Torrack sat in the dimly lit cell, his back pressed against the cold stone wall. Kaelith was beside him, pacing back and forth with the same anxiety that gnawed at him. It had been over a day since they had been thrown into this cell, and their captors had provided no answers. Torrack's thoughts, once clear and purposeful, were becoming increasingly clouded by the overwhelming desire to escape. His mission to find the dragon and restore his sight was slipping further from his grasp with every hour he remained imprisoned.
The connection with Lyra, the mysterious force that had always felt so present in his mind, was now a mere flicker at the back of his consciousness. Torrack could still feel her, but it was as if she was retreating, becoming more distant with every passing moment. He had no idea what was causing it, but the absence of her full presence left a gaping void in his mind.
Kaelith, meanwhile, was not one to remain idle. She had been using her magic to summon a small bat that now fluttered restlessly near the barred window of their cell. It was a modest creature, tiny and unassuming, but it was their only means of reaching beyond the prison walls. Kaelith had no immediate plan on how to use it, but the sense of urgency gnawed at them both.
Torrack clenched his fists, his frustration rising. "We can't stay here any longer," he muttered, his voice low but laced with intensity. "I need to get out of here. We need to move forward with our mission, or we'll lose everything."
Kaelith nodded, her sharp eyes scanning the cell. "I agree. But we can't just break out. They're watching us."
Just as the weight of the situation seemed too much, the sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway. The same guard who had spoken to them earlier, the one who had seemed more sympathetic, reappeared at the cell door. He looked around cautiously before speaking in a hushed tone.
"They're drunk upstairs. I managed to get the other two guards to drink themselves unconscious. They won't be waking up for hours," he said, his eyes darting nervously between Torrack and Kaelith. "This is your chance. You need to leave—now. But you have to blend in if you want to escape this city."
Torrack rose to his feet, his body tensing with anticipation. "Why are you helping us?" he asked, suspicion creeping into his voice.
The guard hesitated for a moment before sighing. "Because I know what's really going on here. I've heard the whispers, the meetings in the shadows. The city has been taken over by the revolution. The seven dukes are behind it. Duke Dorian Umbravane—he's leading them. If I can get word to the capital, maybe the King can put a stop to this before it spreads any further."
Kaelith's eyes narrowed. "Seven dukes? That's a powerful force. Do you have proof?"
The guard nodded. "Not much, but I know they're meeting right now. All seven of them are here, plotting something big. If you can escape and send word to the King, maybe he can stop this before it's too late."
Torrack's mind raced. The seven houses were formidable, and if they had joined forces, it meant a full-scale rebellion was in motion. He needed to get this information to the King, but he was stuck in a cage with no way to contact anyone. Then, his eyes landed on the small bat that Kaelith had summoned.
"Wait," Torrack said, a plan forming in his mind. "We can send a message through the bat. It's small, it can fly out undetected, and it can reach the King faster than we can."
Kaelith's eyes lit up with realization. "Yes, we can attach the message to it, and I can give it instructions to go straight to the King."
The guard looked skeptical. "A bat? How will you make sure it gets to the King?"
Kaelith's lips curled into a smirk. "You underestimate my magic. This isn't just any bat. It's linked to me. I can guide it where it needs to go."
Without wasting any more time, Torrack grabbed a piece of parchment and hastily began to write down everything the guard had told them. He detailed the presence of the seven dukes, the revolution's progress, and their plans to overthrow the King. As a final touch, he took the token given to him by the King—a symbol of royal favor—and wrapped it with the message.
"This token will prove to the King that the message is legitimate," Torrack said, handing the parchment and the token to Kaelith.
Kaelith took the small bundle, rolling it up carefully and securing it to the bat's leg. She whispered a few words, her magic flowing through her fingertips as she spoke. The bat seemed to understand, its tiny body twitching with energy as it took to the air.
"Go," Kaelith whispered, her eyes glowing softly. "Find the King."
The bat flapped its wings and soared out through the barred window, disappearing into the night sky. Now all they could do was hope that it reached its destination in time.
"We have to get out of here," Torrack said, turning to the guard. "Where can we go that won't raise suspicion?"
The guard motioned for them to follow him. "There's a supply room nearby. You'll find some civilian clothes there. Dress like the locals, and you should be able to blend in with the crowd. Once you're out, head to the northern gate. It's the least guarded exit."
Torrack and Kaelith moved swiftly, following the guard down a series of dark, winding corridors. The prison was eerily quiet, with only the sound of their footsteps echoing through the stone walls. When they reached the supply room, the guard opened the door and ushered them inside.
"Change quickly," he urged. "I'll keep watch."
Torrack rummaged through the piles of old, tattered clothing, finding a simple tunic and trousers that looked worn enough to pass for a local's attire. Kaelith did the same, slipping into a plain dress that concealed her more elaborate mage's robes underneath.
Once they were dressed, the guard gave them a final nod. "This is as far as I can take you. Good luck."
Torrack clasped the guard's hand. "Thank you. You've done more than you know."
With that, the two of them slipped out of the prison and into the narrow, winding streets of Dunfir. The city was alive with activity, but the tension was palpable. Guards patrolled the streets in greater numbers than Torrack had seen before, and the mood of the people was somber.
"Stay close," Torrack whispered to Kaelith as they navigated the labyrinth of alleys and side streets. "We need to avoid drawing attention."
Kaelith nodded, her eyes scanning the area for any sign of danger. They passed groups of locals going about their business, but every now and then, Torrack could sense the unease in their movements—the quiet fear of living under occupation.
As they neared the northern gate, Torrack's heart began to race. They were almost free. Almost out of the city. But just as they rounded the final corner, they spotted a group of guards standing near the gate, checking every person who passed through.
Torrack cursed under his breath. "We can't go through there."
Kaelith furrowed her brow. "What do we do? We can't wait—they'll notice us if we linger."
Torrack thought quickly. "We'll need to create a distraction. Something that'll draw their attention away from the gate."
Kaelith's eyes gleamed with a mischievous glint. "Leave that to me."
With a flick of her wrist, she whispered a few words under her breath, and suddenly, a cart filled with barrels at the far end of the street exploded into a shower of splintered wood and fire. The guards' heads snapped toward the commotion, shouting orders as they rushed to contain the chaos.
"Now!" Kaelith hissed.
They slipped past the distracted guards, ducking through the gate and into the open countryside beyond. The cool night air hit them like a wave of relief as they sprinted away from the city, leaving Dunfir behind.
Once they were far enough from the city walls, Torrack slowed his pace, glancing back to ensure they weren't being followed.
"We made it," he breathed, his chest heaving.
Kaelith gave him a triumphant smile. "For now, at least. But we have a long road ahead."
Torrack nodded, his resolve hardening. They had escaped Dunfir, but the real battle was still ahead. The revolution was growing stronger by the day, and their mission to reach the dragon was more urgent than ever.
With the message on its way to the King, and their path now clear, Torrack and Kaelith set off once more—toward the unknown, toward their destiny.