Free Alaric's Bow: A Book of the Amari by KateMarie Collins Page B

the way, the three of them made their way down the staircase quickly.
                  Trystian moved to the front, easing the door to the alleyway open. Peering outside, he motioned for them to follow. Alaric glanced behind once, making sure no one followed them.
                  The passage was narrow and dark. Rats chittered amongst the trash as they passed through. “Gwen,” Trystian whispered, “we don’t have time to get the horses. Leave them. Head to the stables, grab the larger packs with the tents. Meet us at the exit.”
    Gwen nodded once, then disappeared down a small passage. A sliver of a moon gave a little light as Alaric followed Trystian through a maze of back streets. He knew they were being hunted.
    As they turned a corner, the castle on top of the city came into view. Alaric paused, his feet moving almost involuntarily toward the bright light burning from a single window of the complex. Erien was up there, with Kaerdan. And his brother most likely wasn’t being kind.
    “Your friend’s either talking by now, or in a world of pain. She gave us the chance to escape. Honor her sacrifice by taking it.” Trystian’s gruff voice echoed in his ear.
    Shaking off the feeling, Alaric turned his back on the path leading to the keep. In his heart, he closed the door that led to Erien at the same time.
    Soldiers were beginning to search for them now. They kept to shadows and back alleys, moving in bursts of speed. Alaric’s mind filled with thoughts of Fin. He and Trystian had to get there unseen. If they didn’t, if they were followed…
    “Keep your mind on the task at hand, Islander.” Trystian growled at him as his large arm flattened Alaric against a wall. “If it’s a choice between you and Fin, you know who I’ll save.”
    A small patrol, maybe four or five troops, jogged past the alley where they hid. Alaric had almost stepped in front of them. Trystian was right. He shook his head, clearing away the worry and concern. Fin’s safety was what mattered, not what might happen to him. “Sorry,” he muttered.
    After several blocks, they came to a dark courtyard. The paving stones beneath his feet became slick with muck. Three exposed pipes jutted out of walls, sewage and waste overtaking the bottom quarter of each tube. Trystian leaned against one wall and motioned Alaric to take up a position on the opposite side of the courtyard. Anyone coming out of those pipes would now either meet Trystian’s sword or Alaric’s bow.
    He kept an eye on the alley they’d come down. It bent between the street and their location, so he didn’t have a clear light of sight. Instead, he willed his heart to slow down and listened for any sound beyond the rats running about.
    A whistled note pierced the quiet. Trystian answered in kind. Alaric lowered his bow as Gwen emerged from the da rk.
    “Not out yet?” she whispered.
    Trystian shook his head, then jutted his chin to the point on the wall he wanted her to take up. “It’s early yet. They don’t know what’s going on. We wait.”
    For the next hour, they stood. Not speaking. Listening and waiting. Alaric’s legs didn’t bother him. Not yet. But he knew the muscles in his back weren’t going to be happy when they finally stopped running.
    His body was still, but his mind raced. He knew he’d not hesitate to surrender himself if that’s what it took to get Fin out safely. Then again, he couldn’t trust any promise Kaerdan might make. The minute his brother knew about Fin, she would become a weapon to be used against Alaric. He’d need to make sure she got out of town first. If he was lucky, he’d be able to go with her.
    “Stop that thought, Alaric.” Gwen’s voice drifted to him. “Only way we get out of here is if we all do.”
    A rustling came from one of the pipes. Alaric’s hand flew to his quiver, drawing out an arrow. It was notched and ready to fly before Emile emerged.
    “She’s right, Alaric. If we have to go,