Tales of the Vangen: The Siege of Middengard (Book 2)

Chapter 41: Shadows

"Looks clear."

Regis lifted the hatch a fraction and peered out. The dark, stale-smelling cellar appeared empty, silence howling past the stacks of crates and feedbags littered about. With careful deftness, he slipped the rest of the way in, reaching down and pulling up the others one by one. First came Cent, then Moss, then Civis, and finally the Captain himself.

"Get to the door," Libro said. "Make sure no one sneaks up on us unawares." The two Northman nodded and moved swiftly to cover the stairs leading up.

"Civis, give me a hand over here." Regis bent down to the hatch, pulling up barrels ferried in by the rest of the crew. With some help from the Legate, they were able to fish up the dwylo they'd planned to use on the tower. Four in total.

"All set?" Nox called out from the bottom of the hatch as the last barrel was rolled in. Behind him stood Elba and the two Chainbreakers who'd tagged along. Zeek and Varis, Regis believed their names were.

"As we'll ever be. Get to the other side of the courtyard as quickly as you can," Libro said. He paused for a moment as his eyes met Elba's. She turned away, lips pursed in a tight line. Something had obviously happened last night, and Regis could only guess that the pummeling Culter received the night earlier had something to do with it. That, and the bruises around the Captain's neck.

"Aye, aye!" Nox gave a salute before disappearing out of view. Zeek and Varis followed, Elba hanging back a moment longer before finally following suit.

Indeed, something had happened between them and not the good kind of happening either. It would have been easy to try and pry out the answer as to why, but deep down, Regis knew better. These situations tended to fix themselves sooner or later, and so far the two of them were at least able to remain professional. How long that lasted, however, would be a different story. Only time would tell.

"Let's go," Libro nodded towards Cent and Moss. "I don't want to waste any more time than what we've got. Once the Middenites realize what we're up to, we'll be hard-pressed to get the job done."

"We'll make it work," Civis assured him. "You have our word."

The Captain placed a reassuring hand on the Legate's shoulder and gave a curt smile. "I know, now let's get this over with." They ascended the stone steps together, Civis reaching out to offer aid before reflexively pulling back. Something about the look Libro gave him, a sharpness not seen before, as if someone else were seeing behind those violet eyes of his. Then it was gone.

"Don't look like anyone's here," Cent murmured as they closed in. "No footsteps. No shadows. Nothing but the howling quiet. Like the old Deadways, aye Chief?"

Regis shivered at the memory. "I've been trying to forget about that crypt for some time now. Took a lot of drinking just to get there," He shook away the thought. "Slip in. Fast and quiet

"Right," Moss tested the knob, found it unlocked, and with careful precision pushed the door open a crack before darting in. Cent watched him, muscle feathering along his jawline before finally giving the all-clear.

They stood within a dining hall, walls plain, undecorated, veiny cracks along the plaster. Chairs and benches lay scattered about, the wood warped and scarred from constant use. The smell of cooking still lingered in the air, a beam of morning light making snowfall out of the dust motes.

"Servants quarters or a barracks, maybe?" Civis pondered as Cent and Moss made for the double doors leading further in.

Libro shook his head. "Definitely servants. The nobility like to keep their personal guards closer to the top and let their servants be used as cannon fodder to tire out their attackers."