The first soldiers appeared down at the end of the corridor. Kery threw himself against the door. It opened, and he plunged through and slammed down the bolt.
Sathi stood there and wonder was in her eyes. "Oh, Kery," she breathed, "Kery, you came...."
"No time," he rasped. "Where is the pipe of Killorn?"
She fought for calmness. "Mongku has it," she said. "His chambers are on the next floor, above these—"
The door banged and groaned as men threw their weight against it.
Sathi took his hand and led him into the next room. A fire burned low in the hearth. "I thought it out, against the time you might come," she said. "The only way out is up that chimney. It should take us to the roof and thence we can go down again."
"Oh, well done, lass!" With a sweep of the poker Kery scattered the logs and coals out on the carpet while Sathi barred the door into the next room. Drawing a deep breath the Killorner went into the fireplace, braced feet and back against the sides of the flue and began to climb up.
Smoke swirled in the chimney. He gasped for breath and his lungs seemed on fire. Night in here, utter dark and choking of fouled air. His heart roared and his strength ebbed from him. Up and up and up, hitch yourself still further up.
"Kery." Her voice came low, broken with coughing. "Kery—I can't. I'm slipping—"
"Hang on!" he gasped. "Here. Reach up. My belt—"