Chapter 99

A few more days passed and they arrived at the threshold of the capital. Standing behind a line of trees the trio observed the towering stone walls and parapets.

The forest grew up until it met the wall on the west side of the city, but on the east side was the river. The forest there had been cut down for large shipyards and docks. They were the largest docks that Ariston had ever seen.

His gaze moved to the main gate. This was their best chance of entry, if they could get through there, then they would be free to search the lower levels. But, the soldiers that were guarding the gates did not bode well for them.

"Should we try disguises?" The Queen asked sitting behind the Sovereign.

"I already grew a beard, and you have your cloak. They don't know Ariston's with us." The Sovereign reasoned as his eyes thoroughly scanned their target, "Do you have a map of the city?" He asked and Ariston began shuffling through his bag to find the map.

"Here it is." He said and he unfurled the parchment. He traced the walls of the city and found three other entrances, but all of them were either for merchants or soldiers, "This is the only one we can enter from, it's the only one for citizens." He said as he looked back up.

The Sovereign nodded, "And once we get in, which way to the public plaza?"

Ariston perused his map once more and found the plaza, "It's to the east, you take this road and then follow this one." He said showing them where each road would take them.

"I see." The Sovereign muttered, "Well, let's go." He said trying to be chipper in the grave situation.

The trio moved slowly onto the main road, it was occupied by a few carts and a few people on foot.

Coming to the main gate they were stopped as the soldiers had to search the cart in front of them. Ariston began to feel tense. If they were caught then they would be killed.

The cart moved on and they walked forward.

Ariston didn't make eye contact with the soldiers but he did notice the peculiar weapon strapped to his belt.

They all breathed a silent sigh of relief when they passed under the walls unhindered.

The streets were lively and full of charm. So far, Ariston found that he still preferred Wanington to Crescent but the latter state did have a charm of its own.

He pulled out his map and pointed down a muddy, hay strewn street, "That way."

He stopped and looked to his right. He could've sworn that there'd been a sound. A sound of clanking.

Still feeling suspicious he warily moved forward.

"Get him!" A voice hollered and he felt a rope pulled against us chest and he was unhorsed.

Falling to the slippery ground he pulled his sword and began to defend himself as best he could. Three opponents attacked him at once, each armed with a sword.

"Ariston!" The Queen called and he looked up to see the Sovereign running towards him. With a grunt he kicked the soldier in front of him down.

"No! Run!" He yelled at him. They had to leave. The soldiers knew they were here. He had to run.

He could see reluctance in the Sovereign's eyes. Ariston elbowed the man behind him in the stomach and sliced another man's neck, "Go! I'll be fine!"

"Ariston!" He called and he glanced at him, his body was growing weary. There were too many.

"Go!"

He looked up and saw their horse still standing there and two cloaked figures running off.

A sigh of relief left his lungs and he felt a sharp hit to the back of his head and he crumpled to the ground.

~~~~~~~~~

"We have to hide, come on." Bastian urged her. Tears were streaming down her face as her feet struggled to keep in step.

He stopped and pulled her into an alley, grabbing her shoulders firmly he looked into her tormented grey eyes. He could think of nothing to say. Ariston was most likely dead. The soldiers wouldn't spare him, he was just the son of a dead Premier.

He choked on his breath. Dimitri would never forgive him. He would never forgive himself. He unconsciously clenched his hands on Hydrangea's shoulders and she let out a small grimacing sound.

He let go of her and took a few steps back. The brick laid ground was covered in a layer of mud and straw. He sat down on an old crate, his head hung as he tried to figure out a plan of escape.

"He can't have died for nothing." He looked up to hear Hydrangea say, her voice small but firm.

Bastian shook his head, "No." He whispered, "No, and he won't. He sacrificed his life for us, and we will honour him. But first, we have to stay alive."

He stood and reached for her hand and, after sniffing and wiping a few tears away, she gave it to him. He was astounded that she actually trusted him enough to give him her hand. But he didn't have time to savour it. He instead pulled the hood of his cloak over his head and they both left the protection of the alley.

They walked along the semi-busy streets, their boots getting a plentiful taste of the mud. The hem of Hydrangea's dress was caked in it as were both their cloaks.

They skirted around shops and houses, soldiers were truly everywhere here and word of them being there had spread. Throughout all their running they never once released their hands.

Coming to a stop at the plaza they hid behind a barrel. Both were panting and Bastian watched and waited till the squad of soldiers passed.

"Sovereign." He felt Hydrangea squirm beneath him and he looked to see that he'd pinned her to the wall.

He stepped back and cleared his throat. Muttering, he said, "Apologies."

She nodded and looked behind him to the plaza, "What's the next step?"

He turned and observed the wide, rectangular plaza. At the far end was the temple to Samadur, Ratri-kar and Timir-mask. Along the left was a small garden, now dead from the cold. And to the right was the Premier's house and other legislative buildings.

"We ask around."