Chapter 209: Switching sides
Greldo closed the door as fast but quietly as he could before leaning with his back against the wall, trying to regulate his breathing. A trickle of blood ran down his cheek, but he barely noticed as he gazed at the closed door of the small storage room he was in. The stuffy smell around him overwhelmed his sensitive nose, and he felt another worried prod from Coal.
I'm fine, he replied. Stay with Irwin unless I call you.
There was a sense of annoyance from Coal, then it faded as the hound continued with whatever Irwin was having it do.
His sensitive ears picked up the sound of feet, and he held his breath. A group was running through the hallway a distance from the narrow one in the room he was in. They slowed at the tiny intersection he'd encountered.
"Where did that bastard go?" a growling voice whispered.
You're the bloody bastard, Greldo thought as he ground his teeth.
"I don't know. He isn't in the shadows anymore, so I can't pinpoint him," an oily voice replied.
Ugh, so that's how it works, Greldo thought as he shivered. He'd not been sure and had almost gone into the shadows again, but now he was glad he hadn't.
"Either he will do it again to try and flee, or he's hiding here," a familiar, calm, and authoritative voice said. "Also, don't bother whispering. He can probably hear you."
Indoubtor, you piece of Charbull shit, Greldo thought as he recalled the noble from their time in Fiverion. He'd always thought that Indoubtor had been just following along because he had no other choice, but now he was sure.
"Greldo, if you can hear me, I suggest you calmly surrender," Indoubtor said. "No matter if you managed to get a heartcard, you won't be able to get out of here. If you come now, I promise I won't harm you, Lamia, or any of the others."
Sure you won't, Greldo thought.