After a brief rendezvous in Avu, Chion was relentless in his single-minded effort to reach Gharra. The pace the white paka set was grueling, but no one complained. Once Skye explained the reason for rescuing Lara and the potential for the Lan’Ai bond, Cai and Neal’s resistance had long since disappeared into thoughtfulness.
In less than a week, Neal and Cai led them to the trapdoor entrance without incident.
“Eiren,” Skye said, “I should go into Gharra now. We have no time to waste.”
Skye, his bond mate scolded with her hackles raised, you need rest. We’ve traveled nonstop for days. If you won’t sleep, at least sit down. The city is not going anywhere.
He looked at the others, knowing they listened to the one-sided conversation.
Cai responded to Skye’s unasked question. I cannot hear Eiren’s argument, but I can imagine. It is wise to rest. We pushed hard to reach Gharra, and you must conserve your energy. None of us know what you face above. At least wait until nightfall. Neal nodded in agreement, though Chion growled with impatience.
Skye finally caved to his paka’s worry for his welfare since exhaustion did weigh on him. He sat down without another word. If they were rescuing anyone else, he’d have made the same decision. The problem was that this was Lara. His instincts screamed that she was running out of time.
Neal started a small fire, giving Skye a respite from his magic. As it was midday, he had enough time to eat and sleep before he climbed to the streets above. While his bondmate stretched her legs and back, Skye chewed on a piece of dry bread and leaned against the tunnel wall. Taking a sip of stale water from the water bag, Skye watched Chion pace the intersection in a circle.
Neal spoke up, “It’s the Tal’Ai bond.”
“What?” Skye asked, never taking his eyes off the restless paka.
“Separation from our Ai is never recommended, but it is necessary at times,” Neal explained. Cai’s tail twitched in his periphery. Chion growled low, almost as if under his breath, but he didn’t break his stride.
It dawned on him that Neal stood guard against the steps leading up to the trapdoor, ensuring that Chion stayed in the tunnel. Skye frowned. “Eiren and I have been separated before, so have Chion and Lara.”
Yes, Cai answered, but the separation between Ais is difficult even when both are safe from harm. His next words were laden with sympathy and knowledge. Not only is there distance between Chion and Lara, but Chion knows his bondmate is in danger. It is particularly difficult for bonded pakas. We do not fare well when our Ai is injured or threatened.
What Cai means is that a paka’s bond is more elemental or deeper than our human counterparts, Eiren whispered. I have heard mention of a paka reacting in such a way, but I’ve never seen it with my own eyes.
“What are you saying?” Skye asked in confusion.
At last, Chion joined the conversation, his voice a deep, barely contained growl. It means that bonded pakas have an instinctive need to reach and protect their Ai. The bond will not let me rest, and it will only become worse until I can reconnect with My Lady. I am close enough to talk to her, yet there is something blocking me. I receive random images, but nothing solid. It is as if she is a stranger, and the Tal’Ai bond does not recognize her as my Ai.
“You may become worse,” Skye murmured in conclusion. “And she isn’t using the bond to talk to you?” He groaned aloud and scratched at the skin beneath his beard. He weighed Chion’s behavior with what he knew of the paka. Lara had succumbed to the emotions of those within the city. His entire plan hinged on Chion’s ability to bring Lara back from the brink. “From everything I’ve learned about the Malirran force in Gharra—and from what Chion just said, there is no way of knowing whether Lara is in any condition to escape without aid.”
“You are speaking of the woman’s power?” Neal clarified.
Eiren nodded, but Skye explained further. He glanced at Chion. “I’m also talking about her physical ability to walk out on her own. The Malirrans are savages. The tales I heard paint a gruesome picture of a race that thrives on pain and death. Not only is Lara caught within a maelstrom of sensation, she could be in physical pain.”
Cai asked, Lara has enough control over her magic to keep the emotions at bay?
Everyone looked at Chion. The paka hissed, and his eyes glinted his terror for his Ai. My Lady has gained some control, but she cannot maintain her shield while she sleeps. It is why we must reach her before too much more time passes.
“Keep trying to reach her,” Skye urged. “I need every clue she can give us to find her. I grew up in Gharra, so I should recognize any building or street she describes.”
My Lord, Eiren reminded, Gharra is a war-torn city. It won’t look the same to Lara as what you remember. Even if Chion reaches Lara through their link, you may have to resort to searching different parts of the city for the building she describes.
Skye repeated what Eiren said, then stopped to truly think about what Gharra may look like now. “Eiren’s right. I need to scout the area before I begin my search.”
Neal leaned forward, his face earnest in the firelight. “This isn’t the only trapdoor inside Gharra. There are two others.” The Kurite pointed upward. “This one is merely the easiest to access. Nyah always uses this one because it is the safest one for Kurites.” He crossed his arms with a shrug and continued, “Even with the Malirrans patrolling Gharra, you’re a Pyranni man. You are far less likely to be waylaid than a woman or a Kurite.”
My Lord, Cai asked with a serious tone, which one do you speak of?
Skye wasn’t certain whether the paka agreed with Neal giving him information only Kurite spies had knowledge of, but if not, Cai didn’t say anything. Why hadn’t he thought about the possibility that Kureto might have more than one door into Pyran?
Neal frowned a little. “Cai, I, and other spies used two of the hidden entrances to bring the Kurites taken as slaves back to Kureto right before and during the siege. The others left during the chaos immediately after the Malirrans conquered Gharra. Only by the grace of the God and Goddess were we able to save our people.”
Skye inhaled sharply and scrubbed his hands over his face. How could he have forgotten the slaves? If they hadn’t escaped, the Kurites would have faced torture and death. The spies’ task to rescue the Kurites inside Gharra must have been fraught with danger. It truly amazed him no Pyranni had learned of the mission, even through sheer happenstance. Losing the Kurite slaves proved how tenuous the hold the Pyranni people had had on their city. It spoke of their desperation and their fear of the Malirran invaders.
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With sudden insight, Skye jerked up from the ground and slapped both hands on his hips. “There is a hidden entrance into the castle,” he accused, glaring at both Neal and Cai.
Oh, Goddess, Eiren gasped.
Chion interrupted with a loud snarl, I do not care whether there are a hundred hidden entrances into Gharra or the castle. He leapt forward and raked the dirt with his right and then his left forepaw. Skye requested you specifically to guide us here. If knowing the location of escape routes will save My Lady, tell the warrior now.
“Cai,” Neal pleaded, “trust me.” The paka’s reluctance was obvious, but he finally bowed his head.
Skye rolled onto the heels of his feet and ran a hand tiredly down the long braid. Arching a brow, he said in a low voice, “Until we know otherwise, keep the entrance to the castle a secret. I admit that my first instinct is to protect Gharra from intruders.” He shrugged, shifting his weight when Eiren came over and leaned against him. “But Gharra isn’t mine to protect anymore.”
The flame’s sputtering was the only noise that broke the quiet. After a few minutes, Skye said with a yawn, “I do need rest before I climb up to Gharra. Cai, Neal, your secrets are safe with me. Tell me what I need to know to ensure my safety from patrols. I’ll use the other escape route only if there is need.”
Chion took up his pacing, though now it seemed less from restlessness than a need to think. His frustration at not reaching Lara came through when he growled again. Skye, if you must use the other trapdoors, send word through Eiren.
Of course, Eiren said, jiggling the alphabet scroll still hanging around her neck for the others’ benefit. My Lord, don’t wait to tell me if you are in trouble. I want to know where you are at all times while you are gone.
Skye snorted. Leaning over to rub one of her ears, he said, “I’ll keep you privy to what I am doing; however, talking to you the whole time will distract me from my task.” Worry slithered through their bond, and all his humor vanished. Eiren, I will keep you apprised to my whereabouts as much as I can. But trust me to watch my own back while I’m gone.
You are a warrior, My Lord. Far be it for me to think I can protect you from harm with my presence… She glanced over at where Chion had returned to his constant pacing. I see him, and I pray I don’t lose you as he has Lara. I can’t lose you, Skye.
“We will find her,” he reminded his bondmate. “She’s here in Gharra. Even Chion told us that much. I’ll find her, and we will rescue her from wherever she is. Lara will come back to Kureto with us.”
Chion snarled, Solara is alive. As long as she is alive, we shall save her.
There was a murmur of agreement from everyone in the tunnel. For his bondmate’s ears alone, Skye added, And I will come back to you.
Turning away from Eiren, he frowned at Neal. “Where are the other tunnel entrances in the city?”
Tell him, My Lord, Cai said, falling to the ground in a graceful slump. He yawned and said, They’re right; he needs to know. We all need rest. We have time before night falls above, and then the task falls to Skye. Neal and I will wait by the other trapdoor in case you need our help.
¤ ¤ ¤
Be careful, Eiren whispered through their link, nuzzling her chin against Skye’s hip.
Skye glanced down at her with a smirk. “Eiren, stop worrying,” he chastised. They both stood in front of the stairs leading to the trapdoor.
Rested from his short nap, he was more than ready to start his search for Lara. Rubbing his bondmate’s ears one last time, he shifted until Chion came within view.
“Still nothing from Lara?”
Chion growled low, then sighed. No. He swung his head from side to side in agitation. She is somewhere in the city—alive, but a barrier prevents me from speaking to her. It is difficult to explain, but the bond feels wrong.
Cai and Eiren perked up, stepping toward Chion, boxing him in. Cai demanded, You mentioned this before. Describe what you are feeling.
Chion’s ears flattened against his head, and his mouth opened with a hiss. My Lady does not feel the same. The bond is present, although it is as if I am bound to a stranger. Last night I thought I had reached her, but our bond shut down not even a second later. I felt as if the memory of Solara was present, but not my actual bondmate. Our bond feels twisted.
Eiren bumped the white paka with her shoulder before moving back to Skye. My Lord, we must find her fast. There is no time left.
Skye took a deep breath and exhaled. He couldn’t worry about Lara until he found her. “Eiren is right. Time is of the essence.”
Skye wrapped the dark cloak around himself, then pulled a knife from his boot. Closing his eyes, he reached for the Tal’Ai magic that hung just on the edge of his vision. At once, details swarmed him, and his heart stuttered. With precise movements, he inserted mirrors until the knowledge filtered to a more manageable amount.
He lifted his head and peered upward, using his magic to check for anyone in the immediate area around the trapdoor. “Extinguish the torch.”
When the firelight sizzled, Skye took a deep breath. Without a backward glance, he climbed up the stairs and opened the silent trapdoor. He spread his senses as far as he could once his head broke ground level. A second later, the door shut, and he crouched in the shadow of the wall. The nearest person was a block away walking the other direction.
You are well?
He replied in a whisper, though there was no need. The coast is clear, Eiren. Remind Neal and Cai to wait at the other hidden trapdoor. Reviewing the incoming information one last time, Skye walked away from the wall and into the city, heading toward the tavern he last frequented.
They’re already gone. They will wait there until dawn. I am here if you need me.
That I never doubted. He jerked his head up, scanning the rooftops around him.
There. Someone crouched above him, hidden from everyone else’s sight. He couldn’t tell whether a Malirran scout or a Pyranni hid on the rooftop, but the person had noticed him.
The wind tumbled over the wall from the ocean, bringing the scent of decay to him. Skye tugged his cloak tighter around his shoulders and stuck to the shadows.
The person on the roof tailed him.
With his magic, Skye had enough time to hide before Malirran patrols sighted him. Every time he hid, his tail above him did as well. The once vibrant streets now stood devoid of life. The shocking difference almost brought him to his knees. His magic’s ability to see past walls deciphered the statures of those inside the small, ramshackle homes. The majority of the townspeople were young and women. A purge really did occur.
Stomping feet and raucous laughter reached him before the people came within his magic’s perimeter. Skye slipped behind a broken door inside the mouth of an alley and watched four men dressed in black stumble past. While he waited for the street to clear again, he studied the individual peeking over the building above him.
Someone is shadowing my every move, he finally shared with his bondmate.
Worry threaded through the bond alongside Eiren’s full attention. A Malirran scout?
My instinct says no. I’m thinking more thief than warrior. When Skye didn’t move, his pursuer grew restless, shifting his body from one knee to the other. The hands holding onto the side of the building were petite, slim. I believe it is either a woman or a tall child.
What will you do?
What can I do? I can’t leave a trail of bodies behind me. The Malirrans will increase their patrols. He fingered his knife. Besides, I refuse to hurt or kill an innocent. Warn the others that I have a tail, but I am safe for now.
Eiren didn’t say anything further, and after checking the area for eyes, Skye left his hiding spot and crossed the street. Up ahead, he could see the sign for the tavern. He pulled up short, staring in disbelief. The place had burned to the ground.
Skye had planned to gather some information, but that option no longer existed. He looked both directions, trying to create a new plan. Settling deeper into the shadows, he watched while his tail jumped to the next building over. The movement was decidedly feminine, and Skye fancied that it might be Lara.
Then he quickly discarded the idea. The woman stood taller than his friend. Perhaps it was time to return the favor and determine how much the woman knew. He waited until she looked in the opposite direction before he sank backward. Careful not to disturb the eerie silence, he skirted the streets and made a large loop back to the other side.
One building provided enough leverage to scale the wall with relative ease. Skye used fingerholds and toeholds to reach the top before rolling onto the roof. Foolish woman hadn’t moved from her spot, though her trembling body gave away her fear.
Creeping up behind her, Skye slid a knife under her chin to keep her from giving their precarious position away. She stiffened, then did a full body tremble.
Digging the knife in enough that the woman felt the threat, he whispered, “Why are you following me?”
Shock held him immobile when the female relaxed in apparent relief. Despite the woman’s reaction, he tightened his grip and dug the knife in a little deeper.
She winced before twisting her head around to search his face. In a lilt that proclaimed her a Pyranni noblewoman, she said in a low voice, “Skye? Skye Silverhand?”
His shock was such that Eiren called to him, My Lord? What has happened?