"Really? And Aquaking just lets it happen?" I asked, and she nodded.
"There is nothing they can do to stop it. The magical wards are too strong, and even if they tried to attack, their forces would be wiped out in minutes," Kyla said, and I shook my head in disbelief. This was a messed up world, indeed.
"Then what is the plan? We have to get into the city without being noticed," I said, and Kyla thought for a moment before snapping her fingers.
"I know! There is an underground sewer entrance to the city that hasn't been guarded in years. It wouldn't take but a few minutes to slip through there," She said, and I looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Really now? And why haven't you mentioned this before, considering that you just told me there was no way to get into the city?" I asked, and she blushed.
"Well, uh... I didn't think you would want to get your hands dirty," She admitted, and I narrowed my eyes.
"Tell me the truth," I said in a stony voice.
"I didn't want to tell you because if we get caught, they will know I let you in, and I will be killed," Kyla said and then slapped her hands over her mouth again.
"Much better. Stop lying to me, or I will just kill you now and be done with it. I was pretty sure that I had made myself clear before. If you are not going to be useful, then I will take my goddesses' advice and slit your throat. I am not in the mood to be toyed with, understand?" I said, and Kyla nodded quickly.
"Yes, I understand," She said in a voice barely above a whisper, and I nodded.
"Good. Then let's get moving; I want us to be in the city by nightfall."
The trip to the sewer took more than an hour, but this was mostly because we were forced to stay out of sight as we moved north around the city. as we got closer, I could smell salt water, and soon we came out of the forest on a tall cliff line that headed over to the city. Beyond was a sprawling ocean as far as I could see, and to the east was a harbor, but it was also walled in with a single entrance for boats to enter from the sea.
"Where are we going from here? I asked, and Kyla pointed at a very narrow path that led down the cliffside. "Good, get going."
"What?! You want me to go first?" she asked in a panic, and I nodded.
"Get moving," I growled, and she turned, clearly against her will, and proceeded to walk down the path without a care for how small it was.
I started to move after her, but she barely got five steps before her shoulder bumped the walk, and she was tipped out into the open air. I instinctively snapped my arm out and grabbed the back of her shirt before she could fall. I assumed she would scream, but she made no sound; in fact, she was still trying to walk in the air.
This had to do with collars, so I backed up and set her back down, telling her to stop and stand still.
"Are you alright?" I asked, and Kyla instantly burst into tears, making me growl.
"I am sorry! I couldn't stop myself!" She cried, and I sighed.
"Get on my back and guide me," I ordered, and she stopped crying, came over behind me, and climbed onto my back after I kneeled down.
"Once you are around the corner, you will see the entrance to the sewer..." Kyla said and then paused. "Why did you save me?"
"My own preservation. I have no clue where I am going, and I don't want to get melted down anytime soon," I said simply and started to make my way down the path along the cliff.
With Kyla on my back guiding me, I was able to make it down the path safely, and soon we came to a small circular entrance with a ladder leading down.
"We are here," I said as I put her down, then stepped in front of the entrance. "You first."
Kyla seemed to know that this was the end of her usefulness, but she didn't say anything as she started to climb down. I watched her descent with narrowed eyes until she disappeared into the darkness beneath us, then I followed after her.
It took us a while to make it through the dark and narrow tunnels of the sewer, but eventually, we made it to the other side, where we were greeted by the bright lights of Wendell's inner city. Kyla turned to me when we reached the top of the ladder, and it looked like she wanted to say something.
"Thank you," she said, and before I could respond, she tried to run off.
"Return to me, now," I said in a cold voice, and she froze, turned, and then returned to me with a terrified look on her face. "What am I going to do with you?"
"I just want to go back to my old life!" She cried, and I pulled her into an alley. Thankfully, this part of the city was rundown, and there was no one in sight, but I still didn't need any unwanted attention.
"And I just want to go back to being peacefully dead, but that clearly isn't happening anytime soon. There is clearly something wrong with me, or I would have run a blade over your throat in the sewer. Yet, I don't kill you, and what is the first thing you do? Try to run off? Fuck me. Is everyone going to be as stupid as you?" I growled in frustration, and Kyla quailed under my gaze.
"I-I'm sorry," She stuttered, and I let out a sigh.
"You are going to come with me. You know the area, so you can help us move around without being seen. If you run off or betray me again, I will be done forgiving you," I said, and she nodded quickly, her eyes wide in fear.
"Yes, of course!" She said, and I motioned for her to follow me as we made our way into the city proper.