The figures walked with determination and had a clear goal. Which made me nervous, what were they doing here? I heard what sounded like hooves gently clip clopping on the floor. A fawn? Why would a fawn be here? Fawns are citizens of Mereillia (not a well favored decision) however they often keep to the wooded areas, with most being herbalists. So what would a fawn be doing here, especially a heavily armored one? The fawn and the other hooded person stopped at Eldrakar's cell.
"Hello old friends, it's been a long time,' spoke the fawn in a rough but friendly voice
."I hope this chick is worth the hassle El, sir." Interrupted the other person, I couldn't see his face but by the tone of his voice I guessed he was frowning. The fawn tutted behind him and turned to me.
'Is this the Thereian you spoke of?"He asked, turning slightly so the question was directed to Eldrakar.
This movement revealed blue eyes and a small beard plus the odd scar. Eldrakar must have nodded or give some indication to the fawn that I was the person they were looking for. Why did they want me? I thought frowning to myself, tail flicking slightly. The fawn brought his attention back to me. "Well it's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Raikon, but call me Rai, ignore the elf his just grumpy cause his all nervous about a prison break out, anyway no time to chat, we need to get you and our arses out of here." Informed Raikon, his voice was friendly and welcoming. The elf he'd referred to grumbled at his words and pushed past him. The elf glanced at me then went to work on the locked cell, however despite him acting indifferent toward me I noticed he stopped a couple of times to look at me.
Raikon was working on Eldrakar's cell door and within minutes the cell doors where unlocked. I stumbled getting out of my cell. Eldrakar caught me and steadied me, his eyes still full of concern. I still hurt from Steve's punches and now my body was ready for sleep, so pain plus exhaustion meant I'd become a tad clumsier than usual. When Eldrakar was satisfied I could walk we took off down the cell ward. A few prisoners who were still awake yelled at us to take them with us but their pleas where ignored. It appeared that Raikon and the elf had come for me and Eldrakar only. I had no idea where they were taking us or why and although I didn't trust any of them, I followed them and if it came to it I knew I would fight with them.
Even though they'd made quite the spectacular entrance which was sure to have caused enough noise for the guards to notice Raikon insisted we take our time and sneak through the prison. When I'd asked where the guards where the elf had rolled his brown eyes at me as if I'd asked them whether a moose could fly. Damn him, I barely knew him and he was getting on my nerves. However to answer my question, we came across a guard past out on the floor.
We'd gotten close to the exit when Raikon signaled for us to stop. On the other side of the door movement could be heard. My ears pricked up listening for any sign someone was approaching the door. However it sounded like fighting. When a woman let out a cry of pain, Raikon seemed to forget all caution and barreled through the door and into the thick of the fight. He helped up a woman, another fawn, she had long blonde hair, a few strains had been braided. She was armed and armored like Raikon and the elf. As soon as she got to her feet Raikon grabbed his bow and shot a stream of arrows at the oncoming guards. Turning to my right I saw the elf had also joined the fight, swiftly ducking and dodging the guard's attacks, while he nipped them with his blades, cutting them down.
A guard charged straight for me, I prepared myself to take the hit as he'd be on me before I could duck out the way and I had no weapons to strike him with. Just then a ball of fire shot past me, burning the guard on impact, he screamed in agony and fell to the floor, waving his arms to put out the flames that had engulf his face, licking at the unprotected skin. Eldrakar placed himself in front of me protecting me from any more attacking guards. As I watched the others fight I felt kind of useless. I was unable to do anything, I had no weapon and as for magical abilities, from what I'd been told while my working days as the kings advisor, they were present but still developing, so hadn't really presented themselves yet as useable.
The fight had almost come to an end when a horn rang though the prison. Some had discovered either the knocked out guards or our empty cells. Shit, within a few minutes an army of guards would descend on us. There was no way three men, an injured fawn and myself could take out that many guards. My head was swimming with thoughts, when I was lifted off my feet, brining me back to what was going on. The elf had hold of me and was carrying me princess style, Raikon had the female fawn and Eldrakar had fireballs at the ready. Before I could say I could walk or run on my own the elf and the others took off.
I twisted my ears to hear heavy footsteps, suggesting the guards where gaining on us. I closed my eyes in dismay. Why did I follow these men? We're going to get caught and they'll never believe me now.
"They didn't believe you anyway," Spoke a voice inside my head, "you followed because you had no choice, or did you forget that as soon as the suns up, your life ends. Stop whining and get out, these people are your only hope of freedom." The voice was right, with a fresh wave of enthusiasm going through me I leapt out the elf's arms and began running, not wanting to slow the elf down and get him caught. Plus I was no damsel in distress so I shouldn't act like one. Despite him not liking me much I was grateful for what he'd done. However as soon as my feet touched the ground the elf had stopped and was looking at me in confusion.
I saw the first guard turn the corner and looked behind me to see the entrance in sight. We had no time to stop I grabbed the elf's hand, making sure I had a firm grip. I turned towards the entrance and sprinted to it, dragging the elf behind until he began running to. We soon caught up with the others. "THE GATES! CLOSE THE GATES!" Yelled one of the guards. The Iron spikes which were the bottom of the gate began to reach for the floor, at a quickening pace. Would we make it? The female fawn shot an arrow at the guards, who where closing the gates, which interrupted the pace of the closing gate.
Following her lead, I swiped one of the elf's daggers and threw it at one of the guards. I hoped he'd duck or it'd hit him in the arm or leg and slow him. However it went straight into his eye, not killing him but certainly ending his career as a look out, it also coated his face in a nice shade of crimson. I couldn't feel guilty for a man who was ready to send me to the gallows, part of me was concerned about that. He was still a person I shouldn't feel so indifferent about hurting him. I shook those notions off; they would do no good here.
We got past the gate just as it closed behind us and we crossed the rope bridge which led to land with archers shooting at us. I was struck in the arm with an arrow, but I barely noticed the pain as we hit land and ran to the woods. I smiled to myself as the wind embraced my hair making it flow behind me. A new wave of energy surrounded me as the smells of the forest greeted me like an old friend. It was beautiful, the trees danced in the gentle wind, lit up by the moon and the stars that decorated the sky. If I listened closely I could hear the scuttle of nighttime animals on the hunt. It didn't matter that I hadn't been here for months or that I hadn't seen these woods. I moved swiftly finding my feet here instantly for I was home.
5: Chapter 5 - Sleeping under the