If she moved quickly, she could probably take the two by her and then protect herself from any shots of those above. She could then get up to them before they had a chance to reload. Though it’d be better to assume they were all sorcerers and armed with more than just the flashfires…still, she couldprobablytake them on.
Or…she could comply and let them take her magic away.
They would surely tell Salveus of their recent capture. Regardless if they believed Mel or not about Eira being involved with Slip, she was enough of an unknown that Salveus should want to see her for himself. He’d tangled with Adela, and Eira had long ago learned the resemblance was uncanny. If she went along with everything, they would likely bring him to her. And, if not, Alyss would find her and help her escape. Or she’d figure a way out on her own.
Eira remained the model prisoner and allowed them to place the shackles around both her wrists. She had a fairly long leashof chain, but didn’t take advantage of it. She stood almost perfectly still, eyes following the knights as they locked her in.
“Still so defiant,” the knight said slowly. “Such sharp eyes. I should be careful to look at them too long or they might cut me.” He smirked. Arrogant with the power he thought he had. That Eiraallowed himto continue thinking he had. “Now, I’m going to ask a few simple questions. It will go easier if you answer honestly.”
Eira remained silent. Her stare seemed to unnerve him, as he took a small step backward. Perfect.
“Slip is dead and rotting, has been for two years. I was there when we caught the rat bastard. So don’t tell me that you’re with him or try to sell out a ghost.” The knight chuckled. “Though, maybe you knew that and were trying to become the next escape master of the mines?”
Continued silence.
“All of this will end quickly if you show us the tunnels you used to get in and get people out. We will find them eventually, just like we did Slip. Tell me now and spare yourself some pain.” The knight waited and Eira continued to simply stare. He took a step forward, looming over her. He was a good head taller, but Eira continued to feel as if she were the one looking down on him. The longer the silence dragged on, the more his face tensed, to the point that his eye twitched and his voice rose. “What is your goal here?”
Eira waited a breath, then said, as calmly as possible, “I have business with Salveus. Bring him here.”
The knight nearly jumped out of his skin when she spoke. He snorted and shook his head. “You think you can command me? You think you can just demand to see the overseer?”
“I have a message for him, and only him.”
“From who?” The knight was regarding her more warily now. As if he was finally seeing her for the dangerous creature she was, despite being chained.
“I have a message for him, and only him,” Eira repeated.
“We have ways to get you to talk,” the man leaned in and growled.
Eira merely smiled a silent challenge—do your worst—and also a threat—and see how well it works out for you.
“They all start out strong, but even the hardest stone will crack.” The knight stepped away. “Let’s see how long it takes you.” He turned to his comrade. “Do not hold back.”
She was bracing herself when his armored fist sank into her gut. Eira exhaled through clenched teeth and a wild grin, locking eyes with the first knight as the second reared back for another blow.
She leaned against the wall. Collapsed onto the floor. Blood streamed down the side of her face. It pooled around her shattered foot. Pain, bright and hot, flashed behind her eyes. Two ribs were broken, probably. Her ragged breaths were the only sound in the tunnel. The knights’ footsteps had finally faded away but she had managed to keep her consciousness. Grim gratitude for what the Pillars put her through pulsed with every ache in her body.
“All right, Alyss, now is the time,” Eira rasped. It was the first sound she’d made in what felt like hours. Time had stopped during her beating.
The wall across from Eira pulled back like a curtain, opening to the side. Alyss rushed out, eyes wide. She pressed her hands into Eira’s sides and Eira let out a hiss of pain. But Alyss didn’tease up. Magic flowed into her and soon the agony subsided into the warmth of her friend’s skilled hands as flesh mended.
“How did you know I was here?” Alyss whispered. “And if you did, why didn’t you call me sooner? I was waiting for some kind of signal. Eira, I?—”
“I didn’t want you to come and help me,” Eira said gently as Alyss moved down to her ankle. Her friend’s eyes were already welling with tears that Eira didn’t want to spill over. “Please don’t feel guilty.”
“Why?” Alyss shook her head as Eira gritted her teeth against the pain of bones knitting. “Why didn’t you ask me to help? I should have?—”
“No.”
“I’m not useless in a fight, you know!” Alyss snapped. Her anger came from a place of worry.
“I know. Alyss, I am the first person to say that you are the most capable, the strongest, and best among us. There will be a time for you to fight, soon,” Eira whispered calmly. “But I’m waiting for them to bring Salveus to me.”
“What? How do you know they will?”
“A feeling.”
“Or they will torture you for days.”
