They had just crossed the arch. The door closed behind them with a slam that made the hinges rattle. The guards stayed still behind the door. Outside, the air smelled different. It wasn't the same as the one they breathed inside. The paths were marked, and not far away a forest could be seen. The road was straight and firm, bordered by twisted posts.
Alice walked beside Rosel. Sylryk walked behind them with worn-out clothes and his gaze fixed on the edges of the road.
—We didn't drag you out —said Alice, less harsh—. We asked for your help, and you accepted. Don't forget that.
—I know —Sylryk replied—. I just want to understand… what exactly took you to that city?
Rosel lifted her face toward Sylryk, a little calmer.
—My intuition led us there —she said—, and it also told us we would find help there.
Alice barely scoffed, but not mockingly—more sincerely.
—I don't see you as very capable —she admitted—, but Rosel's intuition never fails. She said we would find someone who would help us, and according to her, that someone is you.
Sylryk straightened up, as if every word placed responsibility on his shoulders. He would do what he had to do. While trying to think of how to help them, he only managed to say:
—One more thing I want to know. I heard you mention a king. What does he have to do with all this?
Alice and Rosel looked at each other for a second. Rosel spoke first.
—The king has people locked up. It's not normal. Something is happening down there.
Alice clenched her fists.
—Among those people is our brother.
Sylryk blinked.
—Your brother?
—Yes —Alice said—. They captured him weeks ago and we don't know why. We didn't see him again. Then they captured us, but we managed to escape.
—So you're trying to save him —Sylryk said.
—Exactly —Alice said—. And you're the one who will help us. We need you to be ready.
Rosel added:
—About getting a weapon, don't worry. You'll find one soon. I can feel that too…
…
The king was still on the ground. After what had happened, he breathed deeply and tried to keep calm. He stood up and shook the dust from his cape and cleaned his beard. The defeat still weighed on him. He walked slowly toward the vault that led to the lower level.
The palace above was calm and full of papers, despite everything that had happened, as if no one was bothered at all. The king descended a staircase.
—If they're coming on their own, then I'll have to take care of other matters —he murmured.
He reached the lowest part of the kingdom, raised one hand, and spoke words that couldn't be fully understood. Then, two figures took the shape of men. Solid bodies, light armor, serene faces—they weren't simple servants. They were subjects created to obey.
They bowed before him. The king opened the gate leading to the lower level. The noises became clear—metal strikes, hoarse screams, dragged pleas, calls to people who weren't there. There was only pure desperation vibrating through the walls.
The king walked between the cells without stopping until he reached one where a young man was barely breathing. With his eyes dim, the king looked at him for a moment, calculating possibilities. Then he gave orders to the two subjects, who walked away down the corridors without saying anything.
…
Back with the group, Sylryk and the two girls reached the forest, and after crossing it they found a small village. There were few people in the street, all of them busy. Sylryk looked back to see how far away the city was, only to realize the city was no longer there, as if it had disappeared after they arrived.
His first impression was the kathras that were with the people. After all, it was the first time he had seen them.