Chapter 36: A Desperate Escape

Aedric's heart pounded as the distant sound of heavy boots echoed down the stairwell. The palace guards were coming. They had to move—now.

The young woman they had just freed rubbed her raw wrists where the chains had been. Despite her ragged state, her gaze remained sharp, filled with a quiet fury.

"We don't have time for introductions," Aedric said quickly. "Can you run?"

She nodded. "Faster than you."

Tessa smirked. "Good."

Lirian peered down the dimly lit corridor. "There's no way out through the front. The upper levels will be swarming with guards soon."

Varen pointed to a narrow passage at the far end. "Servants' tunnels. They lead to the outer courtyard."

Aedric took a deep breath. "Then that's our way out."

The group moved swiftly, their steps near silent against the damp stone. The tunnel entrance was hidden behind an old wooden shelf, its hinges rusted from years of neglect. With a sharp tug, Varen wrenched it open, revealing a cramped passageway barely wide enough for them to squeeze through.

Aedric gestured for the young woman to go first. "Stay close."

She didn't hesitate. The group slipped inside, one by one, disappearing into the dark.

---

The tunnel was narrow and musty, the walls lined with old brick and cobwebs. The air grew colder the deeper they went, and the only sound was the soft shuffling of their footsteps.

"How long do these tunnels go?" Tessa whispered.

Varen answered, his voice low. "They should lead to a side exit near the east wall. If we're lucky, we can slip out before the guards cover every exit."

Aedric glanced behind them. No sounds of pursuit—yet.

The young woman spoke for the first time. "They will not let me leave alive."

Aedric looked at her closely. Despite her disheveled state, she held herself with an undeniable presence. She wasn't just some random prisoner.

"Why did they take you?" he asked.

She hesitated. Then, in a quiet voice, she said, "Because I am the key to their ritual."

Lirian's eyes narrowed. "What does that mean?"

"They need my blood," the woman answered, her voice tight with controlled anger. "To complete their summoning."

Aedric's grip on his dagger tightened. This was worse than they thought.

Before he could ask more, the sound of shouting echoed from behind them.

"They've found the tunnel!" Varen hissed.

"Run!" Aedric ordered.

They broke into a sprint, the narrow passage barely giving them enough room to maneuver. The flickering torchlight from behind cast long shadows against the walls, growing closer by the second.

The tunnel opened into a small underground chamber, where an iron grate blocked their way forward.

Tessa yanked at it. "It's locked!"

Aedric turned back. The guards were closing in, their torches bobbing in the darkness.

Varen cursed and pulled out his tools, fumbling with the rusted lock.

The young woman suddenly stepped forward, placing a hand on the metal bars. A faint pulse of energy radiated from her palm. A moment later, the iron crumbled away like dried leaves.

Aedric's breath caught. "You—"

"No time," she said firmly. "Move."

They didn't hesitate. They slipped through the opening just as the first guards reached the chamber.

"Go!" Aedric urged, shoving Varen forward before following himself.

The tunnel sloped upward, leading to a heavy wooden hatch. Tessa rammed into it with her shoulder, forcing it open.

They burst into the cool night air.

---

The palace courtyard stretched before them, bathed in pale moonlight. High walls loomed on either side, the main gate heavily guarded.

Lirian scanned the area. "We need another way."

Varen pointed to a section of the eastern wall where ivy grew thick against the stone. "There. We can climb."

Aedric nodded. "Go."

They sprinted toward the wall.

Shouts erupted behind them as guards poured from the tunnel entrance. Arrows whistled through the air, striking the dirt mere inches from their feet.

Tessa reached the ivy first, scrambling up with practiced ease. Lirian followed, then Varen.

Aedric turned to the young woman. "Can you—"

Before he could finish, she leaped onto the wall, moving with unnatural agility. Magic. Again.

Aedric grit his teeth and climbed after her.

The guards reached the base of the wall, shouting curses as they tried to follow. A few attempted to climb, but the ivy gave way beneath their weight, sending them tumbling back down.

At the top, Aedric glanced back. More soldiers were pouring into the courtyard, but they were too late.

They had escaped.

---

The city streets were quiet at this hour, the distant glow of lanterns flickering in the windows of tightly packed buildings. The group moved quickly, ducking into shadowed alleys and abandoned corridors.

After several blocks, they finally stopped to catch their breath.

Tessa leaned against a wall. "That was close."

Varen smirked. "Close is better than dead."

Lirian turned to the young woman. "Who are you?"

She hesitated, then finally answered.

"My name is Seris."

Aedric studied her. There was more to her story, more than she was saying.

"Why do they need your blood?" he asked.

She met his gaze. "Because I am the last descendant of the First King."

The air grew still.

Tessa's eyes widened. "That's… impossible."

Seris shook her head. "Gorran's warlocks know the truth. The blood of my ancestors carries power—power they intend to steal."

Aedric exhaled. Everything was falling into place.

Lirian's expression darkened. "That ritual—they weren't just summoning something. They were trying to claim a throne."

Seris nodded. "And if they succeed, Velmire will fall."

A heavy silence settled over the group. The fight wasn't over. It had only just begun.

Aedric straightened. "Then we stop them."

Seris gave a small, grim smile. "Then we start with Gorran."

The night stretched before them, full of danger, full of uncertainty.

But one thing was clear.

They were done running.