Florian’s brows pinched before he nodded and sighed.
He was about to speak when Rhea’s voice sounded behind them, calling for him to help Knox break down the largest tent. Florian mirrored her tight smile as he left to help. They’d be moving out soon, and then closing the last miles to Deepgate Prison.
The morning sun had yet to cut through the dense fog rolling in from the channel. Through the mist, Yvette could just barely make out the blunt stone tower rising from the cliff side overlooking the waters.
“There it is,” Florian said quietly. Though she could not seehim, she could feel his hand tighten around her own. Even more, she sensed the shroud of magic stretching from herself to cover his form as well.
Deepgate didn’t look so menacing, certainly not enough to warrant the dread that had crept into even Florian’s words. But she knew better than to judge at first sight. As Rhea had explained the night before, the majority of the structure was underground. The visible portion held petty criminals and debtors. It was also home to the guard barracks and offices, the kitchens and armory. It seemed even the stewards of the prison did not wish to spend any more time than necessary in the levels below.
According to Rhea, the prison descended all the way to the sea line where there was a small hidden cove used to receive supplies, and also smuggle cartel goods. This was of course meant to be a secret, but whatever the Blades’ previous experience with Deepgate had been, it had at least been educational. That hidden bay would hold the key to their escape.
Yvette let out a slow breath as she recited the plan to herself once more. So much of it hinged on her. If it went wrong, if they failed to rescue Keira, if Florian was captured as well… it would be on her conscience. She didn’t know if she could handle her guilt if it grew any heavier.
They wordlessly resumed their trek up the stony hillside. Soon enough, chilled flecks of rain began to sting her cheeks. There was little she could do about it. One hand was already holding her cloak closed around her as the other held onto Florian.
Turning herself invisible required little effort or focus, but extending the magic to another required her constant attention, like tensing a muscle. She worried she might not have the strength to maintain it for as long as they would need. But as they approached the gate, a massive iron portcullis that toweredthree times her height, it was too late for doubts. The spell would have to hold. Once they were passed through, it would be their only hope of seeing the outside again.
Entering the prison was fortunately simple. They waited well away from the guards, who stood just inside the gate. The sound of the rain hid their breathing until a cart made its way up the road. Yvette found herself trying in vain to still her body as it shivered against the cold. They would have to make their way inside within feet of the guards and the cart. Passing undetected would not be a simple matter of spellwork. Truly passing without a trace was an art of focus, grace, and, more often than she would have it, luck.
Even on her own, this would of course have been difficult, among so many bodies in a confined hall, but adding in the complication that she could not release Florian’s hand, or see what he was doing, well… Perhaps this would not be so simple after all.
A shaky breath left her, too loudly. Thankfully, it was covered by the guards calling out greetings to one another as the gate raised above them, creaking reluctantly.
“I’m here,” Florian breathed, only inches from her ear. His hand tightened slightly on hers. “Right behind you.”
Yvette squeezed back, hoping the acknowledgement would silence him, but at the same time, strangely thankful for his reassurance. In her previous exploits, she had often been alone, left to her own devices, her own fate. Suddenly, Florian’s hand in hers was more of a comfort than an obstacle. She pulled him gently, leading him closer to her, feeling his weight shift as he stepped until his side was brushing against hers. Only a heartbeat more passed before the gate was high enough for them to pass under and Yvette went into motion.
It was better to move quickly, staying to the edge of the hall, before it filled. The entryway was wide enough that twocarts could have passed side by side, giving them just enough room to slip by the waiting guards as they approached the driver, continuing to complain about the poor weather and other mundane matters.
Her movements were quick and light, keeping the pressure of her steps on the balls of her feet, heels hardly touching the ground as they absorbed the shifting of her weight. Florian was keeping an easy pace, not too closely as to trip over her, but not so far he was dragging behind. His steps were quiet, but not silent. In an empty hall without all this noise to disguise them, he would be heard. Yvette filed this knowledge away. If a guard were to find them deeper within, they would have to remain still until they had passed.
They slipped into the hall with ease. Thankfully, the guards continued moving predictably toward the cart. She was luckier still that the cobblestones were already covered in wet, muddy footprints. Her eyes skimmed the space beyond. The entry hall opened into a larger chamber. The space curved until they reached the back wall, which divided the circle abruptly in half. There were three large desks angled to greet those who entered. Beyond them was a passage secured by a gate of iron bars.
They were about to pass into the large reception room when Florian’s arm wrapped around her. She couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath as he pulled her back until they were both pressed against the wall. Yvette’s other hand came to cover her mouth as she saw the woman she had nearly run into round the corner. They waited, still as death. Florian’s chest was motionless against her back as neither of them dared to breathe. A moment more passed before Florian’s hold on her relaxed a fraction. Yvette squeezed his hand to prepare him before she stepped away. She could still feel the fright prickling over her skin, but they could not risk staying still and getting cornered.
As they stepped through to the reception room, Yvette noted that there were no windows, only a massive iron chandelier, casting warm light down on the three desks below. Only one of them was occupied by a stern older man focusing deeply on his work. Though a few guards were milling about, their attention was passively focused on the cart which had just arrived. On either side were the archways Rhea had mentioned. They would lead to the cells below.
Yvette led them around the shadowy outskirts that lingered by the curved wall until they ducked inside the archway. The stairway beyond was even more dimly lit. Ahead, Yvette saw only one torch to light their way. All the better to hide any traces they might leave behind. They’d be searching now for the Mage Ward. Rhea had told them that magic wielding prisoners were kept in a separate portion of the prison, but she didn’t know where, though she was sure it would be in the lower levels. “We didn’t exactly have the chance to explore last time,” she’d explained.
Before long, an iron barred gate blocked their path. Yvette breathed out. She had been ready for this. Looking nervously over her shoulder twice, she reassured herself they were alone, for now. She released Florian’s hand and approached the lock. Victor had arranged for her to learn a few useful spells, those which might be useful to his ends. One of them was particularly useful for picking simple locks.
“Yvette?” Florian whispered beside her.
The sound shocked her enough to steal her away from her thoughts. Only once she saw the concern coloring his features did she realize her hands were shaking.
“I’m fine,” Yvette answered before setting her focus on the task at hand.
Recalling the spell, she knelt down and blew a stream of cool air into the lock. For some reason, this magic always tastedfaintly of citrus and mint, even if the air about them carried only faint traces of damp and decay. The old metal did not unlatch as quietly as she would have hoped, but within a moment, the bars were swinging open before her.
“Well, if that isn’t a magnificent little trick,” Florian whispered, looking down the curving stairway.
Yvette stepped through, followed closely by Florian, who secured the door-
A low grinding sound echoed off the stone walls as the bars set back into place. They stared at each other, eyes wide in panic. Anyone else in the hall would have heard that and almost certainly known what it meant.
“Lock it!” Florian hissed as he looked past her.
Yvette nodded once before working the magic once more, locking them in. As she stood, they shared another glance. Footsteps were approaching from below them on the spiraling stairs. Her mind moved quickly. If the guard reached them, they’d be cornered. The passage was too narrow for a person to walk past without potentially brushing against them. Perhaps they could overpower the guard, but what if they shouted for more?
