“Fibian?” Cyrus asked, looking up.
Ungur stood within the doorway.
“Imay know a way to free Gammal,” she said.
Shehad a panicky expression on her drawn face.
“What’sgoing on?” Edward asked, rousing within Cyrus’ collar.
Thewhite spider rubbed his two large eyes.
“Wherehave you been all night?” Tier asked.
“Theguards have grown reckless over the last few weeks,” Ungurwhispered, “They’ve been abandoning their post near the gates to play dice andbone. The throne room will be empty this time of night, with the exception of askeleton guard. There may be a way into the fortress’ dungeons, but we must leavenow.”
“Canit wait a few hours?” Cyrus asked, thinking of Fibian.
“It’snow or never,” Ungur replied.
“Yourfather’s okay with this?”
“Hedoes not know.”
“Shouldn’twe wait until morning, when the elders meet?” Edward asked, “If the yeti agreeto revolt, we can break down the gates in strength and free Gammal.Why take the risk?”
“Thequeen will kill Gammal long before you invade herlair,” Ungur said, “If this boy truly is the saviorprophesied, using stealth is the only way to ensure Gammal’ssafety.”
“You’reagainst us being here,” Tier said, mistrust in her tone, “Why are you nowhelping us?”
“Ifyou want to risk your lives to free Gammal, that isup to you,” Ungur said, “but I want you out of myhome and away from my father. Giving you what you want seems the easiest way.But if you are caught, you will not mention that I helped. You have done enoughharm already.”
“Idon’t like this,” Edward said, moving across Cyrus’ shoulder, “This sounds fartoo risky.”
“Whatother choice do we have?” Cyrus asked, collecting his bow and klops guise, “This may be our only chance, and Ungur’s right. We can’t wait for the yeti to rebel and breakdown the gates. If we do, the queen will surely kill Gammal.This way, we find out where the hune is tonight. He’sthe reason we’ve come so far. He’s the key to everything, defeating Rorroh, saving my people. We have to take the risk.”
DidCyrus sound confident, he wondered? Did he believe his own words? He felt hisguts roil in terror.
Tierstood up without saying a word.
“Youdon’t have to come,” Cyrus said, staring up at the towering blonde yeti, “Thisisn’t your fight. You’re here to free your people.”
“Gammal is my people,” Tier replied.
Cyrusfelt relief flush his system.
“Where’sthe blue-eyed one?” Ungur asked.
“Wehave to go without him,” Cyrus said, limping towards the door, “He won’t beback for a while.”
Ungur appeared troubled.
“Hecan take care of himself,” Edward added.
Thespider’s assurances did not seem to relieve Ungur’sconcerns.
Cyrusand Tier stepped outside the tent. Ungur did notmove.
“Arewe going?” Cyrus asked.
“Yes,of course,” Ungur said, collecting herself, “Followme.”
Outside,a large piece of timber lay along the icy pathway.
“Tier,you pick one end up,” Ungur whispered, “I’ll carrythe other. The oddling will lead us. It will appearthat we are an emergency repair crew. If anyone asks questions, tell them thata support beam collapsed in the northern mine.”
Cyrussecured his foul-smelling klops helmet and took thelead. They marched through the yeti ghetto north towards the fortress. Ungur whispered directions to Cyrus as they navigated thebroken trail.
Alongthe way, yeti snored within leather-bound shelters. The night sky was overcast,with not a single star to light their way. The odd oil lamp burned here orthere throughout the mine.
Theyexited the ghetto and moved into the center of the pit. Icy craters pocked themine, silent and empty. They passed by massive blackened forges that resembledlarge gravestones. Here and there, small klops stoodguard, grasping crossbows and horns.
“What’syour business?” a shrill voice asked.
Cyrusbroke into a sweat. He had not seen the two guards before them in the dark.
“Pillarcollapsed in the northern mine,” Cyrus said, twisting his voice, “Needs repairs.”
Theguards emerged out of the murk and inspected Tier and Ungur;then the log they carried.
“Geton with it,” the second guard said, ignoring Cyrus.
Cyrusreleased his breath.
“Move,”he said, with all the nastiness he could muster.
Ungur directed Cyrus to the easterncorner of the fortress’ massive steel doors. Oil lamps burned at the foot ofthe gates. Cyrus stared up at the hulking slabs of steel, their tops hardlyvisible in the darkness. The doors were taller than they were wide and formedan archway at their apex. Their exteriors were armored in steel bands, like asnake’s belly. Within the bands, intricate designs were etched and filled withveins of gold. Clearly, yeti made, Cyrus thought.
Theyapproached the fortress. To the right of the doors stood a small iron hatch,barely large enough for a yeti to squeeze through.
“See,it is unguarded,” Ungur whispered, “You could walkright through.”
“Onceinside,” Cyrus said, “how do we find the dungeons?”
“Inthe northeast corner of the hall, there is another iron door. The dungeons liebeyond.”
Cyruslooked about. There was not a single water klops insite.
“Something’sodd here,” Tier whispered.
Cyruscould feel a great unease fill his bones. Edward stood on his shoulder, his whitefur bristling.
“Wecan’t stay here,” Cyrus whispered, “Let’s get back to the tent.”
Hequickly turned to leave.
“Cyrus!”Edward hissed.
Tenbrawny water klops emerged from the dark. All wereover six feet tall. All carried large cleaver-like swords. Cyrus felt as if thevery mine was crashing down around him.
“Batalha…” Ungur gasped.
Tiersnapped into action, taking the log from Ungur andheaving it at the klops. She struck two in the chest,crushing their ribs and knocking them back over several stacks of lumber. Cyrusdrew an arrow. He fired it at the closest klops. Thepoison-tipped missile found its target in the brute’s unarmored right leg. Thecreature howled and dropped, clutching his thigh.
“Thedoor!” Ungur shouted.
“Wemust fight them,” Tier growled.
“Wehave a single bow,” Ungur cried.
Theseven remaining batalha advanced.
“They’recoming, go!” Edward shouted, racing across Cyrus’ back.
Cyruslimped for the door. Tier and Ungur followed. Cyrusreached the door and forced the handle. All three stormed across the threshold.Wind and snow gusted in behind them. Cyrus slammed the door shut and barred it.The seven batalha crashed against its exterior.
Within,the chamber was surprisingly warm. Cyrus took a deep breath and slumped againstthe iron hatch.
“Whatdo we do now?” he asked.
“Ambush!”
Chapter 26
TWO FACED
“MOREKLOPS,” Edwardscreamed.
Cyrussprang from the door and nocked an arrow to his bow. He aimed ahead, trying tofind a target. Four batalha emerged from the shadowystairway to their right. They pointed black rifles at the group.
“Movean inch and I’ll blow your head
