Unspeakable Secrets The Alchemist Series (A Dark Medieval Progression Fantasy)

Chapter 30 Blood And Steel

Perhaps they were trying to take a shortcut... did it matter? The longer this chase went on, the more people they'd have after them.

They needed to lose them... and fast.

If it weren't for Bvorn, they could've done so already, but he was their best shot at finding Victor... there had to be another way!

He couldn't outrun them. Not while carrying Bvorn. They had to get off the main streets.

He ducked into an alleyway, running as fast as his legs could carry him with Vadik right by his side.

The alleyway split off in different directions, connecting to other alleys and narrow paths. Buildings rose up all around them, blocking them from sight.

Hopefully, some of their pursuers would take the wrong turns... with any luck the guards would end up chasing The Shadowcloaks instead.

If it came to the worst, the narrow pathways would help keep them from being completely swarmed under.

They ran at full speed a while longer and then slowed down a bit. Now it was time to play it safe. They'd lost sight of both the guards and The Shadowcloaks. The last thing they needed to do right now was to blindly run straight back into them.

Around them, the city was in an uproar. Shouting and the clash of steel on steel filled the streets. Bells rang, signaling more guards to come down and restore order.

Vadik chuckled. "Have you ever considered that it might be better for everyone if you just stayed inside with a cup of tea?" he said.

"People need more excitement in their lives," Connor said, "now keep quiet. I'm trying to hear our new-found friends."

Vadik smiled and rolled his eyes, but said nothing more, and Connor focused on his enhanced senses while they ran.

A few fitter guards had kept up with them and stomped along in an adjacent alleyway. They were heading right for each other, but Connor ducked into another alleyway, and Vadik followed.

They stopped occasionally and hid in doorways or behind crates to avoid passing guards or Shadowcloaks before moving again.

Sweat dripped from Connor's brow, and he used these moments as a welcome breather to set Bvorn down on the ground.

He even pulled out the paralyzing rod to make sure Bvorn stayed unable to move or speak. If he suddenly regained his senses in the middle of this, it could spell disaster.

They moved along like this for hours. Surrounded by people hunting them... even Vadik started to look slightly apprehensive.

His potion wore off, but he was able to refresh it with a new one, and they continued their slow progress.

They occasionally cut across busier streets into other sections of alleyways and gradually circled back into the direction Connor wanted to go.

"Where are you going?" Vadik whispered, "I thought we were heading back to your little hideout?"

"That was before I knew I'd be bringing Bvorn back with us," Connor said, "I think Korvac is better prepared to accommodate prisoners than I am."

"Are you sure we can trust him?" Vadik whispered.

"As sure as I can be," Connor said.

"That makes me feel so much better," Vadik said.

They crept forward. Connor panted, and his skin glistened with sweat. He adjusted Bvorn over his other shoulder.

"I can take him off you," Vadik said.

Connor shook his head. His back ached from the awkward load, but what if Vadik dropped Bvorn at the first sign of danger after everything they'd done to get this far?