Chapter 50

The tall allay wall loomed high above the party of hooded warriors. The early morning sun cast shadows that cloaked them in darkness. No one saw them unless they wanted to be seen.

Emeric felt a reluctant chill go up his spine. He wasn't sure if it was because of the cold atmosphere in the alley or the thoughts of returning to the place that had made his life hell. He feared captivity and the realization that his plan could go horribly wrong, resulting with him back in a cell, drove hesitation through him.

Rayhan craned his neck to gaze at the window that sat high in the wall of the huge Dome. "You say you escaped through there?" He asked in a soft whisper. Emeric who stood beside his father nodded, "Yeah, but now that I look at it, it seems that getting out was a lot easier than it will be getting in."

Rayhan grunted agreement. The window was a good three meters or more off of the ground. The height was daunting and a fall from that high could cause critical injuries. He gazed at his son through his peripheral vision. "So how are you planning on getting up there?"

Emeric considered his options before answering with a tight throat, "I just need a boost."

Rayhan turned his gaze to Hunter who stood nearby, his gaze was stuck on the distant window. "Hunter, give me a hand." The young Rogue hurriedly walked to where Rayhan waited under the window. They both knew what Emeric needed of them and hastily got into position. They cupped there hands and stooped down slightly, there hands forming something similar to a stirrup.

Emeric took a few steps back...He'd need a running start. He paused,taking a few deep breaths, calming his nerves and easing his racing heart.

"Emeric, I just thought I might remind you that we have all day. It's not like we have to be somewhere. And besides, this a a very comfortable position." Rayhan's sarcastic words softly echoed down the allay. Hunter couldn't hold back a snort of laughter...He too was in a squatting position which was met by a painful ache to spread through his thighs.

Emeric grinned, "Feeling your age, Old Man?" Emeric asked with a gleeful smile. Rayhan shot him a glare that seemed to hold daggers. "Well, I'm not getting any younger here."

Emeric hid a smile and raced forward. He hoisted himself unto Rayhan and Hinter's cupped hands and just as he sprang upwards, they stood up straight and launched him upwards. Emeric felt as if he had been shot form a cannon. He nearly flew past the window, but managed to scramble onto the window sill.

Emeric gazed down at his father who stood below and held a thumbs up.

"Are you sure you want to go in alone?" Rayhan softly called up in a hoarse whisper. Emeric nodded, "I'll be fine. Just make sure you get the other guy. I'll meet you back by the forest." Rayhan nodded reluctantly. The last thing he wanted to do was leave his son. Something in him wondered if he would ever see Emeric again.

How would they know if he was captured again, if something went wrong?

With that, Emeric turned back to the window. He balled up his fist and punched the window out. There was nothing he could do to avoid the noise or the blood that dripped from his knuckles... He simply hoped that there wasn't anyone nearby to hear the ruckus. He looked back once more, "Stop gaping like worried hens and get moving." Emeric spoke with a smile before ducking into the window and disappearing into the Dome.

Rayhan and Hunter shared worried glances for a few seconds..."Worried hens...." Rayhan repeated. Hunter shook his head. "What does he take us for?" The question was left unanswered as it echoed silently through the alley.

They group of men were about to move away when Rayhan had second thoughts. He turned to Hunter, "Alright, maybe I am a worried hen. I'm sending you in, just in case he needs backup."

Hunter hid a grin at the care Rayhan felt for his son. Emeric was more than capable of holding his own but Hunter would do whatever Rayhan told him to do.

He was boosted up just like Emeric and crawled into the building like a shadow disappearing at dawn.

*****

Emeric blinked as unwanted memories came to mind as he stalked down all the familiar corridors. On multiple occasions he heard guards and had been forced to alter his coarse. He knew he was nearing the staircase that lead downstairs. To the cells...but Aire's medical room was down there and Emeric just simply didn't have a choice but to descend into the dark corridors which housed uncertainties around every corner.

"Stop right there!" A strict voice ordered from behind Emeric as he silently moved down another twisted corridor. Emeric stopped in his tracks. He grit his teeth against frustration. He slowly turned...His slow action wasn't because of fear that rushed through him...rather, it gave off an almost sinister aura...With his face hidden behind his hood and scarf, he made quite a daunting sight.

He saw the sentry swallow nervously as he watched the mysterious, hooded figure in front of him. Emeric relished in the fact that he unsettled his opponent...It would serve in his favour. With a scrape of steel against steel, Emeric drew his sword. The sentry also unsheathed his own blade.

"Drop your weapon!" he ordered, but the fear was evident in his voice. His hands also had a noticeable shake to them.

Emeric jumped forward, into motion as he charged at the guard. The shocked sentry opened his mouth to call a warning to other patrolling guards...However, Emeric was swifter than he had judged...

Emeric's hand clamped over the sentry's mouth, muffling his yelp of surprise...But that was when he started fighting.

He swung a deadly fist which Emeric just barely managed to duck. But the follow up left hook caught him against his jaw. Emeric staggered sideway under the force of the blow...However, he had taken a number of blows in his life and it took more than a single punch to knock him unconscious.

He dove past the sentry, surprising the man once more. Before the guard could come to his senses, Emeric grabbed him in a choke hold. The man tried calling out for help as he struggled against Emeric's iron grip...it was hopeless. The guard staggered backwards, knocking Emeric into the wall of the corridor. Although the force nearly drove the air from Emeric's lungs, he kept his grip.

After a few more seconds of desperate struggling, the man went limp in Emeric's arms. He lowered the man to the ground after checking that his pulse was still present. It was...

The struggle had wasted valuable time, but finally Emeric found himself downstairs. These corridors felt oddly like home. He knew each of them like the back of his hands.

He recognised the corridor that lead to the cell halls. The sight sent shivers up his spine. Emeric hastily turned his back to the hallway, turning down a different corridor that distinctly led to Aire's medical room. The sooner he could find her and get out of this place, the better.

His footsteps echoed hollowly through the empty hallways as Emeric strode to the lonely doorway that would lead him to Aire. Or so he hoped. There was no telling where she could be at the moment. Being a medic in a Dome didn't allow a lot of time to put her feet up and rest.

When Emeric reached the door, he was tempted to knock. It was the courteous way of doing things. However, he knew that if Aire wasn't alone, he needed the upper edge of surprise on his side.

Emeric slowed his breathing as he felt his heart rate speed up involuntarily...he wasn't sure if it was because his instincts were warning him of imminent danger or because he would be seeing Aire again. Maybe both? Nevertheless, he took a firm hold on the door handle and pushed the door open on well oiled hinges.

Emeric slipped through the gap into the room, taking in the familiar interior. The medical room sent soothing emotions through him. In the past it had been the only room where he didn't have to worry about his life. He had always been safe in there.

A smile lit up on Emeric's face when his eyes landed on the small figure at the opposite side of the room. Aire was turning to see who had entered. Emeric watched her as her eyes grew wide with shock and an emotion that emitted fear. Aire took a step away from Emeric. Her hand landed on a scalpel on her working bench. She gripped it defiantly, the only form of protection she had...

At that moment, Emeric realized that his dark hood and scarf were still pulled up. He hastily threw the hood back and allowed the scarf to drop down. It took a moment for Aire to register the face in front of her. A broad surprised grin crossed her soft features as she recognised the young Etreshian.

However, the emotion didn't last as a different sort of fear crossed her features. Emeric slowly moved forward, a confused frown marking his face. He opened his mouth to ask what was the matter, however Aire hastily stopped him. He urgently placed a figure over her lips. Emeric tilted his head in interrogation. Aire pointed to the treatment room. A slight pale color had claimed her face.

At that moment a voice echoed from the treatment chamber. "What's taking you so damn long?" The voice was evidently irritated. But Emeric recognised it instantly. He stepped back, eyes growing wide with shock.

Aire bit her lower lip, "The herbs need time to dissolve in the water...Give me a moment, Calvert."

An irritated sigh could be heard from the Dome Keeper.

Aire softly walked up to Emeric. She gripped his hand affectionately as she gazed up into his eyes...Her eyes had a stern glint in them.

"What are you doing here?" She asked in an almost soundless whisper.

"I came back for you." Emeric stated in an equally soft voice.

Aire frown slightly, "But why?"

"Because you deserve better than this place can offer you. You don't belong here Aire. Come with me." Emeric was surprised at the desperation he heard in his own voice.

Aire frowned thoughtfully. "Come with you where?" She asked after a few seconds.

Emeric shrugged, "Wherever...Anywhere but here. Although, the plan is to go back to Etresh, eventually."

Aire was about to ask another question when a cry of pain echoed down the hallway followed by desperate shouting of sentries and the clanging of weapons. Emeric's eyes grew wide as he turned to the door and opened it a slit to pear out.

The color left Emeric's face when he saw nearly half a dozen guards battling against an Etreshian. He felt his heart skip a beat when he recognised the Rogue as Hunter. He was fighting desperately, but with the odds stacked up against him, Emeric wasn't sure how long his cousin would be able to hold the attacks back.

"What on dear Chayr..." The exclamation came from behind Emeric. He whipped around and saw Calvert standing by the door of the treatment room. His wolf like eyes were trained on Emeric. When he recognised the Rogue's face, he immediately drew a deadly sword from its scabbard.

"You..."Calvert stated venomously...

Emeric swallowed nervously as he watched the fuming Dome Keeper, but the sound of battle from outside the door caught his attention.

Making a split second choice, Emeric spun on his heal, threw the door open and fled out of the room. The door shut with a thunderous clap, but Emeric was already running to help Hunter. Hunter saw Emeric running up behind his attackers and felt relief rush through him...However, in his moment of distraction, on of the attackers broke through his tight defences and managed to land a savage slash across his lower arm. He grunted with pain, but it only fueled his fighting spirit.

Hunter dropped one of the guards just as Emeric cut down another from behind. The two men fell silently and would never rise again. Before the sentries became aware of Emeric's presence, the Rogue dropped another guard. With three remaining, the odds were more evened out and the sentries feared the two men who had dropped there comrades in quick succession.

Emeric raised his sword to deliver another killing blow to a shocked sentry when a horrid pain streaked across his lower back. He cried out as the force behind the blow sent him staggering forward and he fell into the strong grips of the sentries. He shoved at the hands that tried to pin him down. Hunter saw his struggle and stabbed one of the guards in the side...He fell to the ground with a cry and Emeric managed to regain his feet.

He turned to see who had attacked him a few seconds earlier and just barely managed to block a blow that would have cleaved him in half. Emeric stood almost nose to nose with opponent as their blades met...He stared into the seething eyes of the Dome Keeper.

The blade in Emeric's hand drove an odd sense of confidence into him as he stared at his arch nemesis...

"Long time no see..." Emeric said sarcastically as he pushed Calvert back with a scream of steal scraping against steal. Calvert merely grunted and sprang a new attack. Emeric had fought Calvert more times than he could remember. However, all of those occurrences had been practice duels...And with a heavy heart Emeric realized that Calvert had been victorious of the majority of those battles. The fact that he held a real blade, instead of the blunt practice weapons, which was quite capable of taking a life set Emeric's heart racing...

One wrong move and he would be dead.

Emeric took a deep breath to calm his heart. The assaulting sound of feet racing towards them met Emeric's ears...More guards...They were totally outnumbered...But not outmatched...And with that thought, Emeric sprang his attack with deadly precision that drove the vindictive Dome Keeper back...