She waved him off, unable to talk about her failure just yet. “Well now that you know what we’re doing, kindly watch our backs to ensure no one follows.”
He swiped a hand over his scars and shook his head. “I can’t let you go after the emperor on your own. I’m going with you, Ellie.”
“I have Isara and Alluin. I’m not alone.”
“A sparrow and an elf,” Celen scoffed.
Still hiding in the dark against a wall, Isara made no move to defend herself.
“That sparrow can block your magic with a thought,” Elmerah said. “If I have to face Egrin with anyone, it would be her.” At a harumph behind her, she added, “And Alluin.”
Celen crossed his arms, affixing her with a steely glare.
She sucked her teeth. “I’m not going to be able to get rid of you, am I?”
He shook his head.
“Fine, then at least help us procure four horses.”
Celen grinned. “Not an issue, my people are on stable duty tonight.”
“They cannot know where we’re going,” Alluin cut in. “They should not even see us leave.”
“They won’t see you,” Celen said smugly. “They’ll only see me, and nobody cares where I go.”
Isara cleared her throat, a small meek sound in the shadows, her face visible by the slight reflection of moonlight on her round spectacles. “What about the guards at the gates?” she whispered.
“Always Faerune elves,” Celen sighed. “No one else is trusted. I’ll have to leave that part of the escape to you, Ellie. Leave the horses to me.”
Already deep in thought, Elmerah stroked the hilt of her cutlass. She’d half-expected to be thwarted at the stables, now they were one step farther along than she expected to be at this point. “Just get the horses,” she decided. “Meet us behind the old smithy.”
With a nod that acknowledged her and completely ignored Alluin, he hurried away.
Alluin stepped up to her side. “What do you plan?”
“A distraction. I’ll need you atop the guard tower to man the pulley when the time comes.”
“Why me?” Alluin groaned.
She grinned. “The elves like you better. We only need the gate open enough to slip the horses out. You’ll be fine.”
“And what about me?” Isara asked, finally out of the shadows.
She turned toward her. “You and Celen will lead the horses, as I’ll be a bit distracted, now let’s go.”
She led the way back into the shadows of the nearest building, then peered not toward the stables, but the distant gates. She trusted Celen to lead the horses there discreetly. So all she need do is be ready when he arrived.
Alluin
Alluin wasn’t sure how Elmerah had convinced him to climb the ladder up to the guard tower, where three elves stood ready to man the gates below. There were more elves stationed further down in either direction on other guard towers, and on newly erected walkways bordering the massive cracked crystals.
The three Faerune elves who turned reflective eyes to him as he ascended the ladder were all young, blond, and stony-faced. They’d likely heard him the moment he set foot on the ladder, and would have peered down to see who approached. He was a bit surprised they’d allowed him to make it to the top.
“What are you doing here?” one asked, his hand hovering near the shortsword at his belt.
Alluin finished his ascent, placing his feet on the solid floorboards within a secure railing. His fingers itched for his bow, but he’d left it with Elmerah. He didn’t need to give these elves any more reasons to view him as a threat.
He leaned casually against a beam supporting the guard tower roof. The wheel and pulley to open the gates was just to his left, he’d only need to give the wheel a few turns to open the gates a crack. Back up pulleys were on other towers, but he’d seen this one manned when they returned from Skaristead.
“I am unable to sleep after what happened last night,” his words were a bit too true for comfort, “have there been any sightings of more spiders?” He knew word had spread of the event, and all would be on the lookout for demons. Even those who didn’t believe demons existed.
Two of the young guards seemed uneasy, but the third maintained his annoyed expression, his hand now firmly resting on his sword hilt. “No one is allowed up here except the guard. You can request a report from the High Council in the morning.”
Ignoring the young elf’s words, Alluin stretched his arms over his head, maintaining a loose, unworried posture—though what he really wanted to do was pop this blustering elf in the nose. “Oh come now, we are all allies here.” What in Felan’s name was Elmerah waiting for?
Just as soon as he thought it, a nearby guard tower burst into flame, suddenly blinding in the dark of night. The three elves standing around him turned, shouting as the silhouettes of more guardsmen could be seen leaping down onto the adjacent walkway.
“What in Arcale’s name is going on!” the most vocal of Alluin’s adversaries hissed. “Go see what started the fire,” he said to the other two.
The two elves hurried toward the ladder, descending one after the other. Alluin had hoped all three would go. But it seemed he was out of luck.
The third guardsman narrowed his reflective eyes at Alluin. “Is this your doing? Why are you really up here? I’m taking you into custody.”
The elf made a grab for him.
Alluin darted aside into a crouch, easily evading him. This elf was young and obviously inexperienced. He’d probably been promoted after over half the guard betrayed Faerune and fled.
The young elf drew his sword and whirled on Alluin, who was already coming up from his crouch with his palm poised outward. He drove it up into the young elf’s nose, breaking it. The elf doubled over, holding his nose.
Alluin rushed to the wheel and gave three hard turns, the system of pulleys making the repaired gate light enough for anyone to open it. Another guard tower erupted in flames and he cursed. So much for escaping unnoticed.
At least he could place most of the blame on Elmerah. He hadn’t expected her to light an entire guard tower on fire.
He turned back to the young guardsman, now standing upright with blood streaming from his nose and into the crevices of his mouth.
Alluin grinned, gave him a wave, then hopped over the railing, falling straight down onto a walkway below. He tucked into a roll to absorb the impact, then came up running to shouts of “Traitor!” which grated on him, but there was no going back now. He ran along the walkway, soon reaching a massive crystal with its pointed tip sheared off. He hopped onto the slick surface, then half-ran half-slid to the outer edge.
A quick glance down showed a sheer drop, the surprise reeling him backward. He’d misjudged how far below the earth would be. He’d not survive a jump. Steadying himself, he glanced over his shoulder, spotting a bevy of guards approaching with bows raised.
He turned, raising his hands in surrender, then nearly lost his footing as the earth rumbled below the crystal. He looked over his shoulder and down. The earth near the base of the crystal rippled and shook in waves like water, rising up toward him.
Not questioning the sudden turn of events. He gave the guards a militia salute, then leapt.