The entire way down, my thoughts were consumed with the danger Elena might be in.Knowing that the Royal Guard knew not only our names but also that we were merchants in the Citadel Market meant that if Elena were to even leave our barn, she would be putting herself in great danger.I desperately wanted to get home quickly, but moving fast was next to impossible on this godsforsaken ladder.
When I finally reached the bottom of the shaft, I found myself in a small room illuminated by a flameless candle.A large vat was positioned directly below the shaft to collect the excess oil.With a long leap, I swung past the vat and avoided ending up in a bath of oil.
Exiting the Citadel Library was supposed to be much easier than entering.Adela had told me to walk out in my Initiate robes and hope for the best, but I didn’t love that plan.I hated not being in control.One overzealous guard would be enough to ruin it.So I decided to shed my robes, which were glistening with oil from my climb down.An initiate dripping with machine oil would draw too many suspicious eyes.But I had a backup plan.
A section of the eastern outer wall bordered the Analon River.It was a long drop to the water, and it was still light out, so it wasn’t without risk, but it was a chance I had to take for the sake of Elena.
This part of the Citadel Library was on Garrick’s map, so I navigated the twisting tunnels with ease.Soon I reached a door that led to a parapet running along the top of the eastern outer wall, beside which the Analon River flowed.Next to the door was a guard station with a large window, where two guards were exchanging stories and roaring with laughter about last night’s drunken escapades at a tavern, which had apparently included a brawl, being slapped by women, and winning at dice.
The guard station was the only obstacle to my escape.I considered a distraction—perhaps a smoke bomb?—but the guards were deep in their conversation.Sometimes doing nothing was the best strategy.
Sometimes not.
I pressed myself against the wall and slid under the guard station window, making it past without a sound as the guards continued their tales of conquest.When I passed through a door, I found myself outside on the parapet.I walked along, inspecting the railing, which had regular notches in the stonework for archers.They looked just big enough to slip through.I peeked through the first notch.At least five stories down, the river flowed past.A light breeze ruffled the leaves of the trees along the bank far below.My heart fluttered as I considered the jump.
It was too far.I’d never make it.
But farther along the parapet was a flight of stairs descending to a lower level, making it a much easier jump.I stepped back from the treacherous drop to head for the stairs just as the distinct creak of a bowstring stretching broke the silence.I spun around to see an archer, bow drawn and aimed directly at me, well within range for a killing shot.
Apparently my black clothing and general appearance were justification enough to shoot without warning.I cursed myself for shedding my robes too early.His hand snapped, releasing the arrow.
At the same instant, a shadow passed over the archer.The caw of a whisperhawk broke the silence, just enough distraction to spoil the archer’s aim.The arrow whizzed past my left shoulder, the fletching of the bow grazing the fabric of my tunic.
Quickly, little Cas!Jump before it’s too late!Zephyra’s thoughts boomed in my mind just as her talons grabbed at the head of the archer in a blur of golden and brown feathers.
Without another thought, I leapt off the wall, dropping the impossible distance toward the rushing river like a stone, hoping I’d come out alive.
Chapter twenty-three
The Rescue
Itwasalongdrop when I had time to think about how long a drop it waswhileI was dropping.The good news was that I didn’t see any obvious rocks or shallow spots directly below me.The bad news was that I was falling too fast to be sure.
When I hit the water, my open mouth snapped shut, and I narrowly avoided biting off my tongue.The rushing current dragged me along below the surface.Trails of bubbles streaked down as arrows pierced the water.My lungs burned, but I let the river do the work to carry me away.
When I couldn’t take it any longer, I surfaced.Loud bursts of horns came from the Citadel Library, sounding an alarm.I floated along until the river ran under a bridge, where I quietly pulled myself to shore.In a few short moments, I climbed to the top of the closest building and raced along the rooftops of Analon toward home, soaked with river water.The Royal Guards on the streets below were on high alert, stopping anyone who looked suspicious.
My mind was still reeling at the idea that Elena might be in danger, and I worried that much of this was my fault.My thieving activities and the Emberlight Trials had brought this pressure upon our family.
A shadow crossed my path from the sky above.Zephyra’s caw cut through the din of city noise.I paused to look up.The moment I did, she landed softly on my shoulder.
“Thank you, Zephyra,” I said, stroking her golden feathers.“I owe you one.”
Returning the favor, little Cas.
“After I freed you, I thought you’d head straight back to Garrick.”
Zephyra does like Garrick, but Garrick doesn’t own Zephyra.Plus little Cas is better at understanding Zephyra.
“High praise indeed, but I need to go.I have to get to my sister.”
What does sister look like?
“A bit shorter than me with long red hair.”
Zephyra looks!
Zephyra flapped her wings and took to the sky, circling high above.
