The Lion's Gambit (Book One) Fully Released

Chapter XX - Before the Blood Sun

"Hold on," exclaimed Aria, stopping Kota as he moved toward the open door. "I know you just escaped your shackles not a few minutes ago, but the easiest way for me to get you to the roof is for you to be in chains again."

Kota questioned what she was saying as she pulled out a small pair of shackles from within the brown fabric cloth that wrapped around her waist. Kota crossed his arms as he took a small step back. "How would this be any easier? If we have to fight—"

"See, I knew you would think like that. We will not have to if you are still in shackles. Fighting is not always the only option," said Aria as she moved around him, bringing his attention to her person while she continued. "I was the one who was keeping you alive for the first time. The guards will assume that the warden wanted me to bring you to the roof, as these two men were supposed to do. While I am up there, I am supposed to tend to a female prisoner, which I know is your little sister."

Kota stood there, still crossing his arms. He was thinking about what she was suggesting when Arro flew down from the rafters above them onto her shoulder, where he screeched at Kota. Kota sighed as they waited for a response, staring at him with pleading eyes. At last, he reached out his arms. "I cannot believe a bird is persuading me."

"I believe he is a hawk," she said as she reached up and stroked his feathers.

He leaned into her hand, rubbing her fingers with his head.

She walked over to his outstretched arms and clicked the shackles onto his wrists. He stretched the chain, feeling the distance he had between his hands.

Aria placed a key in his right hand. "In case we end up in some sort of altercation, you can release yourself instead of leaving it up to me. Your fate, your hands."

Kota examined the key before reaching down and tucking it into his right boot. "My fate. Sounds good to me," he said, nodding in agreement with her plan.

He looked over to Arro resting on Aria's shoulder and reached up, plucking a strand of his hair out before telling Arro, "Go find Sonya. We will head to the roof. If you are here, then they will not be far behind."

Arro stretched his wings, then flew over to Kota, grabbing the lock of hair with his talons, and headed out the small window against the back wall.

Turning toward the door, Aria gestured Kota to stay behind her as she asked him, "Who is Sonya?"

"The hawk's name is Arro. Sonya is his mistress, and another reason I am still alive today. If she is around this hell, then you will see her soon enough," said Kota, watching her move closer to him before unbuckling the belt and sheath around his waist.

"Good thinking. I cannot appear to have any weapons on me while I am shackled like this."

Aria looked into his eyes before strapping the belt and sheath around her waist, so the blade sat on her left hip.

Kota watched before he moved closer. "Won't it be strange you wearing a sword similar to what the guards here have?"

"If we are to rescue your sister, trust me, Kota."

Kota walked up to her and reached for the hilt of the blade, pulling it halfway out of its sheath. After examining the weapon, he placed the sword fully back within the sheath while nodding his head. "This will work if we need a weapon. Just stay close to me."

She nodded as she turned toward the door, then spoke as she moved away from him. "You need to stay close to me. I have to lead you to the roof, after all. Now, are we ready to go, or are you going to stare at me a little longer?"

"I was never staring, but let's go."

Kota walked toward the door as she pushed it open, revealing the inside of the prison, just the same as the last time he was here. As he stepped fully out into the prison, Aria closed the door behind them while he glanced around, observing torches lining the wall that separated them from the chasm. He studied the area carefully as the dark atmosphere filled him with slight fear, and he flinched as Aria touched his arm, signaling him to head to his right.