Savage Messiah

The two warriors ran to the base of the wall, then crept away in opposite directions.

Her hand clenched tightly around her sword, Shailiha watched the warriors disappear into the darkness. Despite the coolness of the night, her palms had become moist, her mouth dry.

After what seemed forever, the warriors finally returned. Crevin shook his head.

"I searched as far as I dared," he whispered, "but the wall looks impenetrable and impossible to climb. I believe that the southern gate we saw from the air is the only way in or out."

"I agree," Micah said. "Gaining entrance to this place will be difficult." The warrior smiled, his teeth glinting in the moonlight. "But not impossible."

Tyra

Looking back at the fortress, Tyra

Crevin hoisted Tyra

He flew as fast as he could toward the wall, then spiraled upward, staying close to the fortress. When they neared the summit he slowed and hovered again. Very carefully they peeked over the top of the wall.

There was no one there.

Landing upon the rampart, Crevin set Tyra

Laughter came from inside. Tyra

Tyra

Four demonslavers sat at a table, drinking and playing cards. When the one nearest the door grabbed up his sword and rose from his chair, Tyra

While another slaver swung at Tyra

Tyra

Tyra

Lowering her bloody sword, Tyra

Scars walked over to the unconscious demonslaver. Casually lifting the creature's head by one earring, he examined its face. Then he let go and with a thud, the demonslaver fell back onto the table. Scars smiled at Tyra

"It isn't fair of you to hog all of the fun, Captain," he whispered.

Ignoring him for the moment, Tyra

"Sorry you missed all the excitement," she said. "But you'll get your chance. I've decided we're going farther."

"What are you talking about?" Shailiha protested in a whisper. "We have what we came for. We should leave right now, while we still can!"

"I'm not leaving until I know more about this place," Tyra

The princess was dumbfounded. What Tyra

"Are you mad?" she asked. "What could you possibly hope to accomplish-other than getting us all killed?"

Tyra

"Listen to me-all of you!" she said quietly. "I have no more wish to die than you do. But we've managed to come this far, and I say it's worth the risk to try to go farther. This citadel has been the source of all of our troubles, has it not? This is the chance of a lifetime, and we owe it to the Conclave to try to learn everything about this place that we can!"

Then she gave Shailiha a conspiratorial wink. "Besides," she added, "you know as well as I that well-behaved women rarely make history."

Shaking her head, Shailiha obstinately pointed to the unconscious slaver. "What can we possibly learn about the Citadel that he can't tell us?"

"That's what I want to find out. But I do agree with you about keeping our prize safe." Tyra

Micah lifted the demonslaver. K'jarr took his place at the window. After a silent nod of farewell, Micah carried the slaver through the door. They heard a few short steps, followed by the familiar sound of wings.

Shailiha glanced skeptically at K'jarr. The look on his face told her that he was as unsure about Tyra

"I know you have your doubts," Tyra

"That doesn't matter now," K'jarr whispered back. As he turned back toward them, the look on his face was grim. "While we have been standing here talking, six slavers approach! I suspect they are coming to relieve the ones we killed."

With no time to lose, they lined up in threes on either side of the door. Silently cursing Tyra

Soon the approaching slavers' footsteps could be heard. They grew louder. Then they stopped. An ominous silence descended.

As Shailiha tightened her grip upon her sword, the rusty hinges of the guardhouse door squeaked.