Alvenar - Chapter 8

It was several hours later and well past midnight when I decided to take action. I couldn't defend myself. I had tried and failed, but it would not happen again. I sat up and silently vowed to myself that I would never be a victim again. I went to my bowl and began to wash the filth and smell of Eomir off of me, and dressed in one of my least impressive gowns. As much as the thought of leaving my family pained me, I realized that I could not stay and face the future that my family had planned for me. I had to leave, and I had to leave tonight. Once clean and dressed, I went into the chest at the foot of my bed and pulled out an old satchel and filled it with a few small but valuable trinkets (for selling if it came to that), and another dress, but left enough room for some food that I would steal on the way out of the castle. To be truly honest with you, other than fleeing the castle, I really had no plan of action. 1

        The next several minuets were not really of much import. One of the kitchen hands saw me taking food, but I explained that I had not eaten that evening and was famished, which on a whole was true. He simply nodded and went about his own business. I grabbed a loaf of bread, a flask of strawberry wine, and a bit of cheese and stuffed it in my bag. I saw one of the servants's hooded shawls hanging by the door and decided that using it was a wise idea. After all, though no one would question me because of my position, it would look rather odd to have "the future queen (according to them) of the kingdom" roaming around in the middle of the night without a guard.2

        It was fairly easy to move about because most everyone in the village was asleep. But to be on the precautionary side, I crept about and hid behind water barrels and carts if I thought I heard something. It was not long before I reached the stables. I checked to make sure that there were no stable lads around. I found a beautiful mare (Leantreans are famous riders so I know a great deal about horses). The funny thing was that she was already groomed and saddled. She was even loaded with a canister of water, a blanket, and a good stack of food, judging by the size of the bag. There was no one around that could be seen, but my senses told me that someone was there. I didn't get a chance to turn before a strange but familiar hand clasped over my mouth from behind.3

        "Your Highness, I don't know why you're here and I don't have the time to figure it out. What I do know is that I must escape tonight and I shall have to do harm to you if you do not swear by the Merciful Goddess that you will not say a word."4

        Without even seeing his face, I knew that voice. I nodded my agreement and his arm rested. I turned and saw the Shirwani slave. I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again; by the Merciful Goddess he is beautiful! He was wearing riding clothes (that were probably stolen because they were a bit snug on him, though I'm not complaining) and his beautiful white hair was drawn back into a braid.5

        "Do you swear?"6

        "I don't know why I should be forced to swear, especially upon the Goddess but I do swear it."7

He looked relieved. He nodded and went to finish his packing.8

        "Where are you escaping to?"9

        "My Lady, with all due respect to you, I..."10

        "Listen here! I don't want to hear your "My Lady" this and "by Your Leave" that or anything that has to do with why I should or shouldn't know where you're going. I simply wanted to know because I-I-want, no need to get out of here and have to way of leaving."11

        "My Lady, I think it wisest to call for the guard and..."12

        "Isn't it obvious why I haven't called the guard? There's a reason I'm asking you. I don't want anyone to know that I've left or where I am."13

        He opened his mouth to say something but thought better of it. He looked at me then with those piercing eyes of his then said, "You saved my life Lady. I'll help to save yours."14

        I wanted to fling my arms around him and kiss him in thanks but I thanked him instead. He took my satchel and fastened it to the horse.15

        "I'll take you wherever you want to go Lady, but first there's something we need to discuss and quickly so that no one will realize were gone until we're already miles away."16