The Silken Key

Chapter 23

Tabitha's mouth popped open but she did not say anything. She tilted her head and stared at Tomba.

"Don't you remember?" Tomba asked desperately. "We grew up together in the village near Alresbay. You took us to that cave. We left you there, but...when they went looking, the cave had disappeared."

Detlef felt a renewed recollection of the pain on the faces of those halflings that night they'd gone to look for Tabitha. That it was still fresh in this halfling's memory even after years of captivity was astonishing.

"You were from the halfling Village?" Detlef asked gently. "You were one of those taken by the Krespani pirates all those years ago?"

"Aye, one of so many taken," Tomba nodded. "Why are you all here?"

"We are here because of the voice," Tabitha answered. Her tone was stark and cold. "The voice you and the others never believed I was hearing. The voice I left to listen to. Finally, you'll all see I was right!"

Tomba shook his head, confused and overwhelmed. "What about us? Are you going to set us free?"

"Of course we are," Rudiger chimed in. "We're here to defeat the necromancer. That's right, Tabitha, yes? Once we've defeated him we can set your friend free."

Tabitha thinned her lips and glared uncomfortably at the gnome. "I am here to make contact with my patron. Nothing more."

"Have a heart, Tabitha," Detlef said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "These are the people who tried looking for you when you went missing. People who cared about you. I will help you fulfil your quest, but that doesn't mean you can't help them along the way."

Something in Tabitha's expression eased like an anger had started to drain out of her. "You will all be leaving here afterwards anyway. The captives can go with you."

"What do you mean?" Rudiger asked with alarm. "Won't you be coming back with us?"

"Not if I succeed at what I intend," Tabitha said. "I'm going to the realm beyond to meet my patron."

"Going away again?" Tomba asked weakly. "Then I'd best tell the others. By the gods...I should tell...oh! My goodness! I have to-"

There was a loud clunking from somewhere up above. Everyone went silent and looked up at the door atop the stairs. Several people were definitely moving around up there.

"That will have to wait," Detlef hissed quietly. "Tomba, how many guards are in the floors above us?"

"Not many," Tomba whispered. "Sometimes more come with new slaves, but usually it's just a small number to watch over us."

"Fine," Detlef looked up at the door. The threshold in front of it was not wide, but there was a space where small people might crouch down next to it. "Rudiger, grab some rope."

"Can do," the gnome said, saluting. "What for, though?"

"You'll see," Detlef readied his halberd. "Grab the rope, then you and Tabitha go up and position yourselves on either side of the door."

"Alright then," Rudiger turned to Tabitha. There still seemed to be a question on the tip of his tongue about what she'd said a moment earlier, but he seemed to think better of asking it. Instead, he gestured for her to follow him to get the rope and make their way up the steps, which she did solemnly and without a word.

"Tomba," Detlef continued. "When I give you a signal, I want you to call out that there are intruders and you need help."

"Really?" Tomba balked. "Uh...OK, if that's what you want me to do."