The Escape

Tony rushed through the passageway around every curve and turn as if he has always known his way around. In a sense, he did as he would always play in these secret passages without his mother knowing for she would scold him something good if she had found out. There was nothing but silence in these corridors but Tony knew that outside it wouldn't be the case. Right as he felt like he was going to collapse he managed to find his way to the exit. Still clutching onto his sister with all his might he knew he had to just keep going, keep pushing. Her safety depended all on him and his ability to get out with her alive.

Tony burst out through the secret passageway onto a hidden beach and ran to their family's secret port. He knew he could find a row boat that had some supplies on it docked on their pier. It must have been about midnight now as the moon was high in the sky and he stopped and gazed in awe for a moment at the moon when he felt his sister stir. When he looked down he gasped and nearly dropped her, she seemed to be glowing but that wasn't possible. No, she was just a fair child and the moonlight upon her skin made it seem like she was glowing but when she opened her eyes to gaze up at her brother, he had to quickly look away and cover her once again to keep the chill off and keep her out of site. Tony found the row boat and laid his sister down on some blankets next to the ration bag. He sat down and rested a minute before taking up the oars and rowing out to sea. In the distance their home, their beautiful home was up in smoke and the flames licked the walls and towers as they encompassed the palace. Tony told himself he had to stay strong so he fought back the tears and began rowing. He rowed and rowed until he just couldn't take it anymore and he passed out.

When he awoke the sun was blaring over him yet his sister was still quietly lying under cover in the nest of blankets he made. There was a cloth canvas that attached at the front of the boat as a way to keep food and other goods cool and dry and that was where he had laid his sister. Immediately Tony felt his stomach drop as he feared the worst when his sister was still quiet and not making a sound. He ran over to her to quickly check on her and her beautiful blue eyes opened and looked up at him. When she seemed to recognize her brother, she finally let herself cry. Tony realized she must have been cold, hungry, and well, wet. He quickly grabbed a pocket knife out of his pocket and cut a piece of one of the new blankets in an attempt to have a clean dry cloth for his sister. He unwrapped her and took off her nappy which indeed needed to be changed and quickly rinsed it in the water over the side of the boat and then laid it out in the sun to dry as he wrapped the new piece of cloth around her in a hasty and messy way. It was good enough he figured and was just about to start rowing again when all of the sudden he heard someone shout at him. He panicked as he had no idea where they were or realized how far they had drifted and figured these people must be trying to hurt him and his sister. He tensed up and gripped the pocket knife he had gotten from his father for his 10th birthday tightly, ready to attack if needed when the voice called out again.

"Hey kid! Do you need any help or not?!" The voice was raspy as Tony turned around to see who was calling him when to his surprise he saw a large vessel. How had he not noticed it before?! Just as Tony was about to respond a lady stepped out onto the deck and gently put her arms on the man. She nodded towards him as the man shook his head and walked away very obvious he was annoyed. The woman turned towards Tony and smiled. She spoke in a soft and soothing voice and Tony couldn't help but feel himself relax and feel at ease.

"Hey there young man, it looks like you might need some help. I heard a baby, do you have a baby with you?"

Tony hesitated for a moment before he responded, "Yes, I do. She's my sister and I'm afraid I have nothing to feed her and she must be starving and cold."

The woman tsked softly and replied, "It's ok, we have some milk in our galley and we can give it to her. If you are so inclined, you and your sister can come aboard our ship and we will take care of you."

Tony thought a moment, worst case scenario he could take his sister in the middle of the night and escape if needed be. He then nodded and agreed to come aboard. He rowed to the vessel and they lifted his rowboat onto the side and attached it and the lady caressed his face and smiled and put out her hands for him to give his sister to her. Tony took a step back and refused to give his sister to her. "Relax, it's ok dear, I just want to get her cleaned up and some milk. We have extra blankets and some cots so I can make her warm and comfortable. Taking care of a baby is hard work, especially for the inexperienced," she said in her sweet and calming voice again. Tony then relaxed and nodded and handed his sister over. The man from earlier came by and the lady directed him to take Tony to get something to eat and to bring back some milk for the baby, as she went towards the captain's quarters with his sister. The man nodded and took Tony to the galley.

"Go ahead and get something to eat quickly kid, your sister is waiting for you to bring back some milk," the man said in his raspy voice. Tony nodded and followed him to the cook. The cook was about to snap at the man in annoyance when he turned and saw the young kid. He immediately changed his composure in a state of shock and looked at the man, "and who might this be?"

"Well this is, hey kid! What is your name?" Tony was surprised at first and then realized that greetings haven't been exchanged yet. He was about to answer when his mother's voice popped back into his head with her warning, "Remember, no one must know who you are. Not even your sister." Tony must have been silent for a while as the man with the raspy voice, irritated, asked again in a more harsh manner, "I SAID what is your NAME kid?!"

"Oh right! Sorry sir, my name...." Tony thought a moment and thought of his middle name but that would give him away for sure, "my name is Markus sir."

"Markus eh? That's a mighty fine and strong name young man. And the babe?"

"Well she doesn't have a name sir," which was true. In their society and family, children of higher standings did not receive their name until their first birthday which was still quite a bit away as she was only 3 months old. Many commoners had adopted this method as well as it made them feel more regal.

"Huh, no name huh? Well why don't you name her since she is your sister."

"Of course sir, but I would rather wait for 3 weeks if that is ok." By waiting three weeks, they would never know her name in case they hunt them down later. Markus knew that in order to make sure he was strong enough to take care of his sister they needed to wait at least 3 weeks before he makes a daring escape. The man looked at Markus with a quizzical look on his face but just shook his head. "What a strange request but ok. My name is Brian Morrigan and I'm this ship's first mate. The woman you saw earlier was Lady Katherine and she is this ship's Captain."

"Lady Katherine? Does that mean she is of high standing?" Brian actually chuckled at Markus's strange question and responded, "Haha well she might think she is!" The cook started to chuckle too and introduced himself as well. His name was Leeroy and he gave Markus a nice bowl of stew.

"This is the last time that someone gets fed after meal time Brian, you know I'm very strict about everyone eating at the designated times," Leeroy said sternly as he looked towards Brian. Brian just threw his arms up in the air and proceeded to walk out.

"Oh right! Mr. Leeroy sir-"

"Just Leeroy is fine my boy. I'm nothing but a humble chef on this vessel."

"Right, Leeroy, the captain requested some milk for my baby sister to be sent to her right away." Leeroy's mouth dropped in agape and he got all in a fuss as he shouted, "Well why didn't you say so sooner my boy?! Hurry! Go take some milk to the Captain and your sister at once!" Leeroy pushed a cup of milk into Markus's hands and ushered him quickly out the door and pointed the direction as to which he was supposed to go.