Energized, Kerrick hopped to his feet and packed up his meager supplies. He spread the burning logs out and went to fetch water to douse the flames. As he scooped up dirty water, a faint rumble reached him. It emanated from the aqueduct. He approached the entrance and leaned in to listen.
The sound grew louder. Water rushing? Kerrick wondered if it was a good idea to be standing at this spot. Curiosity kept him in place. More splashing followed, and a drumming that echoed off the stone walls. When a voice cried out over the din, Kerrick yanked his sword free. A glow from a torch lit the interior and he backed up.
Friend or foe? He’d find out soon. Retreating to a better position, Kerrick waited.
From the amount of noise, Kerrick guessed at least a company of soldiers was racing toward the exit. It couldn’t be Avry and the others, they wouldn’t produce that much—
Flea and Ives burst from the aqueduct. Kerrick’s relief didn’t last long as more people streamed out. Were they being chased?
He pulled power, turning normal and intercepted Flea who stumbled through the underbrush with Melina right behind him. She carried a torch.
“What’s—” he tried.
“We have them all.” Flea gestured to the others wildly.
People continued to pour out. Some carrying torches, others swords. All wearing robes and no shoes. All women.
“All? As in all the girls in the monastery?”
“Yes, over two thousand. We must keep moving.”
Kerrick heard the number, but he didn’t quite comprehend it until the forest protested the trampling of the bushes and vines by so many feet. He didn’t recognize anyone else.
“Which way?” Flea demanded.
Sneaking through the forest was no longer an option. They needed to get to Pomyt Realm fast. Kerrick pointed. “Head straight. When you reach the path, turn right and follow it.”
“Are you coming?”
“Where’s Avry?”
Flea gestured behind him. “Back there somewhere.”
The tightness around his heart eased. “I’ll catch up. I want to make sure everyone gets out.”
Flea nodded and, calling for the others to follow him, he ran. The women formed a single line. Many glanced at him as they passed. They regarded him with a variety of expressions, mostly curious, but the ones clutching swords shot him hostile glares as if he’d dare to attack them. No one said a word. Strange and smart.
The women continued to race by. Kerrick scanned the faces, searching for Avry. An amazing number of people gushed from the tunnel. And he fully expected priests to be close on their heels.
After the main surge finished, the slower escapees—the wounded and those supporting them—trickled out. Avry should be with this group. Instead, Odd and his men assisted them.
Kerrick didn’t hesitate. He approached Odd. A woman covered in blood and gripping an equally bloody sword stopped and stepped close to Odd as if to protect him. Kerrick ignored her. “Where’s Avry?” he asked Odd.
Surprised, Odd glanced around. “Didn’t she come out?”
“No.”
“She should have.”
Kerrick stifled the desire to strangle the man. “That doesn’t help.”
Odd exchanged a look with the woman. “I thought she was ahead of us.”
“She was carrying Palma,” the woman said.
“Palma was injured, right?” Kerrick asked even though he knew the answer.
“Yes, badly. She—”
Odd cursed. “She stopped to heal her.”
“But I didn’t see anyone. I made sure we were the last and I extinguished the lanterns,” the woman said.
“Avry probably ducked down a side tunnel so no one would stop to help and risk getting caught,” Kerrick said. “Is anyone chasing you?”
“No one from the monastery—the women were thorough, but I’m sure the priests will organize a posse to come after us,” Odd said. He cursed again. “Fydelia, you catch up with your ladies. Kerrick and I will go back and find Avry before they do.”
If Odd had stabbed him in the stomach, it would have felt better than knowing Avry was in trouble nearby and he couldn’t help her.
“I can’t.” Kerrick forced the words out.
* * *
He watched Odd enter the tunnels. The sergeant carried a torch and Kerrick’s life. If something happened to Avry... He stopped his dire thoughts. Instead, he prepared to intercept the priests and guards from the monastery.