Chapter Text
The fumes from the acid were almost overpowering, and the bars were so close to breaking. "Just a little more," muttered Alyss. "Almost there."
Will glanced nervously through the bars from his perch on the window. He had given Alyss the acid several weeks ago, and she had slowly been using it to melt through the bars. The process had been long and agonizing for Will. He suspected, even harder for Alyss. He wasn't the one who had been imprisoned in a tower.
"It's melted through!" Whispered Alyss, not wanting to alert the guards outside her door. Excitement shone on her face.
Careful not to be burned by the acid, Will eased out the melted bars, handing them to Alyss. Alyss had left two of the four bars in place, one on either side of the window. It was more than enough space to allow her to get out.
Will slipped through the window, not making a sound. He pulled out the rope he had brought and looped it around one of the still-secure bars. "You're sure this one's perfectly sound?" Will asked with a cheeky grin.
"I'm sure," replied Alyss, returning his smile. After the long days and weeks they had been apart, only communicating through flashing lights, they were thrilled to be reunited.
Will gave Alyss a quick hug, then tied a loop at the end of the rope for Alyss to put her foot through. "I would tie it around your waist," the young ranger explained, "but we need to move fast. It won't be long before someone notices something.
After climbing onto the window ledge, still avoiding the acid, Alyss put her foot through the loop at the end of the rope. With an encouraging smile, Will began to lower down the rope. Once she reached the ground below, he would climb down after her.
Alyss wasn't overly heavy, despite how tall she was, and the act of lowering her down wasn't too taxing for Will. He lowered her down slowly, knowing that she hated heights. They had never really bothered Will. Why be afraid of heights? As long as you didn't fall, what harm could they do?
After several quiet minutes, Will knew Alyss would reach the ground soon. Then he would use the rope to climb down, and then, a noise. Will froze. There were footsteps in the hall outside. Muffled voices, too. Will began lowering Alyss down faster. Whatever happened, she would escape.
Will heard a knock at the door, a pause, and then the door swung open.
Will whipped his head around. It was Sir Keren. He lowered Alyss down faster, hoping she wouldn't hit the ground too hard. The Knight froze, taking in Will, frantically lowering a rope hand over hand, the missing bars discarded on the floor, and the lack of Alyss. Will saw Keren's shocked expression transform into one of rage. He drew his sword and advanced on the ranger. Was he going to cut the rope? Alyss should be almost to the ground by now. Keren was getting closer, his sword gleaming in the dim firelight. Will felt the rope go slack. He jerked his head back to look at the bars Alyss had reached the ground.
Will felt an impact on the back of his head, and everything when black.