Fulcrum of Light (Catalyst Book 2) C.J. Aaron (unputdownable books .TXT) 📖

thanked the mender for all he’d done. His selfless persistence had, on more occasions than he cared to recall, pulled him from the abyss, nurturing him back to health.

The phrenics had gathered in their hall for a farewell dinner. Andr joined them after bidding a subdued farewell to the acquaintances he’d made throughout the city. Through hard work and infallible character, his uncertain arrival to the city had paved the way for his popularity. He was respected and well liked among the majority of the city’s inhabitants.

The meal was simple, the mood lighthearted, yet uncertainty hung over them, unspoken. Though the phrenics were supremely confident in their abilities, they were moments away from embarking on a mission whose singular focus amounted to storming a heavily fortified prison.

Their party would number but ten individuals.

They would find themselves in a Kingdom that cursed and persecuted them.

There would be no support.

They would be alone.

Ryl’s farewells were by far the easiest. He knew all the phrenics well, had connected with them on a level deeper than many could understand, yet the ones he was the closest to would be traveling at his side. He was eternally thankful for their ongoing support. With Andr at his side, they retreated to their shared suite early to make ready for their departure.

A quiet knock on the door alerted Ryl to the time. He’d been sitting on the edge of his bed, waiting for several minutes. With his mindsight he could see Kaep, Vox, Deyalou and Ramm moving about inside the Hall.

“Come in, Andr,” Ryl said.

The door opened quietly; the mercenary greeted him with a warm smile.

“Are you ready, my friend?” he asked.

Ryl rose from his bed crossing the narrow room, shouldering his pack. He’d already donned his cloak and strapped his holster and Leaves around his waist.

“Aye, that I am,” Ryl responded.

“It's time we get back to The Stocks then,” Andr said with a grin.

Ryl couldn't hold back the smile. His friend wrapped his arm around his shoulder as they walked out of their suite for what could be the last time.

The phrenics, Kaep, Vox, Deyalou and Ramm were waiting for them as they reached the main hall.

“Does everyone have what they need?” Kaep asked rhetorically. She already knew the answer. They had prepared for this moment for moons. The change in direction, though last minute, was an inconvenience, nothing more.

“There's no turning back now,” she stated bluntly. “Leave one at a time. Give a few minutes between each other. Use your assigned paths and stay in the shadows. See you in the mines, my friends.”

Without another word she slung her bow over her shoulder, pulled her hood up over her head and stalked from the hall. The great outer door closed noiselessly behind her.

One after another the phrenics exited the hall, disappearing like wraiths into the night. The avenues, only partially illuminated by the low light of the waning lanterns, provided ample shadows for their silent movements throughout the city. Ryl was the second to last to leave, only Andr remained behind. He bid his friend farewell with a nod before donning his hood and melting into the night.

Ryl's path led him past the side of the colosseum before heading north up the alley toward the mine. He crossed the Westfate merging into the darkened alley that ran alongside the clinic, barracks and military classrooms. Their interiors were silent.

He followed the avenue north, passing the stables and pens on his left. The large section was home to the animals that provided Vim with its leather, milk and meat. Along the right side of the street, a large warehouse, tanner and slaughterhouse sat in a row. The animals, alerted to his scent, stirred restlessly.

Turning east once he reached the northernmost section of the avenue that circled the city, he quickly found himself at the intersection of the wide Northfate that bisected the city. To his left, the river that lined the northern border babbled softly in the quiet of the night. A wide stone bridge spanned the width of the river, granting access to the mines beyond.

Ryl surveyed the area, contented that none were moving along the streets. With purposeful strides he veered north, exiting the shadows of the building to his side. His pace carried him rapidly across the bridge. The darkened, open mouth of the mines eagerly swallowed him whole.

Ryl had never ventured far into the mines. The extent of his all-encompassing tour of the city had led him no further than the rowdy mess hall that was situated just off the left side of the sprawling entrance shaft. Once inside the mine, the corridor narrowed, ending in a thick metal gate. The heavy, metal barrier stood wide open, propped ajar with a large slab of rock.

Following the assigned path deeper into the earth, he passed large wooden columns that supported the wooden braces constructed to strengthen the stability of the tunnel’s ceiling. The interior was dimly lit by small patches of glowing moss that had been painstakingly cultivated here to provide emergency lighting when the lanterns of the workers weren’t present.

At the first intersection he turned to the left, entering a slender offshoot of the main tunnel. Another gate stood open, a heavy metal chain with an open lock suspended over its horizontal bars. The path beyond suffered from clear disuse, with small chunks of rock littering the dusty floor. The interior was nearly pitch black. Here the glowing moss had been allowed to wither. In the distance his ears picked up the distinct sounds of hushed conversation.

The tunnel descended steadily as it probed deeper into the mountain. Rounding a sharp corner, he was met by the flickering lights of torches. The shadows of his accomplices danced across the walls as they hastily recovered their supplies from the hidden cache.

Ryl counted ten packs lined against the wall as he joined his party in the darkened tunnel. Ahead the light from the torches shimmered off the gently undulating waters that flooded the pathway forward. To