Ryker
The city’s cries for justice rocked the old stones.
My boots thundered down the steps into the one place in the fortress I’d always considered unnecessary–the dungeons.
For as long as I’d lived, they’d never been used.
Any battle we’d waged, for generations, had been outside the crater’s perimeter.
The only local mayhem were a few drunken tussles when the winter wind bit too harshly, which always ended with a few bruises, a stern talking to from Mrs. Thornbrew, and the brawlers shaking hands when their wits returned.
This once secluded and safe land now simmered with unrest. I’d quieted my people before delving into the bowels of the fortress, but they’d begun shouting as soon as I’d walked out of sight.
And I couldn’t blame them.
A plague.
Raids.
War.
Nadya had a hand in each of them.
I didn’t know if she knew why the crater had turned against us, but I had to find out–away from the scared civilians.
The ancient steps were unworn and narrow. I’d never imagined they’d carry me to visit someone I cared for so much.
The lights flickered around the coarse bend in the staircase, carved so that it would snag and impede an escape.
The pulse of two people, not one, waited beyond the stale, earthy scent.
Vylkor stood watch in front of the first door, stoic as ever.
“You don’t need to stand guard, she’s not getting out of here,” I said.
He turned to me, somber and sounding as exhausted as I was. “I’m standing guard so nobody getstoher.”
“She won’t appreciate it.”
“I don’t care. I’ve dedicated my life to upholding this land’s rules, not even a mass murderer can stop me.” His eye narrowed on me. “Justice has to prevail, Commander.”
The crowd cried harder.
“I know.” I pushed open the door as hard as I wished I could push my feelings aside.
But the moment I saw Nadya sitting behind those dusty bars, huddled in the corner of the first cell and staring out the small window, all that disappointment, hurt, and guilt flooded me once more, faster than my power could dissipate them from my veins.
Then I remembered Geryll’s frightened face as the snake bore down upon him.
The river of tears we’d shed over the graves of the little ones.
Holding my mother’s hand for one last time.
“Don’t go inside, Vylkor. She’s dangerous,” I said before closing the door and sealing myself alone with her and all this pain she’d caused.
She didn’t say anything.
Didn’t even move as I approached.
