It was hard to gauge just how long they had been running. It had been hours of walking before the skaven had attacked, and now they ran with a hurried desperation. Neil led the way with the torch, wanting to remain behind to protect Emmaline but unable to get passed the sincere fact that he was the only one who knew where to go. Gods, he hoped he knew where they were going. Once they reached the flush, go down a level and continue northward until you reached the causeway, and if he guessed correctly, it was just up ahead. 
 
The two glanced behind themselves too many times, but so far they hadn't seen any real pursuit. Perhaps the rats had all drowned, and the last two did not want to take their chances against them. As Neil ran, the implications of what had just happened hit home. They had fought things from urban legends and lived to tell the tale. Wait until Neil told the public! He and Emmaline would be.... 

Disbelieved, probably. 

Heinz had told him they were real, but no one trusted sewer jacks, and it was one thing to hear about it and another entirely to actually see it. A part of him didn't want to believe it. He wanted to pick Emmaline's brain on what had happened, but a light around the next corner stole his thoughts from him. They both stopped, panting hard and looking aghast at a beam of illumination breaking through a hole to the right of the stoneworks. Neil could smell wet soil and heard the trickling of water. It was one of the most beautiful things he had ever experience, and he breathed in deeply for a long moment. 

"We're free, Emma," He started to say, turning around just in time to see the light glint off two beady eyes and a flashing sword. Neil shoved Emmaline aside and thrust his torch into the ratman's face. It squealed like nothing he had ever heard, dropping its shield and wriggling on the ground, it's paws batting at its scorched snout like the flailing of a dying cockroach. Another ratman was there, chittering and leaping over its comrade at Neil. 

Emmaline screamed an incantation, and the ratman, sword leading, suddenly dropped like the scimitar in its hand had become an anvil. It was actually hilarious, Neil thought. But he would laugh later. The thief kicked the skaven in the head once, twice, thrice, continuing until its small skull was covered in bloodied fur. He stomped on its snout for good measure, and then kicked the other flailing one too. He almost felt sorry for the vermin, but he didn't stop until Emmaline pulled at his arm. 

"Neil, Neil! Let's get the fuck out of here..." She pleaded, and he nodded in agreement. He couldn't tell if the things were still alive or not, but they wouldn't be following them anytime soon. Hoisting their sacks, they made their way to the light. Emmaline groaned, complaining about the weight. "Ranald, I never thought I would have sympathy for mules, but I can't imagine carrying these any longer." 

"I thought you'd handle it better than me, they're only half as big as your..." He grinned, and she pushed him. A moment further, and they were under the light of the tunnel hole. It was at Neil's eye level, and he knelt down, cupping his hands so she could step up and pull herself through, into the next chapter of their lives.