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Chapter 3

Escape

Caspian was running down the halls of the castle, closing in on the study where his uncle kept a multitude of keys, including a supposed master key, when he heard the screams of his aunt in labor.

He slowed as he came closer to that wing. He could hear people scurrying to and fro, and her screams got louder and more agonizing until finally, the sounds of a baby screaming. Without knowing why, Caspian got a sense of dread at that sound.

He rounded the corner and ran into the study, opening the desk drawers, searching furiously for the ring of keys he knew his uncle kept somewhere.

"Prince!" the breathless voice of his professor bursting into the room caused him to look up. "Prince, I have been looking all over for you. You have to leave now!"

"What? Why? Professor, I'm looking for some keys…"

"There is no time for that!" the professor interrupted, his eyes wide with fear. "Don't you understand? Your aunt has had a son. Your uncle now has an heir."

Caspian straightened up, his spine becoming rigid with the knowledge of what this meant for him.

"They are coming for you," the old man said softly, wrapping his hand around the prince's arm. "You have to get out of here."

Caspian shook his head vehemently. "Not until I find those keys!"

He opened the very bottom drawer, searching it wildly, and finally, his hand wrapped around the key ring. Caspian pulled it out, the keys jangling and the silver glittering in the moonlight that poured through the window.

"Come on!" The professor was at the door, his voice frantic.

Caspian ran towards him, and they snuck out into the hallway, down and to the left until they came to the secret passage built into the castle meant for hasty escapes for the king in case of trouble.

"I'm not leaving without Kaylin," the prince said as they both scurried down the stairs.

"Who is Kaylin?"

"The prisoner, the girl they found in the woods."

"No, you have to leave now," the professor shook his head.

Caspian whipped around. "I said I'm not leaving without her. I'll meet you outside in the stables. Have my horse ready."

The professor stared at his young pupil for a few short moments before finally giving in. "Alright, but hurry!"

Caspian ran as fast as he could through the empty hallways of the deeper portions of the castle before coming to the dungeon.

Kaylin was shocked to see him fly through the door.

"Well, I figured you would hurry, but wow," she said with a laugh.

"We're leaving," Caspian said, breathlessly trying to fit each key into the lock on the chains.

"What? Now?" she asked, confused, scared to see the look of panic on the prince's face.

"My aunt…she gave birth to a son tonight."

Finally, the lock clicked open. Caspian hurriedly released her other wrist before grabbing her hand. The two ran up the stairs together. At the top, Caspian put his hand to his lips, and peered out. Seeing no one, they ran again, not stopping until they were in the stables.

The professor was there with his horse, as promised. The prince swiftly mounted, pulling Kaylin up behind him.

"Here, dear Prince, take this," the professor said, holding up a strange horn. "Only use it in your greatest need."

"Thank you…for everything," Caspian said, looking down at his beloved teacher.

"You must ride for the wood. They won't follow you in there."

"Will I ever see you again?" Caspian asked. Kaylin turned and looked around. They could all hear the sounds of horses behind them.

"I dearly hope so. Now go!"

Caspian dug his heels into the horse, and it immediately leaped into a full gallop. Kaylin held on tightly as they galloped across the bridge. Fireworks startled the horse, and the prince slowed to a stop to turn and watch the colors explode in the sky.

"A boy! The Lord Miraz has been blessed with a boy!!" called a voice over a cheering crowd.

The soldiers were in sight now, pushing their horses hard in pursuit. Caspian turned back around and once again dug his heels in.

They were racing now across the open plain. The forest, her home, loomed in front of them, illuminated by the full moon. Kaylin's hair whipped behind her, her eyes dry from the high speeds, but she clung to her companion, hoping and praying that they would indeed make it.

The sound of hoof beats behind them got closer and closer. She looked over and was surprised to see a Telmarine soldier staring at her, not three feet away, galloping on his horse. He reached for his sword, but Caspian pressed his horse faster, and they pulled away.

The trees were closer now, and finally, they enveloped the pair. Caspian didn't stop, though. They continued to race further and further into the wood. Soon, however, Kaylin realized they were still being followed.

"They're still behind us!" she cried.

Caspian turned around slightly, checking to see.

"Caspian, look out!" Kaylin screamed.

The prince turned back just in time to see a low branch. It hit him in his chin, pushing him off the galloping horse and taking Kaylin with him. He fell on top of her with a thud, her breath completely knocked out of her. She laid there, stunned, for a few seconds before finally getting up and running after the prince, who was being dragged along by his horse, his foot still stuck in the stirrup.

Kaylin ran up beside the horse and grabbed hold of Caspian's foot, shaking it free. The two collapsed into a pile of leaves, breathless.

"Kaylin, listen to me, you have to run," Caspian said, looking over at her.

"What? That's crazy. I'm not leaving you."

"Yes, you are." He could be so stubborn when he had made up his mind. "They're not after you. You can escape."

"Come with me," she said, grabbing his arm.

"No," Caspian said, shaking her off. "They will follow us, and we no longer have a horse. They will catch us…and kill us both. You know that."

"Well, then, we shall fight them together," she said, shaking her head, feeling the panic rise as the hoof beats got ever closer.

"You don't have anything to fight with," the prince smiled, shaking his head, before becoming serious again. "Kaylin, trust me just this once. You have to run. Get help. Do whatever you have to do, but go!!"

Kaylin, after staring at the young prince for a few more moments, finally picked up her skirts. "I'll get help. I promise." Then she ran as fast and as hard as she ever had. She didn't look back, merely slowed when she heard the sound of the horn being blown.