|
|
Olan looked down the hall, and upon seeing nothing, gestured for me to come out, "An entrance can be found at the end of this hall. Put out the torch and present this seal when the servant emerges."He pressed a silver coin into my hand, "Now go..."
I took a few steps down the hall, and looked backward to my brother. He was putting his entire career as a knight on the line for me. To help me in this would mean his own execution, if anyone found out, "Olan..."
His hand clenched into a fist, "Katja, go! There isn't much time."
I nodded and turned away from him, scurrying down the hall. I made quick work of putting out the torch and stood there in the dark. I could hear my own heart-beat thudding in my chest as fear of discovery dried out my mouth. I panted for breath; it seemed so hot, so oppresive. I very nearly screamed when a hand grabbed my ankle.
The servant's eyes were all I could see in the darkness, despite my feline nightvision. They were so pale a blue as to almost seem white. I knelt finding the edge of a hidden staircase. The servant held out his hand, into which I pressed the coin. He ran a thumb over it and nodded to himself, the coin vanishing into one of his pockets. He then smiled slightly and allowed me to step down into the passage. He uttered no word as he led the way. I followed, staying about two steps behind. The tunnel was absolutely dark, but somehow he managed to expertly navigate the labyrinthine maze. I noticed, however, that he always kept one hand on the wall, be it right or left; it must've been to keep his balance, since he seemed quite aged.
It seemed like days had passed before we stopped, but even then it was not for rest. The sound of heavy, booted feet thundered right above us. I crouched instinctively, my eyes watching the celing above us. For whom, or for what, I had no idea. My green eyes merely watched in abject terror. After so many tense moments, my guide grunted and we continued onward.
I began to think there was never an end to this maze; that this was just some continuation of my Cleansing. Or, perhaps, I had truly died and this was some type of torturous afterlife. My feet grew weary and I was forced to wonder how long we had been down here. It seemed like a week. Finally, however, we reached the end. Never had I been so glad to see sunlight. I stepped out and turned to the servant. Those pale white eyes stared at me, the cat-like pupil's drawn into hair-thin lines. He's blind?
He handed me a note and turned, going back down the tunnel from whence he came. Carefully, I opened the note.
Thank you, Olan.
I looked to the distant city wall, tears misting my eyes. Yes, thank you, Olan.
Table of Contents
© 1999 E. Angeli Mansfield