The Story:
Escape

"You're sure this is the direction they took her in?" Rhillan asked much later.

"Of course it is," Lady Miraussa asnwered. "Can't you see how old it is?"

The Lady studied the walls as they walked by. "This doesn't look like a normal dungeon- more like old residentials. But the guards mentioned it was only in the old part of the palace, so we have to be close."

"They said they had a special room for her."

Miraussa wasn't convinced, but she continued walking. Occasionally, she had run into a stray guard, but Mira's father had spent much money on properly training her in the use of a blade. They also had to deal with palace residents, but most of the people were asleep.

"Are you sure you can't sense her?" Rhillan asked again.

"I'm sure," Mira said. "Nothing." She extended her thoughts out to the surrounding area, yet only felt the presence of guards and the sleeping bodies of prisoners. From one area of the dungeons, she felt absolutely nothing at all.

That struck her as strange. Nothing at all? She frowned, concentrating. Yes, from that area there was nothing, not even the annoying presence of Dark Magic that made her head throb. "I think that's it, Rhillan," she said.

"What's it? Is something wrong?"

"Rhillan.... I know where she is," Miraussa excitedly explained. "There's one area where I feel nothing at all- not even Dark Magic! It's as though it's being hidden. What better place to hide Kauria from a Sensing?"

Rhillan threw his arms around her. "You're a genius, Mira, really! Just take us there and we'll hope it's not too late."

Kauria sat quietly in thought, watching Gedry do the same. It was nice to be able to see him when she thought she'd never have the chance again. He caught her looking at him and smiled.

"What are you thinking, dear one?" he asked light-heartedly.

"I'm wondering why you're here," she answered honestly.

He started. "I won't claim to know, Kauria."

She glanced away. "It's just- I thought I wasn't going to see you agin, yet here you are... I'm wondering why Torrel put us together like this."

" ‘Put us together' ," Gedry rolled the phrase around. "I'd almost like that sentence, if it wasn't for the Torrel part."

"Well," Kauria mused, "it was him who gave you your assignment to Belin."

"Imagine that; being grateful for something the Emperor did." He attempted a chuckled. "And now we're here to-"

There was a sudden thudding at her door, as though a heavy object had fallen.

"Kauria?" The soft voice was faint, and at first she didn't hear.

"Kauria, it's Lady Miraussa. And Rhillan."

She stared at the door, then at Gedry, who looked at her. Was it really them? What had she to lose? "I'm in here," she called back. Gedry remained silent, glancing at the floor.

"I can't find the lock on the door." It was Miraussa speaking. "It must a Magic lock, because there's no outward sign...."

"Can you see the door's hinges?" Kauria asked hopefully.

"We can," Rhillan announced. "We'll try to loosen the hinges, but the guards recently changed shifts... We have to hurry before the they notice Mira and I are missing."

There was a slight pause, then Rhillan added, "By the way, is anyone in there with you?"

She hesitated. "There is," Kauria answered. She glanced once more at the spy, who nodded consent. "It's Gedry, Rhillan. He's here with me."

"Gedry?" It Rhillan a moment to recognize the name. "That messenger friend of yours?" He sounded skeptical.

"I take it Kauria's mentioned me?" Gedry decided to finally speak up. "That's heartwarming."

"We're almost done," Miraussa cut in. "Do use a favor and prepare to catch the door if it decides to fall. We don't want a loud noise."

Gedry stood behind the door and braced himself, but it remained standing, stuck at the lock bolt. Gedry pushed against the door, creating just a wide enough crack for him and Kauria to slip passed.

Once in the hallway, the group paused a moment; Rhillan took in the appearance of Gedry. He could see why the guard was uneasy; the something in the way Gedy simultaneously sized him up that Rhillan didn't like, but Kauria seemed to trust him well enough. Miraussa blinked as she recognized the man who was seeking her assistance in Farlin, only to vanished. Gedry, after a moment's hesitation, politely inclined his head to her in recognition.

"How much time do you think we have?" Gedry asked in a buisness-like tone.

"A few minutes," the Lady answered. "I want to put the bolts back on as best I can... that'll confuse anyone who comes to check on you."

Gedry nodded approvingly. "I doubt anyone will come for a while. The Emperor was supposed to, but..." He shrugged.

Rhillan scrutinized the spy's face again. "You've actually seen the Emperor?" he asked suspicously.

Gedry returned his look. "I thought you were from Carul. What do you know about the Emperor?"

"A trader learns a lot. What's your escuse?"

"I'm a spy."

"A what?" Rhillan turned hostile at the sudden disclosure.

"He's safe!" Kauria quickly threw in before the other two could react. "That's how we met... Gedry was assigned to flush me out of Belin."

"Interesting friendship," Rhillan replied as Miraussa finished her job.

"Are we about ready to go, then?" Miraussa asked. "We're going to need luck if we want to find a way out of here."

"I know a way out," Gedry told her. "I think Kauria does, too."

Kauria looked at him with surprise. "I do?"

He nodded. "I'm sure you'll recognize it." He grabbed her hand, leading her down the hall. "It's just this way..."

"Wait just a minute," Rhillan intercepted, stepping in front of Gedry. "Mind telling us where you're dragging us first? "

"Someplace we'll be safe," Gedry answered.

"Why should we follow you?"

"I'm trying to help you, and you want to stop and argue?"

"I don't trust you," the Carullian said frankly. "You've already admitted you're a spy."

"He was a spy," Kauria defended. "Now he's a prisoner like us."

Miraussa nodded. "Rhillan, we don't have time to debate. And this Gedry seems to be the only one familiar with the palace. We don't really have a choice."

"I trust him," Kauria added.

Rhillan reluctantly nodded. "All right, then. Lead on."