Two weeks after bathing in front of Darla, Maela and the guard were sitting cross-legged in front of each other discussing a future that seemed impossible for either of them. They were roughly the same age, were both in male-dominated guild roles, and had no one else to talk to. Camaraderie came easily.

"The thing is, even if I am promoted, I'll never be transferred outside the mines. The Captain is a good man, but he sees transfers to the city as a betrayal. We are all part of an important regiment in his eyes. But what is there to defend? There is only one way into the mines!"

The frustration dripped from every one of Darla's words. Maela truly felt sympathetic. She couldn't even comprehend living underground for the rest of her life. To make matters worse for Darla, Maela's perception of Darla was correct. The young guard preferred women and would never find a partner as long as she was a guild guard.

While Maela felt sad for Darla, her primary goal was to escape, and she had already settled on a plan. Darla flirted with Maela in a way that was clearly meant to be subtle but was far from it. Maela had planned on returning her affection to get close enough to knock Darla unconscious, lock her in the prison, and then escape.

It didn't take long, and she was close enough to do that. The only trouble was that Darla was clearly a skilled guard. Maela would need to do more than just jump on her and hope to strangle her or knock her down. She needed to find some way to either have Darla lead her out of the cell or to knock her unconscious.

"Perhaps there is danger from underground," Maela replied. She didn't exactly know what kind of danger that could be, but it was the only thing that made sense. Darla was right—why have a full complement of guild guards spread through the mines when the entrance was a single tunnel that could be well-defended with a squad?

Darla took her helmet off and placed it beside her. "There are rumors of ghosts from beyond the South Tunnel, but that tunnel is blocked by massive boulders after a cave-in centuries ago. The only passage is a side tunnel that can only fit a single person at a time. Besides, it's so treacherous that it isn't even guarded."

Seeing her opening, Maela reached forward and touched Darla's knee. "Can I try on your helmet? It's been so long, and you will be able to see what you like as a guard!" Maela smiled as she rubbed Darla's knee.

Darla gave Maela a suspicious look. "You miss wearing a helmet? That is an odd thing to say."

"That's easy for you to say. You're not the one locked up in a prison!" Maela lowered her head. "I used to wear a helmet. It's part of my past life, a life that is now dead to me. Can you not see how I would find that comforting?" Maela hoped that Darla believed her.

She looked up and Darla had tears in her eyes. "I'm so sorry. This must be horrible. I know you do not deserve to be here." She handed Maela her helmet.

"Thank you," Maela said as she took the helmet and put it on. "How do I look?"

"Like a beautiful warrior!" Darla replied, but as soon as she said the words, she lowered her head and blushed.

Maela removed the helmet and looked at it. As she spoke she clutched the edge in her right hand and tensed her legs. "I am sure I don't look nearly as beautiful in it as you do." Darla kept glancing at Maela. "The only thing is that it covers your lips." Maela leaned forward, leading with her mouth. Darla's eyes went wide, her hands fell to her side, and she stared at Maela, looking part thrilled and part terrified.

Darla closed her eyes as Maela's lips approached hers. At that moment, Maela brought the helmet around and slammed it against the side of Darla's head. She went sprawling to Maela's left. Maela scrambled to her knees and crawled over, the helmet raised for another blow. Darla didn't move as a small trickle of blood dripped down her left cheek.

"I'm so sorry," Maela whispered as she reached into the pouch that contained the key to the cell. Key in hand, she stood up and grabbed Darla's sword.

She had exited the cell and went to lock it to make sure Darla couldn't follow her when a weak voice broke the silence. "Please. Take me with you."

Maela paused, torn with indecision. Darla's voice was so sad, so weak, and so full of pain. "I can't," Maela whispered.

There was a rustling, and Darla struggled to a sitting position, holding her head. "I can help you. We will escape together. Please. I will do anything."

Maela knew that Darla was being sincere, but that sincerity also scared her. Darla was enamored with her. How would she react when they escaped and Maela told her to go off on her own? Maela had dealt with the anger of spurned suitors enough from the boys in the Flats. She knew how it could go.

As Maela turned to leave, Darla stumbled forward. "They will leave me in this cell to rot for allowing you to escape." That didn't make Maela pause, but the next comment did. "I deserve it for foolishly trusting you."

Maela unlocked the cell, put her arm around Darla, and supported her as they slowly made their way down the stone tunnel.