Chapter 11 - Coincidence

"You're sure this is the right way, Allendrie?" Toriban studied the area. They were about a mile east from the capital in a wooded area.

"Look, I explained this already, didn't I? Every major room in the palace has an escape route in case of emergencies. This is the exit for the one leading to my old room."

"It still looks like a tree to me."

Allendrie sighed. "Why can't you just take my word for it? Why are you so mean towards me?"

"Because I don't trust you yet." Toriban turned toward Zara. "Are we ready to go?"

Zara nodded, and Allendrie tinkered with the lock at the bottom of the false tree until it came loose. He pushed with all his might until the rusted hinges gave way and the tree fell over. A dark hole was reveald, with a ladder carved into it's side. "The servants must not be maintaining the tunnels anymore. These hinges should be in better condition."

They climbed down to discover a wide tunnel that extended into pitch blackness. The three of them walked what seemed like the first mile in pure silence, the only sound being their footsteps echoing down the corridor. When Allendrie figured that they were approximately under the city's residential area, he broke the silence by saying to his companions, "Doesn't it seem like some sort of strange coincidence?"

Zara responded, confused. "What seems like a coincidence?"

"How we met in that bar. Almost like it was predestined."

Toriban laughed, and the other two gave him a curious look, although Toriban couldn't see it in the lightless tunnel. "Sorry. It just reminds me of an essay I read as a child."

Allendrie snickered. "A child Childe?"

Zara and Toriban sighed, and Toriban continued. "That joke was pathetic, even for you. Anyway. The essay was about an author in ancient times named Dickens, who seemed to be rather famous at the time. The essay was nothing but a veiled insult at Dickens for his extensive use of coincidence in his writing. There was a city that most of Dicken's stories took place in, about twice the size of the Capital, yet all the main characters were able to meet at the most opportune times."

Zara chimed in. "So we were created by and met through the pen of a bad author?"

"No," Toriban laughed, "Not at all. Mostly I'm just making conversation to pass the time. There is no merit to what I say."

Allendrie scratched his head and decided to remove himself from the conversation. Zara continued. "But there is a reason that we were fated to meet. It was the will of God."

The sudden change of topic brought an almost deathly tone to Toriban's voice. "Not likely. If God does exist, I'm not very likely to be on his list of favorite people."

"You do not believe?!" Concern for her new friend appeared on Zara's face, but again, it could not be seen. "Then your soul is not saved. You must accept the truth that..."

"Look, I don't need a sermon. I've had enough of those. As for my soul, it will die when I do. End of story. Not even on my deathbed will I be convinced to believe in that rubbish."

"But.."

"Not even on my deathbed," Toriban said again with an angry, finalizing tone. Allendrie shook his head in the darkness and prayed that the end of the tunnel was near. His prayer came true, as they soon saw a small crease of light from the ceiling. As their eyes adjusted to the new lighting, it showed that the light from above was at the middle of an intersection, with each tunnel heading in one of the four cardinal directions. Toriban turned to Allendrie. "Where exactly does this lead?"

"Unless they've changed the room around, it should be directly under the bed."

Toriban found it to be just as Allendrie had said. The trapdoor jammed into the bottom of the bed, forcing them to crawl through the tight space that was allowed to them. Once Allendrie was through he took a moment to enjoy the familiar sight and reminiscent smell of the room he had once lived in. His shallow smile faded as Zara struggled out from under the bed, indicating that they would have to move on. Toriban went to the door and rested his hand on the knob. "Are you sure we can trust you Zara? Your inexperience could be what kills us all. Are you sure you won't just be getting in the way?"

Zara looked embarrassed a moment. "Though I refuse to kill another human being, I will help in any way I can to right what has been wronged here."

Toriban shrugged. "Naive but brave. Ready Allendrie?" At Allendrie's nod he twisted the knob and opened the door.