Rescuing the Oracle

Winlay grabbed a dagger off of Cromly's pile of clothing and followed Adam out. She saw another dead guard laying farther down and it occurred to her that Adam was as much an assassin as he was a Knight in Shining Armor. He had apparently made sure that his coming wasn't known.

She followed him downt he hall, but then a scream ripped through the prison. When she recognized the voice it pierced her soul.

"That's Mika! We have to help her!"

Adam put a hand on her shoulder, stopping her.

"No. The Oracle is the priority. Once we have him safely in our custody, I'll get Mika out too. Right now, she is doing the only thing she can to give us some cover."

"What's that? Being trapped and tortured?"

"No, actually it is being ****. That bastard Beldan has her and is using her for his pleasure. Now come on, we don't have time to waste."

Winlay couldn't understand how letting Mika get **** was going to help them, but she followed Adam in the opposite direction of where Mika's scream had come from.

She didn't know how he knew his way around. The prison was a labyrinth of twists and turns that left her feeling dizzy. From time to time he would have her wait somewhere while he went off into the darkness. A few moments later there would be a noise of something hitting the ground and then he would return. Usually with a little extra blood on his armor.

She couldn't tell how long they traveled in the underground prison, but after a while they came to a door that was locked. Adam pulled a key from the small satchel at his side and unlocked. Inside was an old man, his white beard and hair long and unruly. Like Winlay had been, he was chained to the wall, his head hanging down. His shirt had been ripped and torn and she could see scars under it from beatings. At first she thought he was dead, but as Adam stepped inside, a strong voice spoke up from under that scruffy beard.

"It certainly took you long enough. In my day, we knew how to pull of a rescue mission within a few days. But a month? Really?"

Adam went to one knee and made the X of Xelta on his chest.

"I'm sorry Father, our mission was delayed because we also sought the end of the High Priest. Unfortunately the operative failed and has been captured."

"So that was the scream I heard. That pig is having a good time I suppose."

The old man finally looked up at them. His eyes held a strength that she couldn't imagine and she knew for certain that what Adam had said was true. This was the Oracle. She dropped to her knees and made the X of Xelta.

"Adam, who is this fine young woman you've brought? It isn't Mika... A new partner?"

Adam shook his head and then gave Winlay a cold look. Something in his eyes showed pain as well, but she couldn't understand why.

"No. She was Beldan's plaything. Unfortunately she was Mika's roommate as well. When Mika failed, Beldan had her imprisoned as well. I saved her first since she is innocent."

The old man smiled and nodded slowly.

"Yes you did well. Every life we can get away from him is for the better. Now are you going to leave me hanging here, or will you get me down and introduce us properly?"

Adam's face turned red form embarrassment, but he quickly unlocked the bindings. What he did next startled Winlay. He handed his sword to the old man, leaving himself with only his dagger. She didn't think the frail body could handle it, but he easily lifted the sword and gave it a few test swings.

"Yes, this will do. A bit heavier than I would like, but if it came down to it I could probably handle at least one of them."

"I'll try to keep that from being an issue," Adam assured him. Then he turned his attention back to Winlay.

"Father, this is Winlay Grace, the former Voice of Xelta."

"That old line again. Beldan needs some new ideas."

Winlay nodded, unsure of what to say, the old man just smiled at her.

"And of course Winlay, this is the Oracle."

"Ha, what kind of introduction is that boy? Well no matter. I'll introduce myself once we are out of here."

"Father, about Mika..."

"We arn't leaving without her. Even if she failed, she is your partner and one of us. Besides, I wouldn't want to leave her in that monster's hands. Lets go."

Relief flooded into Winlay for the first time. She was overjoyed that the Oracle wasn't going to leave Mika to her own fate. Adam began leading the way back towards where they had heard the scream and the Oracle followed close behind. Winlay could tell that he was tired and worn thin, but also that he had a fire inside of him that wouldn't allow him to give up without a fight. Seeing him, beaten and abused, she felt hope. She wasn't the only one who had been hurt by Beldan, but she wanted to be the last.