The moonlight was more than halfway down the wall when Hadrian heard voices and movement from above. Dark silhouettes appeared and the iron grate scraped as it slid clear. A rope lowered and Hadrian thought they had reconsidered. He stood up to take hold of it, but stopped when he saw another figure coming down.
“In ya go,” someone at the top ordered, and laughed, his voice echoing. “We keep all our rats down there!”
The figure was nimble and descended quickly.
“Royce?” Hadrian asked. “They—they captured you?”
The rope was pulled up and the grate slid back in place.
“More or less,” he replied, glancing around. “Not much on accommodations, are they?”
“I can’t believe they caught you.”
“It wasn’t as easy as you’d think. They aren’t very bright.” Royce reached out and let his fingers run over the glistening walls. “Was this just a well that went dry?”
“Hintindar doesn’t have much need for a big prison.” Hadrian shook his head. “So you let them capture you?”
“Ingenious, don’t you think?”
“Oh, brilliant.”
“I figured it was the easiest way to find you.” Royce shuffled his feet in the water, grimacing. “So what’s your excuse? Did they come for you with an army of twenty heavily armored men?”
“They caught me sleeping.”
Royce shot him a skeptical look.
“Let’s just say I was put in a position where I’d have to kill people and I chose not to. This is my home, remember. I don’t want to be known as a killer here.”
“So it is good I didn’t slit throats. I’m smarter than I thought.”
“Oh yes, I can see the genius in your plan.” Hadrian looked up. “How do you suggest we get out now?”
“Eventually, Luret will haul us out and hand us over to a press-gang, just as he threatened. We’ll serve in the imperial army for a few days, learn what we can, and then slip away. We can report what we discover to Alric for an added bonus.”
“What about Arista?”
“She’s safely on her way to the rendezvous with Gaunt. Etcher arrived just before dark and I sent her with him. She’ll likely stay with Gaunt, sending dispatches back to Melengar via messengers until Alric’s forces join with the Nationalists.”
“And if Gaunt turns her down?”
“It’s in Gaunt’s best interest to see to her safety. It’s not like he’s going to turn her over to the empire. She’ll probably end up returning to Melengar by sea. Actually, it’s better we aren’t with her. If Merrick is out there, I’m sure he’ll be more interested in me than her. So that job is complete.”
“I guess there is that to be thankful for, at least.”
Royce chuckled.
“What?”
“I’m just thinking about Merrick. He’ll have no idea where I am now. My disappearance will drive him crazy.”
Hadrian sat down.
“Isn’t that water cold?” Royce asked, watching him and making an unpleasant face.
He nodded. “And the bottom has sharp rocks coated in a disgusting slime.”
Royce looked up at the opening once more, then gritted his teeth and slowly eased himself down across from Hadrian. “Oh yeah, real comfortable.”
They sat in silence for a few minutes, listening to the breeze flutter across the grating. It made a humming noise when it blew just right. Occasionally, a droplet of water would drip into the pool with a surprisingly loud plop! magnified by the chamber.
“You realize that with this job over, I’m officially retired.”
“I assumed as much.” Royce fished beneath him, withdrew a rock, and tossed it aside.
“I was thinking of returning here. Maybe Grimbald could use a hand, or Armigil. She’s getting older now and probably would welcome a partner. Those barrels can be heavy and brewing beer has its perks.”
Moonlight revealed Royce’s face. He looked tense.
“I know you’re not happy with this, but I really need a change. I’m not saying I’ll stay here. I probably won’t, but it’s a start. I consider it practice for a peaceful life.”
“And that’s what you want, a peaceful life? No more dreams of glory?”
“That’s all they were, Royce, just dreams. It’s time I faced that and got on with my life.”
Royce sighed. “I’ve something to tell you. I should have told you a long time ago, but … I guess I was afraid you’d do something foolish.” He paused. “No, that’s not true either. It’s just taken me a while to see that you have the right to know.”
“Know what?”
Royce looked around him. “I never thought I’d be telling you in a place like this, but I must admit it could be a benefit that they took your weapons.” He pulled out Danbury’s letter.
“How do you have that?” Hadrian asked.
“From Arista.”
“Why didn’t they take it when they grabbed you?”
“Are you kidding? I practically had to remind them to take my dagger. They don’t seem too accustomed to thieves, much less ones that turn themselves in.” Royce handed the note to Hadrian. “What did you think of when you read this?”