Book 3 Chapter 35

The grate groaned slightly as Maria pushed and its hidden metal showed its age and disuse… She pressed gently at first as she tested it, but the grate held, giving no sign of giving in. She pushed harder, slowly increasing her strength while using her Blessing.

As the pressure increased the groaning soon turned into a high-pitched squeal as dirt and rock broke away. Finally, Maria felt the pressure give as the grate broke free threatening to slam into the ground in front of them. She caught carefully, not wanting to make any more noise than necessary, and set it to the side gently, placing it down as she took the chance to look around.

She had come out into what looked like a long-forgotten storage room. Dust hung heavily on empty crates and rolled up rags. She and Garm left the claustrophobic tunnel behind as they moved forward. The room’s door creaked open slowly as Maria peaked out.

She found herself looking down a long hallway, with no one in sight. She turned back to Garm, whispering for him to keep an eye open, before slipping out into the hallway. Garm followed after her looking bored but keeping his ears perked up.

Going down the while remember the mercenary's directions, Maria’s face quickly grew grim… The area she was in was meant to be a dormitory space… At least according to what Dun had said. The whole place was where they used to train the up and coming assassins. Yet as she looked at the “Dorms” She felt her heartbreak for Torvus and the other children that had been forced to grow up here…

What she found were cells blocked with steel bars, each one barely large enough to fit in a small bunk bed. It resembled a dungeon more than a dorm. There were even the remains of chains and bowls laying around, a testament to the animalistic treatment of their occupants.

They passed dozens of cells each covered in dust and moss, Maria even saw a dark, many-legged shape scurry off into the darkness and had to glare at Garm to keep him from chasing after it. They passed through quickly, Maria no longer wanting to look at the horrific scene, and soon arrived at their target, the large room that had once been used as a gymnasium of sorts.

Maria peaked in once again and let out a sigh of relief. There were the children huddled in the middle of the room. A few Assasins stood guard over them, keeping an eye out in case the children tried anything.

Though she had hoped not to deal with any guards, at the very least there weren't too many. The question was what was the best way to take care of them quickly. She racked her brain until she felt like it would overheat, before finally looking down at the still impatient Garm…

He cocked his head at her, confused and eager to get back to his master’s side. Seeing his innocent puppy appearance, her eyes widened as she smiled….