Chapter 29: The Tunnels

Vito led Iris down different alleyways and side paths. He meticulously studied maps to learn the best routes to get around Kyrenia for just such an occasion. His senses were heightened, allowing him to hear even the quietest footstep in their vicinity and see even in the darkest corner.

The Silver Oak Guild had long placed the lamplighters and watchmen on payroll to ensure a steady flow of information from the poor district. His informants silently pointed him in the right direction to avoid patrols looking for stray Guild members to arrest and question about the quest in Orinis.

They reached the nobles’ district quickly enough and were within a block of the Holy Church of Ivalis. Iris stopped in her tracks when she saw a large group of royal knights posted around the church. “What are they doing here?” she hissed.

“Renaudin has ties to the royal family. He must have pulled strings to lean on the church to find you and sway you to testify against us,” Vito assumed.

Iris gritted her teeth and prepared to march up to them. Vito was quick to stop her. “Wait. Is there a secret entrance, something that even the royal knights wouldn’t know to guard?”

She sighed to cool her temper and nodded. “Yes, the nearby Galloping Horse shop is closely affiliated with us. They guard one of our secret pathways.”

Iris led Vito to the shop and was surprised to see the shop owner lingering outside. “Mr. Seward? What are you doing out here so late at night? Surely Mrs. Sewart will be cross with you.”

The man jumped to attention. “Lady Iris! Please come inside. Quickly!” He quietly urged her. Iris and Vito quickly followed him inside the shop.

“The royal knights and Lord Renaudin’s men are scouring the area for you. Lord and Lady Maxwell have been placed in a difficult position as well,” Mr. Seward explained.

“My mother and father? Why?” Iris was alarmed. Vito’s fury quietly simmered beneath the surface.

“Lord Renaudin has publicly accused you of blasphemy, that you used your position as a priestess to enrich yourself at the cost of others, such as the villagers of Orinis,” Mr. Seward explained.

“What?! I would never do such a thing! I’ve ousted such corrupt people from the church myself!” Iris angrily declared.

Vito quickly put his hand over her mouth. “Quiet! We can’t take on a whole platoon of knights!” he warned her in a hushed voice.

“I know. You can still count on our support. The church believes in you as well,” Mr. Seward assured her. “Please escape to the church. Not even Lord Renaudin would dare invade that place with his men. The whole of Avreora would pray to the goddess to strike him down for such a heathenous act.”

“I can’t imagine he’s very popular after publicly attacking the church,” Vito mused.

Mr. Seward sighed. “No, he’s not, and the area around the church has suffered for it. There’s a schism between the church and the nobility.”

“He’s raised in rank and influence such that he can sway other nobles to publicly confront the church about one of its most beloved members?” Vito was impressed. “We’re still taking him down; it just might be a bit more annoying if his friends try to avenge him.”

“Take him down?” Mr. Seward was confused.

“He’s an evil man who schemes to kill my family, and I’ve no doubt he has even worse plans for Lady Iris. We’re going to stop him.”

A serious expression came over Mr. Seward’s face as he nodded. “May Ivalis guide you true.” He turned and guided them to a back area. “Come, please make haste to the tunnels.”

Mr. Seward led them down to a cellar and pushed some crates aside to reveal a door on the far wall. He placed his hand on the wall and activated the mechanism that opened the door. Vito could only see a stairwell shrouded in darkness. “I will pray for your safety, Lady Iris,” he bid her farewell.

Iris took his hands and smiled. “Thank you.”

The door closed behind with a deep thud as Vito and Iris entered the darkened tunnel. Their footsteps echoed while they blindly marched forward. Iris held onto Vito’s hand as she casually walked.

“Did they teach priestesses how to see in the darkness? Not even my enhancement magic is helping me here,” Vito commented, his voice echoing in the darkness.

Her melodic giggle reached his ears. “Relax. Numerous protective spells throughout these tunnels determine friend from foe. Just wait one moment.” True to her word, a row of magic stones embedded in the ceiling lit their path as they reached a crossroad.

The tunnels were large enough for entire carriages to ride through with extra space for armed escorts. The roads were paved with gray bricks, and the walls were painted pure white. “I have questions, but we don’t have time for any of them,” he commented.

Iris held his hand firm and led him along. “We have time for at least one,” she offered.

“How far do these tunnels go? I doubt they only connect the shop and church.”

Iris thought for a moment. “You’re correct. I believe these tunnels are spread throughout the whole of Kyrenia. I know of a few entrances, and only Father Mertis has our map,” she explained. “We believe that the royal family constructed these tunnels, but we’ve never seen anyone else down here.”

“You’ve been drawing your own map?” Vito wondered.

“Yes! We’ve painstakingly explored these tunnels to the best of our ability. We’ve had to be careful; there are some dead ends and maze-like areas.”

“Could you get me a copy of your map?”

Iris gave him a coy smile. “Maybe. If you earn it, we can’t simply share such sensitive information with outsiders.”

Vito smirked. “Really? And how might I earn a map?” He pulled her hand, drawing her closer to him.

Iris lightly giggled and poked his nose. “We’ll discuss terms later,” she pulled away from him and continued to lead him through the tunnels. “For now, we need to hurry to the church. I’m worried about my friends.”