1 Running Away in the Night

Amarille quietly headed to the room of her oldest son.

She passed through the corridor that was faintly lit by the light coming from the waning moon.

Her crimson hair glowed as she walked as quietly but with urgency.

She could feel a dull pain in her stomach, but she had felt pain every day since she had come to this estate.

She paid it no mind.

Soon after, she slowly wedged the door open before slipping in through, not leaving the door ajar a moment longer than necessary.

Even though it was the dead of night, her eldest son Davus was sitting on his bed with his eyes fixed on the door. He wasn't alone either.

He had gone and gathered his younger siblings, his two younger brothers and one sister as his mother had suddenly and solemnly requested earlier that day in secret.

However, his youngest brother, Erikson had succumbed to sleep as he was only 3 years old at the time.

The second oldest son Alexis was sitting nervously but silently beside him.

Amarille closed the door as softly as she could behind her before glancing towards the reasons she had endured this place, but also the reason she now had to leave.

"...Thanks for bringing your younger siblings, Davus."

"...It wasn't a problem, mother."

Davus seemed calm as he responded but the light in his eyes wavered. Over the past few months, his mother has been making odd requests, asking Davus to keep them a secret from everyone, especially his father.

Of course, he would have never told that old man anything, especially something that would likely cause more trouble for his mother.

His mother's requests might have not seemed like much if he hadn't known.

His father had loose lips around him. His father didn't hold anything back despite the fact that Davus was still only 11 years old.

Davus gently moved Erikson from his lap onto the bed as he looked towards Miriam, then his mother.

Miriam was only 5 years old but she already had a cold look in her eyes.

Amarille had a pained look in her eyes as she began to speak.

"Davus, Alexis. Tonight I'll be leaving this estate with Miriam. I've stayed this long because I didn't want to abandon my children no matter the circumstance...Various things have happened but....Davus, I think at least you should understand why after what happened 3 months ago, why I need to take Miriam away from this place. I'm afraid to let her stay here any longer."

Davus directed his gaze towards the floor before standing up and reaching under the bed.

Meanwhile, Alexis' eyes began to well with tears.

"Then take us with you, Mother. We don't want to stay with that man either."

Even though his eyes glassed over then spilled forth, his tears were wept silently. He was young but already understood the dangerous position his mother, and now sister were in.

Amarille willed her tears back within her eyes.

"I'm sorry, my child. I'm not confident that I can keep Miriam safe, I can't risk your lives as well."

"But...."

"Mother is right, Alexis. No matter what, our lives won't be in danger here. That man won't hurt his 'treasured sons'. On the other hand, if we go with them, we'll only be a burden."

Davus had learned long ago that his father won't raise a hand against his sons. When he had used his body to shield his mother his father immediately lowered his hand. Alexis had picked up on this trick as well.

However, the only daughter Miriam had learned she can't use the same trick.

"It pains me that I have to leave while you're all so young. My youngest son won't even be able to remember me in a couple years... But ever since Miriam's awakening as a Witch, the situation has changed."

Davus handed his mother a heavy pouch he had pulled from underneath his bed.

It was the pouch that his mother had asked him to hide. Every couple weeks she gave him more to fill it with.

"Thank you for hiding it"

Her eyes softened slightly as she pet his jet-black hair.

"When you started asking me to store money, and I heard father crassly speaking of auctioning off his 5 year daughter as a bride-to-be, I thought this may happen. I just hoped it wouldn't have to be so soon...."

His glossy eyes weren't discovered in the small candle-lit room but his voice that slowly quietened betrayed him.

"I have such intelligent children"

She put one hand on Alexis's head who had inched closer during the conversation. She once again put her right hand on Davus' head.

Despite her mother not telling her previously on top of being the youngest child awake in the room, Miriam quietly stood beside the bed as she observed her siblings.

"Can we really not go with mother? Brother, how can you let her go so easily?"

Even if Alexis somewhat understood the situation, he was still young and his heart was much louder than his mind.

Of course, his eldest brother shared his sentiments. He was able to stay calm because he had already decided.

'I'll grow up, take care of that geezer and find my mother and sister again.'

"I'll find you and Miriam again when it's safe"

Amarille forced a smile and said,

"I hope you can give your sister a better life some day."

Davus' young forehead creased to her response.

Amarille bent over the bed and lightly kissed her youngest son's forehead. She hugged her other sons before taking her daughter's hand in one hand, and her stomach in the other.

"Say goodbye to your brothers, Miriam."

Miriam looked towards her mother with vacant eyes before redirecting her gaze towards Davus and Alexis.

"Stay safe, brothers. The assassination attempts should decrease significantly once we're gone....and don't ever forgive Father for anything."

Even after Miriam's powers had manifested 3 months ago, her cheerful personality had not changed. However, ever since the assassination attempt on her 2 weeks ago, her young eyes had been filled with emotions not suitable for one her age. Her eyes held rage and sadness, but perhaps the scariest expression this 5 year old had was when her eyes were completely devoid of emotion, as if she had already seen too much of this world.

Davus hugged his sister and he hoped that she would be able to live peacefully with his mother somewhere far away. Alexis hugged his sister as well as he silently cried. Even if his sister's happiness had disappeared 2 weeks ago, even if his father thought of her as nothing more than a tool, she was still his cute and beloved sister who was only but 2 years younger than him.

And so the young woman snuck out of the estate holding her daughter. She vowed in her heart,

'My daughter won't face the same fate as me'.

But really, she was protecting her daughter from perhaps a worse fate than her own.

Even though Amarille had been sold to that house in hopes of bearing witches, she herself had never manifested as one.

Her daughter was revealed as a 'useful' tool to the man known as her father, but a 'useful' tool was still nothing but a tool in his eyes.

Amarille slowly mounted a horse and her daughter clung to her front. Amarille's crimson hair and Miriam's dark purple hair reflected the moonlight as they rode throughout the night.

Amarille continued to ride as the beautiful colors signifying the beginning of a new day appeared in the sky.

Of course neither Amarille or Miriam were thinking anything like 'the world is a beautiful place'.

Amarille had long passed her limit. She had ridden often in her youth, but even since she was dragged into her husband's estate, she wasn't able to do as she pleased. Her body was weak from staying inside for years. Her legs hurt from riding throughout the night. She only partially noticed it however. She had various other sources of pain after all.

Amarille looked down at Miriam who had obediently and quietly stuck to her on top the jarring horse all night.

'Ever since those assassins were killed in front of her 2 weeks ago, she never complains about anything.'

It made it easier to travel, but as a mother she was worried.

'But she needs to learn to take care of herself quickly.'

Unfortunately, she didn't have the luxury of pampering her precious daughter.

"Look, Miriam. There's a town ahead. How about we get breakfast there?"

Amarille wanted to ride further but she had a feeling she would faint from pain if they didn't stop soon.

'That stupid husband of mine rarely looks for me. We should have a while before anyone starts looking for us.'

"Yes, mother"

Amarille could hear her daughter's flat voice and feel as her head nodded against her chest.

"Good girl"

She winced in pain as she held an end in sight.