Depths of Madness - Erik Scott De Bie [6]
"You don't believe me?"
"About as much as I believe any jack on thy side of the court with oiled and sharpened arms." This was as if to say not at all. "But I digress. You believe you can follow these rules?" Languidly, she put out a delicate hand.
"To be certain," said Liet as he took it. "But why?"
"Welcome aboard," said Twilight, "partner."
"Partner in what?"
"Our grand escape."
Now it was Liet's turn to look unconvinced. "Very well, then-excellent jest." "You don't believe me?"
"Oh, I have no doubt," Liet said, imitating her sarcastic tone.
"I see." Twilight drew out the shard of iron she had taken from the torture chamber and twirled it between her fingers. "Well, I shall simply have to disappoint."
"Did you see that mountain of a guard? With the big hammer, aye?"
Twilight shrugged noncommittally. "I've seen stranger things."
She lay back. Reverie would not come-she knew that, of course-and her mind was too active to permit sleep, but it didn't matter.
"So why'd you return?" Liet asked after a five-count. "You could've escaped."
"That was just scouting."
"Scouting." Liet laughed ruefully. "I don't think he'll fall for that again."
Twilight just smiled and closed her eyes.
Torchlight flickering, Gestal stared at her, eyes not a hand's breadth from her face. Lord Divergence knew she feigned sleep-her breath was soft and regular. She waited to enact her plan.
Rid of her troublesome amulet, he could watch the elf directly. He'd taken steps to ensure that would not change when she found it again, as well. For now, though, he could not reach into her mind-only cut through the webs she weaved so deftly.
"Your lies fail to impress," he mused.
Gestal considered how she had dealt with the boy-ruthlessly, brutally. The scarred hand hovered over her cheek, wondering at its softness.
Was this the one? he wondered.
He would soon find out.
CHAPTER Two
Liet awoke with a yawn, opening his mouth almost as wide as the cell door. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, wishing he still dreamed- a welcome state, compared to this cell. Tragically, no gold dragons burst through the ceiling to rescue him, and no scantily clad warrior maidens manifested to resolve his… concerns. He sighed.
The door.
Liet blinked, wondering if he were still dreaming and the maidens were just playing coy. Sure enough, the portal stood wide open, admitting smoke from the guttering torches into the cell. He was suddenly afraid.
"Ah?" Liet rose unsteadily. "Uh-lady? Elf? Where-?"
A serious face appeared around the side of the door, a face that seemed familiar. The one who had pummeled him. "You're awake," the elf said.
He realized he should probably be angry, seeing how she had him so unfairly, but he kept calm. "Uh, I-I am. Awake. Yes. Aye."
"I was wondering if you'd need a kiss." Liet blinked. "Wh-what?"
"Silence, lad," Twilight said. "Trolls are notoriously light sleepers."
"Truly?" Liet asked, freezing.
"No," she replied, "but silence anyway."
She vanished, but returned an instant later. Seeming to glide through the shadows, she clutched his arm, making him start, even though he had been watching for her.
"Is… is it safe?" His voice was meek.
"Safer than staying there," Twilight said. "You'd best stay by my side, boy." Her eyes narrowed. "Don't worry-I won't pounce on you any time soon."
"Pounce on me?"
She winked. "Keep up!"
Then she was gone.
Liet fumbled after her, groping his way into the darkness. "Wait!"
Twilight abandoned the youth in the dank cell and returned to where she'd left the gigantic key ring in front of the door opposite her own. She knelt beside it and tested the twenty-second of the thirty or so keys. The cell was completely silent, though a small form huddled on the pallet across from her, watching her activities keenly.
After a time, a gasp came from behind her, and Twilight glanced back. Liet was standing there, hand on his chest. " 'Tis merely me." Twilight tried another key. It fit, but wouldn't turn. "Though I'm never 'merely,' as you shall discover."
"I'll take your word." He scurried to her