CHAPTER 19
Rondel's heart raced with fear and excitement. The opening to the altar chamber stood open just ahead, urging him forward despite his fatigue.
He slowed before entering, sword raised. Remnants of the ceremony they had witnessed earlier lay on the gruesome altar at the center of the chamber. The smell of cooked human flesh still hung in the air.
A clash of swords followed by a sudden gasp drew his attention to the far side. There, three young girls in blood-spattered white robes stood beside a large figure dressed in black and gray garb. Despite the disguise, he recognized Andrasta right away from the way she withdrew her sword from a slain man's midsection with a yank and twist. Three other followers of Sutek lay dead at their feet.
He was surprised to be so relieved to see her again. Thoughts of her fighting alone through the maze of underground tunnels had bothered him. Though they had only known each other for a short time, the strange woman had become the closest thing he had to a friend.
Andrasta caught sight of him and the others. She gave a hint of a smile. Rondel couldn't tell whether it was a greeting or a sign of approval. She hurried over with the other three girls in tow, each of which carried blood-slick swords.
It would be like her to find the most vicious of the fighters.
"The girls told me your plans." Andrasta looked to Dendera. "And your idea with the rocks. I'm impressed by both."
Rondel's chest swelled with pride. Compliments weren't something Andrasta easily gave.
"Is this all who made it out?" asked Oni.
The princess stared at the three girls with Andrasta. She wore a look heavy with sorrow. Including the two girls Rondel had picked up along the way, only five of the young women had made it besides Oni and Dendera. A part of him understood Oni's distress. However, another part of him was glad that any had made it through the chaos.
No one answered Oni's question.
Rondel pointed toward one of several openings that fed into the altar chamber. "The girls said the exit outside is that way."
They only made it halfway across the chamber when pounding boots sounded from their destination. Two dozen guards bearing fresh wounds from recent fighting emerged with Menetnashte and his bodyguard, Nizam, following.
Crap.
"Is there another way?" hissed Andrasta.
"None that we can get to from here." His eyes flicked to the opening to another tunnel. "Well, except the way we came in."
"We all won't make it through The Blood Forest this time."
Rondel stepped back, tapping his chest where he kept the remaining clay containers he had stolen in pouches. "We're better prepared if it comes down to us taking that chance."
Andrasta didn't ask what he meant by that.
"I can take out most of them," offered Jahi.
"Menetnashte is a sorcerer," said Andrasta.
Rondel tensed. "That changes things." He slipped one of the clay containers into his free hand, doing his best to conceal the movement.
His palm enveloped the container, the smallest of those he had grabbed.
Hopefully, it's enough.
"Get a little fire ready," Rondel whispered to Jahi.
"The disguises do not fool me," Menetnashte boomed. "Put your weapons down and your deaths will be quick."
