The Blessed City

"Good morning." Stirring awake, Maleah pried open her eyes to stare into fresh sunlight. Rhys sat at the edge of her bed and offered her a cup of tea. "Grabbed it from the tavern. Hot and fresh for breakfast."

Taking the cup, she looked around the room. "Where is Cam?"

"In the village. He had the idea to get there early."

"How long have you been awake?"

"A while now. We fed the horses, did the wash. I suggest you clean up some, too. I suspect Cam will be itching to leave once he returns."

Maleah gulped her tea and did just that. Following Rhys' directions, she found the bathing room and scrubbed her clothes free of dirt then did the same for herself. When she returned to the room, Cam had spread out breakfast. Beating the eggs over a pan and fire while Rhys packed their bags full of dried meats, fruits, and more bread.

As they ate in front of the fire, three bells tolled outside.

"What is that?" Maleah looked to the others.

Cam shot Rhys a look, who returned it with a glimmer of panic.

"Nothing good," Rhys said. Standing quickly, she crossed to the window. Outside, the streets flooded with people half-asleep. They came from every building and headed towards the dais. "We need to go."

They left the room as it was, grabbing the things they strode down the stairs and to the horse stalls.

"We need to get to the south gate." Strapping her pack to her saddle, Rhys looked to the others. "We can take the backstreets. Stay quiet, unseen." Drawing her hood up, Rhys shrugged into the shadows before molding into the crowd.

Maleah heard shouting in the distance calling everyone to the dais. Everyone obeyed without question.

Slipping through narrow alleys, they guided their horses around tilting buildings. As people possessed more and more of the pathways, Maleah struggled to weave through the bodies. Straining to keep up, Maleah watched intently for Rhys and Cam. Catching them as they disappeared into an alley. She frowned after them as she was forced to submit to the wave of people.

In the heart of the Tri-Bordered City, men, women, and children gathered. Old and new stood together around the large dais. Their bodies generated enough heat to fend off winter without fire, yet everyone wore a cloak of some sort. At the center waited the man they had gathered for.

She instantly recognized the crimson outfit and crest emblemed on his clothes. His grin was plastered mockingly under his nose as he gazed intensely over the crowd.

"Impossible," she whispered. An obscene amount of fear rose in her chest. How did he find them so quickly?

Lord Brae addressed the city. "Apologies for the early risings. But I come bearing pressing matters. My comrade and I -" he gestured to the towers. Everyone gazed up to where the orange bird circled. "-have traveled a long way in hopes of recruiting your eyes and ears."

Glancing around the city, Maleah discovered King's Men donned in deep reds and browns encircled the dais. Swords held readily at their sides.

"Several days ago," Brae continued. "Two prisoners escaped the borstal. In our search, we have reason to believe they are headed south and have taken on a guide. A defected King's Men who has impeccable knowledge of our traditions. He is known among many as the Unseen One."

Neighbors leaned into one another, murmuring opinions, doubts, and alarm. Maleah struggled to steady her heart. Panic ceased her. Anger rising shortly behind it. Was Cam one of them?

"The prisoners and the traitor must be brought to justice. It is in the greatest interest of the king that we capture and return them to his godliness."

People began shouting from the crowd.

"What does the king want with them?"

"How will we know if they come here?"

"Is there a reward for their capture?"

Brae waved them off with a swipe of his wrist. "I am sure the king will show his appreciation for anyone able to assist in their capture. As for recognizing them, a simple description from their keeper should suffice."

Her heart stopped completely. A hollow ache filled her. As cruel as Aedon was, she never imagined she'd meet her demise at his hands. She inched backward a step.

Absently listening, Maleah caught wisps of Rhys' depiction. Sun-burnt hair, scrappy, quick of tongue. Accurate, she thought. But then, gulped as she heard hers. Small in stature, unruly brown hair, defiant.

She kept her face to the ground as she neared the edge of the distracted crowd. Risking a glance, she raised her head towards the gate. There she saw Cam and Rhys waiting in the shadow of a building.

"I've seen such a triad." Dead in her tracks, she turned back as the proprietor piped up. "Paid a fancy coin for room and food just last night."

"Where are they now?" Brae demanded.

"Don't know. Horses were gone when I came for the bells."

Pushing her feet into a slow stride, she ignored the feeling of wandering eyes. Then, she felt the whole world turn on her.

"Seal the gates!"

Panicked, she flicked her eyes to Cam and Rhys as they lunged for the gates. Everyone descended on them. Guards rushed towards every gate. King's Men racing towards Cam and Rhys. The crowd broke apart as Lord Brae strode swiftly down its middle.

She needed to buy them time. She turned to Brae just as he stepped from the people. His eyes found her and he froze in his step. Beady red, they fixated on her. Her neck strained, cocking it left and right. He was trying to get inside her, but she refused to bow to it.

Grinning, she stared back and despite the restriction of her limbs, she lifted her hand and swept the air most ungraciously. Everyone around him tumbled, breaking his concentration. Mounting her horse, Maleah sprinted for the gate.

Cam and Rhys were fighting off the King's Men. Twisting her hands, she flipped the air around them creating distance enough for them to mount their horses.

"Come on!" she shouted. Clutching the reins with one hand, she used the other and propelled the wheel to raise the gate. Angry men cried from the ground as she passed. They fled from the city with a resounding crash as she released the wheel and let the gate slam shut behind them.

Not a mile from the city gates, she heard a screeching echo above them. The orange bird soared through the clouds with two riders atop its back.

"We cannot outrun them!" Cam claimed frantically.

"It is a phoenix," Rhys called to her. "Fire can be extinguished."

In understanding, Maleah curled her fingers towards the sky. The clouds responded by gathering in large dark clusters. The wind spun in vengeful circles and gained speed and strength. Power tingled her skin, cleared her senses. Her head began to hum until the feeling didn't feel foreign.

The phoenix cried out. Its large wings beat against the grew clouds as it fought to maintain flight. But the clouds descended around them until the fire in its feathers faded black. When it lay on the ground, she knew she had done her job.

Relieved, Maleah turned to Cam and Rhys then sprinted into the boglands of Fenrah.