'Outside . . . the . . . city.' Myx struggled to frame the words. 'Not far.'
And it wasn't. At the edge of the grey light, Myx turned down a narrow unfinished side passage ending in a blank wall. Again he felt inside the illusion and pushed a panel aside, waiting for them all to come through before closing it.
'Can you lock that, Denser?' he asked.
Denser shook his head. 'Barely. I'll try but it won't add up to much. After that I'll be spent.'
He stepped up and began casting.
'What about Erienne?' asked Hirad.
'Whatever I do here, we need another mage to help me. Soon.'
'I've got an idea. Don't worry, Denser. I'll see to it,' said Hirad. 'So, where now?'
Myx pointed down the passage they found themselves in. It was finished and well lit, apparently in regular use. A chamber lay to their right, empty and chill. Ten yards ahead, a large leather bound basket sat on the floor. It was attached to a rope that disappeared through a sizeable hole in the roof.
'Oh, great,' muttered Hirad.
'Izack said he assumed they were getting in supplies,' said The Unknown. 'Looks like he was right.'
Myx nodded, his breath a little more even now but still pained. 'The top is hidden by illusion. There's a grille to stop animals falling as well. It comes out in a bank of gorse and bracken to the west of the city. It has proved useful.'
'What is it usually, a ventilation shaft?' asked Darrick.
'Yes. There are six altogether. Four have been sealed. The other is not far from here.'
Denser turned from the door. 'I've done what I can. It won't keep them for long. Certainly not if Dystran is with them.'
'Right, let's get moving.' The Unknown made quick assessment of the rope and basket, staring up into the dark above. 'Right. Thraun, me and you will go up, Sian between us. We'll haul up Evunn and Erienne in the basket. Denser, you with Erienne, Auum or Duele with Evunn. We'll have to pray it'll hold but it looks strong enough to me. Then, climb one by one, fast as you can. The remainder have to hold off any attack. If it gets bad, shout, I'll be back down. Go.'
He pointed at Thraun. The shapechanger passed Erienne to Denser, who stood her into the basket. It would be just big enough for them both standing upright. Thraun stood on the edge of the basket, grabbed the rope and disappeared up the shaft, which was something in the order of five feet wide. They could hear him bracing himself against the sides, dust and grit showering down. Soon after he disappeared, Sian'erei went after him.
'How high?' asked The Unknown.
'I don't know,' said Myx. 'We aren't at the lowest level. Over fifty feet. You'll find a pulley wheel and brace stowed at the top of the shaft that you can lock into position.'
The Unknown raised his eyebrows. 'The fact that that is the best news I've heard since we got in here says everything.'
It seemed an eternity before they heard Thraun moving the grille. The Unknown started to climb.
'Be ready, Denser. As soon as we're set, we'll pull.'
'Understood.'
Hirad turned to face the illusion, imagining a Xeteskian horde tramping towards them.
'How far away are they?' he asked Rebraal.
'By now, all but on us.'
'Right,' said Darrick. 'Let's organise. Myx, move away and sit down. It's a long climb for you later.'
Myx was about to raise an objection but a thud on the panel stopped him.
'Move, Myx!' hissed Hirad. 'Darrick, I'll stand up.'
'No Hirad, you're hurt.'
'And you're not?' Hirad growled. 'I'm not shifting. Rebraal will stand by me.'
The Al-Arynaar leader nodded and moved forward but he was pushed aside by Auum.
'Right,' said Darrick tersely. There was another experimental thud on the portal. 'Rebraal, stand with me the other side of the basket, we can't afford to be backdoored here.'
The group rearranged. Hirad looked across at Auum and nodded his gratitude. The TaiGethen spoke a few words he took to be a prayer for their safety and drew a single short sword, the fire undimmed in his eyes.
'Don't you die down here, Coldheart,' said Denser.
'I'll do what I can,' said Hirad.
There was another impact. Heavier this time.
'That was a spell,' said Denser.
'How long before they get through?'
'Not long enough to get us all out, I fear.'
Hirad waited, his thrill at the prospect of the fight absent. He stood here because of those he protected, nothing more. But even that knowledge couldn't hide the ache in his limbs, the biting pain from his wounds or the exhaustion in his mind. Unbidden came the thought that if the Xeteskians broke through, all of them would have to be downed for the rest of The Raven to escape. Alternatively, someone would have to make the ultimate sacrifice.
He gripped his sword tighter and smiled grimly. At least he would be able to reacquaint himself with Ilkar. Sooner than he expected but a prospect he welcomed, not feared.
A warmth filled Hirad's mind, Sha-Kaan entering his consciousness gently.
These are not thoughts I am happy to feel, said the Great Kaan.
I had not realised you could sense me, said Hirad.
He was dimly aware of a concerted attack on the panel. Swordsmen were trying to weaken the timber so making Dystran's job breaking the WardLock easier. Even in his weakened state, it was clear that Denser's skill was considerable.
But they are the thoughts I would expect of such a man as you, Hirad Coldheart, continued the dragon.
Accepting death has always been my way of avoiding it, said Hirad.
I-Sha-Kaan stopped. That is by way of a joke, is it not?
Sort of. Sha-Kaan, this contact is fortunate, given where I stand now. I need to ask you to help us.
Ask.
We know one of the Al-Drechar was murdered.
Myriell, confirmed Sha-Kaan.
Erienne's mind was damaged by it. She is unconscious now and Denser has been holding back the storms. But he's spent and he can't help her where she needs it most. We need Cleress to be with her, in her mind. She's in trouble.
I will do what I can. Cleress is asleep under a spell now but she is also free of the Xeteskians. When she wakes, I will be there.
Thank you. And for you, we have the information we need. When we get out, we can make it happen.
Renewed warmth and sudden joy flooded Hirad's mind. Then, frail human, you had better ensure you survive. I will have need of my Dragonene when I return home.
I'll do what I can.
I am sure you will.
Sha-Kaan's contact ceased. Hirad came fully to himself, with the battering on the door constant and the pressure beginning to tell. Behind him, the basket carrying Denser and Erienne lifted out of sight, creaking and protesting, the movements deliberately smooth. He focused back on the door from which Auum had never taken his eyes.
Another impact, and the illusion collapsed.
'Can that happen?' asked Hirad.
'Apparently,' said Darrick from the other side of the shaft.
Hirad was looking at a plain panel of oak, dark and heavy. There was a recess to the left into which it would slide. Not that Dystran planned anything so gentle. When the WardLock failed, the door would go with it. Already, the wood was stressed and warped, only Denser's spell keeping it in place now. Hirad backed up three paces, Auum following suit, understanding they were too close for comfort.
The hammering of weapons continued while Dystran presumably gathered himself. At Hirad's back, the basket rattled down, slapping onto the floor. It was wet, the rope above it dripping and dirty. Duele and Evunn were in the basket in moments. Duele tugged the rope hard to indicate he was ready and up they went, quicker this time with Denser clearly on the rope too.
'Come on, come on,' muttered Hirad. The hammering on the door ceased. 'Here we go.'
Auum clutched his sword tighter and looked half away, braced against the expected blast. The spell hit the door, driving into the mana lattice of the WardLock. Blue light sparked across its surface, a rush of air hit them and the door began to topple forwards.
For a heartbeat, Hirad stopped to wonder why the wood hadn't splintered and Myx was past him, hurling himself against it and ramming it back into place.
'Help me,' he said.
Hirad and Auum leaned their weights against the panel. It was warm. On the opposite side, the enemy pushed hard, handicapped by the narrow passage width on their side.
'Rebraal,' called Hirad. 'When the basket comes down, you're next.'
'No-'
'Yes,' snapped Hirad, arms shaking under an impact. 'You're the quicker climber. Darrick, you're after him, the rope will take you both.'
'I hear you.'
Hirad could hear the reluctance in his voice but unlike Rebraal, he understood who led down here.
The pressure on the door grew more sustained. They could hear shouts ordering more men to the press. Inexorably, the panel was moving. Myx turned and braced his legs against the stone floor, his broad shoulders flattened across the panel. Either side of him, Auum and Hirad, leaned side-on. Hirad looked up into the face of the Protector, saw the sweat on his brow and knew they didn't have long before his strength deserted him.
The basket crashed to the floor, cracking on impact.
'Rebraal, go!' shouted Hirad.
He saw the elf leap to the rope and start climbing. Darrick watched him too. The barbarian could see the pallid colour of the general's face. He had lost too much blood.
'Don't faint before you get to the top,' he said.
Darrick was stone-faced. 'I'll make it,' he said.
'Three to go,' said Hirad. 'This should be interesting.'
Suddenly, the pressure against the panel vanished and it thudded back into place. Hirad would have preferred had it not. Dystran's voice sounded in the sudden quiet.
'Let me through, idiots. I'll do it, myself.'
'Not good,' muttered Hirad.
'We're out of time,' said Myx.
'Right,' said Hirad. 'Auum, go.' The TaiGethen looked at him. 'Spell coming. Go.'
Auum nodded, understanding and respect in his gesture. He sheathed his sword and jumped onto the rope.
'Go, Hirad,' said Myx.
'The rope won't take four.'
'You have no choice.'
'You're coming with me. I'm not leaving you here.'
Myx met his stare. 'I will not yield. Go. Sol understands. We are one.'
'You'll be killed.'
'We are one!'
Hirad hesitated but Myx had turned away. It felt wrong. This wasn't necessary. He eyed the rope which flexed and jumped, under the strain of those climbing it. He stepped onto the rim of the basket.
'The Raven will help you,' he said. 'You should come.'
'No.'
Hirad sliced the rope below him, sheathed his knife and began climbing hard.
'Pull!' he yelled. 'Darrick, make them pull. Myx, come on, you can make it.'