Chapter 25
Javin descended the steps to the underground tunnels of Putra’ Fi Sorro. They’d come down through a different stand of the strange, bending trees than they’d been brought down before. This one, Siri’ Bhu had explained, was kept only for the royal family . . . and the Keeper. Javin had listened to her high pitched keening, and watched as Sauros paced back and forth, eager to be through. The tunnels looked the same as all the others. Siri moved quickly, knowing the way. She, too, was anxious to find the Princess.
Before they’d come to the city, Javin had taken the opportunity to speak with Sauros alone. They’d wandered out from camp a bit and spoken quietly. They’d decided not to use the power of their crystals unless it was absolutely necessary. Javin had thought, and Sauros had agreed, that perhaps Nemesis would sense their presence, like Javin had been able to sense Nemesis when he’d first been brought before Tranthra’ Joh, and especially if they used their crystals.
At the bottom of the steps, Sauros looked at Javin.
Javin stilled himself and felt out, careful to keep from drawing on the crystal. “He’s not here, but no sense advertising.” He knew Sauros was aching to make a mental connection with the Princess. To reassure her help was coming, and also to locate her. Siri thought she knew where she would be held, though not certain. Javin had no doubt Sauros could locate her, so strong were his feelings, Javin could feel the emotional echo even without the crystal. They both knew why he couldn’t. Even if they couldn’t sense Nemesis, it didn’t mean the Pontu’ Gi in the city wouldn’t be able to sense them.
Siri looked at Sauros questioning. “Let’s go,” he said. And Siri nodded, leading the way.
They moved fast, but also silently. It was good they did. Tranthra’ Joh, knew they were coming. At one large branching of the tunnels a detachment of guards were waiting, wearing the black uniforms marking them as Tranthra’ Joh’s men. Javin had been nervous they’d have to fight others of the city who were on the side of the Princess, though Javin didn’t think those who would wear Tranthra’ Joh’s uniform would be innocent; especially those down here in the tunnels. Tranthra’ Joh might know they were coming, but he didn’t know when or how.
Javin moved up with Sauros and Preegha. Siri moved to the back. There was no way through. Seven guards, all heavily armed. Javin was armed too, with one long blade that felt good in his hands when he’d hefted it. Sauros and the Elders were similarly armed, though Sauros had added a shorter dagger as well. Carefully they drew their blades. Javin touched Preegha on the shoulder and pointed to the far side of the branching. He nodded. Preegha then turned to his two fellow Elders and they faded from view. Javin looked at Sauros, who nodded as if to say “whenever you’re ready.”
They bolted out from their tunnel without a sound. If they shouted it might alert guards further up the tunnels. No one could be allowed to escape and raise warning.
The fighting was furious, but the guards were taken by surprise. The addition of being hit from behind by the Pontu’ Gi Elders made the fight one sided. Javin moved with a grace that continued to astonish him. He had no recollection of any training in the fighting arts, though his body moved smoothly, by instinct, from one movement to another. Slash, parry, thrust, punch; like he’d trained all his life. Sauros noted it too, staring with awe.
Javin had accounted for two of the guards before Sauros had even joined the fight. It was over quickly. Javin was relieved they hadn’t had to kill. He’d do what he had to, but he didn’t relish killing. All the guards were unconscious. Their blades had hardly crossed so surprising and swift had been their attack.
Preegha and the Elders faded back into view. He came up to Javin.
“Never have I seen such fighting.”
Sauros continued to stare.
Javin was uncomfortable . . . and ignored the compliment. “Let’s truss these guards up so they can’t go anywhere until this is over.” He was glad they didn’t pursue the subject.
With strips from their own uniforms, the guards were made secure and dragged over to what Siri said would be a little used corridor. Then they were on their way.
After a short while the tunnel grew lighter and another branching led into a larger, brightly lit room. They hesitated at the entrance, crouching back out of site while they peered in. Javin immediately recognized it was the dungeon where he and Sauros had been held. The cells were even more full. A gasp escaped Siri’s lips before she could cover her mouth.
They held their breath, but no one had heard. No alarm was raised. Javin scanned the room critically and matched it with what he remembered of the layout. All his senses were alert; his mind crisp.
He felt a stirring that this was something he’d done before, like he was used to this type of activity. He’d been a warrior . . . a special type. Javin about growled aloud. He couldn’t remember anything else. The feeling was gone. Nothing he could do about it now. He was a might busy. Javin grit his teeth and motioned for them to move back into the tunnel where they could plan.
Javin turned to Preegha. “Can you feel any of your people?”
Preegha turned to the other Elders. They nodded. “We can. But they are not here -- in this lower area. They must be up in the city. Something is wrong. There is wrongness in their feeling I cannot explain.”
Javin waited a minute, but Preegha said nothing else. They’d just have to deal with whatever it was.
“Looks like we’ll have to do this the hard way then,” Javin said. “Can you and the Elders move over and take out the far guards?” Javin had noted three at the main steps leading out of the dungeon. There could have been more he hadn’t been able to see. The view had been blocked by people in the cells. Preegha nodded. “Those guards will probably have the keys.” Javin’s mind was buzzing through a plan. “Get them. I think I have an idea that may just create a little more confusion for our enemies.
“Sauros and I will stay to the near side and slide along the wall to keep any guards from slipping out the side way. Javin remembered the room had one other branching tunnel that had to be cut off. Then Javin turned to Siri. “I noticed there were quiet a few people in the cells. Any you recognize?”
"I recognize them all. They are nobles of the city. Why --?" she started to question then caught herself. She knew very well why they'd been locked up.
Javin nodded. "Do they know you? Will they listen to you?"
Siri thought a moment, then, "Yes, I think they will, given the circumstances."
"Good," Javin said. "Here's what we'll do. First we need to secure the room. No one escapes to give warning." He looked at them all. "Then we'll meet back in front of those cells.
"Siri, you wait just a bit for us to start then walk out like you own the place. Don't worry about making any noise. You're going to be a distraction. Head right for the cells. If you get there and you haven't seen any commotion, go ahead and start talking with them. The guards will see you. Ignore them. Preegha and the Elders will keep them from reaching you." Javin looked at Preegha with meaning.
"After we meet at the cells, I'll explain from there. Everyone ready?" Javin looked at them all. "Then let's go."
They moved back to the tunnel entranc, then Javin touched Preegha. The Elders faded. Sauros moved up by Javin. He didn't say anything, just smiled, as if to say, thanks. Then he ghosted to the side of the tunnel and slipped along the face of the wall. Javin followed, knowing that Siri would wait then come out as instructed.
Javin kept close to Sauros. They hadn't run into anyone yet, but Javin had a feeling. He kept listening to hear sounds of conflict coming from the Elders. If they were lucky, they'd be able to put the three guards down without much fuss, get the keys and head back for the cell. The only real unknown was where they were heading. There was that large branching tunnel. Where it led, he didn’t know. Tranthra' Joh was expecting them to show up s
ometime. It'd be smart for him to guard every access. It'd divide his forces, but Javin would have done it too.
Sauros paused and Javin could tell his back was tensed. He moved up quietly and peered around his bulk. Javin tensed too. A short way down the branching tunnel was a detachment of five guards. They were faced the other way, seeming relaxed. Then the noise of fighting erupted near the stairs. The guards wheeled. Their commander told off three to see what was happening, and the other two stayed.
Great. Javin thought. How're we going to handle this? One group would be hard enough as outnumbered as they were, but if they got into two groups . . .
The three guards were starting up the tunnel. Javin didn't hesitate. He stepped out from Sauros and moved to the center of the corridor.
"I think you guys are looking for me."
The guards stopped, staring, as if trying to figure out what sort of creature he was. That's all Javin needed. He sprang to the attack using the advantage of confusion. The first guard went down from a jumping snap kick that took him in jaw. Javin landed and just caught the blur of Sauros sprinting down the hall at the two remaining guards who'd been startled by the commotion. The second guard Javin faced started to draw his blade. Javin already was stepping forward swinging an open handed blow, cupping across his ear. He, too, crumpled. The third guard had his blade drawn and was swinging in an arch that would take him in the neck if it connected. Javin ducked under the swing, reached up to pull the extended arm around, pulling the guard off balance. Javin straitened behind the guard and with his other hand pulled his head in the opposite direction. The snap was distinct. The third guard fell.
Before he'd dropped, Javin was on his way down the hall to help Sauros.
Sauros stood over the body of one guard and was pressing the other who'd backed up against the wall, trying to ease by and escape. Javin moved to one side, hugging the corridor wall, while the guard, fighting desperately against the cuts and slashes of Sauros' assault broke free and ran up the hall towards Javin. He made three steps and Javin stepped out, punching straight to the side of the guard's head, connecting with his temple. The guard's momentum carried him forward one more step and he, too, collapsed. Javin turned to Sauros with a smile.
"All in a day's work, ey?"
Sauros nodded, a wry grin crossing his face. He moved forward as Javin knelt down to tie the guard up with his uniform. Sauros didn't need to tie the other up. He wouldn't be saying anything to anyone.
Sauros made his way over to the other crumpled forms Javin had dispatched.
Before long, they were standing in front of the cells, the noble’s eyes wide at seeing their rescuers. Siri tried to calm them, but they didn't seem inclined. Javin ignored them and turned to Preegha and the Elders.
"The rest is just as we planned. See if you can gather your people on your way to the main gate. Hopefully most of them will be on the defensive wall anyway. Make sure you get that gate open and signal Sohorkon, no matter what you have to do.
"Once the gate is open, gather your people into one place and have them stand down. They can’t be part of this fight. Sohorkon will create a diversion while we get the Princess out of the palace. Then we can get her before the people and calm things down. If it works right, we can get this all done before Tranthra’ Joh and Nemesis know they’ve lost."
"You must know, Mulda’ fi," Preegha said, hesitating before moving off. "Our warriors still don't feel as they should. Our connection to them is very tenuous."
"Will it help if you get closer?"
"Unknown. We will try."
"Is there anything else you can do?"
"Unknown."
"Great. Do your best."
Preegha still hesitated.
"What?" Javin asked.
"Do you feel the other? We think it is his influence acting on our warriors, but we can't see how it is done. Can you?"
Javin was dumbfounded. He'd almost forgotten what he was supposed to be feeling for with all the excitement. He realized as he stilled his senses that he'd been alert, just under the surface of his consciousness, for any feel of his enemy. He tried to feel out to the Pontu' Gi.
There was nothing. Javin could feel the cool presence of Preegha and the Elders. He could feel Siri's nervousness as she kept glancing at him, then the nobles. He could feel Sauros' anxiousness. There was nothing of the warriors . . . or Nemesis.
"Nemesis isn't here. As for your warriors . . . I'm afraid you'll have to just figure it out. I'm still new at this."
Preegha nodded, placed the keys to the cells into Javin's hand then turned to his companions. They faded from view as they began to move away.
Javin turned back to Siri' Bhu. He handed her the keys. "Open the cells."
While she was working on the locks, Javin raised his voice.
"Okay. We're letting you out. I think you all know that the guys in the black uniforms are not good. You also know that Tranthra' Joh is their boss. Chances are he's the person that put you here, right?"
There were murmurs of agreement, though Javin could see they still weren't sure about him. He could also tell they recognized Sauros. They knew he was the Princess' betrothed, but from another city. Siri, they knew. Most of them looked at her.
"Listen to him!" Siri said. "Tranthra' Joh has taken the Princess prisoner. I was with her when she was taken. They left me for dead. I escaped and brought these --" she gestured to Sauros and Javin, "-- to help. They are both Mulda’ fi -- Promised Ones of legend. You must trust them and do as they say!"
When Siri mentioned that both Javin and Sauros were Mulda’ fi, Sauros snapped his head around to look at her. Siri couldn't have known about the crystal, nor the testing in the Pontu' Gi's land. Javin smiled. About time someone shared the heat.
The crowd of nobles in the cell gasped at Siri's statement. There was silence. Javin could see many didn't believe.
Great! Javin thought. They kept glancing at he and Sauros, though there wasn't any who were going to argue about getting out of their cells.
Still Siri pressed on, earnestly trying to convince.
"They're here to rescue the Princess. Do any of you know where she's being held?"
The mention of the Princess seemed to snap them back. "In the tower!" someone in the back said. "I heard one of the guards mention about the prisoner in the tower. It has to be her! Can you get her?"
"That's just as I thought," Siri said to Javin.
Sauros moved up. "What are we waiting for? Let's go!" He turned to Siri. "Lead us there, now!"
"Wait!" Javin said. "This'll only take a second, and it'll buy us more time." He turned to the nobles as they started to move out of the cells.
"Go out and start telling everyone you meet what happened to you. Go out into the street and make all kinds of noise! Tell them that Tranthra' Joh is a traitor and start gathering the people to move against him! The Pontu' Gi will be out of your way soon. You heard me talking to their leaders. Don't fight with them.
"You! Javin grabbed a couple of nobles. "Grab a bunch of people and head for the main gate. See that it gets opened. We have a force from Sunzah' Nu Geeza waiting to help. They won't hurt anyone of the city. They’re here to help you take out Tranthra' Joh's people."
They stared at Javin like he was crazy, then they looked at Sauros. They knew the army outside the gate was from his city.
"Do it!" Siri snapped. "They are telling the truth! If you value the life of the Princess, you will do as they say!"
The two nobles looked at each other, then the Keeper. They nodded to Javin . . . and to Sauros. One grabbed another of the nobles and said, "Come with us. You know the guard at the gate, don't you?"
"If they're still there," the noble answered, and they made their way out of the cell, making room for those behind to pass through. Javin was stunned there were so many.
"Javin!" Sauros pleade
d.
"Go Siri!" Javin answered, and before his voice's echo died they were moving up the stairs. Javin's mind was churning. He hoped the Elders had success in gathering their warriors. It worried him that there was something wrong to their connection.
They didn't pause when they got to the top of the steps. Other of the freed nobles had already gone through the doorway. If there were any guard there, there'd have been problems getting through. The nobles must have taken care of them, or set them off the carry a warning. It would work to their advantage either way. It'd alert Tranthra' Joh, yes, but it would only be that the nobles had somehow gotten free. If their luck was holding, Tranthra' Joh would think only about rounding the nobles up before word got out.
Then again, Javin's mind ran on to yet another possibility. It might make Tranthra' Joh panic and have him go right for the Princess as a hostage to save his own neck.
"Don't spare the horses!" he said to Siri' Bhu.
"What?" she said, turning back.
"Go! Go!" Sauros said. "Just take us to the Princess the most direct route you can. We'll clear the way if necessary."
"Okay," Siri said. She had to run to keep ahead of Sauros. As it was, he was right on her heels.
She sprinted down the main hallway then suddenly veered through a corridor to the right, followed that for a time, then turned into a branching corridor to the left. It sloped up a short ramp leading to a landing. She came to an abrupt halt. Sauros didn't hesitate. He continued up the ramp. Javin came around the corner and saw why. Five guards were blocking the way at the top of the landing. None of them moved, but had pulled their blades to meet Sauros' charge.
Javin whipped his blade from his scabbard and ran forward. Sauros met them first and wove a web of steel protection while engaging two guards. One was down before Javin met the others with similar intensity. He felt out for Sauros and recognized his grim determination. Sauros had to reach the princess.
Again, Javin's body went on automatic. He almost relaxed as it went through the fighting motions he still didn't know where they came from. It was as if his mind was a detached observer, seeing his body going through instinctual motions, now feeling where everyone was on the floor of conflict, feeling their intentions before they acted.
This is something new, Javin thought even as his body continued to fight. I've only just started noticing this. He wondered if Sauros could feel it as well.
Two of Javin’s attackers were down and the last was looking nervous. Sauros was holding his own against the last one facing him. It appeared that he wanted to break and run. Sauros was covering too close that he daresen't try to even escape. We've got to hurry, Javin thought. He felt for Siri. She was just behind, moving up. As soon as they could, she'd lead them again without any wasted time.
Sauros made three quick moves in succession and his second opponent went down, lifeless. Javin wasn't far behind. A swipe with the blade to draw off balance and then a snap kick to the stomach followed with a fisted punch to the nose. He felt cartilage crush and the guard slumped.
Siri jumped between and they were on their way again, this time ducking through a doorway to the right of the landing. It was the base of the tower. Narrow steps wound around the inside leading up. Javin could feel Siri’s exhaustion as she pressed forward, taking the steps two at a time. She didn’t complain; just kept pushing herself upward.