CHAPTER 60: UNEXPECTED ALLIES

They ducked through shadows and hid behind crates until they reached the secret warehouse. Marcus sighed with relief, but there was commotion inside.

"Let me go, I am not a spy!" came a woman's voice, oddly familiar.

"Sir, captain... uh, sergeant, I don't know this woman," they heard Sara's voice, strained with worry.

"It's obvious you're both workin' together. You're both spies for either Varek or that Koroth scum," a male voice barked.

Marcus hesitated at the door, tryin' to think of a plan, but Tom barged inside. "Hey! Let go of Lady Sara!"

Oh Tom, Marcus thought, and followed him in.

Inside, he saw beat-up soldiers of Commander Cain surrounding Sara and an old woman Marcus recognized from somewhere. In the center, Sergeant Harwick was interrogating both women.

Everyone turned to stare at Tom and Marcus.

Sara screamed, "Marcus! You're out! Tom, thank the Maker!"

"Sara, what's goin' on?" Marcus asked.

Sergeant Harwick pointed his sword at them. "Other accomplices arrived. You little dirt-grubbin' villagers will pay for sellin' out my lord and my commander."

"What?" Marcus said. "Dirt-grubbing?" Tom added, offended.

"Capture them! We'll show them what happens to traitors," Harwick ordered.

As the soldiers moved toward them, Marcus quickly showed the keys and unlocked Tom's cuffs. "Sergeant, we didn't sell anyone. We were captives. Look at Tom's bruises from when he tried to save me."

Tom rolled his shoulders. "Oh man, this enhancement magic heals so good. These barely hurt now."

Harwick squinted at them. "Why should we believe you? We're gonna capture everyone, includin' General Koroth, and stop that fake trial tomorrow."

"Sergeant, you may not know us well, but we traveled and fought side by side," Marcus said.

"You were mainly on your back side," one soldier muttered.

Harwick shot the soldier a stern look.

Tom walked right up to Harwick's pointed blade and stared directly into his eyes.

"Tom, don't do anything hasty. We're allies, they'll understand," Marcus said quickly.

Tom kept staring, then put his hand on the blade and pushed it down. "Sir... like you said, we need to stop the trial tomorrow. Let's work together."

Harwick lowered his weapon slightly. "Then why is this suspicious woman followin' you around?" He pointed at the old woman.

Sara cut in, "We don't know her, sir. She just came in before you did."

Marcus nodded. "Sir, if you remember, I was the one who warned Commander Cain about how suspicious this woman was."

Harwick turned to the woman. "Who are you really? Who do you work for?"

The suspicious refugee curtsied calmly. "Celestine Lowborn, at your service."

"Lowborn?" Marcus raised an eyebrow.

Celestine smiled. "Yeah, I gave myself a surname. All the ladies have one, why not me? Also, I got bored of people askin' where Rockwall is. So I grabbed myself a new name and became a local. Even got myself this nice pin." She tapped a small bronze pin on her cloak.

Marcus stepped closer. "Why come to my warehouse? Why lead all of Commander Cain's men here?" He checked the door. "Is there an ambush? Who do you really work for?"

"I only work for myself, dear. Well, I was workin' for Owen back then, sellin' his stolen jewelry to high society ladies." She looked left and right, then lowered her voice. "They have no taste whatsoever, those ladies. I sold those ugly rings and necklaces like cookies. What do you expect from ladies fightin' over those god-awful soaps?" She laughed to herself.

"So Owen told you to come here?"

"No, dear. These soldiers were followin' me, so I ran here hopin' Owen would protect me."

"Yeah, he's known to be protective," Marcus said sarcastically.

Sergeant Harwick gestured to his men. "Tie her hands just in case. I'm still not convinced."

Marcus ran to Sara, thinkin' the situation was resolved.

But Harwick wasn't done. "Why do you have a secret place? What are you hidin'?"

"Sara, show them what we've been doin'," Marcus said.

Sara led them to a corner where several crude bomb-like devices sat on a table.

"These are dangerous things, so I wanted to work alone. But when the operation got moved up, I gave her instructions to finish them," Marcus explained.

Harwick examined one carefully. "What are they for?"

"They create fire and explosions without magic. But they're extremely dangerous, even to the user."

"Hmm. This could be useful against General Koroth. We don't know what kind of powers he has."

Marcus leaned forward. "Do you know where he is? If we capture him and present him to the King at the trial, it might help us."

Harwick's expression grew serious. "We followed Lord Varek and General Koroth. Varek took him to some promised shipment. They shook hands, then Varek left. But before he did, he left one of his officials to arrange safe passage through the gate. Koroth and his men are still there with the cargo, near the east gate."

"We have to attack now then, before they leave," Sara said.

Marcus shook his head. "We're goin', but you're not comin'. Sorry, I can't risk your life."

"But I could be useful!"

"Sorry, Sara. I need you at the trial. If somethin' happens to us..." He paused, then hugged her tight. "Don't do anything to put yourself in danger. Study math, physics, and chemistry. You can be anything you want. Not just Aldric's bride."

Sara started cryin' as Marcus held her. The warehouse fell quiet except for the sound of weapons being checked and preparations being made.

Tonight, they would face a general of Malachar. Marcus just hoped Sara's bombs would be enough.