Lunar Heart, Shadow Bound ✓ [when the moon lies]

Ch.36: Into Gelid

Note: Underlined parts are Kathula tail sign language.

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Pinti knew there was just no way an Edgling would help a Kathula for no reason. There was some hidden motive, and she was going to find out sooner or later. After she and Daero were pulled from the prison hold, the Saboteur motioned for them to follow.

"We need to keep quiet." He opened the door at the end and peered out. With a guttural sound, he led them down the dungeon corridor. "Everyone is taking a rest now. It is Sleep Hour."

That such a dark, dim place even had a sleeping time surprised her. She sniffed the air and the stench of Edglings was so thick it made her sneeze. The Saboteur turned to glare at her.

"So, what do we call you? Do you have a name?" Daero whispered.

His wolf-like tail stretched, and he signed, Be quiet. Just call me Saboteur. It suffices.

At last, they reached a golden slope winding its way upwards. The walls turned from black rock to red brick. Saboteur stood for a moment with closed eyes and his body quivered.

It is clear. But we need to hurry.

Daero nodded and followed. Pinti hesitated first, but soon hurried after. She didn't want to get left behind in an Edgling castle. She was prey running around in the claws of Edglings. Bristling, she tapped Daero on the shoulder.

Edglings don't help Kathula. What if this is a trap? All they do is kill. She signed.

It's two against one. Daero signed. Besides, what explanation would he have for taking the prisoners out?

"Exactly," Saboteur said. "And we do not always kill. In fact, I for one have not killed since the Massacre."

Daero grumbled something under his breath. "You know it's really hot for us down here."

Pinti realized she was panting. She had been so focused on the fact that Saboteur was helping them escape that somehow the heat had evaded her. But now when she noticed it, it was like standing under the high noon sun of the Desert Isles in the First Ring and not knowing where the next oasis was. She didn't want to start thinking about water, but now that she had, her mouth felt dry.

"It will not be for long," Saboteur said and fell silent. He led them up the rest of the slope and out into a golden hallway. The right led to large doors. Pinti recognized them. It went into the throne room. At the other end was a yawning opening with a thin sheet of glass over it. Black sky with a reddish hue tinting it in patches sat beyond.

In the hallway, the Edglings' scent was stale. They hadn't been this way for at least a few hours. Among the scent of Edglings, the odd one stood out—Orvineau's scent of mint and lime. It disappeared around a corner. When she peered down that way, a black door with a golden handle had the words 'Do Not Disturb' on it like it was some kind of Human hotel room.

Saboteur led them down another hallway opposite Orvineau's door. They passed doors that only came up to Pinti's waist. Each was a shiny black contrast against the deep golden walls etched with triangular patterns. 

She glanced up at the walls adorned with portraits of all kinds of animal mixture Edgling forms. Runic symbols illuminated and dimmed on the frames as they passed. Some Edglings were drawn with clothes on, but they all held a black and red staff against the background of full yellow moon.

"The Kings of the past," Saboteur whispered. "The further down, the older they are. Some are so old we have had to take their pictures down and move everyone back to make room. The halls were full when I was born."