The morning ritual of lantern lighting commenced in the prison corridor as though nothing had occurred during the night.
Rubbing his eyes, Thorik tried to shake out the cobwebs of his slumber. “I had the worst nightmare.”
“It was no nightmare,” Santorray said, resting his arm on one raised knee. Pressing his back against the wall, he pulled his shoulders forward to stretch his spine.
Squinting as he sat up, Thorik was reminded of his stomach cuts. “Who was that last night? And what was that dark mass?”
“Lord Bredgin is the son of Darkmere. He rides the black cat of Shrii, and commands the dark vapors of a Wraylov.”
“Darkmere’s son? He’s here to capture Ericc. We’ve got to warn him and help him escape.”
“He’s long gone by now. Who knows where he’s headed.”
“I do. In fact it’s my fault that he’s going there.”
Santorray’s eyebrows lowered. “What are you talking about?”
Getting to his feet, the Num walked over to the bars to make sure no one was coming yet. The only person in sight was the lantern lighter as he made his way down the corridor. “I told him that his father was dead, killed after his battle with Darkmere at Weirfortus. He is now on a quest to Corrock to revenge the death.”
“Darkmere has killed Ambrosius?”
“Yes.” Thorik stumbled for additional words of explanation before correcting himself. “No. Darkmere set him up and left him to die.”
“And how would you know this?”
“I was there. I watched it happen.”
“And you couldn’t do anything to help him?”
Biting his lower lip, the memories flooded back through his thoughts. Unfortunately these memories had been untouched by Civej and Thorik could remember every detail of the event. “Yes, honestly I could have. But I chose not to. I chose to seal him in his tomb in an effort to save the rest of us.”
“So you lied to Ericc, putting him in grave danger.”
Thorik had thought this to be true, but refused to say it out loud. “It sounds so much more menacing when you say it. As though I purposely set him up.”
“A warrior does not hide the truth by finding a scapegoat for his own actions.”
“Ericc and I didn’t have much time to talk. We were rushed. The medic showed up sooner than I had hoped.”
“Spit it out, Sec. You were afraid of his reaction if you had told him the truth.”
“Yes!” Thorik slapped his hands onto the bars. “I was afraid that he would hate me for what I’ve done. Hell, I hate me for what I’ve done. How could I look him straight in the eyes and tell him that I not only watched him die, but I closed the doors which prevented his escape?”
Santorray stood up and walked over toward the Num. “So, this is why you allowed yourself to be thrown into the mines? To repent for your actions on Ambrosius, you wish to save his son?”
Thorik’s head hung low between his arms, his cheeks flushed with emotion. “Yes. I can’t live with myself until I can save Ericc from Darkmere. He means to sacrifice the young man. I will not rest until I have prevented this from happening.”
“It is a warrior’s soul you have, Sec.” Resting his large hand on Thorik’s shoulder, he stood next to him looking out of the prison cell. “I will help you on this quest.”
Thorik wiped his face clear of tears, which had pooled in his eyes. “Why? Why would you do that?”
“Three reasons. First, you risked your life to save mine, although I’m not sure Lucian’s attack would have been life threatening. Second, if Ericc makes it to Corrock before you do, I can help find him. They do not allow Nums to freely walk about. And the third is a personal reason. I owe Ambrosius a favor. This seems like the perfect time to repay it.”
“You knew Ambrosius?”
Patting his shoulders a few times, he sighed. “Fought alongside him in more than one battle, many years ago.”
“He seemed to have fought most of his life.”
“He never backed down to evil. We were proud to have him as a So’Er’Que Dooma Family member. A strong soul with the heart of a Blothrud.”
Looking up at Santorray, Thorik questioned him. “So, can you help me get out of here?” It wasn’t what he wanted to ask him. Ambrosius being a family member of a Del’Unday family seemed odd if he was also an Ov’Unday family member. But the idea of Santorray willing to help him was too great an opportunity to start questioning such things.
“I can, but it will be dangerous. No guarantee. We’ll have to fight our way up to the main exit, past the dragon, Duuke.”
“I have a better plan. Can you get us to the supply entrance?”
“Yes, but it’s a ship port, with a river that has taken the best swimmer’s life and fish that will eat your flesh to the bones before you reach the other side.”
“Can you get us there?”
“Yes, but it is foolhardy to venture to such a dead end. I tried it myself last time I was imprisoned in these mines. There’s no way to escape from there unless we are fortunate enough to have a ship waiting for us in the port.”
“Santorray, can you trust me?”
Looking down into the Nums eyes he searched for his own answer. “Trust has proven to be a vindictive temptress to me. How do I know this isn’t a trap?”
Lifting the side of his shirt, he exposed the slice marks from Santorray’s blades. “I trusted you. Now it’s your turn.”
“Do not betray me, Sec.”
“Just get us there.”