Ebudae (33 page)

Aphry pulled her arms out of the bars while
Pelya unlocked the door to the cage. The once graceful dancer
stumbled into the horrified young woman. “They’re going to torture
you next. You’ll never stop screaming.”

“I don’t see any clothes we can use here,
Pelya. She’ll just have to go like that. We need to leave now.”
Frath put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “Bring her with us
and we’ll try to get her some help.”

“You have accomplished your rescue then?”
Zaan asked.

“We have the evidence we need and I think
we’ve rescued everyone we can. Pelya?” Frath asked.

She looked around and realized that Aphry
was the only one of the Carnies who had survived. There was no one
else in the cage. With tears in her eyes, she nodded.

“Alright then. Chin up. Let’s get everyone
out of here.” Frath squeezed her shoulder again.

“Yes, Daddy,” Pelya said weakly.

“I am casting a ward on the next set of
stairs that will be difficult to break through,” Zaan said. “Then I
will ask that you allow me to go before you release the other
humans so that I may assist my people.”

“Agreed.” Frath held out a hand to Zaan.

The Rojuun stared at it for a moment and
then shook it with one of his lower hands. He walked to the
stairway and cast the ward. It took a couple of minutes during
which time Erma found barely usable pants and simple shoes with
holes in them. They helped Aphry into them. The fit was terrible,
but it was better than nothing.

“It is done,” Zaan informed them as he came
back. “May you find your way safely, humans.” He ducked through the
doorway and down the stairs.

Back in the room where the human prisoners
were, Frath opened the iron door. “Get back from the gate if you
want me to let you out!” he bellowed at the prisoners. They did so
reluctantly. “We’re going to get you out, but the path is
dangerous. Also, there are unconscious guards along the way.” He
put his hands on hips and stared them down. “You will not harm them
regardless of what they might have done to you. If you do, I will
kill you and there isn’t anyone here capable of taking me on.”

The words cowed the prisoners. The man who
had spoken before pleaded with Frath. “Just get us out of here.
Please, I beg of you.”

It was enough for Frath. He opened the gate
and stood aside. “Keep going down stairs and harm no one.” He
grabbed the slave that had spoken. “You’re doing well. Help those
that aren’t.” The man looked at Frath desperately, but did as
ordered. Frath spoke loudly. “That goes for all of you. Help those
who are weaker. We get out together.”

Erma led them out of the room and down the
stairs. Under Frath’s intense gaze, all but five were gathered.
“Those ones be dead,” a short, bearded man with a heavy accent
claimed as he limped out with another man who looked to be his
brother.

Frath shook his head in despair. “I just
don’t understand people. It doesn’t make sense.” Pelya didn’t say
anything, but she agreed with her father wholeheartedly. Frath took
a deep breath and stood tall. “Let’s go then.” He led the last few
down while Pelya followed with Aphry. The dancer’s eyes were blank
and she did whatever she was told.

They were soon outside of the building. Many
of the slaves had grabbed torches or lanterns to stave off the dark
gloom. Frath walked forward to Erma. “Where can we take them? I
don’t know this area as well as you.”

“The temple of Turqua can be reached easiest
from here. The Goddess Turqua cannot bear children, so she nurtures
those without homes,” Erma said, pointing to the right in the
opposite direction of where the Rojuun had traveled.

“Is the path dangerous?” Frath asked.

“Of course. We are in the Forsaken
City.”

Frath wiped his face with a hand. “Of
course. Silly of me.” He turned to Pelya. “You’ll have to hand her
to someone else to help. I need your sword, Daughter. I’m
sorry.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry for, Daddy.”
Pelya handed Aphry over to a slave woman who came over and put
Aphry’s arm over her shoulders.

“Erma, you and Pelya lead the group. I’ll
keep an eye on the rear and flanks,” Frath suggested.

“I can take one flank and keep an eye on the
front, Daddy.” Pelya stood as straight as she could. “I prefer the
right flank. It’s easiest for me.”

Her father studied her for a moment before
nodding. “Very well.” Then he squeezed her in a bear hug. “You be
careful.”

“I will.” She drew her sword and took her
place on the right side of the group, near the front. Erma gestured
for the group to follow and led the way forward. Pelya looked back
at the building that rose to the ceiling and the city above. A
shiver ran through her body.

Chapter
22

The Goddess Turqua was one of the Van Gods
and had eight temples dedicated to her within the city of Dralin.
The one Erma led them to was built above a Temple of Turqua that
had existed when the Forsaken City had been in its prime. The two
temples connected to each other and the Priests of Turqua used both
to help those who needed it.

Magical wards of protection surrounded the
lower temple for a thousand feet in every direction. It had been a
relief to reach it and see the magical lanterns illuminating the
area. Pelya, Frath and Erma had fought off a few beasts during the
journey, but nothing too deadly. It had been a long day though and
they were grateful to turn the slaves over to helpful priests.

Pelya was sitting in a sparsely decorated
room of the upper temple with Aphry next to her while Frath was
talking to some of the archpriests about the circumstances that led
them there. The slaves would be cared for and given new lives.
Turqua’s followers had an infrastructure for moving people that was
more extensive than any slaver’s.

Erma had taken her leave just before they
reached the wards, hugging Frath and Pelya. The disturbed woman was
very odd, but Pelya liked her.

“Are you ready to go?” Frath asked. He had
come in while Pelya was lost in thought.

“Oh, yes. I’m ready.” Pelya stood, but Aphry
caught her hand. There was a look of despair in the woman’s
eyes.

“We have to leave her here,” Frath told
Pelya gently.

There was something wrong with the decision
that Pelya couldn’t quite figure out, but she was determined to go
with her instincts. “I want to take her to the Temple of Reanna,
Daddy. I think it’s very important, even though I don’t understand
why.”

He thought about it for a moment and then
nodded. “Alright. One of the archpriests offered a carriage for us
to use.”

“That was nice of him. I put a couple of
gold pieces in the donation bin, but I have a couple more I can put
in.” Pelya reached for the pouch she had made sure to bring.

“He saw you put in the first gold pieces,
which is probably why he offered the carriage.” Frath winked at
her.

“Oh. I didn’t mean for anyone to see . .
.”

Frath drew her into a hug and held her for a
minute. “I know. That’s one of the many reasons you’re so
wonderful.”

She held onto her father, very happy that he
was proud of her. The remaining angst she had felt over the years
and the belief that her father must hate her finally disappeared.
“I’m sorry I’ve been so angry.”

He took her by the arms and met her eyes.
“I’m sorry I haven’t noticed. Sometimes I get so involved in my own
thoughts that I don’t always pay attention like I should.”

“It’s alright, Daddy. I know you’re busy a
lot and that you need time to yourself to think. You’ve been the
best father ever.” Pelya returned his gaze intently, wanting to
make certain he knew how sincere her words were. “It’s hard to
raise a child in Dralin and you’ve given me everything, including
the biggest family any child has ever had by bringing me up in the
Guard. I will always love and admire you more than anyone in the
world.”

They hugged again. It was difficult for
Pelya considering Aphry was still holding onto her hand. “Your
carriage is ready,” a young woman’s voice said from the
doorway.

Frath grabbed the packs with the logbooks
while Pelya helped Aphry stand. They followed the acolyte through a
series of hallways to a large courtyard. The sun was touching the
horizon and its rays cast a golden light on the city. Pelya loved
sunset in Dralin. It gave the city a false sense of glory and
hope.

Acolytes and volunteers cared for a number
of carriages, many donated by the wealthy after they purchased new
ones. The Temple put their own insignia on them, but little more.
The one the acolyte led them to was gaudy purple and rickety.

The ride was silent and it took more than an
hour to reach the Temple of Reanna. The sun had set and only a dim
glow remained in the western sky. City lights prevented true
darkness from reigning and lanterns placed throughout the large
temple, its courtyards and gardens kept it bright.

Pelya looked out the carriage window at the
beautiful architecture of the building and the sun symbols
everywhere. A central, domed tower had a tall spire with a sun atop
it. Six other domes were atop towers in a circle around it and each
of them had the sun spires as well.

They stopped in the same courtyard where Sir
Imbra had taken her and Ebudae to his carriage a few days ago. It
seemed like a lifetime ago by that point, so much had happened
since. An acolyte of Reanna opened the door for them and Pelya
helped Aphry out.

“Frath and Pelya Jornin, to what do we owe
this pleasure?” the booming voice of Sir Imbra called out. The
knight was coming down the main steps of the temple two at a time.
He wore high quality, but understated clothes instead of the suit
of armor.

“Hello, Sir Imbra,” Pelya replied. “I was
hoping to get some assistance for my friend. I have money to
donate.”

“But of course!” He reached them and clasped
shoulders with Frath in a gesture of respect and friendship. Then
he put a hand on Pelya’s shoulder. “What can we do for your friend
today?” He took a better look at Aphry. “She doesn’t look
well.”

The words rushed out of Pelya’s mouth. “This
is my friend Aphry. She was with me when we saved those people in
the warehouse, but Master Blavoci’s men imprisoned her and the rest
of her troupe. She’s been tortured and needs help. Her husband,
brother and all her friends are dead now and I’m afraid that
Blavoci’s men might try to come after her again.”

“I see. Come inside and we’ll see what we
can do to help.” He put a hand on her back and led them all up the
stairs and inside the building. They walked down a long hall with
rich marble columns and floors. Detailed statues were placed
between columns on either side. “So you rescued another person.
Knowing you, young Pelya, there were probably more slaves freed as
well.”

Pelya blushed and looked down while her
father chuckled and said, “Eighteen.” Frath didn’t mention the
Rojuun.

Imbra burst into laughter, staggered a few
steps to a nearby column and began smacking it with his palm. “You
. . . you really did save more!” He gasped for breath and continued
laughing. “I was just . . . just joking! How positively
wonderful.”

Frath joined in the laughter while a pair of
acolytes walked by with amused looks on their faces. Pelya looked
down at her feet and tried to control the blush that was heating
her face.

Sir Imbra gained control and came back over
to put a hand on her back. “You truly are a brave and noble soul,
Pelya Jornin, a rare beacon of light in a city that desperately
needs such.”

“Hear, hear. I couldn’t agree more,” Frath
replied.

“And you, Frath Jornin. Had you not so
firmly vowed to raise your daughter, this city would be without
that beacon.” Imbra looked Frath up and down. “I have kept my ears
open and know of the quiet ways
you
help the people of this
city as well. There is no doubt in my mind that you had something
to do with this particular rescue as well.”

Frath didn’t respond to that, but his
expression became somber. Pelya knew her father didn’t like
compliments and didn’t think so highly of himself.

“Come, I’ll not embarrass you further. That
was not my intention.” He guided Pelya forward again with Aphry
hanging onto her other arm. “We shall take her to Healer Fusia.
She’ll know what to do.”

Pelya said nothing as they turned right down
another marbled hall that traveled in a great circle through all
the outer towers. At the second tower, Imbra escorted them into a
large room with three dozen beds. Less than half had patients in
them. More rooms surrounded that, each having four sets of bunk
beds for the sick.

“Healer Fusia,” Imbra called out to a short,
older woman who was instructing acolytes in the care of a patient.
He was wise enough to keep his voice down.

She turned at his words. “Sir Imbra. Is
there a reason you’re disturbing my patients?”

“It is one of my greatest joys in life. You
should know that by now.” He grinned mischievously.

Healer Fusia put fists on her hips and
glared at him, but only for a moment before laughing lightly. “You
are a terrible person, no matter how brightly Reanna’s divine light
may shine on you.” She came over to the group. “What do we have
here? This woman looks to have been tortured.” Fusia gestured up
and down the length of Aphry.

Pelya answered, “She was, Your Holiness. She
was falsely imprisoned and tortured. To make matters worse, her
husband and brother were killed as were friends.” Pelya took a deep
breath. “Her life will be in danger from the men that harmed her.
They may want to make an example since she escaped.

“And why have you brought her to this
temple?” Healer Fusia stepped forward and ran a hand down Aphry’s
face. The tortured woman made no move to resist.