“They didn’t. I stashed it all.” Allun opened a trunk with a snap.
Cullen jumped at the sound. He looked back into the hall, then back at Eira. She held his gaze, question unspoken. He shook his head and she assumed it to mean,No changes, still safe.
“When I got out, I returned to my hiding spot and made preparations. First I got to Drogol—he was elsewhere—got him out of Carsovia first and then I was going to join him,” Allun continued.
“But you got caught a second time,” Eira finished.
“They didn’t know who I was the first time I was captured, when they sent me to the mines.” Allun held up a well-laden satchel triumphantly. Its stitching was nearly bursting. “But when they saw this on me…one look and this time they knew they had someone worthy of bringing to Her Supreme Highness.” Even though she spoke a term of respect, nothing in Allun’s tone betrayed it. She slipped the satchel over her shoulder.
“What’s in it?” Cullen asked.
“My work.” The answer was somewhat cryptic. But, given what they knew of Allun, it was more than enough. Especially having seen the pistol. Allun grabbed two more things—a scarfthat she drew over her head, tying it under her chin, and a jacket that she threw over her shoulders. It wasn’t much of a disguise, but it was better than nothing. “Let’s get out of here.”
“With pleasure.” Eira held out her hand to Allun, grabbing Cullen’s with her other. Linked together, her illusion slipped over them once more as they returned to the hallways, racing for the exit.
They were over halfway, by Eira’s assumption, when a rumbling at their right had them skidding to a halt. Eira released them, readying her magic. The wall next to them crumbled as though it were little more than sand. A perfect archway had been carved into the side, revealing a staircase that led up to the main street.
“Told you I sensed them down here.” Ducot had an air of smugness about him.
“I never doubted you, for the record,” Olivin said.
“Neither did I.” Alyss was defensive. “I just wasn’t completely convinced at how exact we’d be able to be.”
“With your magic, precision is never in doubt,” Yonlin praised.
“Your friends, I assume?” Allun said with a glance toward Eira.
“Yes.”
“What’s the plan?” Olivin looked to her as Eira entered the narrow stair that led back to the street. Behind them, Alyss was weaving the stone back into its place.
“Did anyone see any of you?” Eira asked.
Olivin snorted. “Who do you think you’re talking to?”
“They have guns along the outer wall,” Yonlin reported dutifully. “If we make a run for it in broad daylight, they’re going to pick us off.”
“I could tunnel?” Alyss offered.
Eira considered it, but shook her head. “That’s too strenuous, and too much of a risk of them sensing your magic.”
“More of a risk than this?” Alyss finished the question with a flourish of her hand. The stone buttoned up behind them, the wall smoothing out.
“You have a point,” Eira admitted. “But tunneling will take a lot longer so it’ll be more time for them to sense your magic.”
Alyss hummed in slight agreement.
“We leave like we entered,” Eira decided. “In small groups. Heads down and unassuming.”
“They’ll realize I’m gone soon,” Allun said with a note of severity. “Even bound as I was, they still checked on me often.” A bitter smile graced her lips briefly. “They knew what they had.”
“Then we go now.” Eira glanced around at her friends; they all gave slight nods. “Nothing flashy, no heroes. Allun is with Cullen and me. Exit as we entered.”
Alyss and Yonlin went ahead, quickly disappearing through the side alleyways and onto a major street. With a pulse of magic, Ducot scurried up Olivin’s side to perch on his shoulder. The two of them went in the opposite direction, quickly turning to walk parallel to Yonlin and Alyss.
“Morphi,” Allun hummed. “A rare people. Hunted nearly to extinction.” Her tone turned serious. “A fate too many in Carsovia can relate to.”
“Oh?” Eira dared to ask. It might not be a particularly wise conversation. But walking too stiff and silent wasn’t wise, either.
