Escape

When the room had finally grown silent, I decided to dare a glance over my shoulder. I could see a clear line of sight straight to Maxwell's cell. The guards instructed to watch over him, where not in my line of sight. Knowing that they wouldn't be able to see us, I moved away from Seria. She sat frozen in place, hands clenched into tight fists as she stared into space. I waved a hand in her face, trying to coax her out of her deep thoughts. But she continued to stand as still as a statue.

"Seria, I'm sorry I put you in an uncomfortable spot, but your dress would have given us away. I have no intentions of harming you if that was what you where worried about." She didn't say anything as she continued to stare off into space. My frustrations where starting to grow as I tried to stir her from her thoughts, but nothing I did was working.

"I need you to snap out of this so we can find a way to escape. Get yourself together." I growled softly into her ear. That seemed to awaken her from her thoughts as she slowly blinked. With a sharp small nod, her limbs began to move. They shook violently with each uneasy step she took. It was becoming evidently clear that something had happened to her at one point that involved men. I would hate to assume the worst, but whatever damage was done, it broke her trust completely. Everything I did tonight either irriated her immensely, or spooked her speechless. Unfortunately, I didn't have the time to pry out her feelings and get down to the bottom of her past memories.

Having her motivated once again, I paced myself towards the cell door. With cautious eyes, I quickly glanced around the dome room. So far, their where no signs of the guards. They must have stepped outside the door keep watch. Thankfully that gave us more leg room, and a better idea to plan for a surprise attack. I just prayed that the door wouldn't creak if I opened it. It was nice to us the first time, it didn't exactly mean that it would be for the second time.

I waved at Seria to help me with the door and she hobbled over obediently. Bracing the weight with my shoulder, I gave a small shove. It gave way with no issues, not making even a single sound as we both pushed it open. I gave her a silent thumbs up once their was enough room for us to slip through. I squeezed through first, keeping the weight even so as to keep it from moving about. Once I was free, I waved for Seria to move through as well. She shuffled silently through the tight lip of the gate, keeping her eyes cast down on the ground.

Once she was free, I let the door go and let it rest on the hinges. We had successfully made our way out of one trap and into another. I glanced upon Maxwell's cell once again, checking on him and making sure he was okay before I started edging my way towards the entry way door. He was still slumped over, shoulders moving with jerky movements as he breathed. He wasn't in the most ideal conditions, and getting him out was going to be nearly impossible if we have to go back up the way we came.

I paused just as I was about to crest the edge of the entry way. A pair of footsteps could be heard heading this way, and they seemed in a rush. Damn, now who was coming?

"What are you doing down here? Your suppose to be out tracking the target you let get away." One of the Guards spoke, just around the corner from where I was standing. His voice was gravel like, almost as if he was gargling rocks. A dark chuckle resonated off the walls, sending chills down my spine. Uriah. After the encounter in the forest, there was no way that I could forget his voice.

"Gentleman, I simply-" His voice cut off as an assortment of thumps and whacks filled the air. "Just wanted to say hello. But unfortunately you are not the one I want to greet." He sounded genuinely pleased with himself. I managed to peak around the corner in time to see him sheath his sword in the holster attached to his hip.

"I went to a lot of trouble getting down here to help you. So I hope you make this worth my time. I have already given the documents needed to help Alliah and Nicklos with the Counsel against her father and unwanted sister. If you come down this hallway and stop at the intersection, take a left rather than a right and it will lead you to a secret passage way just outside of the brothel walls. I can only keep them distracted for so long before they realize what has transpired here." I couldn't believe my eyes. Was he actually trying to help us?

"What makes you think that I would trust you, especially after what you did to the Princess?" I hissed angrily. There was a pause before he heaved a dramatic sigh.

"I don't have time to convince you to believe me, because let's face it, we are both about to be find out. Right now, I just need you to trust me and get Maxwell out of here safely. I am sure that Nicklos will let you know what has transpired once you get back to where ever your hideout is." I watched as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of silver keys attached to a ring. With a casual under hand toss, he threw them in my direction. I watched as they skittered across the ground until they came to rest just in front of my feet. Without taking my eyes off him, I reached down to grab them.

"It's honestly just so funny how you are here at the most convienent time to help us. Almost like you knew we where coming." I didn't bother to hide the suspiscion in my voice, wanting to remind him that I wasn't fully trusting him in the least bit. After all this could be another trap.

"I have my ways of knowing things. I will distract them until you get safely out. After that you are on your own." Without another word, he vanished down the hall. I gently tossed the keys in my hand, feeling wary about the surprise help we just recieved. Unfortunately there was not enough time to ponder my options, we had to get Maxwell out of here as soon as possible. He could come back down at any moment witha bunch of guards to set us up in a trap. That's what he did to us the first time, and Alliah got hurt.

"Come on, we don't have time to waste. Max is already in poor condition, we can't keep him waiting any longer." Seria said placing a tenative hand on mine, stilling the keys. I gave a single grunt in response, and headed towards Max's cell. If this didn't work, I would make it my priority to kill Uriah before I was brought down. That was a promise. Wrapping my fingers around the cool silver key, I placed it into the lock and turned it. The lock gently slide to the side, freeing the cell door. I let it swing to the side, surprised that it had actually worked.

"Alright, you grab the right, and I will grab the left. Lift him on three." I said entering the cell. Positioning myself on his left side, I reached an arm around his waist, offering my strength as his support. When Seria was positioned and ready, we hoisted him in the air between us. He was sickly light as he carried him, almost like we where carrying an empty sack rather than a human. His ribs where very visable underneath his sweat and blood soaked ragged clothes. He was going to need a lot of medical attention, and a lot of rest once we got him to safety. Otherwise, I don't think he would make it.