“ESCAPE”

Days had passed since my encounter with the creatures and the maiden but l still couldn't wrap my head around it. Be that as it may, it was the least of my problems for now. Pierre had made arrangements for my wedding which would take place in a few days and l was placed under castle-arrest with constant surveillance so I wouldn't threaten the preparations they made.

I spent most of my time in my chambers and the training grounds with guards monitoring my every move. Every attempt l made at escaping was to no avail. Pierre had me locked in but l wasn't going to give him the leash of victory.

I made up my mind l'd escape tonight to a far away land and possibly live a normal life. l wasn't going to get married to Prince Dickhead of Luminor, not now, not ever. Tonight was the perfect time to carry out my escape because a feast would be held in honor of my marriage and the alliance between two powerful kingdoms. The timing couldn't be better, while everyone would be busy partying their lives out, I'd go through the castle's underground tunnels built for the royals' escape in times of war and make my way out.

"Ready for tonight?" Callum asked as he walked into my chambers and ordering the other guards to leave the premises as he'd be taking charge.

I was on both knees getting my bag ready with the things I needed to sustain me for a while before looking up at him "Almost".

He approached me and handed me more packed food and water. I scoffed a bit and said "I have enough". He chuckled and placed them in the bag, "They're for Darcy, you on the other hand can survive on air and water so I'm not in the least worried. You do it all the time here". I rolled my eyes at his statement but couldn't deny the indisputable fact that he was right, I didn't eat much as to keep a proper fit.

He stayed silent for a while and lurked around before he uttered, "The feast begins at sunset, I'll give you the signal for when to depart. You already know the route to the tunnels, take it and make a right turn at the end of the first tunnel. The second would lead you to a nearby village where I would be waiting for you with Darcy in the market square. If you arrive before me, wait for 3 minutes, if you don't see me after, l was probably caught and the King would already know about your plan so waste no time and run. Run as far as you can and stay hidden. Posters of you would be out on the streets of every town and village."

I stood up to my feet and wore an apathetic look on my face, "How would you deal with the guards?"

"Not to worry, Oliver & I would spike their meals and drinks, that should keep them preoccupied for a while".

"Why are you helping me?" I asked with an eyebrow raised.

He smiles slightly and stares past me, "No one should be forced into a marriage."

I shrugged and turned my back to him, picking up my bag and placing it onto the bed, "If you get killed, at least make it to the heavens, hell doesn't suit you".

"Impassive as always, huh?" He laughed a bit loud and exhaled calmly "Just be safe, Lory and come back when you can. Till then, wait for my signal". I felt his gaze fall behind me before he left my chambers quietly.

Soon, the sun set and I stood beside my window glancing out to the fields waiting for Callum's signal. I had to be very vigilant because l knew not what he would use as a signal. I withdrew myself from the window and began pacing around in anxiety as the laughter and music that emerged from the ballroom echoed down the halls and grew louder. I paced around some more before retiring for a quick nap.

....

"You have to depart now, My Lady!" I heard someone say as I awoke from my nap.

I squinted my eyes and asked, "Oliver?". My vision was a bit blurry since l had just been awoken from a nap. I swung my legs down and got up to my feet.

"Callum asked me to get you, he's with the King at the moment" he said and I noticed how pale he looked.

I didn't care enough to ask any questions, this was the only chance l got at this and failing wasn't an option. I picked up my bag from the edge of the bed and slung it around my body. "Go back to Callum and tell him I'd be gone by the time he's done with the King".

"I was ordered to accompany you to the tunnels, I'll return afterwards".

"My orders or Callum's?? I can handle myself. Now go!" l ordered before heading outside the door with Oliver right behind. We glanced at one another before nodding in agreement to both leave. Oliver was out of my sight when l began running down the halls. I made several turns before approaching the stairs that led down to the first tunnel. It was a small and confined space so my movements slowed as l walked through it. I followed Callum's instructions and l managed to reach the second tunnel in short time.

Soon after, l found myself at the end of the tunnel. I walked out and lurked around the vicinity before my eyes caught onto the village that was only a few meters away. Hopefully, Callum would be there waiting. I turned around and noticed how high the castle walls were, l was leaving home, not that it was that much of a home either way. I closed my eyes, inhaled and exhaled with my eyes open and with my back towards the tunnel, I took to my heels in the direction of the village. On reaching the village, I headed for the market square, l used a shawl to hide my face for fear of being discovered and waited impatienly for Callum.

Three minutes had gone by since l stood under a shed, l came to the conclusion that Callum had been found out by the King. I couldn't wait any longer, l had to continue my journey without Darcy. As l began to walk away, a hand fell on my right shoulder stopping me in my tracks, "I'm here".

I took the hand and twisted it only to see that it was Callum. I let his hand go and asked, "Darcy?". He pointed towards a tree behind where Darcy stood. I ran towards her and mounted on her back, ready to move. He walked towards me slowly "Be safe".

"I will. Return at once so Pierre doesn't suspect a thing". He nodded without making a sound as l rode off into the woods.