From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [153]
Before, he had worn nothing but blackened undershorts. Today he was wearing a brown tunic and trousers—filthy in the knees—and shabby leather shoes. He held a coil of rope looped over one shoulder.
“Well, now,” he said, his voice twangy. “Who’d of thought that all this time you were a lady?”
She grinned. “Hello, Peripaso.”
Bran stepped beside Peripaso and extended his hand. “We are ready to depart. You might want to eat something first.”
Averella accepted his help to stand. She straightened the bottom of her skirt that had twisted under her bronze breastplate. “Peripaso, what is our plan?”
He patted the rope. “I’m goin’ to lead everyone out, Lady Vrell. There’s a tunnel not too far from here. It’s larger than most and goes straight up. It’ll be hard climbin’, but once we reach the top, we’ll slide down the other side. Lets out a day’s walk from Noiz.”
Noiz was the king’s sanctuary. “We are going to Noiz?” Averella asked.
“Jax thinks it wise,” Bran said.
“Ebens are camped all over Nahar Forest,” Peripaso said. “We’d never make it to Xulon. And Noiz isn’t far from Armonguard.”
Averella recalled the slide in Peripaso’s cave. But slide down an entire mountain? “I thought you caved in all the tunnels that let out into Darkness and Eben territory.”
“I did, Lady Vrell, but that was ’fore Darkness shifted. Now plenty let out in Darkness. Ebens set up camp by most of ’em. Lazy hunters. Waiting for critters to take shelter. Ebens haven’t bothered with this one, though. Guess they figure no creature would shelter somewhere so steep.”
Gren had already packed up Averella’s things, so she quickly ate the dried dates Bran had given her to break her fast.
Peripaso held up his rope. “Can’t use a torch in our flight. It’ll be a beacon for anyone to follow. You all hold tight to this rope, and you’ll not be left behind.”
“But how can you know where you’re taking us if you can’t see?” Gren asked.
“Peri knows this forest like his own hand,” Jax said. “He can lead us out of here.”
Peripaso handed the looped end of his rope to Sir Eagan, then unrolled it as he handed it off to Bran, Sir Rigil, Gren, Jax, Noam, and Vrell, issuing warnings as he went. “Hold tight or you’ll be left behind. Must not let go, no matter what. When we reach the tunnel, go slow. It’s real steep.”
Peripaso went up to the front of the line, took the looped front end of the rope from Sir Eagan, and threaded it over his shoulder. Averella twisted the course rope in her hands, not liking her place in line at all.
Bran walked back and pulled Gren and Noam out from the middle. He also took Averella from her place at the end. “I want you three towards the front.”
“Thank you,” Averella said.
“Yes, well thought out, Master Rennan,” Sir Rigil said. “Jax and I will bring up the rear.”
Gren clutched Bran’s arm. “I’m so frightened, Bran. Do you think we’ll meet any Ebens?”
“Shh. We’ll talk later.” Bran patted her hand, then glanced up and met Averella’s gaze. “Averella, stay here, right behind Sir Eagan. Gren, you stay behind Lady Averella. Noam, stay behind Gren. Jax, Sir Rigil, and I will be at the end of the line to watch for Ebens and stragglers.”
Averella ducked under the rope and gripped it with her left hand. Gren did the same.
Bran squeezed Averella’s shoulder. “Do not let go of this rope, Vrella, please.” His eyes burned into hers.
She blinked, hoping to break the intensity of his stare. “I will not. I promise.”
The corner of his mouth twisted, as if her promises meant little, but he released her shoulder. He nodded to Gren, then took his place at the end of the line.
“He doesn’t seem too happy to see me,” Gren whispered.
“There is much on his mind at present.” Averella smiled, hoping to cheer Gren, but feeling guilty knowing what Bran had shared with