Bandits

Chapter 17: TBD

Most of the streets were relatively empty at this time of night. The rain had started to clear up and was now only a paltry drizzle, but the fog had set in. It was hard to see more than a few dozen yards in any direction, and so even fewer people were out than normal at this hour. The lack of visibility and the sparsely populated streets were, of course, welcome to Gideon and Andromeda. Both were tired and bruised, and Gideon was limping through the city on account of his ankle, and avoiding as much attention as possible was a good thing.

Gideon led Andromeda toward the docks by memory. They weren't far now.

"What are we going to do when we get to the docks?" Andromeda asked. "Do you think the plan is still on? Am I still going to Captain Cardiff's ship?"

"I don't know. I have no idea what's going on. Maybe, after tonight getting on Cardiff's ship and getting off Solicito is the best thing for you." It pained him to say it, but he couldn't deny that tonight had shaken him up, as much for the fear of watching Andromeda come to harm as for fear of his own life. "But maybe Gerard was right and something was rotten about him. Maybe he's the cause of all of this. I just don't know. I hope Gerard will know what to do."

They walked in silence for a few moments. Gideon could see Andromeda wrestling with some strong feelings but chose to let her come out with them instead of asking himself. He got the feeling he wouldn't need to wait long.

"What do you think happened to everyone back at the inn?" Her voice quivered, and her eyes were unfocused. "Do you think," she took a shaky breath. "Do you think they're dead?"

"No," Gideon said, trying his best to sound comforting. "No. They were in good hands. Mordecai would never let any of those animals get through to you. And as for Naman, I've never seen the man loose a fight. I feel more sorry for the people that attacked us."

Gideon attempted a laugh to lighten the mood, but the truth was that he too was worried about his friends. There was a very real chance that they hadn't made it out. There was a chance that no one would be waiting for them at the docks.

"Oh," Andromeda whimpered. She hadn't believed Gideon's false optimism any more than he had. "Mordecai. Vega. Tarleton," she fought back tears. "And your friends too. Oh no. Oh no, no."

Gideon placed a hand on her shoulder but had nothing to say. He felt the same.

They walked on in silence, Gideon holding his arm around Andromeda as he guided her through the streets.

After several excruciating minutes they came to a large gate. The structure evidently used to be part of a city wall, or something of the like, but now it served as a makeshift checkpoint for the harbor. Gideon nodded to the guards on duty. They looked at him for a moment, then nodded back. As far as they were concerned, unless you were carrying smuggled goods, it wasn't any of their business what dealings happened in or out of the harbor, however shady.

Gideon led Andromeda past several large, stone warehouses and finally stopped in front of one. It was tall, but squat. This particular warehouse was often used by the crew of the Wraith to hold cargo or other goods, even people.

"Wait here," he whispered. "And try to stay out of sight."

Andromeda nodded and slipped behind some crates where the grey light from the late night sun couldn't find her.

Gideon crept around the side of the building. Gerard had shown him a hidden entrance on the side that was little more than a short drain pipe with a broken grate. He squeezed his way between the bars and pulled himself up into the warehouse.

"Gerard?" Gideon whispered loudly. "Gerard are you here?"

A shuffle came from behind some barrels a few yards away. Gideon quickly drew his sword and braced himself against the stone wall.