"Stay safe, Rachel. This is where I must leave you." said the magnificent black horse.
"You stay safe too, dear Bucephalus. I promise, if Amber is there, Henry and I will come back for you before we try to move her."
"Good, our first priority is to make sure the boy makes it out. Once he is free, we need to send him on his way. Try to steal a fast horse for him. Then you and I will go back in."
Rachel dismounted, and changed into her poor migrant clothing. She packed her riding clothes in the saddle bag, and bade Bucephalus goodbye as she had done countless times before.
The city gates were always locked, but a poor woman looking for physical labor would likely be allowed in. The Predas thrived upon the misfortune of the poor and weak.
"State your business." demanded the guard, gruffly.
"I'm looking for work. Any work." Rachel replied, sounding weak yet determined at the same time.
"Take off that cloak!" he barked.
She took a step back, genuinely surprised. "Excuse me?" she asked, forcing fear and confusion into her voice. She knew if she displayed her anger, it would make him suspicious.
"You heard me. Take it off now if you want to get in, and maybe even eat a hot meal tonight." He demanded again, louder than the first time. He was obviously growing impatient.
Rachel complied, setting down her bag close enough to snatch it up should anyone try to steal it. She then folded the cloak, and set it atop the bag.
"Lift your arms, and turn all the way around. Then leap into the air, as high as you can." ordered the guard.
She did so, then stood looking at him. By this time, Rachel had a good idea of what he had in mind, but she feigned confusion and fear. If she was right, this fellow was fixing to take her exactly where she wanted to go.
"You'll do. Come with me."
"Yes, Sir." she replied meekly, as she donned her cloak. Rachel then collected the bag, which when searched would confirm her identity as a poor traveler.
As they walked, she made her voice tremble as she asked "I will get a hot meal tonight, good Sir? And shelter?"
"If they like you, you'll be fed." he replied, only halfway paying attention.
"Thank you so much for your kindness, I will never forget it." she promised gratefully, as she smiled to herself. Indeed, they were heading directly into the heart of Slickville.
The guard simply grunted in reply. His mind was obviously elsewhere. Rachel decided to leave him alone with his thoughts.
In the Oil Baron's mansion, she was led directly to the room where she had witnessed the girls emerging in ballet attire. She vividly remembered how exhausted and discouraged they were. That seemed like a lifetime ago!
"Miss Chelsea! Miss Tanya! I've got someone you might be interested in meeting." the guard boomed, not in the least self conscious about the eyes focused on him. There must have been at least seventy-five girls and women in the room, all wearing tutus and ballet shoes.
Rachel noted that the age requirement had become far less strict. There were some who were mere children, perhaps twelve years old. Among them were middle aged women such as herself, strong and lithe. The bulk were still teenagers and young women, but those appeared as if they had aged several years since she had last seen them.
"Ah, David! Well done, I will evaluate her. Miss Chelsea is in a meeting with Mrs. Preda." a woman whom Rachel instantly recognized as Tanya declared, smiling.
"Many thanks, Ma'am." he replied, seeming genuinely appreciative of her praise.
"Oh, and when you leave, inform your supervisor that I have ordered you home early today. As of now you are off duty until your next shift..."
"Yes, Ma'am!" he answered, enthusiastically.
After he exited, Rachel whispered "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." as Tanya led her towards a corner of the room with a mirror and a metal bar attached to the wall.
"April showers bring May flowers." whispered Tanya, giving her a little smile as she issued the necessary items.
"Why am I here, Ma'am?" asked Rachel, in a normal tone.
"You'll find out soon enough. First let's get you cleaned up and changed." Tanya replied, in a courteous, professional tone. She then led the newcomer away, down a long hall.
"I have a lot to report! First, there is something strange about that Preda woman. She has this way of bending people to her will... But there's one person, a prisoner, who is resisting. It's driving her insane - more than she usually is."
"What is the prisoner's name?" she asked, hope surging.
"Henry. I don't know much about him, except that one of our spies, who I now know to be a double agent, brought him. Henry was really out of it when he was dragged in here like a sack of potatoes."
"Who betrayed us?" asked Rachel, in a low, murderous tone.
"It was Will." she replied, with disappointment.
"Where is he, Tanya?" I can't let him remain free.
"I don't know, Mrs. Preda sent him on an errand."
"Okay... I'll deal with him later. Right now, I need to get Henry out of here." she replied in a hard voice, as she accepted the clothes, and went into the changing room.
As she had arrived late, she had the good fortune of being issued a meal and a bunk, without the rigorous day of training. After some initial stretching and basic poses, she was excused for the evening. Rachel took advantage of it, and rested until everyone was asleep. Then she slipped out of the shared quarters, being careful not to disturb the exhausted dancers.
She stealthily made her way to the dungeon, which was guarded by two armed men, and a large, solid lock. She made quick work of them, and descended the dark stairway. Halfway down, she heard the voices of two young men.
"Henry, I don't even know how I got here! I swear, I was going back to report to my boss, Danny Rupert! Slickville is the last place I would ever want to be?" said a voice with disgust.
"I believe you, Cyril. We will figure this out. But how are we ever going to get out of this place?" said another voice, sadly.
"I think I can help with that." Rachel whispered, revealing her presence to the two prisoners.
"You're one of Danny Rupert's people!" exclaimed Cyril Pikers, hope lighting his tired eyes.
"Yes, and we are leaving. I take it this is Henry?" she asked, looking at the young man sitting on the damp, filthy straw in the nearby cell.
"Yes, Ma'am." replied Henry, as he rose.
"Is there anyone else down here? I'm looking for another prisoner, her name is Amber." inquired Rachel.
"Yes! In the stables, she's my horse! How do you know her name?" Henry asked in awe.
"That's not important right now, let's get out of here." she said, as she unlocked the cells.
The three miraculously made it to the stables undetected. Henry immediately located Amber. "Did you get my messages?" she asked, telepathically.
"Yes, but I didn't know that you could communicate so far away! I didn't even know it was you!" he replied in the same wordless language.
"Usually I can't, it's very difficult. It drained my energy completely. But I put all of my heart and soul into it, when I felt you slipping. Don't worry, just get out of here! I will follow when I can." the gentle bay mare assured him.
"I won't leave you!" he cried aloud.
"Silence!" whispered Rachel sharply. Then she said, "Amber is right. She needs to stay, for now. I will be back for her. But we need to get you two out of here first."
"There's one more thing, Rachel... Amber told me that I need to help Cyril. But also that he is dangerous."
"Dangerous?!?! I would never hurt you, or betray Danny Rupert!" Cyril Pikers declared indignantly.
"I know, but you also said you were confused, and came here by accident. There could be something that we need to help you with so you will be yourself again." replied Henry in a soothing voice.
Cyril sighed. "You are probably right... But how can we make sure that I don't mess things up? Maybe I should just stay..." he said, resigning himself to a life of torture.
"Don't be ridiculous! I'll just tie you up, and gag you." replied Rachel.
Cyril went pale, but didn't argue.
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