them to follow him into the stronghold.
Emma saw this too and she grabbed Dink and followed behind the Erellen and the large man. The six of them slipped away from the fight, unnoticed. A few of them rested their heads against the stone wall of the dark room when they entered the bottom of the structure. Their labored breathing seemed so loud, yet the room remained eerily quiet compared to the bloodletting only feet from them.
Coffman stood wary with his sword pointed at the door, knowing that the enemy could come bursting through at any moment.
“Hiding in here won’t stop them from beating us,” Dink said to Emma.
“We’re not hiding,” Alric corrected. He wiped the sweat from his eyes and looked around at each individual. “Is everyone all right?”
Each of them nodded, saying nothing as they waited for Alric’s plan.
He stood in silence for a long moment, knowing that they had to catch their breath. He looked at Nalani and he knew she would never expect him to make good on his half-hearted promise to keep her and her family alive, but he intended to do just that.
“Stühocs have come into the stronghold,” he said. “I know it’s just a matter of time before they take it over completely, but there’s no one here to protect the older people and the children.”
Lorcan raised an eyebrow at this. “You’re worried about the children?” He looked at Coffman. “What do you want us to do?”
“Just follow me,” Alric said.
He moved past the others and to the door on the other side of the room. He opened it carefully with one hand, and with the other he gripped his sword tightly. He didn’t know how many Stühocs had gone into the fortress, but he knew there would be more to come.
He nodded to the others that the hall was clear, and they tiptoed into the passage.
“Does anyone know exactly where they’re hiding?” Alric asked.
“I know that many were placed in the council chamber,” Nalani said, “but I don’t think there is enough room. I imagine that some are out in the hallway too.”
Alric knew exactly where to go. Though he was not part of the council, or the Dunarians for that matter, he had been to many meetings over the past three months.
When he had been hired by the Dunarians to help get the white medallion from Timugo, he never thought he would be staying with them this long.
Inga had wanted to stay because of Silas. Lorcan stayed, probably because of Inga; and Coffman, because he had always wanted to be part of something that was noble and true.
Alric’s reason was the redheaded woman running next to him.
She had caught his eye before he and the others had left to help Silas save Kaden in Mudavé. Of course he had heard of her shaky courtship with Julian, but they soon had a falling out.
He had learned of her planned trip to Voelif, and one particular mission had placed him there before, so he knew a little about the area. He didn’t hesitate in offering up his services.
He found her entering his thoughts at the most random moments. When the two of them had stood in front of the Sphere in Voelif, all he could think was…
He glanced at her as the others jogged behind them.
Usually, his work was the only thing that consumed his mind this much, but thoughts of Nalani had replaced it.
The six of them climbed several flights of stairs until they finally came near the council chamber.
Nalani’s stepfather, Patrick, stood with a shaky weapon drawn.
“I’ll cut you bloody Stühocs to pieces!” he yelled.
“Father it’s me!”
“Nalani?” The man squinted in the darkness of the hallway. “What are you doing here?”
“The Stühocs have entered the stronghold,” she told him as they came near. “They might come here soon. Where are the others?”
“Most of them are locked in the chamber.” With his head he motioned down the hall behind him. “The others are hiding down that way.”
“And you thought you’d stay out here alone?” Alric asked. “I’m impressed.”
“Thank you, Sergeant,” Patrick smiled.
“I’m going to have to ask you to step into the chamber,” Alric ordered.
Patrick shook his head. “Sorry sir, the door is locked from the inside. I told them not to open it for anyone unless there was a knock with a specific pattern.”
“Well, what’s the pattern?”
Patrick stood for a moment. “I uh, I forgot to make one.”
“Well, I’m sure they’ll let you in,” Alric said as he moved to the door