The Prince's Mark

Chapter Thirty Three

"You didn't make this dent?"

"I did, but I had to use more magic than it could handle... and even then I couldn't break it."

"Oh."

"What are we going to do if I can't break you out? Ugh..."

Sakshi cleared her throat. "We have to think of something else. We can't solve this problem with your non-human cheating. Instead, we'll use a human method!"

"What human method?" Mirthal asked dully. It hadn't helped them so far, whatever it was.

"Keys! We have to get the keys."

On the surface, that sounded good. Logical, even. But if getting the keys was so easy, why hadn't she said anything about it before? Karthik had to have them.

"Karthik comes in here every day... Why don't we have the keys already?"

"Karthik does?" Tracou asked.

"Yes. You know him?"

"He's assigned to us, kind of. I think the Royal Scholar told him to guide us around."

Mirthal nodded, not quite taking in the full meaning of what Tracou said, but Sakshi caught it immediately.

"Us? There's more of you?"

"Just one more. Mirthal, Pendaer's here with me."

The corners of Mirthal's mouth pulled down harshly. He would never escape Pendaer, would we? He had even followed him to Winlea! To this stupid castle!

But wait.

"Pendaer's an elf."

"He's letting elves stay in the castle?" Sakshi asked, voice low.

Tracou turned back to look at her. "I put a disguise on him. He looks like an ugly human, now."

"Then where is he? Usually he's in my face as much as possible."

"He's sleeping. It's the middle of the night. Look, that doesn't matter right now—how do we get the keys?"

"Karthik doesn't have them," Sakshi said. "He asks someone to open the door for him."

"I opened the door myself. We need keys to the cells."

"Mm... you'll have to ask Karthik."

Tracou took in a deep breath and nodded. "Right. I'll try to find the keys. But..." His expression turned sly. "I could topple this castle if things get bad enough, so I'll be able to get you out no matter what."

"Topple the castle!" Sakshi snorted. "You think you could get away with that? A lone dezmek destroying the Winlean king's castle? It's like you want a war!"

Irritation all over his face, Tracou went rigid. Then, after a moment, he straightened up.

"Mirthal, is this woman your friend?"

"Friend? I suppose you could say that."

"What? Is she or isn't she?"

Mirthal tilted his head, mulling the question over. Sakshi hardly fit into Mirthal's ideas of friend material, but she had helped him for a while. He wouldn't have left that village unscathed without her, but he wouldn't be in a dungeon without her either.

"She helped me for a time, but she's not quite my friend, no."

"I see!" Tracou chirped, his entire demeanor changing to something far more pleased than it had been a few moments ago. "Fine then."

"What about Pendaer? Is he nice to you?"

"Not in the least."

"That sounds like him..."

Tracou scoffed. "You have no idea. I've been waiting to tell you all about it, but I'll have to wait a little longer."

Whatever Tracou had been through, Mirthal took great solace in the fact that he was there with him. Just looking at him reassured him—he wasn't alone. Tracou sat there, illuminated by the only light Mirthal had seen since he had been thrown into his cell. He was his only hope. But after making it all the way to Winlea to help him in the first place, Mirthal was certain that Tracou would free him.

"I should go," Tracou said suddenly, pulling more food from his sack and setting it in Mirthal's cell. "If I stay too long, I might not be able to leave."

Mirthal tilted his head. Why wouldn't he be able to leave? Perhaps because the sun would rise and make it difficult for him to slink back out? That made sense.

"Wait, before you go... Give me your right hand."

Unlike in the past, where Tracou had hesitated, he presented his hand to Mirthal immediately. Mirthal took his hand, holding it as though it might shatter if handled roughly.

"I don't know how I'll be able to show my gratitude for this, Tracou. I wonder if I can legally give a dezmek a chunk of Elvish land..."

"I don't need anything. And save it for afterward—you can praise me once we're out of Dorssur or, better yet, Winlea."

Mirthal nodded and, after giving Tracou's hand a squeeze, let him go.

"I'll see you tomorrow night," Tracou said, grabbing his bag. The lumpy bottom showed that he hadn't given everything inside it to Mirthal.

"Come even if you don't have the keys, okay?"

"Okay. Wait for me."

"I will."

After a small, bright smile, Tracou left up the stairs, closing the door behind him. Without Tracou to keep it going, the bubble of light faded away, leaving Mirthal and Sakshi submerged in blind darkness once again.