A BLOOD Oath

The Bridge Between Enemies

Lucien stood in the middle of the bridge like he owned the place. The moon was shining down on the river behind him making the water look silver and dark at the same time. The old bridge was broken into pieces sticking out over the water. Two men with swords were standing near Lucien wearing dark clothes. They were. Waiting.

Arielle stopped walking as soon as she saw them. Kael, who was walking beside her became still.. It was not because he was scared. He was just watching carefully.

Lucien called out to them in a tone "Oh good. You're here.

" Eamon looked at him. "

"One day I wish we could go somewhere without finding you waiting for us.

" Lucien. Said, "That sounds boring."

Sera's hand was resting on the knife she was carrying.

"You followed us " she said.

Lucien replied, "Actually someone else followed you. I just got here first. " This made everyone feel more tense.

Kael stepped in front of Arielle. She noticed this. So did Lucien. Lucien said lightly "There it is again. You're being protective.

Kael ignored him.

"What do you want?"

Lucien looked offended.

"Do I always have to want something?" All four of them answered together "Yes."

"You people are exhausting."

Arielle folded her arms because she was feeling cold. "If you're here to kill us just say it " she said. Lucien looked at her.

"You think I would have brought only two men if I wanted to kill you?" This was a point but it did not make Arielle feel any better.

Lucien moved aside showing them the bridge behind him. "The roads to the east are blocked " he said. "There are soldiers everywhere. You won't be able to get through the gates."

Kaels face did not change.

"And you know another way."

"I usually do."

They were all quiet for a moment. Arielle was starting to realize that talking to Lucien was like playing a game that nobody else understood. Kael looked at the river and said, "The tunnels?"

"Oh you remember." Said Lucien.

Eamon groaned softly.

"I already don't like this plan."

Sera looked unsure."The smuggler tunnels collapsed years ago."

"Partially." Said Lucien.

Arielle said, "Why do all of you like destruction so much?" Nobody answered her because there was no answer.

Lucien pointed to the side of the bridge and said, "There's an entrance under the western support.

"Kael did not move. "You're helping us " he said. "Temporarily."

"That sounds suspicious.

"Because it is."

At least he was being honest.

Arielle watched them talking.

"Why?" Lucien looked at her.

"Why what?" Said Lucien.

Arielle said, "Why are you helping us?"

Lucien did not answer. His smile became smaller.

He said quietly "Because if the wrong people catch you first everyone will lose."

Arielle felt a chill go down her spine. Before she could ask what he meant they heard shouting in the distance. Soldiers were coming. Kael's focus became sharper. He said, "We need to move now."

"Agreed." Said Lucien.

The path down to the tunnel was narrow and slippery. Arielle almost fell twice. Kael caught her elbow both times.

"You should stop doing that " she said. "Falling?" Kael asked. "Catching me " Arielle replied. Kael looked at her.

"No."

The sound of the river became louder as they went down. The tunnel entrance was hidden behind fallen stones and thick vines. Lucien crouched near it. Said, "Its still standing." Eamon muttered, "That's reassuring."

Sera stepped beside Kael and Lucien started to clear the debris from the entrance.

Sera whispered to Kael "You are getting worse." Kael did not answer. Arielle looked at him. Saw that his face was paler under the moonlight. The wound on his side was bleeding again. Arielle felt his exhaustion through their oath. It was sharp and heavy. It was affecting him badly.

Their eyes met for a moment. Kael knew that Arielle felt it. Arielle did not like how easily she could read Kael now.

Lucien stood up. Said, "Good news." The tunnel is not flooded."

Eamon asked, "What's the bad news?"

"There are probably things living down there now."

Eamon stared at him and said, "You say things like that too casually."

"Thank you."

"That was not a compliment."

The tunnel entrance was very small. The air inside was cold and damp. Arielle did not like it. "I don't like this" she muttered.

Kael went inside first without hesitation. The others followed him carefully. The darkness swallowed them quickly. The tunnel walls became narrower after a minute of walking and they had to walk in a line beside the underground stream. Water was dripping from above. The air felt colder.

Arielle stayed behind Kael partly because the tunnel was uneven and partly because their oath kept pulling her toward him. She could feel every pulse of pain he was trying to hide. Every wave of exhaustion. It was becoming harder for her to separate his emotions from hers. This realization scared her more than the soldiers outside.

Kael said softly "You're quiet."

Arielle replied, "You noticed?"

"Yes."

"That's unfortunate."

"You're usually arguing with someone."

"Maybe I'm tired."

"You should rest when we stop."

"I'm not the one bleeding through bandages." Kael did not say anything because there was nothing to say.

Ahead of them Lucien was carrying a lantern and Eamon was complaining about the tunnel and their inevitable death. Sera was walking silently near the back. Alert to every sound. For a moment it felt almost normal.

Everyone froze. Dust fell from the ceiling and Arielle whispered, "What was that?"

Another distant rumble answered her question. The sound echoed through the tunnel like thunder.

Lucien said calmly "That would be the bridge." Arielle's stomach tightened.

She said, "Please tell me its not collapsing." There was silence. Then Eamon sighed heavily and said, "We're definitely dying down here."

The rumbling grew louder. Stone cracked behind them. Kael turned sharply and said, "Run."

Everything became chaotic. The tunnel shook violently. Pieces of stone crashed into the water behind them. Arielle. Kael grabbed her hand instantly. "Move!" he shouted.

They ran through the darkness while the tunnel collapsed behind them. Water surged around their boots and dust filled the air. Arielles lungs.

Another section of the ceiling crashed down just behind Sera. Eamon swore loudly. Lucien sounded entertained. "This is exciting " he said.

Arielle shouted back "You need help!"

Lucien replied, "I've heard that before!"

The tunnel narrowed ahead. Kael stopped abruptly. Stone blocked most of the path forward where part of the ceiling had already fallen. Arielle's heart was pounding.

"No..." She screamed.

The collapse kept coming, closer and faster. Water surged around their ankles. Kael shoved against the fallen stone hard.. It did not move.

Sera joined him. They tried again. Still nothing moved. The tunnel shook around them. Lucien's smile finally disappeared. "That's not good " he said.