14 Escape

Waking up in the middle of darkness to the sound of fighting is never a pleasant experience. Opening his eyes Curtis was confused, screams and swords clashing rang around the estate.

"What the?" Curtis's thoughts were cut off as a Millie ran into his room.

"Young Master we need to go!" She whispered right as she got to the bed. She took out a small pack from under the bed and started packing a few of his clothes.

Curtis tried getting up, as soon as his feet hit the floor he fell, drawing attention from Millie.

"Curtis!" she shouted rushing near him "Please sit for a moment, I'll just finish packing and help you out."

"Alright"

That was the only response he could utter, still feeling the feebleness of his body having been asleep for a year was not good for him. Gathering his thoughts he asked.

"What's happening Millie? Who is fighting outside?" "I don't know, they suddenly came and Miss Sherry told me to pack your clothes and get you out of-"

She was cut off when Esbern ran through the door.

"We need to go now!" he shouted. "They're already inside the estate, the guards can't hold out much longer."

"I-I'm still packing" Millie answered frighthened seeing the blood on Esbern's spear.

"That should be enough, we need to get Master Curtis out of here." He answered snappily, he barred the door with his spear and moved to the far wall of Curtis' room.

Curtis looked on and saw Esbern feeling for something on the wall when he heard a click, and the wall opened, Esbern came to his side and urged him, "Please Master let us go." carefully carrying him on his back he readied his sword before calling to Millie "Hurry Millie"

Following the dark corridor they came out onto the servant's side of the mansion, passing by the rooms Curtis couldn't help but cover his nose, "What's that mettalic smell?" he whispered, Esbern twitched before slowly opening one of the doors. Inside where the hacked up remains of some of the servants in their sleepwear.

"They came at us from the forest's side. We didn't even hear them coming until it was too late." Curtis flinched, taking a look at the body of one of Millie's friends. "She's the same age as Millie." he thought the feeling of dread and death washing over him like a heavy sack of rocks weighing down on him, almost doubling over the side with the urge to vomit when he heard sniffles behind him, seeing Millie crying out her eyes.

"We were laughing just hours ago before going to bed." she cried.

"Let's go we need to get outside to the garden." Esbern closed the door and carried on, moving carefully through the dark estate stopping when he hears something.

"What happened Esbern?" Curtis whispered, "I don't know, they suddenly attacked." he answered, moving quick to get to the garden.

When they arrived they saw Sherry with the guards, she was wearing leather armor, brandishing a sword directing some guards.

"Defend the Estate! For the De Leon!" a group of guards and rushed past them into the estate.

When Sherry noticed them approaching she looked relieved, "Thank the gods you're alright." she ran her hands through Curtis' face smiling. "We need to get you out of here. Come here," She led them to the fountain then ordered a guard. "Open the path." he nodded then pressed something under one of the seats in the garden.

Curtis was astonished, the fountain split in the middle revealing a staircase that led god knows where.

"This will lead you out of the territory, somewhere in the desert, You will be safe there." She added urging them down the staircase. She then turned to Millie adding a few instructions to what she already gave her earlier.

"You?" Curtis caught that word he felt panic over Sherry staying behind, "You're not coming with us?" he asked Sherry, "I need to manage things here, and someone needs to warn your siblings" Sherry answered. "No! come with us! we can go to them after we escape!" Curtis argued.

She looked like she was about to tell him something when an arrow landed near her feet, almost grazing her. Sherry steeled herself and shouted "Esbern Go! Now!"

Esbern took one last look onto his comrades before taking a torch from one of the guards nodding to him and then rushing down the staircase carrying Curtis with him.

"No! Come with us!" Curtis shouted afraid of losing one more person. Millie ran in behind them. "We need to go Master." she said moving to the wall and then pulling down a lever.

With the fountain starting to close again, sounds of steel clashing together could be heard before Esbern started to run into the darkness, the sound of walls crumbling began behind them.

...

He couldnt even remember how long they've been on the move and how many twists and turns they did before they got to a slightly wider area of the underground maze they were in.

"Let's rest for now, were safe here." Esbern declared, placing Curtis down and plopping down on the floor himself. Millie approached them both panting, keeping up with a trained guard proved to be too hard for her, she took out some waterskins and offered some to Esbern and Curtis before gulping down some water for herself.

Silence passed between the three of them for some time, the feeling of loss and uncertainty creeping up on them as they weren't sure if the others made it out. Curtis looking at his companions not wanting to let it eat them up opened.

"Who are they?"