Astrid-2

"Huff… huff…"

It has been a long time since I have last moved so much and from the looks of it, the stairwell still has one more step to go.

"Tsk… my child, you are so weak", a mocking whisper sent chills down my back, I turned my head and glared at the white lump of old fat which was floating at my side, without a doubt again, A ghost...

Yes, as you could have already noticed, I can see ghosts, the sweet citizens of nether world have been my constant companions in the years of my loneliness, though I cannot always see them, as they like to come and go as they please.

This gentleman beside me is one of the past prisoners of this huge dungeon. But for now, I wisely chose to ignore the mockery and quietly and quickly made my way out.

Today, it is a good day for escaping, as today is a great celebration in Silfa, it is the anniversary of presiding Lady of Silfa.

It is a bit risky but my only window for making an escape, because all the Silfian high society is present today and also dignitaries from all the rest six lands of Alecia. The castle will have a very tight security but the tighter the security the more it is prone to lapse due to presence obnoxious guests it will have to cater, who are to spend the rest of their night in wining and dining.

I smiled at the thought as I stunned the drunk woman in front of me and quietly took her to nearest room, removed her of her outer garbs and donned them on. I also fixed my hair by tying them up in turban hairstyle as my silver hair are quite conspicuous in the crowd, and we don't want that. Then I wore on a bracelet accessory around my wrist and tucked my dagger in between my bosoms which are not so full to hide something in them, but it will work.

Lastly, I apologizingly took the pitiful woman's purse and stuffed them into my inner pockets and elegantly made my way out of the room, moving towards the gardens as if to enjoy some fresh air.

The night sky was beautiful and the dull sound of music could be heard from the halls. I looked at the guards stationed at end of every hallway and snobbishly ignored them as if I was not a prisoner on run.

As I looked at faraway Gazebo, I couldn't help but remember about my past, it was the same place, yet everything has changed so much. But now neither do I have time nor the heart to reminiscence about the things which has long since faded away.

I almost hurriedly navigated through the maze-like garden according to my memory in search of the secret entry that linked to the underground sewer passageway. Though, not many people are privy to routes of these passageway but who am I, I am Astrid Sternenholz.

I have spent my childhood running through these halls and gardens. They have long since become part of my own self.