Page 87 of Akur

Her upper lip disappeared into her mouth and something swelled in her eyes. Sadness. Such visible sorrow. But before she could say anything, a faint sound caught his attention. He stiffened, and she did, too. Footsteps, but lighter than the heavy tread of the guard patrols. Coming closer.

“Someone’s coming,” he warned in a whisper. “Stay back from the barrier.”

The footsteps stopped just by the door. There were muffled voices before two heavy thumps that made Kon-stahns jerk. Her wide eyes flew to him. Something was happening.

The door hissed open, but it wasn’t the Tasqal and its guards returning. Instead, a single robed figure slipped inside.

“Be silent,” it whispered, moving quickly to the control panel. “We have little time.”

Akur’s eyes narrowed as he recognized the voice. The same Tasqal who had helped them before; the one who had given them the map.

“You,” Kon-stahns breathed. “From the tunnels.”

The Tasqal made a soft hissing sound. “Quickly. The guards will change rotation soon. I can only give you moments to escape. Make them count.”

The energy barrier of Kon-stahns’ cell flickered and died. At the same moment, the chains holding him retracted into the wall, and they retracted too quickly. He crashed to the floor, unable to catch himself, a grunt of pain escaping before he could stop it.

Something soft was under him in an instant—Kon-stahns, her small frame straining under his weight, supporting him despite her own injuries. She shouldn’t be doing this. Shouldn’t have to. He needed to be stronger, needed to protect her, not the other way around. Red hot shame washed over him, mingling with the pain. He swayed, his vision blurring. Just…keep moving. Don’t…don’t fall.

“Can you walk?” she asked.

Even trying not to lean on her was creating agony in his bones.

“Have to,” he growled, forcing his arms under him. Everything screamed in protest as he pushed himself up. The room spun like a ship caught in a vortex.

“The way to the landing bays will be cleared for exactly seven clicks,” the Tasqal said, still working at the controls. “After that, you’re on your own. There’s a ship waiting in bay twelve. The codes are already loaded.”

Constance got her shoulder under Akur’s arm, obviously trying to take some of his weight. And he leaned on her more heavily than he wanted to. Even then, his legs didn’t seem to want to hold him.

“You’re helping us again.” She said to the Tasqal. “When they could find you here, with us.”

The Tasqal’s hands stilled on the controls, his head lowering slightly underneath his hooded garment. “Because change must begin somewhere. Even if it begins with treason.” He turned to face them. “Now. Quickly.”

They stumbled into the corridor. Each step sent daggers of pain through his chest. Breathing felt like the air was filled with shards.

The Tasqal beckoned as he slid out the door. “This way. Hurry.”

They followed, Akur fighting to keep his feet under him with each step. His body threatened to fail him, but he pushed through it. They had one chance. He wouldn’t waste it.

Just outside the door, they had to step over the bodies of two fallen Hedgeruds.

“I had no choice. They would have raised an alarm,” the Tasqal said, head tilting lower under the hood he wore. “Come.”

The corridors were mercifully empty as they made their way through the citadel. Eerily empty.

Was this another trap?

No. That didn’t make sense.

“Where are your minions? Your people?” Akur hissed.

The Tasqal tilted his head slightly in a way that made Akur know he was looking over his shoulder. “You have been captured, but the other, your comrade, has been found in the barren lands. Much of the High Guard has been diverted there as you pose no threat now.”

Gods. E’lot was in trouble.

“And your kin?” Akur asked.

The Tasqal faced forward again, robes shuffling as he hurried on. “A gathering has been called. We have a human now…or so they think. The next steps to retrieve that orb are being discussed.”

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