I'm sorry I took so long to post this chapter. I've had it ready to go for the last week. I hope you enjoy it! And, as a heads up, I'm going to start posting daily October stories!
-owl
Taking a second look down, Ziva saw what Abby already had: a small dinghy floated at least four fathoms below them. In it sat a chest that had chains criss-crossed around it. The skeleton of (more than likely) a rodent was curled up on top of it. There were also what remained of wooden planks drifting in the water.
"Tony and I will check it out another day, Abby. For now, we need to get to the other side." Ziva placed a comforting hand on Abby's shoulder.
Abby swallowed hard and nodded. She hated seeing the bodies of dead animals. "How are you going to get across?" She asked.
Taking a look at their surroundings, Ziva stopped to think. "Wait, we found a coil of rope and an old wooden plank at the last turn we came across, correct?"
Thinking for a second, Abby grinned. "Yes, we did! I even marked it on the map!"
With that the girls ran back through the tunnel until they got to the turn where Abby had marked the rope and plank. Ziva wrapped the rope across one shoulder and under her other arm. The plank, while old and long since dried out, was still heavy enough that the pair had to carry it together.
It took them only five minutes to get to the materials, but carrying the plank increased their travel time to nearly ten minutes. Abby had to go slow so she didn't drop either the plank or the torch, and Ziva was going slow so the rope wouldn't uncoil and trip one or both of them. When they got back to the chasm, the daylight streaming in from the exit had taken on a faint gold hue, signifying that it was nearly dusk.
"Ok, Abby," Ziva said, placing the plank on the ground. "I think, if we can keep one end of the plank on this side, and not let it fall, it should reach across."
After judging the gap, Abby nodded and started moving the plank so it would span across it.
Ziva helped her, and it took a few minutes. Unfortunately, though, it only had a foot of purchase on either edge of the gap.
"What if you fall?" Abby asked Ziva as the latter tied the rope around her waist.
Ziva turned to her sister and handed her the end of the rope. "I should be able to get across fast enough, but in case the wood breaks, I think you will be able to catch me. Just hang onto the rope."
Though she clearly looked like she would rather do anything other than be the one to potentially drop the queen of the country down a deep chasm, Abby nodded and took the rope. "I'm ready."
Taking a deep breath, Ziva steeled her nerve and charged across the plank. She had never been so glad to be wearing her tunic and leggings without her heavy armor. Then she was across the plank, which was miraculously still intact. A laugh of relief burst from her, echoed by both her sister and the tunnel.
"Abby, let me tie the rope on this end of the plank, then I want you to pull it entirely onto your side." Ziva kneeled on the ground and untied the rope from around her waist, tying it instead through a hole where a knot had been in the wood. "I think I will be able to pull the plank back over here to cross over later, but this way it will not be as obvious."
After pulling it towards her as Ziva had asked, Abby raised her own question. "That makes sense, but, what are you planning on doing?"
"I am going to sneak into King Fornell's tent and take him hostage. This siege will be over by the time the sun rises. I want you to return to the castle, and tell Tony what we have found. Take the torch and mark all the turns you take so I can get back through."
Abby nodded. "Good luck, Ziva."
Nodding back, Ziva took a deep breath and exited the tunnels. Directly in front of the exit was a spindly shrub that Ziva brushed aside without issue. Taking in her surroundings, she was able to pinpoint that the tunnel had led her to the dried up river bed to the south of the city. Investigatii's army was camped by the entrance to the city, to the west.
Forty minutes later, Zika had silently made her way to the army's camp. It was full dark at this point, and the only light came from the campfires the soldiers were gathered around. Near the middle (as far as Ziva could tell) was a more ornate tent. Likely it was King Fornell's.
Sneaking through the camp was not as hard as it honestly should have been for her. There was a clear sense of ease among the soldiers. Either way, it didn't take long for Ziva to reach the tent in the middle. While some of the soldiers had seen her, they didn't question her.
"Do not move if you value your life," Ziva hissed in Fornell's ear after slipping into his tent and taking a dagger from the table in front of him and putting it against his throat.
"What the hell? Who are you?"
"Do you really not know?" Ziva scoffed. "You will be coming with me, and I heavily suggest that you do not struggle."
"Ah. Queen Ziva." Fornell swallowed nervously, recognizing her voice. "I should have expected something like this."
He carefully stood up, letting Ziva move the dagger along with him, not taking any chances. At least, that is, until he was fully stood up and he made a lunge for his sword that was lying across his cot.
He didn't get far, though, Ziva catching him and digging the dagger into his neck. "The quieter you are, the more likely you will survive," she said.
With that, Fornell stopped fighting and let her lead him through the camp.
