~Gonay~

After a whole day of searching the stronghold and finding nothing, Eaa and I decide to take to the sewers. As night falls, Eaa and I creep out of the ambassadors’ quarters, headed for the sewers. We step out into the narrow streets and I sneak over to a large metal lid in the center of the stone street. Eaa joins me and we lift the covering.

It lets out a piercing squeal and we freeze. The slapping of feet and nearing urgent voices of the mility guards snaps us to action. We dive into the waterfall of filth and the covering slams closed behind us, plunging us into pitch blackness.

During the fall through the disgusting rapids, I feel myself hit my head on something hard. Then I feel myself lose consciousness. By the time I awaken, I find I’m washed against a stony shore, looking up at a distant line of light far above. I roll over onto my side. Blood covers my hand as I look down at it, and I shakily rise to my feet.

“I was starting to think that you might not wake up, brother.” Eaa says from close by and I peer into the gloom.

He offers me a hand to help me onto the rock he’s sitting on. I take his hand and it’s cold as ice. I drop onto my bottom on the rock beside him and put my head in my bloody hands.

After a while, I get the feeling that we’re being watched, and I look around at the dark, stony walls around us. I see glowing eyes all around, peering down on us. The eyes are just like cats’ eyes and I shiver. After a few moments of silent observation, I hear shifting rocks and look up to see a pale gangling feline with long, wild fur descending the rock wall. It purrs as it approaches us and I pull myself closer to Eaa.

“I wish we had stayed in our village.” I groan as I think over our situation.

We’re all alone in a dark ravine full of gangling felines.

“Brother, you are badly hurt. Lean against me. I will protect you from these felines.” Eaa says as my head begins to swim.

My vision begins to blur.

I slur,

“I am fine. Leave me alone.”

I collapse against Eaa and feel my consciousness slip away. When I reawake, I am lying on the ground in the sunlight with Eaa looking down on me. I slowly sit up and put a hand to my aching head.

“What happened? How did we get out of the ravine?” I ask and Eaa smiles, obviously relieved.

“You passed out again. Some of the felines in the ravine helped me carry you out.”

“So… Where does that put us now?” I ask.

“We’re in the Sa Pass, right about to enter alterna territory.”

I perk up at that and sit up quickly. My head spins and I lie back down.

“A little more rest and I’ll be ready to go.”