“Easy for you to say. You didn’t see his face when he couldn’t come in here with me. Too bad that he’s missing out on this...unique smell, and I hear soaking in sewer water is great for the skin. My butt’s going to be baby soft.”

Despite the burning pain, I smiled at Odd’s well-meaning prattle.

A vibration rippled the water. I squeezed Odd’s hand, shushing him. The distant sound of boots clattered on the stone. Odd extinguished the lantern.

“Company,” Odd whispered, letting go of my hand.

I opened my eyes. Blackness pressed on me. As the drumming grew louder a faint light filled the tunnels. Odd stood in front of me. He held his sword, but the tip of the blade pointed down.

“This way,” a voice called.

“Keep up,” another said.

The light brightened, filling the main tunnel and leaking into ours. Would they spot us?

Odd pressed against the wall. “Don’t move.”

That wouldn’t be a problem. The brightness and sound increased in small jumps. Each time I blinked, it seemed they’d hopped closer. A few minutes ago I wouldn’t have cared if I was discovered, but I still struggled to breathe. The searing pain was a good sign. And of course, I didn’t want Odd caught.

When the torches came into view, I flinched. Two priests held them close to the ground, illuminating the obvious tracks of two thousand plus people. Hopefully, they wouldn’t notice the few heading in this direction.

The priests paused, sweeping the torches back and forth. I longed to stifle my rasping. With his dark uniform, Odd blended in. And the filthy muck coated my exposed skin and stained my brown robe black. Perhaps they’d view me as a lump of discarded garbage. It matched how I felt.

After a lifetime, they moved on. They streamed past the entrance to our tunnel. Not as many as I’d expected. Had they sent others aboveground? Would they rally their troops to get between the women and the border?

“Avry? Still with me?” Odd whispered.

“Yes.”

“Can I pick you up? We really need to get out of here.”

“Jael,” I said.

“General Jael? What about her?”

“She’s here.”

Odd cursed. “All the more reason to leave.”

“Let me try.” Since there was nothing wrong with my legs, I tucked them under me, then pushed with my arms to straighten. Every inch of my chest flared with such pain, I gasped.

Odd reached under my arms and lifted me to my feet. I yowled. My world spun and my legs refused to hold me up. If Odd hadn’t kept his grip, I would have toppled.

“Guess I can’t carry you over my shoulder,” Odd said.

“No. Give me...a minute.”

“Hell, Avry, you’re gonna need a few days. Sorry about this.” He adjusted his grip, sweeping me into his arms like a baby.