Blood of the Righteous

Escape!

The guard came back to the cell holding two wooden mugs of water. He set them on the ground in front of the cells, then quickly backed away. After smirking at the two captive brothers, he left the room, closing the door behind him.

"Damn," Gabriel said. "I was hoping to get a hold of him."

David reached through the bars and grabbed the mug. "Gabriel, I'm going to need your water." He drained the mug in seconds.

Gabriel shrugged and handed David his mug through the bars. "What for, brother?"

"Getting us out of here." David quickly drank Gabriel's water also.

"I don't understand."

David threw the empty wooden cup to the ground. "Oh, how I hate this part." He got down on his hands and knees and began to retch. Water started to flow out of his mouth onto the cold stone floor.

"David, are you okay?"

David held up his hand. He needed to concentrate. Using his diaphragm, he pushed and continued to vomit. Finally after a few more seconds, a small metal clank sounded. He picked up the piece of metal, wiped the water and stomach fluids from it, and immediately began to work on his cell door's lock.

"I don't think that is going to work," Gabriel said.

"Oh?" David replied. He pushed his door open. "I do. Get the guard's attention."

He closed his door, picked up a small wooden bench, and stepped into the shadow beside the door.

Gabriel grinned. "Guard! Help! There's something wrong with my brother!" he yelled at the top of his lungs.

After a few seconds, the bolt on the door was pulled back and the guard walked in. "What the hell are you..."

David stepped out of the shadows and shattered the stool against the back of the guard's head. He dropped like a sack of potatoes, landing face down on the cold floor.

"Excellent work, David!"

David grabbed the ring of keys off of the prone guard and searched for the one to Gabriel's cell. Finding it, he freed his brother.

"Come on," David said. "They brought our gear down here with us. It has to be around here somewhere.

They went out into the guard station. There was a pile of packs and weapons. Gabriel grabbed his sword and the knuckle dagger David had given him and strapped it to his waist. David pulled out his scimitar and his father's dagger, as well as his set of lock picks.

"You said you hated that part when you brought up your lock pick. Have you done that before?"

"Once," David said. "About two years ago, Fyke and I were captured in Port Cirill by some guards that the guild had bought off. Here." David handed Gabriel a pack of the soldier's rations. He grabbed one himself. "We've been out cold for two days. If you are as hungry as I am,"

"Mrrphf?" Gabriel said, his mouth already stuffed with the dried meat and hardtack. They ate as quickly as they could and drank from a pitcher of water.

"Dear Lord, please don't let us be too late," Gabriel said as they ran up the stairs.

There were two guards standing by the doorway chatting casually. Gabriel pointed to himself then the one on the left. He pointed to David, then the one on the right. David nodded. The brothers snuck up behind their victims, and quietly pulling out their daggers, grabbed the guards faces, covering their mouths. Gabriel stabbed his in the back, while David dragged his knife across the other's throat. David's victim expired immediately, spraying warm blood onto the stone floor. Gabriel's continued to struggle, so he had to be stabbed repeatedly. Finally, he perished as well.