The Dragon's Eye by Sarwat Chadda

Author:Sarwat Chadda [Chadda, Sarwat]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

It didn’t take long for the plan to go wrong.

Things started out fine. She, Worthy, and the other prisoners left the prison level, with her at the front and Worthy at the back. They reached the courtyard without anyone seeing them, then crept along the rear of the stable to the hay bales that were conveniently stacked up against the sea-facing outer wall.

Less convenient was the squad of Oathbound soldiers camped beside it.

“They weren’t there when we came over,” complained Worthy.

One of the soldiers, Li, smacked his fist into his palm. “We could rush them. Get a few of you over the wall while we keep them busy?”

Chan frowned. “That’s Captain Peng. Not good. The man’s cruel and dedicated to Song. He joined the Oathbound soon after the emperor’s death.”

Abeke drew back into the shadows of the stable roof. “There are almost twenty of them. All armed. We wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“Then we need another way out,” said Worthy.

They needed help.

Someone stealthy, good at sniffing out secret paths at night, someone like …

With a flash and tingle upon her arm, out stepped Uraza.

The leopard shook from her head to the tip of her tail, then nuzzled against Abeke. She turned around to watch the soldiers at the wall. Uraza growled softly.

“I’d prefer not to fight,” said Abeke. “Too many of us are weak from imprisonment. We need to find another way out.”

Uraza didn’t think much of that. She revealed her claws, but Abeke met the cat’s violet eyes unflinching. “Please, my friend.”

Uraza gave a twitch of her long whiskers, then sniffed around. She then sprang fifteen feet in the air, up onto the stable roof, landing with barely a sound. She looked down at Abeke, and her tail twitched.

“Looks like we’re going up,” said Abeke.

Li patted his brother’s shoulder. “Let me go first, then we’ll help lift.”

Chan braced himself against the wall, and Li used him as a ladder. The younger brother stepped into Chan’s cupped hands, then quickly hopped to his shoulders before hauling himself up next to Uraza. He made it look easy.

Abeke grinned. “You’ve done this before.”

“Sometimes we missed curfew,” said Chan with a wink. “Sneaking back into the barracks is a time-honored tradition.”

Worthy went up next, scaling the wall without Chan’s help, thanks to his catlike abilities. Li looked a little put out, but the pair extended their hands downward. One by one, using Chan as a first step, the other prisoners were lifted onto the sloping roof, even the crazy old man.

Abeke patted Chan’s shoulder. “You go now. I’ll come up last.”

Chan frowned as he judged the height of the wall. “That’s quite a jump.”

“I’ve learned a few tricks from Uraza.”

Chan was heavier than he looked, but Abeke stayed steady as he climbed up on her shoulders and scaled the wall. He was no worse than Conor, really. Then she took a few steps back.

Li and Worthy dangled as low as they could, reaching down.

Abeke shook her head. “You’ve seen me jump, Worthy.”

“This is a lot higher, Abeke.

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