One arm around Myx's waist to support the struggling Protector, Hirad carried his blade in the other. He tried to ignore the pain firing across his chest while concentrating on listening hard for sounds ahead and treating every turn and crossing as a potential ambush.

But it was difficult to maintain, this made more so by their pace which slowed remorselessly. Myx's breathing was truly tortured, his legs more badly burned than he wanted to let show. Thraun, with Erienne in his arms and refusing to pass her to The Unknown, limped badly. Darrick was forced to lean on Rebraal, his hip bleeding steadily. And the surviving TaiGethen carried their sick brother between them. Only Denser and Sian were uninjured though Hirad could only guess at what was going through their minds.

The corridors became progressively darker and somewhere ahead, water was dripping, both factors evidence of spells decaying. Apparently, work was suspended now the war was on. Abruptly, Myx stumbled and fell to his knees, gasping, his armour pulling across his burns.

'Come on, big fella,' said Hirad, ignoring the fresh blood from his chest while he half dragged the Protector upright.

'Just a moment,' said Myx, his voice hoarse.

Hirad feared for him. It wasn't his legs that had caused him to stumble. His breath was short and agonised, his face covered in sweat and his body carried a tremble. Behind them, Auum spoke and Rebraal translated.

'We are pursued.'

'Shit,' managed Myx. 'It's Dystran. It has to be.' He pushed himself on, breaking into a half-trot. 'Not far. Come on.'

He was ahead of Hirad, using the wall to propel himself along. The Raven ran blind behind him, knowing that if he fell, they were lost. Hirad didn't know how many turns they made, he couldn't gauge the slopes they travelled, he lost count of the side passages they crossed. Head down, every pace pulling at his wounds, he ran, looking behind him to check his friends were all with him when he trusted himself not to fall. He couldn't hear the pursuit but the haunted look on Rebraal's face told him it wasn't far enough behind.

Ahead, the failing blue light was replaced by a misty grey luminescence.

'Tunnelling spell. It's decaying like the light,' said Denser as they ran. 'It should be as bright as the sun.'

The sound of water was louder, a steady trickle into puddles. The going was slippery and muddy underfoot, the walls even more ragged, sharp edges of rock protruding from dense wet clay.

'Where are we now?' asked The Unknown.

'Outside… the… city.' Myx struggled to frame the words. 'Not far.'

And it wasn't. At the edge of the grey light, Myx turned down a narrow unfinished side passage ending in a blank wall. Again he felt inside the illusion and pushed a panel aside, waiting for them all to come through before closing it.

'Can you lock that, Denser?' he asked.

Denser shook his head. 'Barely. I'll try but it won't add up to much. After that I'll be spent.'

He stepped up and began casting.

'What about Erienne?' asked Hirad.

'Whatever I do here, we need another mage to help me. Soon.'

'I've got an idea. Don't worry, Denser. I'll see to it,' said Hirad. 'So, where now?'

Myx pointed down the passage they found themselves in. It was finished and well lit, apparendy in regular use. A chamber lay to their right, empty and chill. Ten yards ahead, a large leather bound basket sat on the floor. It was attached to a rope that disappeared through a sizeable hole in the roof.

'Oh, great,' muttered Hirad.

Tzack said he assumed they were getting in supplies,' said The Unknown. 'Looks like he was right.'

Myx nodded, his breath a little more even now but still pained.

'The top is hidden by illusion. There's a grille to stop animals falling as well. It comes out in a bank of gorse and bracken to the west of the city. It has proved useful.'

'What is it usually, a ventilation shaft?' asked Darrick.

'Yes. There are six altogether. Four have been sealed. The other is not far from here.'

Denser turned from the door. 'I've done what I can. It won't keep them for long. Certainly not if Dystran is with them.'

'Right, let's get moving.' The Unknown made quick assessment of the rope and basket, staring up into the dark above. 'Right. Thraun, me and you will go up, Sian between us. We'll haul up Evunn and Erienrie in the basket. Denser, you with Erienne, Auum or Duele with Evunn. We'll have to pray it'll hold but it looks stfong enough to me. Then, climb one by one, fast as you can. The remainder have to hold off any attack. If it gets bad, shout, I'll be back down. Go.'

He pointed at Thraun. The shapechanger passed Erienne to Denser, who stood her into the basket. It would be just big enough for them both standing upright. Thraun stood on the edge of the basket, grabbed the rope and disappeared up the shaft, which was something in the order of five feet wide. They could hear him bracing himself against the sides, dust and grit showering down. Soon after he disappeared, Sian'erei went after him.

'How high?' asked The Unknown.

‘Idon't know,' said Myx. 'We aren't at the lowest level. Over fifty feet. You'll find a pulley wheel and brace stowed at the top of the shaft that you can lock into position.'

The Unknown raised his eyebrows. 'The fact that that is the best news I've heard since we got in here says everything.'

It seemed an eternity before they heard Thraun moving the grille. The Unknown started to climb.

'Be ready, Denser. As soon as we're set, we'll pull.'

'Understood.'

Hirad turned to face the illusion, imagining a Xeteskian horde tramping towards them.

'How far away are they?' he asked Rebraal.

'By now, all but on us.'

'Right,' said Darrick. 'Let's organise. Myx, move away and sit down. It's a long climb for you later.'

Myx was about to raise an objection but a thud on the panel stopped him.

'Move, Myx!' hissed Hirad. 'Darrick, I'll stand up.'

'No Hirad, you're hurt.'

'And you're not?' Hirad growled. 'I'm not shifting. Rebraal will stand by me.' amp;

The Al-Arynaar leader nodded and moved forward but he was pushed aside by Auum.

'Right,' said Darrick tersely. There was another experimental thud on the portal. 'Rebraal, stand with me the other side of the basket, we can't afford to be backdoored here.'

The group rearranged. Hirad looked across at Auum and nodded his gratitude. The TaiGethen spoke a few words he took to be a prayer for their safety and drew a single short sword, the fire un-dimmed in his eyes.

'Don't you die down here, Coldheart,' said Denser.

'I'll do what I can,' said Hirad.

There was another impact. Heavier this time.

'That was a spell,' said Denser.

'How long before they get through?'

'Not long enough to get us all out, I fear.'

Hirad waited, his thrill at the prospect of the fight absent. He stood here because of those he protected, nothing more. But even that knowledge couldn't hide the ache in his limbs, the biting pain from his wounds or the exhaustion in his mind. Unbidden came the thought that if the Xeteskians broke through, all of them would have to be downed for the rest of The Raven to escape. Alternatively, someone would have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

He gripped his sword tighter and smiled grimly. At least he would be able to reacquaint himself with Ilkar. Sooner than he expected but a prospect he welcomed, not feared.

A warmth filled Hirad's mind, Sha-Kaan entering his consciousness gently.

These are not thoughts I am happy to feel, said the Great Kaan.

I had not realised you could sense me, said Hirad.

He was dimly aware of a concerted attack on the panel.

Swordsmen were trying to weaken the timber so making Dystran's job breaking the WardLock easier. Even in his weakened state, it was clear that Denser's skill was considerable.