Hope Sundered

Endari’s hectic flight from the Azrahteran camp left a tumultuous commotion in its wake, pulling Zordecai to his feet in an instant. He collected his broadsword and burst forth from his tent, clad only in his loin cloth. He scanned his surroundings as he interrogated his personal guards. None of his men had any answers, but he glimpsed a man in an unfamiliar uniform dash between two tents.

Varzeth approached a moment later, fastening the last button on his uniform coat. “Are you alright, General?” he asked without a speck of genuine concern in his voice.

Zordecai glowered at his lieutenant, more for his blatant apathy than anything else. “What’s going on?” he demanded.

“It appears a group of Avelirians found a way into our camp. They managed to kill Urilav and Corto, though I believe they realized they’d lost their advantage and retreated.”

“Then why aren’t you pursuing them?” Zordecai bellowed. “If the Avelirians are out here it means there’s a way into the city!”

Varzeth cast a pensive stare in the direction of the fleeing Avelirians. “I suspect they want us to pursue them.”

“What kind of nonsense is that? They’re exposed and vulnerable!”

“We’ve already underestimated them once, and at great cost. I caution you not to repeat such a mistake.”

Zordecai hefted his broadsword and barked at his personal guards to chase after the enemy. To Varzeth he said, “I’ll have their heads on pikes, and when I return, I’ll add yours to them!”

He charged after his men, rousing the rest of the army to take up arms and follow him to glory. Wyndham was finally theirs for the taking. Like a mountain stream during the first thaw, Zordecai’s force swelled beyond counting as he chased the five Avelirians all the way to the cemetery, howling with bloodthirsty anticipation.

⸞ ⸎ ⸟

Endari reached the cemetery gate several strides after Hoit. “Are the others accounted for?” Endari asked, breathless.

“Just waiting on you, Captain,” the watch commander replied with a grim smile. “It looks like someone’s been neglecting their endurance training again.”

Together they made for the mausoleum. Unable to close the door from the inside, they ignored it and hurried to the back. The air was damp and stale. A single torch hung in a rusty sconce on the far side.

Each wall of the crypt contained alcoves, most of which were occupied with ornately carved granite coffins. The caskets bore names, patronage, and lifespan chiseled into their sides, except for the one beneath the torch. It bore no name, and its lid had been removed.

Endari and Hoit reached the open coffin just as the first Azrahteran entered the vault. Hoit grabbed the torch and climbed in first. Together they descended into darkness along the steep stone staircase hidden within.

Twenty feet or so beneath the ground they entered a narrow tunnel, fashioned of dressed stone now carpeted with patches of moss and barely tall enough for them to stand upright. The swift cadence of boots on the stone steps announced the enemy close behind.

The pair hurried down the musty tunnel and passed under an intricate framework, constructed of thick, angular beams of wood. Endari knew from Bel’ami’s explanation the scaffolding was designed to collapse to cover an escape in either direction. He took hold of the rusty lever and tugged, but it refused to move. He braced himself and put his entire weight behind the effort. The device was frozen in place.

The Azrahterans had made the tunnel and were almost within arm’s reach. Hoit launched his boot dagger at the nearest soldier, who caught it in the collarbone. The man shrieked but didn’t stop.

Endari yelled as he strained against the stubborn mechanism. Every muscle in his back and shoulders strained to the edge of tearing. The jagged handle bit into the flesh of his palms, drawing blood, but he refused to relent. He couldn’t bear the thought of his failed assassination attempt leading to the deaths of the citizens he’d sworn to protect.

The Azrahterans were upon them then. Endari could feel a sharp piercing sensation just below his hip, adding to the excruciating pain already racking his body. He could hear Hoit battling at his back. The narrow tunnel prevented proper melee combat, allowing only desperate stabs and slaps.

Endari never imagined he’d meet his end underground in the dark, but at least he wasn’t alone. He wished he could tell Hoit how much he appreciated the man’s loyalty and friendship, but a grunt from a familiar voice told him his brave lieutenant had also been hit. The two colleagues had seconds to live.

Then a loud click echoed off the walls. Metal groaned, and the lever jerked free in Endari’s torn hands.

The world around him crashed like roaring thunder.