Chapter 26: Escape
Charon moved towards the doorway, pausing just outside the frame so he could peek around the corner.
The hall looked identical to earlier, except for a few pews having been moved to make seats around a much larger fire.
Red, the girl on watch, was sitting in one of the pews, but was looking up at the stained glass at the front of the church rather than the exit. Long scarlet hair fell down lithe shoulders, and Charon could just barely see that she was wearing a light blue tunic.
’A stroke of luck! Some watchman she is!’
He momentarily reconsidered the option of attacking her while she wasn’t looking, but decided it was too risky, especially when they had an opening.
Leaning back, he informed Emerius of the situation, explaining that it should be easy if they didn’t make too much noise. His companion nodded along with it all, offering Charon a bit of advice.
"Once we leave, do not look back. We will creep to the front door, and then make a run for it. Anything else will slow us down."
Charon listened intently, trusting that everything was based on some kind of tutoring or instruction.
’At this rate, there isn’t a field Emerius hasn’t been taught yet. Having a rich and powerful family makes all the difference.’
Taking a deep breath, he exhaled and then took the first step, half his body now revealed to the entire hall.
’Don’t think about it, Charon, just keep moving.’
He gave Red one last glance, happily noting that she was still distracted.