Escape

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The girls crept to the stables,the silence was still awkward between them but their determination to leave without getting caught was strong.

They took a black horse and dragged it towards the gate,but how were they going to get past the soldiers guarding the gate.

"Princess Evie." They heard a soldier call,he was bowing as he uttered the Princess's name.She approached the guard while Athena and Rose watched from a fair distance.

"What brings you here your Highness...it's raining heavily,you could catch a cold." A soldiers said looking at the drenched princess.

"My father,King Epirius has sent me to fetch you both." Evie said and the soldiers laughed mockingly.

"Fetch us? he was the one who posted us here." Soldier 1 said.

"We won't fall for that Princess,we have been here for a long time without the king summoning us,why would he now?" Soldier 2 said.

The corner of Evie's lips went up in a smirk as she sat on the stool next to them and crossed her legs against the other." I admire your smartness Soldier,but as you well know the king is not a patient man,if you don't go I could tell him you disobeyed him and you know how he is." She said using her hand to wave on her neck indicating a beheading sign.

The Soldiers got tensed,this was a tough one,if they did not listen to the Princess and stay then they would bedead before dawn but if they listened to the Princess and abandoned their post and it was indeed a lie they would still die before dawn.They took one last glance at each other and then scurried away to the Castle's building.

"Psst Athena,Rose." Evie whispered and gesturing to where the girls were hiding.

"How did you..."

"It doesn't matter,I could not do anything while you were here,this is the least I can do." Evie said and Athena hugged her.

"Thank you Evie,I will never forget your kindness." Athena said as she pulled away and got on the horse with Rose sitting behind her.

"You better don't," Evie said with a faint smile and the girls rode off.

A loud bell rang soon afterwards and a lot of soldiers got on their horses as they rode towards the gate which Princess Evie closed, standing infront of it.

General Sam got down from his horse that was as black and rough like he was.

"You helped them escape!"He said making a statement rather than asking a question.

Yes, they're my friends and they deserve more than suffering in this godforsaken hell-hole." Evie said, determined to protect her friends.

He smirked which was the opposite of the reaction she expected.

"You did us a favor my bride-to-be, due to their attempt to escape and your slow-wittedness.The king has ordered us to kill them." He said and Evie froze.

Did she actually lead them to their early graves by helping them escape?

"That's of you get rid of me first,cause I'm not moving away unless you kill me,take out your sword and kill me,at least tha way I won't have to marry you!" Evie said and then a slap landed on her face which sent her to the floor with a grunt.

"Nice try princess,but you would get married to me...Even in death." He said and climbed back on his horse as he led his men to go after the runaways.

Athena and Rose hadn't reach far on their horse despite travelling at high speed when they started hearing sounds of galloping horses and soldiers roaring.They tried my all means to ride faster but the soldiers were getting closer that she could already hear their yells.

They came down from the horse,the path they were following was the route to the nearest town/village and it was a one way with thick forests at each side s,it was dark and creepy,the only source of light was the moon and thank the gods it wasn't a crescent moon at that moment,they could hear wolves howling and owls hooting but that was also their only option.They ran as fast as their legs could carry them leaving the horse behind.The forest was so dark but thanks to the jar Rose held firmly they were able to see.

"Come on Rose, they're catching up!!" Athena said as they ran faster and further into the darkness, stepping on dried leaves and twigs.

"I'm trying" Rose said as she fought to keep up,but they just kept slipping due to the wet forest floor.Soon the soldiers caught a glimpse of them,riding on a horse and holding a torch was enough to spot two servants trying to escape into a forest on foot.

"There,Get them !" A soldier yelled pointing in the direction of where they ran.The sounds of galloping horses got to the girls and they ran as fast as they could.Athena stumbled upon a tree root and fell flat on the floor dragging rose with her,the impact of the fall would surely inflict an injury on her,but still she got up to continue the race.

"I...I can't." Rose,just a little more." Athena said helping Rose back on her feet,that was when she noticed the blood stains on her white dress.Rose grunt in pain and fell on her knees again

"I...I can't, you go...get out of here,don't let me be a burden to your freedom" Rose said with tears in her eyes and that was when Athena noticed the Arrow poking out of Rose's back.

"No...no,no,no" Athena said with tears touching the arrow contemplating if she should pull it out or not.

Am evil laughter was heard,followed by series of claps, she turned her gaze towards the person and rage burned in her seeing General Sam.