22 But were otherwise still

Katyle led them to a pile of rubble behind Helen's bakery.

The sky now dark, Leonel held out a lamp to better light their way. Old planks of wood laid about wound with overgrown vines and moss. After moving aside some of the old garbage, they revealed a sealed up well, long disused.

Katyle took out a dagger and began unhinging the nails that held the planks in place over the well. A howling gust of wind echoed below. There was rope left around the side of the well, but it had suffered from exposure for much too long and wasn't trustworthy. She took out her own batch and threw it down the well. A wet sound came from below.

"What's down there?" Leonel asked. "Why was this sealed up before?"

"It's our escape route," Julian hummed pleasantly. Katyle shot the Inquisitor a glare as though she thought him stupid.

The answer did not impress the Inquisitor, "If there's shit down there, I want to be prepared for it before going down."

"If you fall into the water, better keep your mouth shut," Katyle sneered at him.

Julian laughed, "Yes. The water's contaminated. It's not safe to drink anymore, but we can still swim in it if need be. More importantly, there's a wide expanse of caverns down there. I've already mapped out the exit on my previous visits."

Leonel raised a brow, "So you've been down there before."

"Of course, I have! Do you think me a fool?"

"A little."

A distant barking started a squeak out of Illysa. Her blond head snapped back and looked around. There were footsteps shuffling nearby and villagers exchanging hushed tones.

"Looks like we better get going," Julian hummed, "Why don't you go down there first, big guy?" He gave Leonel a little shove.

The Inquisitor bore his teeth, annoyed. He looked toward the well and set the lantern on the edge. Illysa cautiously approached the side of the well and peered downward. But all she saw was a dark expanse, ready to swallow them whole. She took a shuddering breath, fear threatening to make her legs weak and heart gallop.

Still, she knew what must be done. The hunters that chased them would not wait for her to overcome her fear of the dark of underground places.

Unlike the young teenager, Leonel did not show the same fear of hesitation. He tested the integrity of the rope before using it to climb down the side of the well slowly. Illysa quickly grabbed the discarded lantern, but Leonel commanded her to keep it there on the ledge.

"Don't worry," Julian supplied, "Inquisitors have better vision in the dark than us normal folk."

"Oh," Illysa replied dumbly. Her eyes were wide, lost and childish. Julian couldn't help but reach over and pat her head. Over the years he'd learned to grow soft to children.

They heard some water rippling and a splash. Leonel's voice cursed but then there was a soft thud. Julian leaned over the edge of the well. He saw barely anything in the darkness, only the way the rope swayed a little. "How is it down there? All moist and cozy? Please tell me if it smells or if you can spot any terrible monsters down there. If so, please take care of it first and let us know when you're done!"

"Shut up and get down here."

Julian laughed at the impatient and biting tone. He turned back toward Illysa. "Hmm," without another word, he took the lantern and tied it to the girl's belt. Once that was done, he gave the teenager an encouraging pat on the back. "Go on. If Leonel doesn't catch you I promise I'll beat him for it."

Even in the darkening sky, he could see that her face was pale. With a small nod and steeling her expression, the girl reached over for the rope. She hesitated, but then her grip tightened. With a surge of confidence, she hopped over the edge of the well and slowly descended.

There was no chiding remark that came from below. Julian strangely trusted Leonel enough to believe that the Inquisitor would help the girl down.

Dog descended from the sky and found its place around Julian's neck, nudging close for warmth. Julian looked back at Katyle, "You know what to do, I reckon."

The woman nodded, expression serious. "You can count on me, Doctor."

"Good, good." He patted her shoulder. "You've grown into such a reliable lassie over the years! I'm sure your mother and father are proud of you."

The grave expression on her face faltered a little, "Doctor-"

He cut her off, "Now, don't miss me too much. You'll make your fiance jealous. I want nothing to do with that man! He will rip me in half with bare hands he will."

Red traveled up her face, "Patrik isn't my fiance!" And then coughed, "We're going to miss you, Doctor. For real."

"Hmm," He saw her eyes were sincere. How strange. A younger him would have yearned so terribly to hear such words and yet now… He felt nothing.

…Nothing wasn't accurate. But it was a distant and lukewarm feeling that was difficult to describe. A remote understanding that there was something to mourn but Julian didn't feel particularly affected by it either. He leaned in and brought the girl in for a hug. Katyle startled a little but then wound her arms around his back and squeezed.

And just as quickly as he leaned in, be pulled away. With a final pat on her arm, he said, "Don't cause your parents too much trouble! Get married soon!"

Scandalized, Katyle whined, "Doctor--"

He laughed, and before she could say anything else, Julian took the rope and descended into the well.

There was a soft blue down in the depths, emitting from the lantern tied to Illysa's belt.

Because of his lame leg, it was tough for him to descend, and he took a bit longer than Leonel and Illysa.

"Hurry up, old man! By the time you get down here, we're all have turned to dust."

"Harharhar," Julian laughed sarcastically, surprised to feel hands reaching up and around his waist to help him down. "I'll just pretend that I haven't heard that one before." The end of the rope sat within the water, but Leonel guided him over to a solid ledge on the right side of the well.

Even though Leonel was standing close to him, Julian could only make out the slightest bit of his sharp features. The Inquisitor's hand was still there on the small of his back while he regained his balance and was able to orient his cane against the uneven stone surface. The air was thick and moist, and a bit heavy and the cavern walls seemed to close in on them, the ceiling of the tunnels that led away from the well was going to be a tight fit for their big Ferryman.

Before leaving, Julian turned back to face the opening of the well, "We'll all fine and dandy down here."

"Okay!" Katyle's voice shouted back. And then the rope came loose, falling into the water. The opening above them sealed. If she followed Julian's instructions correctly, she would then work to cover up their tracks and hide the secret little well.

The dim lighting became even darker. Illysa's breath hitched, fearful. Dog perked up at the sound and mewled at her, sliding off Julian's shoulder to cuddle with her instead. The teenager hugged the wyvern close to her chest.

Julian hummed and summoned a magelight on the tip of his finger. The little fire danced, lighting the way just the slightest. "Come this way," He tapped the ground before him with his walking stick, "and watch your head."

Their footsteps echoed in the narrow damp caverns. The waterways that wound about at their side rippled when pebbles tumbled within but were otherwise still.

A large pair of eyes blinked at their forms moving through the tunnels. Slowly, they lowered back into the depths of the water.