Page 87 of Trapped to Tame
They took the supplies they needed from the horses’ backs, leaving everything they didn’t by the base of the cliff. The saddles and bridles they stowed in the alcove there the steps began so that they’d be able to find them when they were able to return.
After quickly plaiting their amulets into their manes, they left the horses to roam free and followed after Priest up steps as smooth as the stone of the cliff outside. Each one looked as square as the day it was carved although that must be a very long time ago. The staircase wound upwards as far as they could see in the dim light and long before they reached the top, even Fie was beginning to feel fatigued by the climb.
But finally, they ended, opening out into a small landing. At the end was a closed door.
Fie handed Eve a dagger.
‘Take it,’ he said.
She grabbed the hilt with a nod of thanks, holding it at her side and hiding it in the folds of her cloak.
He drew his own short sword and heard the others do the same.
Drax approached the door and tried the latch.
He shook his head and Fie stepped forward, putting away his sword and getting out his case of lock picks. Grateful for his youth in the family business, he made short work of the door, opening it gently, peering out into a nondescript corridor.
He heard the unmistakable shuffle of footsteps and closed the door a bit, leaving a tiny sliver to spy through and grimacing as it creaked. Priest conjured silence just in time as two soldiers dressed in black with red stripes on their tunics marched passed, neither of them even glancing their way.
‘What do you see?’ Drax asked impatiently.
Fie answered over his shoulder. ‘Library guards from Kitore.’
Drax growled. ‘If they’re Nixus’s men, then they do not yet know that he’s dead. It wasn't all that long ago that it happened after all.’
Fie gestured to Priest and Drax, opening the door wide enough for them to slip through. ‘Take them,’ he said. ‘Bring one back here alive.’
Priest and Drax disappeared and, a moment later, they heard a muffled thud. Two men were dragged through the door and Fie closed it again.
Priest launched the first one down the stairs without hesitation, the sound of the body’s succession down to the bottom oddly muted.
Drax took the first one by his tunic, hit him once and shook him. ‘Where are the fae children?’
‘Ain’t no children here,’ the soldier growled, his ruddy complexion even redder from Drax’s blow.
Drax drew back his fist to hit him again.
‘Enough,’ Priest muttered. His voice changed as he imbued it with power. ‘You will answer.’
Fie watched as the soldier’s eyes became unfocused and Drax let him go.
‘Where are the fae children?’ asked Priest.
‘Downstairs in the square eating their daily meal.’
‘What are your orders?’
‘We wait for our relief contingent from the Library … but they should have been here days ago.’
‘Have you had any birds?’ Drax asked him.
The man didn't answer.
Priest rolled his eyes. ‘Have you had any birds?’
The man shook his head. ‘No. But there have been storms all through the passes for weeks. We didn't expect any to get through.’
‘As you suspected,’ Fie said to Drax, ‘they don't know.’
