see were the ones lining the road in more of a decorative fashion rather than a natural one. Outside of the city it was Miri’s turn to lead the group, but with no forest to hide within she was unsure how to proceed.
“Just take the road.” Ezra complained
as her exhaustion made her agitated.
“You know why we cannot do that.” Miri replied with an exasperated sigh.
“It’s either that or we cut through peoples farms.” Ezra rolled her eyes in frustration. “It’s less suspicious to take the road.”
“And there are some trees and bushes for us to hide in, if it comes to that.” Ralis added with a smile.
“Alright then.” Miri sighed and led them down the road.
She kept to the edges, as near to the trees and bushes that lined it as she could. Everyone was exhausted, not only from the length of the day, but from all of the activities that had kept them moving across the city. Miri kept her eyes open for a spot where they could make camp, but worried that the road was too well manicured and the countryside too laden with farmlands for her to find such a place.
Even Miri had begun dragging her feet against the compressed dirt of the road as hours passed with still no suitable resting place in sight. Ezra’s complaints were becoming more insistent and yet Miri dared not stop on the open road or try the exposed farmlands on either side of it.
Then, up ahead, Miri noticed a small wooden bridge that crossed over an equally small river. Along its northern and southern banks were even more trees and bushes, clustered together in a far more natural way than the rest of Esper’s landscape.
“Maybe we can find a place to hide our tents in there.” Miri pointed towards a mildly wild section and everyone sleepily followed her into the untamed brush.
They moved along the riverbank until they could no longer see the road. It was dense with nature but eventually they found a narrow space where their tents could be erected, if only barely. Working together it took them only a few minutes to set up despite the rain. Recognizing the fatigue on everyone else’s faces, Miri offered to take the first watch.
Miri woke more well rested than she expected to be. Birds chirped overhead and the gentle sound of the trickling river almost lulled her back to sleep. Amri and Ezra were still sleeping next to her and carefully she crawled from the tent into the crisp summer morning. Thankfully the rain had stopped at some point in the night.
Sunken Wind Page 21