Chapter Four

  Part Three

  The group was standing in room three of The White Deer Inn, staring down a darkened hallway that was originally hidden behind a wall. Broken dust covered cobwebs hung idly against the walls. It was a thin passage way, only allowing one person at a time to walk sideways through it.

  “who’s going first?” Ali asked.

  “Scared?” Prince Vax’dian teased.

  Ali scowled at him “so? I don’t like tight spaces”

  “haven’t you used tunnels like these after killing?”

  “no. I’ve never killed anyone before”

  “...no? I thought you were an assassin?”

  “I am” a pause “wait. How did you know I was an assassin?”

  He smiled “I guessed. How can call yourself an assassin if you’ve never killed before?”

  Ali remained silent.

  Line spoke up “I’ll go through first” she pushed herself through the opening. It was a tight fit for her, her shoulders almost got stuck already. The cobwebs clung to her, and an old forgotten smell wafted through this place. She looked back at the group “if I get stuck, I’m blaming you three”

  “don’t worry. If you do get stuck, I’ll destroy this building and get you out” Prince Vax’dian called after her.

  “Wait. You’re not coming?”

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  “there is cobwebs and dust. I can’t get my coat dirty”

  Even Hyde joined in “if your shoulders almost got stuck, then mine definitely will”

  “Oh, thank you”

  “When you get through to the other side, come back to us and take us there with the route that doesn’t involve tight spaces” Ali said.

  Line glared at them, but continued on without another word. Inwardly thinking that she needed better companions, as she wriggled around a tight corner into a slight decline. If she truly did get stuck, she would probably be able to punch her way out through the wood. There was a small squeaking sound, as two small grey-haired mice ran past her feet. Cute.

  After struggling through here, she eventually came to a stop. A wall was blocking any further movement. She pushed against it, feeling the wall move slightly. She felt around for anything that seemed like a button. She should’ve asked how they opened the entrance way so she had some idea how to get this one open. Her foot knocked against a slightly raised piece of wood on the floor, she pressed down on it. Hearing a faint clicking sound as the door shifted in place. She pushed against it, letting in a stream of light.

  She blinked against the light, not use to it after her eyes adjusted to the dark. She pulled herself from the tight exit, and came into a small alleyway. One way led out onto the main street, the other led deeper into a series of alleyways. Line knew they would eventually connect with The Back Flow. If her killer went that way, then it would be harder to find them.

  She pulled a thick cobweb from her dark hair and moved back into the inn.

  *

  “...The Back Flow” Line finished.

  Ali eyes widened “we get to back to The Back Flow?”

  “Maybe...”

  Prince Vax’dian brushed some cobwebs from Line’s shoulder “see? Dirty”

  “Yes. I see” Line said with a stern tone.

  The group made their way outside of the inn, the sky was slowly turning a darker shade of blue.

  “We won’t be able to go today. We need to go back to the monastery” Line said, slightly relieved she didn’t have to go to The Back Flow at night.

  “how come?” Prince Vax’dian asked.

  Ali groaned “there’s a curfew. Monks aren’t allowed out at night without permission from the master monk”

  “well, when they ask, just say the second prince summoned you. They shouldn’t bother you then”

  “If our killer is smart, then they should be lying low for a few days. We probably won’t find them straight away” Line was entirely hoping that response would change their minds.

  “what if your killer is not smart?”

  “Line” Ali’s eyes were brimming with life “what if...?”

  Line glared at them. Seemingly loosing this battle, she said with an even tone “fine”