Steps in the Night
Meldrin had a cold sweat on his forehead as he walked through the streets of the city. The curfew had been called an hour ago and the last few days had shown that the soldiers left no room for discussion. If he was caught, he could keep the others company on the gallows tomorrow.
Meldrin took a deep breath. He could think of at least one person who would probably be happy about it. She was too cold-hearted to let the raging war distract her from trying to hunt him down. Some would say with good reason, but Meldrin did not find that a few stolen rubies and magical artifacts required such a drastic act. If he got the papers tonight, he couldn't care less. Then he hadn't left town before sunrise.
His satisfied grin froze on his face when he heard footsteps behind him. He looked around hastily and sniffed behind some boxes in a side street. It sounded like a whole army was coming at him. The sound of the perfectly synchronized footsteps echoed off the walls of the houses. The closer they got, the more the sound swelled until it was almost unbearable. Meldrin had to hold his ears. He ducked into cover as deeply as he could when the steps stopped right next to him. With horror, he dared to look up. The bluish glow of the soldiers filled the alley with unnatural light.
A chill crept over Meldrin's body. He had to clench his teeth to keep them from chattering. The more seconds passed, the harder it became to endure. His hands were like ice now. Meldrin wanted to scream, but at the same time something warm pressed against his mouth. His eyes widened in shock and found himself almost face to face with Avalla. The sight of her dark brown skin, from which her blue eyes literally stood out, was strangely frightening and at the same time a relief. She put her finger to her lips and he could only nodded. Avalla held up her free hand. The tip of her index finger began to glow purple. She hastily drew signs in the air beside him. The purple lines lingered for a moment before fading and then disappearing. Almost immediately, Meldrin could feel the cold subsiding. His skin burned as warm air began to return. It wasn't long before the soldiers started moving again. The roar of their steps echoed for a long time. Meldrin slumped. He felt dizzy and his body was still stiff. But finally Avalla took her hand from his mouth. But even if he had wanted to say something, he would not have succeeded. He hadn't sorted his thoughts yet when he felt something hard hit his wrist. He looked down perplexed and could just see how Avalla put the iron handcuffs around his wrists. His mouth fell open in disbelief.
"Did you really think that you would escape me?"
Avalla straightened up. Her leather armor creaked softly as she headed for the alley exit.
"You can not be serious."
Meldrin had finally found his language again.
"Look at it this way, you get what you wanted. I'll get you out of town."
He stared at her. It was one thing to suspect what was going to happen and then really experience it. For a moment he wondered if it wouldn't have been better if the soldiers had caught him. Avalla returned to him and helped him to his feet.
"Come on, we don't have that much time left. And Meldrin?"
He looked up questioningly.
"Don't do anything stupid like you usually do."