The air was heavy with the promise of rain. It was almost upon them as they finished lashing together a litter to carry Assem and Pacumi. Thunder rumbled as the storm drew closer. The little band made their way as quickly as they dared across the uneven terrain. Neira smiled down at Tawny, who trotted along beside her. She chirped happily, already well adjusted to the temporary loss of her hind leg. Rain splattered in fat drops around them as they neared the cave entrance. Dyric glanced from the cave to the surrounding rocks with disquiet.

“Can we be sure that there aren’t more bandits ready to ambush us? We’re not exactly in a position to defend ourselves.”

“As you said before, it isn’t like we have much of a choice.” Morai responded.

“Someone could sneak through and make sure there’s no one else.” Neira offered “Akua and I could do it.”

“Alright, but be careful.”

Neira was antsy being in the damp cave again. Her skin prickled and her mouth went dry. Akua grinned, and held a hand out to her.

“I’d hate to lose you in there. It’s pretty dark after all.”

Neira took his hand. His gentle warmth was soothing. The light from the entrance only got them a short distance until everything before them was a dark void. Neira stumbled over a dip in the stone floor. Akua caught her before she fell, and steadied her.

“I don’t suppose you have the power to make a magic light that only we can see, do you?” She grumbled.

Akua chuckled, pulling her closer, and murmured “No, but I can see in the dark, my lady. Would you like me to guide you?”

“I suppose so, since my other options all come with a high probability of injury or death.”

She felt him lean in closer. His breath tickled her ear as he whispered “Would it be alright if I keep ahold of you, so you don’t trip again?”

Her breath hitched and she nodded. His arm slid around her waist, cradling her against him. Her heart was beating so loudly, she was surprised it wasn’t echoing off the walls. A flush crept into her cheeks that she sincerely hoped he could not see. They ventured further into the cave together, moving slowly, until they could see a light ahead. A distant clatter echoed off the stone walls.

“Seems we’re not alone after all.” Akua whispered.

There was another series of loud crashes.

“Good to know you can hear in the dark too.” Neira responded with a smirk.

Akua grinned at her and gave her a playful shove. They crept into the lighted area and saw a frantic man loading up bags full of treasure. He was a small, portly fellow, with thin scraggly limbs, and a rotund belly. He grabbed up the bags of treasure, sweat drenching the stringy grey hair that stuck to his forehead. His wide, owl like eyes flicked anxiously around the cave, and lingered on the bodies of the bandits. He scuttled over to his camel, hurriedly tying the loot to its saddle.

“Do you think he’s alone?” Neira whispered.

“Why don’t we go ask.”

They separated, to approach from either side. Neira reached him first, pressing the tip of her blade into his back.

“Don’t move, and don’t make another sound.”

The man whimpered, scrawny, trembling arms held aloft. Akua stepped out from behind the camel with his blade pointed at the mans’ throat.

“Who else is here?” Akua demanded in a low, menacing rumble.

The bulbous man trembled and squeaked, tears rolling down his ruddy face.

“I don’t know!” He cried in a wheezy, tremulous voice. “I just got here, and found all these b-bodies. It’s my j-job to deliver the water and food. I don’t know what happened, I swear!”

His sniveling was nauseating. Neira pressed her blade a bit harder.

“How many knew of this place?”

“Th-thirteen, including me. At least that’s all I knew of. If there were others they never s-said anything to m-me.” He sobbed.

Neira looked to Akua, who nodded. He grabbed a rope and quickly trussed up the bandits’ errand boy.

“W-wait!” He squeaked “You can’t just l-leave me here! Everyone’s dead! What if whoever killed them comes b-back?”

Neira grabbed a nearby wad of fabric and stuffed it into his mouth. She levelled him with an icy stare.

“They did.”

She and Akua moved through the rest of the cave, but found it deserted. Aside from their whimpering friend, it was exactly as they had left it. They made their way back to the others, waiting just inside the cave entrance. Dyric was standing guard, his hand resting on his sword.

“What did you find?”

“Just one man.” Neira responded “According to him, no one else knows of the cave. We left him bound just ahead.”

Dyric nodded, considering.

“Well what’r we waitin fer?” Pacumi growled “I say we gut tha scum and be done with it.”

“Hasn’t there been enough killing?” Morai said, clutching at her son.

“If we turned him in to the guards at Nopriat they would certainly put him to death.” Dyric argued.

“Lovely, so we let them do it then. He’s no danger to us bound.”

“You know we can’t turn him in Morai. We can’t afford to have that kind of scrutiny, especially with Dad gone.”

“Yes, I suppose you’re right.” She sighed.

Dyric turned to Akua and Neira.

“I’m guessing you two wouldn’t want them looking too closely into your backgrounds either?”

Neira shifted uncomfortably, and shook her head.

“Then we have no choice.” Dyric stated. “We can’t set him free, knowing that we are here, and we can’t turn him in without drawing too much attention. We have to kill him.”

“There is one other option.” Akua cut in “I can burn away his memories.”

—

Irayen stared out her bedroom window, watching the sun rise over the mountains. The longer she waited to set things in motion, the harder this was going to be. First, she would need to regain Rifats’ trust. She shuddered, and headed out to the dining hall. She found him at the table, feasting with abandon, as usual. The sight turned her stomach, but there was no time for that now. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she approached.

“Darling, there's something I must tell you.”

Rifat looked up at her, still eating and motioned for her to continue. His expression was stony.

“I-I knew about the baby before Doctor Wahid came.”

He paused, wiping the sauce and crumbs from his beard.

“Yes, I suspected as much. What possessed you to keep such secrets from me? I had expected more from a wife of your caliber and breeding.”

“The reason I didn't tell you about the baby was-” She sniffed, her lip quivering. “It's because I was afraid of the curse.”

Rifats’ expression grew dark, but he said nothing.

“As a little girl, I wandered too far from home one day, and came across a vile demon. He cursed me, that every child I ever conceived would die in the womb.” Irayens’ voice broke, tears filling her wide, pleading eyes. “I-I just couldn’t bear the thought of telling you about our baby- I just couldn't bear it!”

She slipped into a fit of heaving sobs, taking great care to expose the tears on her cheeks to Rifat. The tears proved effective. Rifat stood and hurried to her side, leading her to a seat.

“Now, now… Don’t cry my dear. I am sure we can find a way to lift this terrible curse. I will have every man under my command search until a solution is found.”

Irayen slowed her sobbing, and delicately wiped the tears from her cheeks. She looked up at him, clutching her hands to her heart.

“Actually, I already found something. In Nopriat there is a temple where the priests are said to be able to lift the curses of demons.” She hesitated, dropping her gaze. “I know you have every reason to be suspicious of me…”

He lifted her face, and looked into her eyes. The look on his face exposing his delight in playing the hero.

“Of course we will go to the temple. I would do anything to ensure my child survives.”

Irayen looked up at him, genuine delight in her expression. Nopriat would be the perfect place for her escape. This was far from over, but it gave her hope. With any luck, there would be freedom at the end of this path. She just wished Neira could have been with her to find it.