69

Time passes in ineffectual plans to escape. You have no idea what the River People are doing, but the cannons have stopped. They either withdrew, or they've all been killed.

Then the Cerulean Guards have a good idea; they light a fire on the landing just below you. Your little unfinished room starts to fill with smoke.

"So much for being clever," Alexius says. "We need to attack them now."

"No," Control says. "There has to be a way out." She's spread out across the walls and ceilings, checking everything. "We're within six inches of another room, I know it. We just need to get through the bricks."

"Talk to them," Vecla says. "See if we can reason with them. Bribe them, anything."

Therko just backs away from the orange flames below, horrified.