the tunnel.
The Shade stared venomously at them, but swiftly followed. Punishment for this idiocy was something that could be dealt with later; first, the Keeper had to be secured.
Flitting from shadow to shadow the Shade overtook the two Stomen. Moving faster and faster, it charged on until it came to a split in the tunnel. It hissed in frustration; the scent of the Keeper was fresh in both directions. Slashing at an offending piece of rock, it spat in fury. The Shade didn’t like having to make hasty decisions. When it hunted it preferred certainty, not doubt. Now it would have to split its meagre forces. Tail coiling, it waited for the two Stomen to catch up.
‘The tunnel has split. You two will take the northern direction; I will continue along this path.’
‘Wait, what of your brethren?’ asked the colonel. ‘I was informed that a full pack of Shades would be arriving at Alavis. If there are more available, now would be a good time to call upon them.’
‘Sssssss … my brothers and sisters are on their way,’ spat the Shade. ‘They will arrive shortly, but for now I suggest you shut up and continue with your search!!’
The colonel nodded his head in compliance before racing north with his guard. The Shade leaped to the wall and, using it as easily as the floor, sped down the other tunnel.
4
The Courtyard
Edge Darkmount folded back the brickwork with a flicker of his hands. When he was satisfied that the way was clear he stepped from the tunnel into one of the narrow corridors that bordered the Autumn Winds Courtyard. Nibbler slipped past and tiptoed to the corner so he could peer out.
‘I can’t see Kelko or Jensen,’ he whispered. ‘The square is empty!’
The courtyard, with its rearing stone columns and impressive statues of great scholars and heroes, was indeed empty. Two guards patrolled the square, and another pair could be seen guarding the far gate, but that was it. No prisoners, no captives and certainly no friends waiting to be rescued.
A small fragment of hope plunged from Charlie’s heart to wrestle its way into her stomach where it coiled uneasily like bad indigestion. What had happened to her friends?
Darkmount frowned as he too peered out. ‘Perhaps they have been moved elsewhere. I will have to question those two soldiers to clarify this matter.’
‘What makes you think they’ll tell you anything?’ asked Nibbler.
‘The last guard I questioned gave up this location pretty quickly. I doubt that these soldiers will prove any different.’
‘Wait,’ hissed Charlie. ‘I thought we were going to be subtle about this? Marching out there and demanding directions is going to bring the whole army down on our heads!’
Darkmount fixed his cold eyes on Charlie. ‘What makes you think I won’t be discreet? Little girl, we have all seen how weak your Will is. You will need sleep and food before you’re of any use and as we don’t have the time to pamper you back to health. I suggest you stand aside!’
‘But –’ began Charlie.
‘Bah, there are only two!’ snapped Darkmount.
‘What about the two by the gate?’
‘They will not see me.’
‘I can help,’ offered Nibbler.
Darkmount turned on Nibbler. ‘I doubt, Hatchling, that you would be able to stalk those two half as well as I. You will stay here.’
Without waiting for a reply he softly sang two notes of power, causing his hands and feet to glow. Walking to the nearest wall, he plunged his fingers and toes into the rock and swiftly scaled the side of the courtyard.
Charlie gaped in astonishment as the Stoman bishop swept up the side of the wall, hands and feet actually sinking into the stone, giving him an unbreakable grip. Clinging first to the side of the courtyard, then the underside of the hanging eaves, he swung on to the roof then sneaked forward from gargoyle to gargoyle.
Charlie couldn’t help but think that he moved like a creeping spider. She shivered in disgust and also a little in delight; it was like watching an evil superhero in action. The excitement of the moment briefly washed away her weariness and for a while she felt like her old self.
‘Charlie,’ hissed Nibbler.
‘What?’ she whispered, eyes firmly fixed on the events unfolding in the courtyard.
‘I know we need to work with this guy, but he’s powerful, I mean really powerful,’ continued Nibbler. ‘Do you really think we can trust him? What happens if he decides to turn on us?’
Charlie was quiet for a minute as she considered