“A gift from Garaea.”
Rawn’s heart hammered at the sudden spark of hope. “Will it work?” he whispered. “Can you break the wards?”
Elon nodded. “The black clover will absorb the magic embedded in our cell.”
That would give them the ability to cast magic to defend themselves.
“The matter is staying alive. We only need to wait for the right opportunity to make our escape.”
Growls echoed through the dark tunnels. The guards and Bloodhounds were constantly patrolling. It would be near impossible to fight their way out in his state, let alone without weapons.
A cynical thought suggested that even if they could somehow escape the Blood Keep, there were miles of sand between here and the wall. Hounds would hunt them down before they ever reached it.
But he had fought to survive all these years, and he didn’t intend to make it easy for others to kill him.
Rawn returned the items to the pouch. “I take it you have a plan?”
Elon waited for a guard to pass by before saying faintly under his breath, “Garaea has been spying on Altham’s negotiations, and she contacted your king to make negotiations of our own.”
Rawn straightened. “What do you mean?”
“It was your suggestion we seek sanctuary in Greenwood. She’s made it her task to persuade him.”
“How?”
“By offering something valuable enough to allow two red elves past his borders.”
Rawn sat back on his heels, attempting to guess what it could be. But the answer came easily. He shook his head. “Altham would never let him have it.”
“If your king is daring enough to come here, Altham would never let him leave this place alive—or you.”
Then it was a trap.
“I cannot leave my life to chance,” Elon said. “When your king comes, I plan to break out of here and make for the waterways.”
“When is he coming?”
“Day after tomorrow.”
Rawn’s pulse jumped. Then tomorrow was their day to escape.
He locked eyes with Elon.
“What say you, Norrlen?”
Faith was like a sword. Loyal to those who could wield it and cut the reckless who left too much to chance. But they both had a reason to fight their way out of here. He understood now why the prisoners attempted to escape. Dying for a chance to live was greater than dying here for nothing.
He would attempt it now too, even if it meant failing.
Rawn’s split lip stung when he cracked a smile as he repeated what Nisa once told him. “We all die one day. A warrior’s wish is to die well.”
Elon smirked in agreement at that.
“I will help you reach the waterways, Elon, but I cannot leave my king to die.”
The red elf took in his resigned expression. “Making your way out of here alone will be nearly impossible.”
“I know.” Perhaps he would be walking towards his death, but Rawn’s honor wouldn’t accept anything less, for he had more than one oath to keep. “But I will not die without taking Anon with me first. He mutilated my sister, and he killed my horse. His life is mine.”
