The Raven's Curse
Chapter 1 - October 2nd 2004 (Saturday)
Carrie struggled through the deep dark waters, down, down, down and slipped underneath the Portcullis before it could shut completely. She swam for two minutes underwater, round to the wooded part of the great lake. She clambered out of the waters and under a bush, shivering wetly. She looked up at the guards; they hadn't seemed to notice her. She lay on the dead leaves, catching her breath back when she heard the sharp snap of a dry twig. She froze, breathing as quietly as possible; she drew a dagger from her belt and held it out, her sharp eyes searching for motion. When she saw nothing she slipped back out of the bush, slinking smoothly towards the outer wall of Grhot Castle. When she saw the lights of the torches at the guard towers she took cover again, watching silently. Tas' friend should make their appearance any moment now, she thought, checking for interior patrols. When she was sure she was able to go unseen she crept between patches of scrub. She finally reached the fencing and made herself as small as possible against the huge wooden wall. Five minutes later a ministry car came up to the castle gates and was permitted entrance by the guards. Just as it passed through Carrie took her moment to slip out of the gate and into the shadows next to a pile of rejected shipment. She was sure she received a nod from the driver of the vehicle. It must have been Tas' contact. She hid behind those crates until the three hourly change of guard half an hour later. At that point, when they were all paying no attention she slipped like a fish in the rapids across the sparse land and into the dark. Once she'd cleared the empty land and entered the trees she picked herself up and ran. The alarm would be sounded any minute, the sun was rising and she should be about to be woken up by the headwoman, that's if she'd actually been in bed. It took her ten minutes to run to the lakeside town where she would meet Tas. She finally reached the harbour and the bollard they agreed to meet at and fell into Tas, shaking and panting.
"You made it! And you're early!" he whispered
"We're not done yet, where's this fast yet quiet motor boat you've been bleating about?" She urged quietly
"Follow me," he said, taking her hand and leading her own to the far side of the harbour and down to the end of the last pier.
A small motorboat, perhaps fitting four men at most with limited supplies was moored there.
Tas jumped lightly down into it, hurriedly unroping it from the jetty and motioning for Carrie to come. She slipped silently into the boat and lay low at the front of the boat while Tas started her up. He hadn't lied; it was quiet.
"It is quiet," she whispered, smiling
"Would I lie to you?"
Carrie let out a quiet tinkle of laughter, she was finally free! No more potion injections, no more chores.
Tas backed out of his mooring place then sped out of the harbour and towards the Grhot River. They were half way across when Carrie looked back and saw lights coming on in the harbour. The news of her escape was out already.
"That was close," breathed Tas
After five minutes they began to near the river, in half an hour they would be out of the magical City of Grhot and in the Scottish Highlands.
Tas sped up considerably once they reached the river and they were soon making good time, but as Carrie looked back the lights were gaining on them as the message zipped through the town.
Only five more minutes till we're out, come on Tas, come on!
"Hurry up Tas!" she called to him
He sped up a notch, Carrie fretted silently
Come on! Just 2 minutes! Please! Please!
The lights were just behind them
"Faster Tas! Please!" she said, breathing hard and fast through her nose
"I can't, this is as fast as she'll go!" he hissed frustratedly
She could see the magical boarder gleaming in the light ahead of them.
House lights were flickering on around them, people were rushing out on to the banks with their wands, shooting spells and curses into the dark and only just missing them. She could see at the boarder, people were trying to string a line in front of them.
"Tas! Lie down!" she shouted, then, just as she was about to be caught by the line she jumped as high as she could, over, down and then landed on Tas' leg.
"Ow!" he yelped
"Oh, blimey, I'm Sorry Tas," she said, rearranging herself and lifting his trouser leg to see if the leg was okay. He'd only be slightly bruised. The engine cut out and suddenly Tas shook her shoulder.
"Forget about my leg! Look where we are!" he cried joyfully, Carrie looked up and around, then promptly burst into tears. "Wh...what on earth is the matter?"
"Oh, Tas, I'm so happy!" she said, bundling him over in a hug.