The seas were calm and the half moon gave sufficient light to see the coastline. HawkShadow and Tamar were wearing the uniforms of Motangan soldiers. Mistake and MistyTrail wore their animal skins. HawkShadow grabbed a bow and a quiver of arrows from the deck of the elven scout ship. He moved forward and scanned the shoreline as Tamar guided the ancient ship into the small cove. The sails luffed as the ship ran gently onto the narrow beach. HawkShadow leaped out of the boat and pulled it further onto the beach.
MistyTrail and Mistake jumped to the beach while Tamar gathered up the bows and quivers and carried them to the beach. He handed them to Mistake and turned to help HawkShadow drag the ship fully onto the beach. Mistake searched the edge of the jungle for any signs of a trail. She found a narrow trail and stood at its entrance waiting for the others. HawkShadow picked up the bows and quivers and distributed them to the others. He kept two for himself.
“I know the plan is to leave the bows in the jungle to use for our retreat,” Tamar whispered to HawkShadow, “but why did you bring two for yourself?”
“I didn’t,” replied HawkShadow. “I figured that the king would know how to use a bow. If he is in any decent condition when we escape, his help might be needed. If he is not well, all I have wasted is a bow and a quiver of arrows.”
“The king is an elf,” grinned Tamar. “Even if he is weak, he will know how to use one.”
Everyone gathered near Mistake and she started along the jungle trail. The others followed in single file with Tamar at the rear. The creature noises fell silent as the small party invaded the jungle. Mistake led at a slow and cautious pace, but she soon began walking a little faster as her eyes became accustomed to the dimmer light in the jungle.
They marched for almost fifteen minutes before they heard the noise of something large moving through the growth. Mistake froze, and the others stopped behind her. Everyone remained silent and listened to the noise. It was getting louder, and it sounded like it was coming from behind them. They all turned around to face the beach. Tamar nocked an arrow to his bow.
Suddenly, a huge shape stepped out of the foliage and appeared on the trail. The krul was fifteen feet tall, and its mouth opened to shout when he saw the invaders. Tamar let fly his arrow. It struck the krul between the eyes. Tamar swiftly nocked another arrow, but it was not necessary. The huge creature fell backwards and hit the ground with a loud thump. HawkShadow drew his sword and raced past Tamar to the creature’s body.
“It is dead,” HawkShadow whispered. “Help me move its body off the trail.”
Tamar dropped his bow and raced to help HawkShadow. The two men struggled to move the giant creature. They could not lift it, but they managed to drag it into the foliage alongside the trail. Tamar ripped up some leafy vines and covered the body as best he could. They walked back up the trail to the waiting princesses.
“What was that?” asked Tamar.
“That is a krul,” replied MistyTrail. “Your aim was excellent. I did not think one arrow could fell such a beast.”
“Well,” interjected HawkShadow, “we know where to aim in the future. Let’s move onward before another one comes.”
Mistake nodded and the group continued onward. It took another fifteen minutes of walking until the jungle began to slowly turn to forest. HawkShadow softly called for a halt.
“This looks like where we should leave the bows,” the Sakovan assassin said. “If we left our bows in the forest ahead, they would be too noticeable to anyone chancing by. We should spread them out so that we all don’t stop at the same time to retrieve them. Choose a spot that is recognizable from the direction we will be traveling.”
The group spread out along the trail and chose the hiding spots for their bows and quivers. When they were done they gathered at the edge of the forest. HawkShadow studied the forest for several minutes, trying to get a feel for it. Finally, he selected two trees that they could use to locate the trail. He bent down at each tree and carved a star into the accumulation of moss at their bases. He silently pointed to the two marked trees and waited until each of the party had acknowledged the marks. When they were done, MistyTrail took the lead. She angled through the forest towards the sounds of the distant screams.
“Does this screaming go on every night?” HawkShadow whispered to Mistake.
“It does not last all night,” nodded Mistake. “We heard it several nights in a row. The rest of the time we were too far from the city to hear it. We should wait until most of it stops.”
“Most of it?” questioned HawkShadow. “Why not all of it?”
“Some of the victims continue screaming through the night,” frowned Mistake, “long after the torture has ended. When the majority of the screaming has stopped, the torturers will go to bed, their appetites sated for one night.”
A cold shiver ran through HawkShadow’s body as he tried to envision such a bizarre people. He pushed the thoughts from his mind and continued scanning the forest to memorize the route that they were taking. A short while later, MistyTrail held up her hand and froze. No one needed to ask what the problem was. The sudden sounds were loud enough that everyone immediately looked to their left.
“Hide,” whispered MistyTrail as she darted for the nearest tree.
Everyone scattered and found shelter behind large trees. A few moments later a dozen kruls appeared. They made no attempt to be quiet as they stomped noisily through the forest talking to one another. The kruls walked by, totally unaware of the invaders hiding in the forest. No one moved until the sounds faded completely.
“They talked as if they were going home after a day’s work,” commented Tamar. “What do those creatures do?”
“Many chores,” answered Mistake. “They cut down trees and haul the logs to the shipyards. They hunt for escaped elves. We even saw them turning a giant wheel in the mine where Eltor worked.”
“But they were walking away from the city,” HawkShadow pointed out.
“The kruls do not live in the cities,” replied MistyTrail. “They dwell in the forests in small groups. We do not want to stumble into such a camp.”
MistyTrail started leading again. After a half hour of walking slowly, they came within sight of the city. They gathered together and stared at the back of the temple.
“At least we won’t have to travel on the city streets this time,” commented Mistake. “The last time we came out a couple of blocks to the left.”
“This trip from the cove has consumed over an hour,” frowned Tamar. “That can be a lifetime when one is trying to escape.”
“We moved slowly to get here,” replied HawkShadow. “It would be nice if we had that luxury on the way back, but I would not count on it. The return trip will be much quicker.”
“I hope you are wrong,” replied Tamar as he looked across the wide barren area between them and the temple. “There are plenty of soldiers outside the temple. How are we going to get to it without being seen?”
“We aren’t,” frowned HawkShadow as he studied the temple. “How did you enter the last time, MistyTrail?”
“Can you see the second story balcony on the left side?” MistyTrail asked as she pointed. “It leads into a library. Mistake scaled the side of the building and dropped a rope for Eltor and me to climb up.”
HawkShadow looked at Mistake and nodded his appreciation of her skills.
“Did you leave the same way?” asked Tamar.
“Of course,” replied Mistake. “We even took the rope with us so that they would not know how we got in.”
“I would wager that they investigated thoroughly to find their weakness,” frowned HawkShadow. “What other entrances are there?”
“The main entrance is in the front,” answered MistyTrail. “The back entrance that we are looking at is the only other way in that I know of. We have never seen the fourth side of the temple.”
“What are you thinking?” asked Tamar after several moments of silence.
“I am leery about using the same entrance that was used the last time,” replied HawkShadow. “Tamar, see if you can move further to the right and get a view of the far side of the temple. I am going to check out the library balcony.”
Tamar moved silently through the forest to his right. HawkShadow faded into the forest to his left. The Sakovan assassin moved along the edge of the forest until the city buildings blocked his view of the rear of the temple. He stared across the barren wasteland at the city street across from him. He saw nothing moving. He stood erect and marched out of the forest. While he kept his head facing straight ahead, his eyes swiveled constantly for any sign of trouble. He tried to walk as swiftly as he could without appearing to be in a hurry.
When he had crossed the barren wasteland and reached the city street, HawkShadow paused in the shadows to calm his nerves. He inhaled and exhaled deeply and then marched along the street to the first intersection. He turned to the right and continued marching towards the side of the temple.
He eventually came to the end of the buildings on the street. There was a wide open area between the last row of buildings and the temple. He could just see the outline of soldiers at the front of the temple, but no one else was in sight. He marched out into the open area and stood staring up at the balcony.
HawkShadow was standing in the open for only a few moments before a squad of soldiers arrived and surrounded him. HawkShadow turned slowly and gazed at the soldiers. He recognized the squad leader by the extra stripes on his sleeves. He was also the only one of the soldiers who had not drawn a sword.
In the distant woods behind the temple, MistyTrail cringed and grabbed Mistake’s arm she pointed at HawkShadow.
“Oh, no,” Mistake said with alarm. “We are ruined before we even start.”
“What is the problem?” asked Tamar as he returned from his scouting trip and settled down next to the princesses.
“HawkShadow went to check the balcony,” answered MistyTrail. “He has been captured.”
“I was just growing fond of him,” frowned Tamar. “He moves more like an elf than many elves I know. We will have to proceed without him.”
“No,” MistyTrail replied adamantly. “We must ambush that squad before they get him into the temple.”
“And give up on rescuing the king?” retorted Tamar. “If we attack that squad, we will never gain entrance to the temple. Are you really willing to make that trade? If it were I that was captured, I would expect you to carry on without me. I would prefer that to abandoning the King of the Elves.”
“Let’s wait to see what happens,” suggested Mistake. “Perhaps they will take him to somewhere other than the temple. If so, we can rescue him after we get the king free.”
“They have not attacked him yet?” MistyTrail said hopefully. “He appears to be talking to them.”
Under the balcony, HawkShadow turned to face the officer.
“What are you doing here, soldier?” asked the officer.
“I was sent out to check the area,” replied HawkShadow. “The mage in the library sensed a presence down here. He demanded that I check it out. I do not see anything out of the ordinary. By chance was your squad patrolling under the balcony just recently?”
The officer shook his head and sighed. “Will these prima donnas never learn?” he asked rhetorically. “Why didn’t you tell the mage that he doesn’t have to worry about the balcony? Everyone in there should know by now that the shutters have been magically alarmed. You would expect more from a mage.”
“No wonder he is in the library,” snickered HawkShadow. “He still has much to learn, but still I dared not refuse him.”
“No, you couldn’t, soldier,” agreed the officer as he signaled for his men to stand down and sheath their swords. “Take my advice, though. The next time one of those great mages tells you to check under the balcony, take yourself a break and enjoy a snack. It is a much better use of your time.”
“I like that idea,” chuckled HawkShadow. “In fact, maybe I still have time to grab one.”
“Have one for me, too,” scowled the officer as he motioned for his men to form a column. “I have another four hours out here until I get a break.”
HawkShadow watched the column move towards the street that he had used to sneak towards the temple. He knew that he could not stay under the balcony, and he was loath to approach the front of the temple. He also could not be seen walking away from the temple. He inhaled deeply and turned towards the rear of the temple. His eyes scanned the edge of the distant forest, but he could not see his friends. He had no doubt that they could see him.
HawkShadow walked slowly around the corner of the temple. There were at least two squads of soldiers at the rear of the temple. The Sakovan assassin was tempted to hide in the shadows until the suspicious patrol had moved on, but other soldiers had already noticed him come around the corner. Several of them stared at him, as if a lone soldier in the city was an oddity. HawkShadow steeled his nerves and marched towards the gaping rear entrance of the temple.
He saw several soldiers tense at his approach and knew that he would be closely scrutinized if he tried to enter, so he stopped short of the entrance and leaned against the wall of the temple as if waiting for somebody. Eventually a curious officer approached him.
“You are not part of my detail,” declared the officer. “What are you doing here?”
“I am waiting for the delivery of two elves,” replied HawkShadow. “I was instructed to make sure that they were delivered to the proper cell.”
“Elves?” questioned the officer. “I was not notified that there was a delivery tonight. Where are they coming from?”
HawkShadow hesitated too long as he tried to think of an answer. He had no idea of any of the names used on the island, so he could not mention the name of another city.
“I asked you a question, soldier,” scowled the officer.
“I can’t say,” answered HawkShadow.
“You can’t say?” glared the officer. “What do you mean you can’t say?”
“It is a matter of secrecy,” HawkShadow replied softly. “I was ordered not to reveal the origin of the slaves.”
“Who ordered you to remain quiet about this?” demanded the officer.
Again HawkShadow felt a moment of failure. He did not know any of the Motangan names except Vand, and he didn’t think that the officer would believe that. He was sure that the Emperor had his own personal guards that would carry out special orders. As the officer once again demanded an answer, HawkShadow remembered Mistake mentioning that she had seen Aakuta inside the temple.
“Aakuta,” HawkShadow replied conspiratorially, “but I will deny having told you that. Look, I am not trying to be trouble to you, but I do not want to be punished by the mage.”
The officer’s glare softened and he nodded sympathetically.
“I won’t mention a thing,” promised the officer, “but I wish these mages would use proper procedures. How do they expect us to secure the temple when they go around breaking all the rules?”
“They do seem to be favored,” shrugged HawkShadow. “I try not to get on the wrong side of them.”
“That is wise,” nodded the officer. “When are these elves supposed to arrive?”
“They should have been here already,” frowned HawkShadow. “I think I am going to go looking for them. There is only one man escorting them, and that worries me, but the mage was precise with his instructions. I hope to be back shortly.”
The officer nodded, and HawkShadow started walking across the barren strip towards the forest. His friends watched him approach.
“Does he know these Motangans?” Tamar asked with surprise at seeing HawkShadow walking around freely.
“No,” grinned MistyTrail. “He has never been here before, but this is not the first time that HawkShadow has amazed me.”
“He seems to blend in wherever he goes,” admired Mistake.
HawkShadow entered the forest and walked well past his friends to make sure that no on saw him meeting anyone. He turned and crept back to them.
“What did you learn?” asked MistyTrail.
HawkShadow took a thin wire out of his belt and handed it to Tamar. Tamar looked at the wire questioningly.
“Bind the top of your ears so that they lay flat against your head,” instructed HawkShadow. “Make sure that your hair covers both the wire and your ears.”
Tamar nodded and made a large loop out of the wire. HawkShadow sat on the ground and faced the rear of the temple.
“The shutters to the library are magically alarmed,” reported HawkShadow. “If we tried to enter that way, we would be caught quickly.”
“There is another balcony on the far side,” offered Tamar, “but I have no idea where it leads to.”
“I think I have found a way in,” declared HawkShadow, “but I doubt that we will be able to leave the same way.”
“How do we get in?” asked Mistake.
HawkShadow smiled and pointed to the large opening in the rear of the temple. “I spoke to the officer there. He is expecting me and another soldier to be escorting two elves. Evidently, it is highly irregular for prisoners to enter in this manner, but I told him that Aakuta had requested it in secrecy. The soldiers do not care much for the mages here in Motanga.”
“There is a reason for that,” frowned Mistake. “The mages here are the ones who torture the prisoners. I feel uneasy even hearing Aakuta’s name.”
“What is done is done,” shrugged HawkShadow. “We should take this opportunity to get into the temple before that officer is replaced by another.”
“Do you remember the map I drew of the interior?” asked MistyTrail.
“I never forget a map,” smiled HawkShadow. “If my sense of direction is any good, we need to make a left upon entering the rear of the temple. There we should find the door that the kruls would not let you pass through.”
“And Avalar’s cage is just beyond it,” Mistake said excitedly. “Maybe we can get in and out of there so quickly that no one will even notice.”
“One thing at a time,” replied Tamar as he covered the wire with his hair. “First we have to get in.”
“Let’s go,” HawkShadow said as he rose to his feet. “Let me do the talking if we are stopped.”
HawkShadow and Tamar sandwiched the girls between them and then marched out of the woods. They walked normally across the barren strip. As they reached the rear of the temple, most of the soldiers turned to watch their approach. A few of the soldiers became alert, but they relaxed as the officer strode forward to greet them.
“Ah,” smiled the officer, “now I understand. Why didn’t you say that they were off-islanders? They must be important not to be brought in through the harbor.”
“I imagine that they are,” nodded HawkShadow. “Do not spread the word of your observations. I want to survive this mission.”
“I understand,” nodded the officer as he led the group through the gaping entrance.
The inside of the temple was cavernous. There was a large clear area immediately inside the doorway, with dozens of doors and corridors radiating off of it. The officer started to turn to the right, and HawkShadow halted his little group.
“We need to go to the left,” announced HawkShadow.
“No,” countered the officer. “The left side is full. You need to take them to the right.”
HawkShadow saw several hooded figures at the rear of the room. One of them looked curiously at the new arrivals. HawkShadow felt a chill race up his spine. He motioned for the officer to come closer and the man complied.
“Look,” whispered HawkShadow, “my instructions state a particular cell. If there are already prisoners in it, I will remove them and take them to the right side, but I do not want to stand here and discuss it. The mages in this room are already taking notice of the new arrivals, and Aakuta will have my hide if anyone finds out about these girls.”
The officer changed his position so that he could look to the rear of the room without it appearing obvious. He slowly nodded his head.
“You will owe me for this,” warned the officer.
“I am sure that I will,” HawkShadow chuckled softly, “but if my guess is correct, you don’t want the attention of the mages on you, either.”
“You are correct,” grinned the officer. “Still, you owe me. Follow me.”
The officer turned and led the group to the left. Mistake leaned close to HawkShadow and whispered to him.
“I think one of those mages was Aakuta,” she whispered. “He looked at us and immediately slipped through a doorway. We may have trouble ahead. I am sure that he must have recognized me.”
HawkShadow nodded his head and sighed slightly to ease his tension. The officer took a look over his shoulder to see if there was a problem and then continued across the large room. He reached the doorway to the cell area and stopped. As he fumbled through his key ring, HawkShadow noticed a group of three mages approaching them from the rear of the room. He gently tapped Mistake, who was next to him, and nodded towards the mages. Mistake alerted MistyTrail, and she alerted Tamar.
“Too many keys,” complained the officer as he continued to try different keys in the lock.
The officer fumbled the keys and they fell to the floor. HawkShadow bent down swiftly and retrieved them. He handed them back to the officer.
“Now I have to start all over,” complained the officer. “Why don’t they make all the locks the same?”
HawkShadow glanced over his shoulder and saw the three mages approaching. They were already half way across the floor and HawkShadow felt sweat forming on his brow.
“Start from the other end,” HawkShadow suggested to the officer. “There is no sense in trying the same keys over again.”
The officer nodded and tried another key. The mages were only twenty paces away when the officer found the correct key. He turned the key and opened the door. HawkShadow roughly shoved Mistake and MistyTrail through the door. Tamar quickly followed them, and HawkShadow thanked the officer as he slipped through. Mistake tried to put her foot in the door so it wouldn’t close, but HawkShadow pulled her away as he heard one of the approaching mages shout.
“Why did you stop me?” frowned Mistake. “It would be the quickest way to open the door if I jammed the lock before it closed.”
“Because the mages wanted to know who the two elves were,” HawkShadow answered softly as he saw the nearest krul approaching. “We must be swift in getting out of here, but we are not leaving by this door. We have already received too much unwanted attention. Where is Avalar?”