Sky of Wind by Emily Deady
Chapter 6
“This is the back door you referred to?” Sol asked, looking down at the iron grate Robin had uncovered on the forest floor. Sol kept his tone light, but wanted to truly convey his doubt.
“Would you prefer to walk up to the front gate and announce your presence?” Robin replied, throwing her weight against the rusted latch.
“I would prefer not to be immediately murdered upon entry,” Sol mumbled, gripping the dagger that now hung from his belt. “If you truly trust these allies, why are you sending me through a secret escape route no one but the royal family is supposed to be aware of?”
Robin stood. “I do trust the Sirilians. Mostly. I am not going to ask you to blindly trust them based on my word. They would not kill you on sight if you approached the front gate, but if you’ve never been up close and personal with a king before, you can’t just walk up to their home and demand to speak with them.”
Sol exhaled. “I don’t have time for jesting.”
Robin dropped her voice into a lower register. “This way gives you control over your entrance. The passage comes up in an old, unused portion of the castle. You can do what you do best. Enter the enemy’s lair. Scope out his strengths and weaknesses, then act on your plan.”
Sol nodded. He appreciated the straightforward honesty.
“You can also find Aizel first. She will have more timely knowledge of where the kingdoms currently stand, and she can walk you into the king’s home.”
“Thank you, Lady Robin.” Sol dipped his head in a small token of his respect.
Robin threw her arms around his neck. “It was good to meet you in person after all these seasons of working together.” Her voice was thick and full of emotion in his ear.
“This will not be our last meeting.” He slowly put his arms around the Quotidian woman who had helped countless people escape Istroya. It felt nice to hold her, but he was not used to such blatant displays of affection. His body tensed at her closeness. It was nice. But it was unexpected and not a comfort he’d ever had consistently.
“I will aid you as I can in Falqri.” Robin stepped back.
“You have done enough,” Sol responded, adjusting the satchel of food and clothing Robin had given him. “I will not ask you to endanger more than you already have.”
“And you have not done enough?” Robin raised her eyebrows, challenging his statement.
Sol dropped halfway into the tunnel, it was surprisingly larger and more stable than he’d anticipated. “Thank you, Robin,” he said, ignoring her words.
“Do you need a torch?” she asked him, gesturing to the dusty pile of wooden implements just inside the cave door. “I don’t know if they still keep the oil fresh on this side.”
Sol inhaled, letting the scent of clean dirt tickle his nose. “Mhhhhhh,” he intoned. He lifted his hands in front of him and a small orb began to glow between his palms. “I think I can do without.”
Robin’s pursed lips relaxed into a smile. “Of course. Sorry, I forget.”
Sol pulled the small grate shut behind him and stood to his full height in the tunnel. It was broad enough for three people to stand side by side, with enough clearance above his head to be comfortable. Rafters and stonework lined the ceilings and walls.
With a final nod to Robin, who was already covering the grate with greenery, Sol turned and made his way down the tunnel.
As the darkness settled around him, his other senses heightened and he felt his mind slip into a state of focused concentration, which relaxed him. He liked the darkness. He felt safe and in control.
But he would not be able to find his way through the unknown tunnel blindly. Drawing on the calming atmosphere around him, he drew his hands together and reformed the orb of light between his hands. Keeping it as dim as possible so as not to blind himself with brightness, he silently made his way down the smoothly carved corridor.