Craksia's feet bled as she ran through the city, past all the houses and shops, through the outskirts and into the tunnels, finally reaching Beyond. She ran directly into the darkness, her mind only thinking of the many feet that ran behind her, relentlessly pursuing. Being caught at this point meant punishment, perhaps even death. And their feet wouldn't bleed.
Her short legs churned hard as she surged forward, her bright eyes seeing everything in the near blackness. Everything around her seemed to glow as she raced through the caves and tunnels, taking her turns and shortcuts without even thinking. She had grown up in these corridors and felt more at home here than she ever had at the Queens court in the city. Her large ears picked up sounds that most couldn't, her nose sniffing continuously to direct her even closer to her destination. As she ran her thoughts flooded her head, her fear and elation becoming one new emotion she had never felt before. What had she done? It was the end of her career for sure. And if the Delvers ever caught her it would definitely be the end of her life. And her families. And most of her friends.
She tried not to think on it as she ran, listening intently behind her for the tell-tale stamp and ring of the metal boots on stone. She felt confident she was far enough ahead of them and knew these caves better than they to be safe but the Sniffers would be out in droves and they could pick up her scent a mile through the thickest of stone walls. So she kept on running, her only hope to beat them there.
Finally, she came upon the house. It was nothing to look at from the outside. Sitting in the middle of the giant cavern it looked small, barely reaching two stories. The stone around it had been plowed and cut out, leaving large swaths where wet dirt and moss had been thrown. The lichen and mushrooms that grew everywhere cast their ghostly light up and around and the glow worms wriggled everywhere. Craksia felt the squelch of many of them on the path as her bare feet stamped a rhythm straight up to the door of the house. The lamp out front was lit and uncovered, inviting any visitors in. She barreled her way inside, shutting the door behind her with a bang.
"Fralson?! Are you here?"
The house was deadly silent. The entry hall was lined with tubs filled to the brim with dirt, the glow worms that lived and bred in them squirming all about. If she listened carefully she could hear them digging their holes but she had not the time for such things. She moved through the house quickly, calling the mans name over and over as she searched.
"Fralson, if you're here answer me! We don't have time for this!"
"Craksia, is that you?"
The gaunt man emerged from a side room and she almost ran into him. She pulled up short and breathed heavily. Fralson smiled at her, his head cocked to the side in a curious look. He held a bundle of stoneweed in each hand, the moisture dripping onto the floor.
"Hells bells girl, you look to be in a right mess. What's going on? Where are your shoes?"
"Must have lost them in the chase. Doesn't matter. They'll be here any moment. You have to help me."
"Help? From who? What's going on?"
"I need your Key."
Fralsons smile disappeared faster than a young suiters courage whose intended's father has just shown up. He breathed heavily, slowly setting the stoneweed down on a table nearby, not giving a thought to the precious wood.
"Tell me."
"I haven't time."
"You make the time."
Craksia could tell by his tone that he wasn't going to budge on this. She sighed and paused, finally reaching into her pocket and producing a small amulet. Fralsons eyes went wide and he marveled at the piece. The gold and silver plated amulet shone brightly in the dim lit house. Eight gemstones sat around the center, each a different color. They were attached by lines of light, binding each to the other in a strange magic, forming a star of sorts. They sat hovered in midair, set into the amulet yet not a part of it. Fralsons hand raised slowly of its own accord and stretched out to touch the piece. Craksia pulled back before he could make the mistake.
"Don't touch it."
He nodded but the gleam in his eyes said he would ignore all reason if he could have the chance to hold it. His eyes never left the priceless jewelry.
"How did you come by this?"
"How do you think? Is the Queen going to be angry?"
"Murderous."
His senses kicked back into gear and his eyes snapped to meet hers.
"She's going to send everything she has after you, her entire army. The Delvers, Kickers, Sniffers, Breakers."
Craksia nodded.
"I think I saw a few Maulers as well."
Fralson backed away from her quickly, shaking his head and shoving her back toward the doorway.
"No. I cannot be a part of this. You have to leave, now."
"Fralson, I need your Key. It's the only way."
He shook his head vehemently.
"They will rip this house down to the foundation just because you came here. If they even suspected I helped you in this..."
"But you must!"
"I must do no such thing! Now leave! I am not beholden to you!"
He shoved her out the doorway and went to slam the door behind her.
"And what of your promise?!"
That stopped him. The door sat open a crack as he trembled in the doorway, his hand set against the wood. His voice came in a soft squeak.
"That was so many years ago. He told you of that?"
Craksia nodded.
"My father promised me when this day came that you would uphold your end of the bargain, that you would help when destiny called your name. I am calling to you now, uncle, that you would remember the old days. The way things used to be. We can regain that time. But I need your help."
He sighed on the other side of the door, refusing to open it again.
"This will not come without costs. You must think of what you are giving up. What you are asking me to sacrifice."
"Think of what will be lost if we do nothing."
Fralson closed his eyes and a few tears fell into his face. Finally, he slowly drew the door back open.
"You ask much of me, dear niece. I hope you have thought this through."
He looked again to the necklace she held in her hand.
"Though it seems you already have."
He reached with his right hand to his left and grasped a ring, whose gemstone matched one of the ones in the necklace. He gently pulled it free and spat in his hand, polishing it of the dirt and grime. He stared at it wistfully for a moment, before finally handing to Craksia. She bowed her head in thanks and set it on one of her own fingers, next to its brother. She slung the necklace over her head and the medallion hung in between her tiny breasts. She looked up into Fralsons eyes.
"Thank you. The fate of the land is one step closer to freedom."
He nodded sadly. He took one last breath and steeled himself, raising his eyes to look out across his property.
"You must go. I can feel their footsteps even now. They will be here soon."
Craksia stepped forward and put her arms around the frail man, hugging him tightly. He stood still for a moment before finally returning the embrace.
"Leave now. I can assure your escape for the moment but not for long. Hide quickly and surely. Perhaps they will not find you for many days."
"I won't be found. They can't follow where I'm going."
His eyes grew wide and his face was full of fear.
"You're going to the Surface?!"
"It's the only way uncle. Did you think I stole the necklace out of spite alone?"
He shook his head and went to shut the door again.
"Your journey is even more dangerous than I imagined. Go, now, before it's too late. You've already killed me with your presence."
"A sin I will pay for in the next life."
The door shut with a bang and a finality that sent tremors all throughout her body but she hadn't a moment to lose. Craksia ran out into the yard and stood in the middle of the gardens, taking hold of the necklace with both hands. The rings on her hand glowed fiercely as she channeled the magic that rose up from the ground. At the last instant, before she disappeared fully, she saw the Queens solders race into the gardens from all side, trampling with their metal boots without a thought. It grieved her so to leave him to his fate but Fralson knew this day would come. He would leave honorably.
Craksia vanished in a cloud of smoke that spun up into the air and twisted like a cyclone before dissipating into nothing.
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The room was dark as Craksia stole across the soft surface, her bare feet making not a sound. The blood had dried and she ignored the trails of flecks as they peppered the floor. The strange room was full of all sorts of alien items, toys and books, machines and inventions that made no sense to her. But her mission lay before her, lying in the bed, breathing steadily in the deep slumber. The boy had no idea she was there. The sky outside was dark, yet even in the pitch of night the light streaming in from the moon and stars was as lamplight to her, streaming across the room brightly. She squinted as she made her way ever closer, hand going to her chest to grab the necklace.
She held it out slowly as the gems activated and began to glow, casting even more light around the room. She began to chant softly in the language of the Elders, the words her father taught her from birth etched into her memory. She drew from her incantation, giving it life and power as the light grew steadily stronger. There was a cry from the other room. She was not alone.
The boys eyes opened sleepily as the light grew bright as day and her voice rose to the climax of the chant. His face wakened suddenly, sitting up in shock and fear. She finished her words and silently apologized to him in her heart as the light wrapped around the both of them and they disappeared in the blink of an eye, stealing the Prince from his bed.