CAGED (#3, of Crows and Thorns)

Chapter 62

Pushing into motion, Sage and I darted from the Crowthers' gallery and ran down shadowy hallways furnished in various eras, one with Tudor paneling, another with Corinthian columns bracing the ceiling. We slipped to hide behind Renaissance tapestries or shrank behind clusters of bushy shrubs growing in Egyptian urns when we heard distant sounds from nearby soldiers or servants until we reached the end of a narrow hallway that led to the main entrance of the barracks.

I peered stealthily around the corner.

It was right in the middle of a large vestibule, with nothing much inside but a few chairs and flooring battle-scarred from constant use. Several corridors, like this hallway, and a staircase leading from the inside of the Keep to the chamber. The barracks weren't long, narrow buildings in a typical mortal military fashion that housed a collection of guards or servants. The barracks were inside the Keep in an area I guessed had once been the Servants' Quarters.

A stomping of boots echoed inside the vestibule as several soldiers suddenly appeared from the barracks with nets cast over each of their shoulders. The nets crackled and spat with magic, a smoky glow radiating off knotted fibers. Their leader snapped out orders to his men as they disappeared quickly down the corridor directly across from the barrack's entrance.

There seemed to be only a single guard posted outside the barracks. She was young looking and nervously pacing the chamber cast in shadows with the feeble lighting fizzing in and out. Her fingers anxiously kneaded the hilt of the sword hanging at her hip, distracted by the noises floating down the opposite end of the chamber where a staircase spiraled down from the upper level. She had the green air of a cadet still in training. I almost rubbed my hands together with glee. Excellent.

I just needed to get past her to find my way into the barracks.

I had no idea what I was going to encounter when I got inside. I had no plan, only to hide best as I could while I scoured its belly for the armory. I had my fingers crossed that right now with the Brunnie about, the weapons hold would be left open for easy access for the soldiers.

I retreated from the hallway's corner, and cold stone met my knee when I crouched down to face Sage. His cool breath wisped against my cheeks as worry coiled around my bones. "Be safe. Don't let them catch you," I begged him.

He quietly huffed, tipping his chin up as if to say I'd offended him. His raspy tongue swiped my cheek. "Ew," I mouthed, stifling a laugh and scratching beneath his chin. "As soon as you lead her away, head straight to the tower, and don't come out." Angling my head toward the corner of the hallway junction, I rose to my feet and whispered, "Good luck, puppy."

Sage silently trotted back from where we'd come to give himself a run-up to gain speed.

I froze as an unexpected burst of voices jarred through the air. It sounded as if those yelling at one another were at the top of the spiral staircase.