Chapter 226

Wrenbrook seemed almost as deep as it was wide as Kit followed Eli through secret passages, down winding stairwells, and through labyrinths so dark at times she couldn’t see her hand in front of her face. With Jate and Landon directly behind her, and Reeve following several steps behind them to make sure they were not being followed, she felt relatively safe for the moment. But the closer they got to the dungeon, the more Kit’s stomach sank as she thought about what she might discover there. The possibilities of an angry mob attacking her for the sins of her mother, or the guards alerting the queen of their insurrection, were both possibilities.

The odor of mildew infiltrated her lungs as the floor evened out and they stopped descending. Then, another smell caught her attention. It could only be described as human waste mixed with the body odor of hundreds of people who had not been clean for some time, with notes of decay and rot. Kit tried not to gag; she didn’t want to show weakness, not even to the men she was with who clearly loved her. With one hand on Eli’s shoulder, and Jate’s hand on her back, she followed Eli toward a distant light.

“We’ll have to exit the passages here,” Eli said in a whisper. “The tunnel lets out a few steps away from the entrance to the dungeon. There should only be Prison Guards here and none of your mother’s henchmen, but if we do come upon them, be prepared to fight. There’s no guarantee all of the Prison Guards will take our side either.”

The other three echoed their understanding, and Kit, who did have a sheathed dagger in the waistband of her split skirt, placed her free hand on the hilt as Eli moved toward the exit.

He had changed out of the false uniform he’d been wearing earlier, which Kit thought was for the best so as not to anger the prisoners, and was now wearing the colors of Eastbury. If he was spotted by Vin and his beasts, her mother’s erroneous announcement regarding the Representative from Eastbury would become a prophecy.

Eli pushed through the stone wall, opening it only a sliver, and peeking out. Kit couldn’t see, but she could hear boots in the distance and assumed Eli was waiting for them to fade away before he stepped out into the hall. As the echoes dissipated down the stone floor, he nodded and reached for her hand, which she gave him, following him out of the passage.

There wasn’t much more light here than in the tunnels. With every step she took, the stench became stronger. Kit put it out of her mind and followed, praying that their mission would be successful, and Cassius and the others would soon be free.

Ahead of them, Kit saw a wooden door with metal slats across the center at the top. Two prison guards stood outside of it. They gawked at the approaching ensemble for a moment before exchanging curious looks and placing their hands on their scabbards.

“Gentlemen,” Eli said, his voice still low but full of authority, “we’ve come to liberate the prisoners you hold here, particularly Cassius Peet, but any who will swear allegiance to the princess will be set free. Can we count on your support?”

Both men looked to be in their forties at the youngest. Wearing ill-fitting uniforms, with scraggly hair and body odor that rivaled the scent Kit had been smelling all along, it was evident they were both overworked and underpaid. “I can assure you, under my reign, conditions will be vastly improved. No longer will you work in squalor for little pay and spend no time with your families. Join me, won’t you?”

“But... Queen Rona...” one of them began.

“Is a tyrant, and all tyrants deserve to be overthrown,” Kit finished.

The other guard, the one on the left, needed no more persuasion. “Le atsa,” he said with a bow of his head.

His companion was more hesitant. While he pondered what he should do, the guard who had sworn to side with Kit reached for a key and unlocked the door. “There are others within... guards who may not be so quick to choose your side,” he said, eyeing the man on Kit’s right who still hadn’t decided. If he ran to alert the Queen’s Guard, it would be problematic.

“As long as they do not pass through this door until our task is completed, it matters not,” Eli replied, stepping through.

“Yes, Commander,” he replied. “I shall do my best.”

“What is your name?” Kit reached for his hand, and he gave it to her.

He looked surprised she had even asked. “Midy, my Princess. And that’s Dod.”

“Midy, thank you for your service. Once we have released the prisoners through the far exit, please do your best to escape. You may join us or find your own path.”

Midy nodded, relief washing over his sunken face. Kit turned to Dod. “Thank you for your service, Dod.”

Any doubt he’d had about who he was loyal to washed away as he took the princess’s outstretched hand. “Le atsa.”

Kit smiled, patted the back of his hand, and followed Eli.

Once her party was on the other side of the door, Kit felt slightly relieved. She hadn’t forgotten what Midy had said about other guards, but at least they’d made it past the first hurtle.

“You’re brilliant,” Reeve said, stepping up behind her.

Turning to look at him, Kit’s eyes widened in surprise. “What do you mean?”

“The way you turned their hesitancy into loyalty in a matter of seconds was amazing,” he explained.

“That’s precisely why she’s here,” Eli said from his position in front of the others. Kit spun back around and smiled at him, glad she was able to help. Hopefully, any other encounters would go as well.