Part 23 (2/2)
Williaar and James drew their swords ”We ets here, and while we're waiting, er the odds”
Williaar, then he, too, drew his sword
FOURTEEN - Murders
Jaar and Williaar walked forward in a crouch, sword out
William stood behind him, his two-handed blade at the ready A fearsoreed he should be the last into the room, lest his presence hinder his co a silent prayer to any Gods whoHe exhaled, stepped into the rooer at the closestan to pull out his sword
Treggar was past Ja even as James unsheathed his sword The captain was a brutally effective swordsman, without scruple when it came to combat Any dirty trick that would defeat an opponent was e that Jae and when the assassin's sword cas
James winced in sympathy as the man started to fold, but he appreciated the efficiency of the tactic Before the assassin could will hiuard up, the captain struck him on the side of the head with his sword hilt, and as the assassin went over backward, Treggar thrust home with the point
James quickly disposed of his opponent, and then Willia the four you killed in the stables,” said the young lieutenant
”That leaves a hundred and thirty-four or so,” said Jaer fros are still frantic around here, but soon they'll start finding corpses and then they'll start looking for us”
Captain Treggar said, ”So!”
”No time to hide the bodies,” said James ”That way!” He pointed down a side corridor They ran
They were h a series of cha in the wall-sconces In the third roole man who looked up with surprise He died before he realized these were ene stride as his sword lashed out
They reached a ”T” intersection, with torches visible off to the right, and darkness on the left ”This way,” said Ja to the left
They rushed into the dark corridor After a short run, the darkness forced them to a sloalk The sounds of pursuit followed them
”Put your hand on the left wall,” said Jaht If you hug the hen I tell you, you'll avoid it”
”How did you find it?” asked William
”The hard way” He didn't provide further details
Williaht foot didn't lad of the warning, as an updraft gave him the impression the hole was a deep one
They reached a series of sht have been cells or storage, but all the doors are ar
”Neither can I,” responded James, ”but in my former line of work it paid to re around in the dark Keep your hand to the walls”
”Where are we going?” asked William
”A place I think well be safe for a while”
Think?” asked Treggar
Jas, captain There are no rooftops and only a short run of abandoned sewer to hide in This is solid stone and brickwork, and we're fifty feet below ground Our choices of hiding places are limited”
They ht wall and put your hand on it Then follow me”
They did as he instructed, and continued on into the new corridor ”But I have found one place”
”What?” asked William ”A bolt-hole?”
”No,” said James ”We're here”
”Where?”
”I had a torch the last tih here Directly above us is a crack in the ceiling, a flaw in the stones of this place It looks big enough for us to hide up there for a short tio up and see,” said James ”Boost me up”
Williaht?” asked Jaht not Now boost me up, please”
William sheathed his sword, then reached out until he touched James on the shoulder ”Hands, or shoulders?”
”Kneel down, so I can step on your shoulders, then when I tell you, stand up”
”If you say so” William knelt