? The Path of Fire (Path of Light and Fire Book #1)(Completed) ?

Chapter 13.1: Escape from Castle Acadia

"That's the problem," Sakima said. "The imposter has fooled everyone. They believe me mad. Even my sister."

Turrent clutched his side. "We need to go now. Talk later."

Leena pointed to the fur-lined assassin on the floor. "What do we do with him?"

'These things tend to disappear," Sakima said. "If I had to guess, the deaths will be placed on him and some guard will be rewarded for defeating him."

"That's at least half true."

Turrent removed a couple of daggers from Inu's dead body. He tossed Leena a dagger and she caught it, giving him a salute.

"Let's go." Sabin ordered.

Sakima made to speak but held his tongue instead, eyes burning into Sabin before continuing out of the cell with the king.

They made their way out of the dungeon, Sakima handing off his father to Sabin so that he could direct the group, with Turrent taking up the rear.

"Where are we going?" Sabin asked.

"Given all that's happened, I think we should take another route," Sakima said.

Pushing aside a false wall, they entered a tunnel which ended behind some kitchen shelving. The kitchen itself was unoccupied and they snaked around the central counter, and continued into a door-less entryway. Alaina formed a small ball of light in her palm, causing Sakima to halt the procession and turn on the group.

"Thank you, my lady," Sakima whispered.

"This tunnel should lead us close to the docks, where the servants bring in food and cooking supplies while staying out of the view of important people. We should be able to skirt the edges of town and escape."

"What about our horses," Turrent said to Sakima.

"Your horse will likely be in our stables."

"And Ares and Lake are still being held at the White Horse Inn," Sabin added. "We get them, mount up and go to Juxe immediately. We can spring whatever trap they have planned. Afterwards we must make haste to Feral."

"What's in Rianna?" Sakima asked. He navigated them out of the tunnel and into view of the docks. "Also, I never agreed to this Serien nonsense."

"He's the Covica Serien?" Leena asked.

Sabin nodded.

"Outstanding."

"Hush," Sakima hissed. "Let's focus on getting out first. This is the last tunnel."

Sakima halted at the exit. "Lieutenant Cecil?"

"I was given orders to watch this tunnel by General Blade. Someone sprung a high value captive.

Six soldiers stood behind him and Sabin guessed they were using a basic fan formation. That would mean two archers were posted at either side of the doorway to prevent flight.

"Hidenka, why do you use the servant's entrance?" Cecil asked. "A secret rendezvous perhaps? I won't tell."

The KoHeika coughed and Cecil glanced into the tunnel.

"That's the prisoner! Return him to us."

Sakima's hand gripped his hilt. "No."

"We do not have time for another of your episodes! I will take him by force if I have to."

Sabin motioned to the left and right to Kianna and Alaina. Their eyes closed, before they opened and looked at each other. Kianna turned to Sabin and nodded her head.

Those archers were the real headache.

That left seven soldiers between Sakima, Turrent, Sabin and Leena. Sabin smiled. He liked those odds.

Sakima fumed. "Soldier, this is your true king! Why can you not see that?"

Sabin eased the king to the wall. The man propped and nodded."

"This is an imposter!" Cecil drew his nodachi. "I can't let him escape. The peace of Acadia is paramount."

"You won't have him without a fight," Sakima said.

"Is this a way to regain your status as heir from your sister?"

Sakima drew his katana. "Stand down! You are a treasured soldier and I wish no bloodshed."

"Like the blood of those you shed to free this monster?" Cecil rushed forward and attacked.

Their blades met and the impact reverberated in the air. The nearby soldiers took up battle positions in anticipation of covering fire, swords sliding from their sheaths. When no arrows came, they continued to fan, expecting their superior numbers to win the day.

"Spell or no, you attacked a prince of the royal blood. I cannot let this stand."