“Bark louder so I know where you are,” Maria instructed Sherlock.
The Bloodhound had been barking quite a lot since being thrown in a cage, so that wasn’t asking for much.
“What’s the guard situation up there?”
I smell one or two. I’ve only seen one since the others were called out of the prison keep—the ugly motherfucker who’s patrolling the corridors and keeps telling me to shut up.
“Seems like you get that no matter what planet you’re on.”
You’re hilarious.
Maria smirked, causing Gelbus to give her another crooked look.
“All right, tell everyone in the cell to stand back,” she said.
I can’t…I’m a dog, Sherlock replied with no humor in his voice.
“You know what I mean. Get them as far away from my voice as you can.”
I’ll do my best, but I’m not making any promises. If people die, it’s on you.
“Such the chivalrous and brave Bloodhound you are. You’ll make a cat very happy one day.”
I don’t like cats! For the last time, that magazine was sent to me by accident!
“Sure, sure, whatever floats your boat, pal. At least it’s not gerbils or something.”
I eat gerbils for breakfast, Sherlock said, his voice dropping lower.
“You eat Purina for breakfast…usually. Unless you’re being especially rowdy and going after my bacon and eggs.”
Maria pushed all the thoughts from her mind, only focusing on the magic present in Oriceran’s core. A rush of the energy hit her, and the flesh on the back of her neck and all up her arms broke out in goosebumps. Slowly, like a revving engine, her body began to tremble. The darkness ebbed away, replaced with the familiar sapphire blue that came with her magic.
Gelbus took a few quick steps back, out of the way, as Maria leaned forward and placed her glowing hands on the brick. Her fingers burned so brightly that she could no longer make out the shape of her hand, could no longer tell what was what.
Oh, please don’t let me fuck this up, she pleaded silently, as wind blew her hair in every direction.
The wall beneath her trembling palms crumbled, and her muscles tensed.
Oh, shit! Sherlock exclaimed from somewhere far away.
‘Oh, shit’ was right.
This act of magic was not as quiet as the earlier one had been. To Maria’s ears, it sounded like a small earthquake. The aftermath of the action—crumbled brick that now revealed a large gaping hole above her and offered her a view into her family’s cell—looked like an earthquake had occurred, too.
When the dust settled, Maria looked up. There stood Gramps, Sherlock, and Frieda, their eyes all equally bugged out, their smiles all equally big.
“Oh, Maria, I knew you’d come,” Gramps said.
I didn’t. I thought you were dead. No way you could’ve taken down those five Dragon Tongue by yourself.
“Thanks, Sherlock. Glad you believe in me,” Maria rolled her eyes.
Frieda’s smile vanished as she whirled around. “We must go. They’re coming.” From behind her, over the clamor of the other prisoners, Maria heard doors banging open and guards yelling.
Frieda hopped down, Gramps after her, and Maria helped them both. Then Sherlock jumped down into her arms. He swiped his tongue across her face, leaving a trail of slobber in its wake.
Missed you. Glad you’re all right.
Maria smiled.
Suddenly the cell door opened, and three Dragon Tongue came into the ruined room. Maria saw them through the jagged hole in the floor. It didn’t take much time for them to realize the situation. The lead Dragon Tongue, who Maria recognized as Macran, the one who’d come close to burning Gelbus to ashes in his cell, grimaced and thrust his arms down toward Maria. A great wave of flame manifested, igniting the air.
The Dragon Tongue were of the mindset to shoot first and ask questions later—if they asked questions at all. Maria had to act fast.
She threw Sherlock out of the way and drew on her power. She didn’t have enough time to make it really count, but it was enough to combat the Dragon Tongue’s magic.
Her own blue fire met his malicious red, and the streams collided, making a noise that reminded Maria of fireworks. The brilliant explosion ate away all shadow from the room, and more of the floor evaporated. Both Maria and the Dragon Tongue were launched backward. The Dragon Tongue knocked into the other two guards still in the cell.
Gramps and Frieda grabbed Maria’s arm, helping her up.
Dazed, she was momentarily unsure of where she was.
“We have to go,” Gramps urged. “Maria, can you lead us out of here?”
She didn’t answer—just rubbed the back of her head where she had taken the most damage.
“I can lead!” Gelbus offered. “Or, I can do my best.”
I can’t believe I’m saying this, Sherlock grumbled. Get on my back, Gnome. It’ll be quicker this way.
Maria, now more shocked than anything, translated. “Sherlock wants you to ride him. Lead the way, Gelbus.”
Surprisingly, the Gnome didn’t waste any time. He took a couple quick steps over to the Bloodhound and hopped on, gripping Sherlock’s collar. “That way!” he shouted.
Yeah, yeah, ask nicely, Gnome, Sherlock muttered, but he obeyed.
Maria had one arm around Frieda, and the other around Gramps. It took Maria longer than she wanted to come back to her senses, and her head thrummed terribly as they followed after Gelbus.
They came upon the spot beneath Gelbus’s cell not long after.
“Okay, back up to the surface. They’re not expecting that,” Gelbus decided.
“You can’t be serious,” Frieda said. “They’ll kill us. More guards are on the way.”
“Then we’ll have to fight.” Maria pulled herself away from Frieda and Gramps. Her legs shook and her head buzzed, but she was, for the most part, all right.
“You are in no condition to fight, my dear,” Gramps replied. “Using intense magic like that in such a short span of time is dangerous.”
Maria put a hand up. “I’m okay. I have all
