Dion rushed up the stairs to his room high in the House of Algar. He was covered in soot and his throat was burning from exposure to the dense black smoke. A different kind of fire burned within him. He had destroyed many of the sun king’s warships, but the eldran had put out the fires, saving many more. He had to quickly get his bow and quiver and flee.
He was out of breath by the time he reached his room. He pulled aside the entrance curtain and stopped in his tracks.
Chloe, daughter of Aristocles, sat on his bed.
Her long blue-black hair framed a triangular face that was pale as death. The brown eyes above her arched, upturned nose, were filled with fear. She was covered in blood. Anoush sat beside her. Dion saw that she was clutching his arms in a white-knuckled grip as he whimpered.
‘Let him go,’ Dion growled.
Chloe nodded and released the boy. He leaped up and ran to hide behind Dion.
‘I got your message,’ she said as she slumped.
Dion towered over her. ‘I risked my life for you. We could both now be on our way home. Instead you stood by as your guard beat me nearly to death.’
‘He’s dead now,’ Chloe said morosely, looking up at him. ‘He was a friend.’
Through the open window Dion could hear cries in the street. He didn’t know if there was a connection to the harbor fire or to Chloe’s escape, but he knew they were both in terrible danger.
‘I’m grateful to you, I really am. Can explanations wait?’ she asked.
Dion scowled. ‘We need to go. Anoush – can you get some women’s clothing?’
Anoush nodded and ran out of the chamber while Dion went to the basin and began to wash his face and hands. When he finished he glanced at Chloe. ‘I suggest you do the same.’
By the time Chloe had finished cleaning off the blood Anoush had returned, carrying a yellow chiton and veil.
‘Good lad,’ Dion said. He crouched to look into the boy’s eyes. ‘Do you know how we can get out of here, without going into the street?’
Anoush nodded. ‘The roof.’
‘Thank you,’ Dion said. ‘Will you be safe?’
‘You have given me plenty of silver, master. It has been an adventure.’ He grinned, creases forming on his round cheeks. ‘If you ever come back to Lamara, I’ll be here to be your guide.’
Dion gave him a rough embrace, surprising the boy. ‘Now show me the roof.’
Chloe changed her clothing while Dion inspected their exit route, and a moment later they were slipping out of a window, Dion exiting first and then helping Chloe onto a flat roof. He scanned the area and saw the buildings were close enough to jump from one roof to another.
‘Goodbye, Anoush!’ Dion called.
The boy gave him a quick wave and then Dion led Chloe to the edge of the rail. He saw that the next roof was three feet lower and with an effort he clambered down. Chloe slipped off and then the pair ran to the next.
They passed from roof to roof until there was a gap in front of them; they had come as far as they could. Looking for a path down, Dion saw a doorway leading to the building’s interior and pointed. ‘This way.’
A surprised old woman carrying a basket in her arms cried out as they entered a wealthy house with carpeted floors. Ignoring her, Dion and Chloe descended the stairs and ran out onto the street.
‘Where are we going?’ Chloe asked. She was breathless, but had no problem keeping up. He couldn’t see her face through the veil, but he was surprised at her fortitude.
‘I have a boat just outside the city,’ Dion said. He took a moment to get his bearings and then pointed to the left. ‘This way.’
They walked rather than running, striding with skipping steps as they both fought to move quickly without drawing attention. Each set of stairs they descended brought them closer to the lower city and the gates. Each narrow alley kept them hidden from watchers. Each broad avenue made them feel exposed.
Then the gates were just ahead. Compared with the harbor on the other side of the city, the area here was a scene of normality as wagons carried bushels of wheat into the city and herders brought tethered goats in for the slaughter.
‘As soon as we’re through,’ Dion said. ‘Run.’
He kept her close as they passed between the gates. Soldiers glanced down at them from high perches on the towers at both sides.
Suddenly they were through.
‘Run!’
Dion and Chloe moved from a walk into a sprint. He checked over his shoulder to see if she was keeping up and led her away from the road, skirting the walls and towers, keeping a hundred paces between them and the city until they finally left Lamara behind.
‘Keep . . . running . . .’ Dion panted.