Chapter 1: The Escape

Footsteps pound behind them.

"Here, take this and go!", Sarah whispers urgently as she thrusts a bundle of blankets into her companion's trembling and exhausted hands, "I'll distract them, Alayna, promise me you'll get her to safety. Promise me, please."

"I promise."Alayna replies, knowing that deep down she would do anything to fulfill her sacred promise for her best friends sake. "I promise." She repeats, resolve and determination shining in her eye's.

Satisfied, a slight tilt of Sarah's head is the only warning Alayna gets before she takes off, slapping her feet loudly enough to draw off pursuers. Without wasting a second, Alayna hurries forward into the dimly lit corridor of the manor, hobbling, as she cradles the precious bundle against her chest. A high keening note of anguish echoes from far off propelling Alayna into a sprint. She feels those tears coming and lets them fall, splattering her dusty shawl. Her lips tremble but she refuses to give in to their demand. Steeling herself upright, she wipes away the sorrow. Right before she slams into a solid body.

Looking up she finds herself entrapped in the luminous green eyes of a masked stranger. Male. Definitely male, she thinks.

"You! Give ....." he begins, but Alayna already has her dagger against his neck. "One word," she warns, " If you utter one word, i'll slash your throat right here and now without remorse."

She starts, surprised by her vehemence. Alayna fidgets, her eyes darting between them ensuring that she maintains a respectful distance, even in the face of threat. A single beam of moonlight shining through the arched double glassed window falls on her dagger. The beam reflects off the blade onto the strangers throat. Aliya has never taken a life other than of insignificant insects but in light of her situation there is nothing she won't do to keep her vow. She allows her eyes to narrow, giving the stranger a clear message that she would do exactly as she threatens. He nods slowly to let her know he's got the message. Still, she whacks him over the head with the hilt of her dagger.

"Just to be on the safe side." She mutters. The stranger slides ungracefully to the ground in an unconscious heap. Alayna let's out a relived sigh and sheaths her blade at the belt around her calf. The bundle in her arms stir and quizzical eyes of a two year old peer out. The slight scrunching of those eyes warn Alayna of the incoming din.

"Not right now, Mia." Alayna whispers tiredly. It had been a long day. She was still grappling with the fact that she had just left her only close friend to deal with the wolves. Uncertain and anxious, she clutched Mia closer and silently creeped forward, leaving behind the collapsed stranger lying on the worn dusty stone floor.