Chapter 36

Every muscle hurts. I have already fought a dozen guards. They came in sets of twos and threes until at last there were none left standing. I'm covered in bruises and fatigue has set in so deeply I can barely move, but I have to make good on my escape while also leading the pursuit away from the way we came in. I must buy as much time as I possibly can.

I bind the guards using their own clothing because I have nothing else to do it with. Then I inspect the hallway and find it empty. One at a time, I carry them to the cells and lock them each in one. Let them experience what they have done to others.

When that is finished, I reenter the original room. I stare at the barrels resting on their racks. I know how heavy they are, and I do not know if I have the strength left to move one. I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and let it out slowly.

Gwen. For Gwen.

I find some reserve of strength I didn't know I had, digging in as deep as I possibly can then move behind one of the racks that wasn't knocked over already. I set my shoulder to it, bend my knees, and heave forward. It moves a fingers width emitting a loud screech as it does.

Disappointment rises but I cannot let that stop me. I need to slow down any and all pursuit as much as I possibly can. It's the only way I can protect Gwen. I catch my breath, set my shoulder and heave again. This time I don't stop. I strain, grunting, and pushing, feet scrambling for traction then as if by some magic it moves, sliding right across the room and banging against the door.

I can't stop moving. If I do, I'm afraid I won't be able to continue, and this is far from over. Then the alarm stops. The silence in its wake is so sudden and so complete it's deafening. I take the moment to rest and debate my next move.

There aren't a lot of options. I can't stay here. Sooner or later, they'll overwhelm me. That they haven't already is a miracle and I can only attribute it to a gift from Tajss. I roll my neck and shoulders, shake my arms to get the blood flowing, then I go to the grate.

I look at the door, watching it with the expectation that at any moment someone will begin banging on it for entrance. Nothing happens. I grip the grate and lift. The strain is almost too much. Right as I'm about to give up, it squeals and pops free.

I fall with it and smash my foot. I grunt in pain and leap up jerking my foot free. I wiggle the toes, and nothing seems to be broken, but it hurts badly. There is nothing I can do about that. I stare down into the sewer. There is no way I can put the grate back in so they will know I left this way, sooner or later. That's a problem.

I have the glimmer of an idea. I hope it will work. I walk over to one of the racks then get a grip on one of the large barrels. I slide it onto the floor then scoot it over to the hole in the floor, letting it drop through. I repeat this with four more barrels then lower myself down and drop into the sewer.

The smelly water splashes as I land in it and I crinkle my nose in disgust. Gross. The barrels lay haphazardly around the tunnel. I roll one of them down the way that we came in then get it up onto its end. Climbing onto it I get close to the ceiling, studying it carefully. I'm looking for faults. The quake, I'm hoping, did some damage to the tunnel. All I need to do is find it, then exploit it.

I have to move my barrel four times before I find a fault. Once I do, I then set about rolling the other barrels into position. I rip off my shirt and tuck it into the opening of one of the barrels, making sure it soaks up the alcohol inside.

Once it's all set, I pull out a flint that I strike with my dagger. It takes me three tries to get the rag to light. Once it's done, I turn and run in the opposite direction.