His fingers brushed it, slipped, and then he was falling.
The front of the temple had large inset sections depicting mountains, fields of grain, and a rising sun. Below those carvings was a second edge jutting out just before the pillars began. Haern banged his elbow against the edge, spun in the air, and then grabbed on. A sharp intake of air was the only cry he made.
He swung one foot up to the ledge, glad for once that he was still somewhat young and small. With his feet turned sideways, he had an inch and a half to stand on. More than enough. He stood upon it, his back to the carvings, and looked down at the street. He saw no one. It seemed whatever activities might be normal for the night, they took place nowhere near the temple.
He was about to turn and jump for the roof when he heard a loud crack from the doors below.
“Hurry,” said a woman’s voice just above a whisper.
“I am,” whispered back a younger girl. Haern’s heart leapt. He recognized that voice. Then the two walked out from underneath him, hand in hand. Haern saw the red hair and knew for certain.
“Shit,” he said, realizing where he still was. For all his efforts to get to the roof, Delysia had come out on her own, and now there was no easy way down…
Haern slipped back down to his fingers, took a deep breath, and then tried to fall forward instead of straight down. The higher up the steps he landed, the better. Luck was with him, for he landed on the very top step, giving him plenty of room to roll. His knees still ached, and there was no way for him to remain silent, but that was better than a painful tumble down the sharp edges of the steps.
Knowing time was short, he ran down the steps, chasing after the two women who had hurried north from the temple. As if fleeing, the two ducked between some stores. Haern felt his heart stutter. The way the older woman had led, it seemed like she’d dragged Delysia. Something wasn’t right at all. He sprinted faster, his dagger drawn.
Why are we going this way?” Delysia asked once they hurried into the alley.
“I think I heard someone following us,” Madelyn said, glancing back toward the street. “We have to be careful. Come closer.”
Delysia realized the woman had taken out her dagger. Why had she taken out her dagger? And if she was afraid of someone following, why was she keeping her back to the road?
“I want to go back,” she said, stepping further into the alley. “I don’t want to go anymore.”
“I can’t have anyone warned,” Madelyn said. The compassion drained from her eyes. “Your father was always a fool, Delysia. Kindness made him blind, and you’re no different.”
Delysia turned to the run but the alley dead-ended at a thick wooden wall connecting the two stores. She spun back around and put her back to the wall. Madelyn stood in the center of the alley, dagger still in hand. There was no way past her; no way out.
“I won’t tell anyone,” she said, tears growing in her eyes.
“No,” Madelyn said. “You won’t.”
Something knocked the dagger from her hand. Madelyn’s mouth opened, and then a dirty boot struck the side of her face. Delysia let out a small cry as Madelyn went down, her hands outstretched to slow her fall. She rolled when she hit the ground, but Haern was already there, scooping up the dagger and kicking her in the stomach.
“How dare you try to hurt her,” Haern whispered, his whole body trembling with rage. He held a dagger in each hand, and he looked more than ready to use them. Madelyn sat on her knees and glared.
“Don’t,” Delysia shouted. “Please, let her go.”
Haern glanced at her, and Madelyn took the chance to run. Haern looked back, clearly debating.
“Please stay,” Delysia insisted, and that was enough to keep him with her.
“What are you doing out here?” he asked, sliding both daggers into his belt.
“I was…I was doing something dumb. I’m sorry. I should get back.”
“Wait,” Haern said, reaching out and grabbing her wrist. Delysia tensed, but his touch was soft. He held her there, neither moving, only their eyes alive as they stared at one another.
“Please stay,” he said.
“We’ll be caught,” Delysia said.
She heard the boy laugh.
“No we won’t,” he said, sliding his grip down from her wrist to her hand.