Quest's End: The Broken Key #3 (33 page)

Seth stood near the window as he continued to keep an eye on the goings on outside. Aside from the occasional appearance of soldiers rushing toward the devastated area, the streets were relatively clear.

His brother came to stand next to him. “Think we’ll get out of this?” asked Soth.

Seth turned to his brother with worry in his eyes. “Hope so,” he replied. Just then another squad of twenty soldiers rushed past, this time moving away from the devastated area. The twins ducked to either side of the window to avoid being seen until the soldiers had moved on. “Wonder where they’re going?”

“Searching for us most likely,” guessed Chyfe. He joined the brothers by the window as he too looked out.

A few minutes later, Bart returned from the adjacent room where he had found the roof access. “The whole town is crawling with soldiers and guards,” he announced.

“There weren’t that many here when we arrived,” argued Soth.

“Could have been called in to help with hunting for us,” suggested Chyfe.

“I find that very likely,” agreed Soth.

“Unfortunately the streets between us and the edge of town are being patrolled,” Bart told them. “Soldiers are stationed at many of the intersections.” He glanced toward Riyan and added, “It’s unlikely we’ll be able to make it out without detection.”

“What are we to do then?” Riyan asked.

“Wait until dark to make our break,” he replied.

Riyan nodded. “At least that would give Chad a chance to get his strength back,” he said.

“Alright,” agreed Seth. “But if we’re going to wait until dark, we’ll need to find a better place in which to hole up than here. It’s only a matter of time before someone comes in.”

To Riyan, Bart asked, “How is Chad?”

“Chad’s doing better thank you very much,” Chad replied before Riyan could answer.

Bart grinned and chuckled. “Glad to hear it.” Glancing to Kevik he asked, “And you?”

“Better,” he replied. “The gem seems to be healing both of us at the same time.

“Great,” he stated. Leaving Kevik to continue healing Chad, he moved over to the window. Looking out, he tried to locate a nearby building that would better suit their needs until nightfall.

“They all pretty much look the same,” Seth said after a moment.

“I know,” mumbled Bart.

“Maybe you could use that Cloak of yours and find a place,” suggested Riyan.

Bart turned back to his friend and shook his head. “Can’t.” Then he explained what happened, the damage done to the Cloak, and his hopes that it could be repaired. When he was done, he looked questioningly to Kevik.

Kevik shrugged. “I haven’t a clue,” he admitted. “My master spoke little about magical artifacts and never about repairing them. I could make inquiries at the Tower when we return.”

“I was afraid of that,” responded Bart.

“Don’t get rid of it,” Kevik advised.

“I’m not planning to,” Bart assured him.

“So are we moving to a different locale or what?” asked Seth.

Before Bart could respond, Chyfe said, “What about the roof?” When Bart turned to him he added, “No one may go up there.”

“True,” agreed Bart.

“But,” countered Soth as he pointed out the window to an adjacent three story structure, “this building is hardly the tallest. Wouldn’t we be rather exposed to anyone looking out from there?”

Bart glanced outside to the building. “Possibly,” he admitted. “We better not take the chance.” A moment passed as he and the others considered their options. Then his eyes fell upon the goods stacked upon the tables and shelves; cloaks, shirts, and other various types of clothing. “I may have an idea.”

Bart’s idea was simple. Use the clothes in the clothier’s shop as a disguise. That way, they could move about in the open to find a better spot in which to await the coming of darkness. At that time, they would then make a break for it.

The shop held sufficient clothing, especially cloaks, with which they could hide their features. Seth and Soth, since they bore a remarkable resemblance to the average citizen of the Moran Tribes already, would refrain from using cloaks. A large group, all having cloaks pulled in close around their heads would arouse suspicion. But with two of them exposed, they would look less like they were trying to hide.

Riyan just finished buttoning his cloak when he noticed Chad over to one side gazing at the scarf Alicia had given him during their last visit. Coming up to his friend, he asked, “Miss her?”

Chad gave him a sad smile and nodded. “More than I thought I would,” he admitted. Turning his eyes back to the lavender scarf, he gazed one more time at its embroidered rose before tucking it back in his pouch for safekeeping.

“I understand,” Riyan told him. “At least you have her favor. I have nothing to remind me of Freya.”

Chad laid a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Just a life time’s worth of memories,” he said.

“Sometimes though,” Riyan replied, “that’s not enough.”

Nodding silently, Chad laid a hand on his friend’s shoulder.

“Ready?” Bart asked from where he stood near the window by the door.

Riyan turned and saw that he and the others had already donned cloaks and were waiting for them. “Yeah,” he replied as he and Chad came to join them. “We’re ready.”

Bart gestured with a nod of his head toward the street outside. “There aren’t that many locals out on the streets,” he told the others. “I think most are helping to put out the fires.”

Soth nodded. “Our group might stand out,” he said.

“Possibly,” agreed Bart. “But if we don’t find a better location, we’ll never remain undiscovered until dark.”

“Do you know where we’re going?” asked Seth.

Bart nodded. “When I crossed the bridge on my way in, I passed several buildings that looked abandoned,” he answered. “If we can get to one, we should be alright.”

“If,” mumbled Seth.

Bart turned an annoyed glance his way but said nothing. Turning back to the others, he said, “The bridge is only five streets over,” he explained. “We’ll move quickly but not rushed. Act like you belong and most people will not give you a second look.” He took a moment for that to sink in. “Understand?” he asked.

The others replied that they did.

“Alright,” he said. “Let’s go.” He turned back toward the door when he caught sight of Kevik standing with staff in hand. “Uh, Kevik.”

“Yes?” Kevik asked.

“You’re not exactly going to blend in as a local if you’re holding a magic user’s staff,” he said.

Kevik glanced to his staff. “I’m not leaving it behind,” he stated. The tone of his voice said he’d brook no argument on this subject.

“I didn’t say you had to,” replied Bart. Glancing around the shop, his eyes fell on a bolt of cloth leaning upright against the wall. It looked to be about the length of the staff. “Riyan, give me a hand,” he said as he started toward the bolt of cloth. To Seth he said, “Keep a lookout.”

“Okay,” Seth replied. Moving to the window, he kept watch for anyone coming their way.

Upon reaching the bolt of cloth, Bart took hold of it and saw that there was a hollow space in the center, large enough for the staff to slide in. “Kevik, see if your staff will fit.”

Kevik came forward. While Bart and Riyan held the bolt of fabric for him, he slid his staff into the opening. As it turned out, the bolt of fabric was a foot shorter than the staff. Looking to Bart, Kevik asked, “What now?”

“Not a problem,” he said. Pulling a cloak off a nearby shelf, he wrapped it over the part of the staff still exposed. Then as he held the end of the bolt where the cloak shrouded staff protruded, Riyan lifted the other end. To Kevik he said, “Walk next to me.” Indicating the portion of the staff protruding, he said, “If we keep this between us, it will be less noticeable.”

Kevik nodded and moved into position.

“Can we go now?” asked Chyfe.

Bart glanced to Seth who said, “The street’s clear for the moment.” Turning to Chyfe, Bart nodded. “Let’s go.”

Chyfe pulled his hood over his head then opened the door and stepped through. Glancing to the left and right, he saw that it was clear and moved out.

“To the left,” Bart directed. “Then at the next intersection, head to the right.”

Silently, Chyfe nodded. Turning to the left, he led them down the street. Beside him walked Seth, then came Bart, Kevik, and Riyan with the bolt of cloth concealing Kevik’s staff. Soth and Chad brought up the rear.

Smoke still rose to the sky from the areas where fires were burning. Off in the distance they could hear men shouting and axes striking wood as those fighting the fire worked to put it out.

Upon reaching the intersection, Chyfe turned to the right and walked at a fast, but not hurried, pace. Riyan felt sure they would be caught, but the attention of those on the streets was primarily directed toward the fires burning in the distance. Riyan glanced back and saw flames arcing to the sky above the rooftops behind them.

A few people on the streets did glance their way as they passed, but their gaze didn’t linger long. Street by street, they drew ever closer to the bridge and the buildings Bart had said looked abandoned. When the bridge finally came into view, they saw that soldiers, totaling near fifty in all, were stationed at either end of the bridge.

“Hold up a minute,” Bart said when he saw the soldiers. They were still a full block away from the nearest abandoned building, and the river was a little bit further away than that.

Chyfe came to a stop and glanced back to Bart. He saw Bart nod toward the mouth of an alley to their left. Nodding in reply, Chyfe began leading the group in that direction.

Once they were in the alley and hidden from the view of the soldiers, Bart had them continue down the alley to the next street over. At the end of the alley, Chyfe stopped and waited for Bart to join him. “Look over there,” he said, pointing to a building standing down the street a little ways closer to the bridge and soldiers.

It was a single story structure. The front door was closed and the windows facing the street were boarded over. All in all it had the look of being exactly what they needed. “Perfect,” said Bart. To Kevik he said, “Here,” and gave him his end of the bolt of cloth. Once Kevik had hold of it, Bart said to the others, “I’ll go have a look.” Then with a quick glance to make sure the coast was clear, he stepped from the alley.

Riyan and the others watched as Bart moved alongside the front of the building abutting the alley. Then he turned and began crossing the street. Riyan held his breath as Bart crossed the exposed distance.

There were others moving about the street, but they paid him little heed as they were too engrossed in discussing various rumors and watching the smoke rising from the fires. When Bart reached the other side of the street, Riyan relaxed.

Moving along the front of the buildings, Bart made his way to the one with the boarded up windows. Pausing at the first window, he glanced between the slats before continuing on to the far side. There he turned off the street and disappeared in the alley running alongside the building.

Riyan watched in growing apprehension as seconds ticked by and Bart didn’t reappear. After he had been gone five minutes, they began to grow concerned. Surely he would have appeared by this time. They were about to send Seth in search of him when he reappeared. Walking nonchalantly, he crossed the street and made his way back to where they were waiting.

When he rejoined them in the alley, Riyan asked, “What took you so long?”

“Ran into some trouble,” he replied. Before Riyan could ask what kind, he said, “Don’t worry. It wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle.” He saw Riyan relax then continued. “The building is deserted. Around back is a door that’s ajar we can use to enter.”

“Is it going to be safe?” asked Kevik.

Bart shrugged. “As safe as anywhere else,” he replied.

As if to accentuate his point, a squad of soldiers emerged from a side street further down and began heading their way. Bart was about to have everyone move further back into the alley when the guards turned at the next side street and moved out of sight.

“We’d better get over there while we can,” Bart said.

“Lead on,” Riyan said.

“We’ll go in twos so as not to draw unwanted attention,” he said. “Riyan, you come with me.” And with that, he stepped from the alley. Riyan quickly moved to join him.

The others waited until Bart and Riyan had disappeared in the alley adjacent to the building. Then Chad and Kevik, who were now carrying the bolt of cloth concealing the staff, emerged onto the street. Once they had crossed and were in the alley, the twins and Chyfe followed.

As Riyan walked with Bart down the alley, he couldn’t help but notice the torso lying on the ground, partially covered by rags. He glanced questioningly to Bart who said, “With the town threatened by fire, not to mention the streets crawling with soldiers, he tried to rob me. Can you believe that?” Bart chuckled as they passed the dead man. “He was an amateur.”

“Won’t questions be raised if someone should discover the body?” asked Riyan.

“Unlikely,” he replied. “The only ones who are likely to discover it any time soon are those who won’t have anything to do with the guards in the first place.” He glanced to Riyan and could see the doubt in his eyes. “Either we leave him there, or we carry him with us in full sight of the locals.”

“I see your point,” replied Riyan.

Moving past, they were soon around to the alley running along the backside of the buildings abutting the street. Through the spaces between the buildings on the other side, Riyan could see the river as it made its way southward. A guard carrying a bow walked along the river’s bank.

“They’re covering every exit,” he commented.

“I know,” said Bart.

Riyan glanced back down the alley they just came through and saw two figures carrying a long round object enter. Glad Kevik and Chad had made it to the alley safely, he joined Bart at the back door of the boarded up building.

“I think this place used to be some kind of carpenter’s shop,” Bart stated. Opening the door wider, he passed inside.