“I know. We had to leave or be caught,” Britt said.
“I hope he understands,” Max said looking back toward town. “But we’ll never know.”
“Is this the trail to Tony’s?” Britt asked, pointing to the path.
Max nodded, “We should slow our pace down. We don’t want to run into soldiers again.”
“At least we’ll have weapons this time,” Britt said placing a hand on the broadsword still hanging at her side.
Max nodded and started walking toward the Bareback Plains. They walked along the edge of the trail, close to the brush in case they needed to hide at a moment’s notice. As the stars grew brighter against the darkening sky, Max and Britt moved farther away from the forest’s edge and closer to the rolling grasslands.
Stopping on a grass-covered hill, Max looked out over the log home where he’d grown up. Candles burned in the windows, illuminating the interior of the small country house. Max could see movement and wondered how his foster family was handling the occupation. Based on the shadows moving inside, he knew they were still alive, but he had no way of knowing if they’d undergone any hardships or raids like the rampage through Solomon’s home.
As they approached the house, Max prepared himself for his encounter with Tony. He stopped on the trail just outside the yard. Britt continued past him for several steps, then turned when he didn’t follow.
“What’s wrong, Max?” she asked walking back to him.
Max shook his head, “I don’t know that I can do this.” He moved his gaze from the yellow window to Britt’s face, “I don’t know that I can face him again. I’m afraid of what he might do.”
Britt took Max by the hand and said, “I understand if you don’t want to see him, but we should check to see if Bo and the others are here.”
“We could look through the windows?” Max suggested, eyeing them carefully.
“Yeah,” Britt said. “If that’s what you’re comfortable with. We can just look to see if they’re inside.”
Max inhaled, gripping the sword handle at his side while gathering his courage, “Okay. Let’s do this.”
He walked slightly behind Britt as they approached the house, his heart racing at the thought of what Tony might do to him. Though he had protection, he knew Tony had more experience with a sword. The last thing Tony had said to him was to never return or he’d make sure Max regretted it. In this situation, though, Max felt he had no choice.
They walked carefully up the trail toward the house. Max kept his gaze fixed on the yellow glow in the window. He saw a shadow move across the windowpane and hesitated. Focusing, he thought the build of whoever it was stood broader than anyone in his family. The dark outline of the person’s shoulders was too bulky to be Tony’s or Bo’s.
He moved faster toward the window and from a safe distance, he could see inside. He stopped, gripping Britt’s wrist and bringing her to a halt as well. Max recognized the colored armor that the soldiers from town wore. His heart sank as they stared at the soldier standing in Tony’s home. Max’s brain worked to make sense of what he was seeing. Why would there be a soldier in their home? Maybe Tony joined their army? That didn’t make sense, though, because he had devoted his earlier years to fighting for his family’s freedom.
“They’re in danger,” Max said, turning to Britt.
Britt drew her sword from its scabbard and said, “Let’s do something about it.”
Max gritted his teeth and pulled the broadsword from his belt, “Follow me.” He snapped into action, springing toward the house with a quick stride. He stayed ahead of Britt as he ran around to the front door, then stopped. He stared at the handle, breathing rapidly and mentally preparing for his attack on the soldier inside. Britt bobbed at his side, flexing her grip on the sword handle, ready to join the fight. Max grabbed the door and pushed it in, bolting through the doorway with his sword held out front. He shouted as they charged in, the people in the room turning and shrieking in surprise.
Max halted when he saw the frightened faces of Thomas and Kirsten looking up from the family table. His eyes moved to the armored soldier, his brother’s face looking back from the metal suit. In an instant, the shouts turned to sighs and eventually to laughter as they all realized who everyone was.
“Damnation, Max!” Bo said with a wide grin while stomping across the room. “I thought you two were going to need to be rescued for sure.”
“It’s good to see you, too,” Max said, lowering his sword and wrapping his brother in an embrace.
“What happened to you guys?” Kirsten asked, rising to give Britt and Max a hug.
“Yeah, we’ve been worried sick,” Thomas added.
Relieved, Max and Britt offered their friends a proper greeting. “Before we get into that,” Max started. “Where’s the family?”
Bo shook his head with a frown, “They aren’t here. They must’ve left when the occupation began.”
Max nodded, “Tony wouldn’t stand for the soldiers being here. That makes sense.”
“We heard what happened between you two and your family,” Kirsten said, placing her red-streaked hand on Max’s shoulder.
“Kirsten,” Thomas said. “You don’t need to bring that up.”
Max sighed, “No, it’s okay. You all know now. It’s ugly, but true. I just hope he’s looking after Elaine and the family.”
Max took a seat at the table, the others joining him and they took the opportunity to recount the events that had occurred since they’d parted ways.
Chapter 64
Into the Storm
Closing the door behind them, Anders drew Lazuran from its sheath. The dank, eerie darkness of the vaulted elven jail brought him right back to the last time he’d been there with Ivan, his father. Anders tried to recall the vocal command Ivan had used to set the torches ablaze. As Anders stepped down onto the first level below ground and investigated the black space where numerous corridors branched out away from the stairwell, he could feel his magic being suppressed, which is why he felt the need to produce Lazuran. He couldn’t shake the image of a bloodthirsty fairnheir bounding through the gloom as it had on their last visit to the prison to rescue Nadir. The uneasiness he felt was obvious as he asked with a quivering voice, “Nadir, how do we light the torches?”
Repeating Nadir’s words spoken in Elvish, Anders had little understanding of the words’ true meaning. Despite his lack of understanding of the elves’ native tongue, Anders instinctively picked up on the magical emphasis on each syllable as he spoke. Suddenly flames ignited torches, moving rapidly down each of the hallways. Anders held Lazuran in a two-handed grip, knees bent and ready to bear an attack of the hound-like creature they’d narrowly escaped before. When the light revealed that the corridors were empty, he straightened, lowering his blade.
“What is this place?” Maija asked.
“This is the most secure and tightly restricted prison in the world,” Nadir said sweeping his right arm out as he headed into the left-branching hallway.
“We should be careful. This may be the most secure prison in Kartania, but if something escapes from its cell, it stays down here. Ivan and I were attacked by a fairnheir when we came for you, Nadir. If someone or something let that creature out, there could be more escapees wandering the halls,” Anders said, hustling to keep up with Nadir.
“If it’s so secure how were we able to just waltz in like that?” Maija asked.
