35 It was magic

Anderina's slumber was one that was filled with aches and pain. There was no position that was comfortable, her body was broken through and through. A terrible iron scent mixed with filth. Rather than sleep, it was unconsciousness that stole her away from the world.

But she jolted awake when a blue light snapped through the door's lock. She couldn't see the figure properly through the little opening but she was hoping that it was her executioner.

Alas, she didn't recognize the man who walked inside her cell. What kind of executioner walked with a cane and cut a figure as slight as a dainty noblewoman? Alas, her mind was still clouded with hurt and she set aside her uncertainty and said, "Are you finally here to free me from my suffering?" Her voice croaked out, terrible and dry. She coughed, and desired water dearly.

The man rolled his eyes and he approached, there was a smile on his lips that spoke of childish mirth. "Oh save that angst for another day. Lady Anderina I take it? I am your savior, not your executioner."

She blinked slowly, her lids heavy. Confusion was about her when she watched the man kneel by her shackles. He waved his palms over her shackles. And then there was that strange blue lightning against and she was free.

It was magic.

"A-Are you a mage? Black Lily…?"

He rolled his eyes at her. "No. Just a friend. Can you walk? I don't think I can help you." He inspected her state. As terrible as it was, he couldn't help but feel that she was spared some of the worse forms of torture, probably thanks to her status. If she had been a simple peasant, there was no doubt she wouldn't have all her limbs anymore. And probably her eyes and tongue as well.

The beaten women clenched her jaw and nodded. Her body was one giant wound but she grit back her pain and forced herself to her feet. In the end, she was still a mother and as much as those Inquisitors tried to torment her, it didn't come close to agony she suffered through childbirth.

Julian nodded his head in approval, "Good. Now we follow me. Do your best to keep quiet because if we catch anyone's attention I'm afraid that I won't be able to protect you."

"Don't worry about me. I only have a few questions that I wish be answered…"

"After we get out," Julian cut her off.

"I know. Lead the way."

Straight to the point, Julian liked that. He turned around and began making his way back to the stairwell. It was slow trudge upward. Anderina was gritting her teeth, her breath coming out in sharp hisses. He tried to take a few breaks for her but she only grumbled at him and told him to keep going.

Eventually they reached the top, the lock still hung loose on the door but it seemed that no one had yet to notice. Julian held out a hand, preventing Anderina from advancing. With a finger on his lips he told her to quiet and press against the wall to avoid visibility.

There was life about the main office and voices raised and annoyed.

"Why haven't they returned yet? If we don't hurry then those damned Inquisitors will get their hands on the girl before us."

Anderina tensed at the words, she eyed the strange mage with alarm in her eyes but was smart enough to otherwise keep still and silent. Julian had no visible reaction, peering quietly out into the hall.

From the very corner of his vision he saw there was a guard pacing back and forth in the hall. The man sitting at the reception desk seemed distraught at the other's pacing with a deep set frown upon his face. But he didn't do much in terms of protest and only carefulyl asked, "Is it really that bad if they get their hands on the girl first? I mean she's basically dead meat either way, no?"

The pacing guard stopped. He glared at the receptionist, making the poor man jump. "Is it really that bad you say? Are you an imbecile!!? Who do you think they're putting the blame on for her escape in the first place? Do you even know why those Divine Light bastards sent a High Bishop here in the first place? Let me tell you something, it's not to capture one pathetic little innate mage! Have you heard of reforms?"

The receptionist paled at the words, "Surely not! They can't just reform Fauster…!"

"They can and they will." The guard seethed at his comrade, "so we better get to them first no matter what the cost!" He resumed pacing around. But eventually it seemed that the guard's patience had completely run out. "Forget it! Those bastards are useless. You!" He barked at the man at the desk.

The receptionist flinched with a little yelp, "Y-Yes sir? What is it?"

"Come with me, we're going to get those weapons. See if we can capture the little pest before the Inquisitor gets to her."

"You can't possibly mean…!"

"Yes I do! And you're coming with me!" The guard began to march off, leaving behind a flabbergasted receptionist.

Luckily for both Anderina and Julian, the receptionist didn't stay for long. After chewing up his lips and contemplating his options, he called after the guard that had left in a rush, "Wait! Sir! Please come back and think this through! If we get those weapons then…"

There wasn't a chance to hear the rest of his sentence, as the receptionist had run too far by then. A pity. But now they were free to sneak out. Julian pushed the door open and motioned for Anderina to follow. Even though the halls and lobby were devoid of people, they still kept quiet just in case.

Even though one was crippled and the other beaten black and blue, the two had managed to slip past the remaining patrols that still lingered around the Hall of Knights. They cut through the main courtyard. There was still someone at the gates. A scrawny looking fellow that didn't look old enough to take his guardsman exam. Hilarious. The cityguards had been so desperate that they sent out their entire forces for this farce. Julian had to hold back his laughter as he led Anderina behind some shrubs to better assess the situation at the gate.

"Don't fall behind," he said when looking back at the woman.

Anderina's face was so marred with filth and blood that her features were barely recognizeble. However the fire of determination in her eyes were bright and clear. She nodded.

Julian smiled, "Atta girl." And quickly scooped up a small peddle, tossing it on the other side of the gate.

The little guard startled, jumping up like a terrified cat. "W-What was that!?" His voice was high, a kid who had yet to reach maturity. Just why were the cityguards recruiting kids. He was looking around frantically but did not leave his post.

"W-Who's there? If this is a prank I swear I'll kill you!" The threat was liken to one coming from a newborn kitten. Julian held back a snicker, almost feeling bad for the poor kid. Flexing his fingers, he summoned a very thin tendril of blue lightning and shot it at the back of the kid's neck.

He yelped loudly, his spear clattering the ground. Julian closed his fist, gathering stronger magic before shooting it at the tree of the other side of a paved path that crossed the courtyard. The branch splintered and, amazingly, also caught on fire! That was outside of Julian's calculation but it served him well. Because it was enough to startle the kid-guard into a full scream. The poor kid scrambled off as though he'd just peed his pants or something.

Julian was absolutely shaking from mirth, but he wasn't going to let his chance slip from having too much fun. Surging to his feet, he made a (hobbled) dash toward the gate, with the wounded Anderina limping after him. They were a pathetic sight to behold and luckily no was around to see them waddling across the Hall of Knights.

Julian found himself short on breath. His magecircuits burned. Even though the magic he used was the barest minimal, they were still flaring, old scars unsettled. He ignored the pain and focused on unlatching the lock on the main gate, pushing it open to let both himself and Anderina slip through.

Behind him he saw some guard running across the court, yelling after the poor boy he sent off in a fright.

With a final snicker, he left behind the Hall of Knights and escorted the poor woman out into the alleys.

That didn't mean they were in the clear yet.