The King Trials 2: Beyond.

~To Wrong A Right~

We wade through the foliage of the forest, rustling bushes as we move, causing the undergrowth beneath our feet to crackle. Proficiently using the cover of night like a shroud to keep us all hidden. Between the glimpses of bark and branches I can see the black bars of steel. No one is posted outside the gate like before but shifting silhouettes move along the interior.

Everything bathed in shadows.

We are at the treeline right before the side grating, several meters from the main gate. We all hunker down, gathering together. Vince and Solaris are draped with hooded capes, both of them fully drawn. Kelan has on his sleeveless cloak over his uniform, his face cast in darkness. Treyton and I have scarfs knotted around our heads. Every wisp of hair tied tightly to fit in the shrouds that wrap over both of our nose and mouth, only exposing our eyes.

"Once we manage to get over the gate, how will transport the stolen goods?" Solaris queries.

"We can only manage with what we can carry." I whisper back. "Our exit strategy is that we are going to walk straight out of the gate. The guards will be rendered unconscious, unable to stop us."

Treyton nods and his gaze glides up the towering line of defence. "So it begins." His gaze levels and his eyes bounce between Solaris and I. "Shall we?"

I nod and rise to full height. I inspect the nearest tree, my fingers feeling the protruding grooves that are perfect for climbing. I slant my head to the side to look ahead at Treyton clutching a tree readily, and Solaris behind me. They both break a nod. We surge up the trees simultaneously, scaling up until we reach the peak.

Once I do, I tread lightly on a fairly stable branch that extends like an arm right over the ridge of metal. For support, I hold on to a thinner limb above my head to ensure stability as I lean over to peer down at the guards.

Two guards are directly beneath me, conversing blissfully, and a lone one is closer to Solaris.

I glance at Treyton, and he gives me a determined nod. I look to Solaris who emerges on the brink, on his haunches, both hands gripping the branch he is squatted on. He lifts one hand to stab a finger in the direction of the guard near to him, then pokes it at his chest in gesture.

I look forward. Cautiously I stand to full height.

Not sparing my mind time to spore doubt, I leap over the gate with arms spread like wings, the ground rushing at me. I plummet down on the two guards like an explosion, using the one's back as a landing pad, their frames compressed on the ground. The other is near my legs, groaning agonisingly as he hauls himself up on both of his knees. I slam my boot into his stomach, and he crashes back down on the ground with an oomph.

I flop over to move off the guard. When he tries to rise, I rapidly hook my arm around his neck, grabbing him to my body and locking him in a chokehold. Frenzied, too panicked to think aptly, he flails wildly in my grip. He tries to snatch at me, but I jerk my head away.

I tauten my hold, muscles straining.

My eyes dart to the other guard, but Treyton already stands over his motionless frame, and Solaris has subdued the other. Promptly, his thrashing diminishes with his verve, consciousness slipping from him with every breath slain.

His shoulders slacken, and he sags in my siege.

The claws of guilt dig into my stomach. A ruthless flood of suppressed memories comes rushing back, nearly overawed by the dormant trauma that awakens. The guard's arms drop to floor and I throw his body aside.

I scramble up to standing, and Treyton is suddenly right by me to assist my ascent. "Are you alright?"

I manage a nod.