Chapter 10- Plans and Payback

"NOOOOOO! NEVER! You'll NEVER CATCH ME ALIVE!!" I ran down the hallway my hands in the air, screaming like a maniac, as I ran for the door only to have the middle aged lady block my way. Good god, even in a dress, she's fast. How does she do that?!

She gave me an icy glare. "My child, you are infuriating. I merely suggested on more appropriate garments." A servant was following behind her carrying the dress she insisted I wear. "Whatever is wrong with this? I thought it quite lovely."

I flinched as I dared to glance at that…thing she insisted on calling a dress. As much as I'd LOVE to describe its adornments and colors of puke…It was tacky. That's all you should know.

"I asked for some new clothes, not to be girlified into some Barbie doll!" I shouted, caught between feeling horrified and utterly revolted. Trying to find a place to escape, my eyes darted in all directions like a trapped mouse.

"Will you cease your prattle?!" She scolded me, shaking her head as though trying to calm herself of unnecessary anger. "Never in my lifetime have I heard such incessant and bothersome talk!"

Resisting the urge to respond to her comment, I took my chance to run off. Darting into the next room and immediately putting furniture to blockade the way…with great effort. But I suppose there was a sudden burst of adrenaline at the thought of the lady trying to give me a…gulp…makeover.

Yvette, owes me for this…

I felt like I was going to hyperventilate as the lady started banging on the door and shouting for me to open it. "Uhh…Sorry! There's some furniture in the way and I'm too weak and feeble to move it myself! How unbelievably convienient!"

I went over to the window and poked my head out. We were on the second floor, good news: there was an apple tree outside that was close enough the window to use as a way to climb down. Bad news: I sucked at climbing trees.

But then again, since I'm climbing down, so it won't be so hard right? RIGHT?! Trying to convince myself that I wouldn't fall down and break my neck was…difficult.

"I'm screwed." I looked at the ground and gulped, seeing the height from here was foreboding.

Then I heard the banging again, which nearly scared me enough to jump out the window in a suicidal attempt. "Just remember, it's either this…or a dastardly hell on earth makeover…"I whispered to myself to cause my body to move forward.

Stepping out onto the narrow window sill, I struggled to reach out for the tree, when I got a good grip I jumped. My heart jumped when I landed and I felt the tree's branches move in protest. Please don't break and cause me to fall down on my head…

I made a move as I attempted to climb down the curiously big apple tree…It must have been pretty old… The first try, I nearly slipped as I gasped and gripped tighter to the tree to prevent myself from falling. I could feel my heart beating uncomfortably against my chest.

I tried again only to get the same result. Now what? I knew very well I could not just stand there all day, eventually the door would be forced open…As delicate looking the woman looked she was smart enough to get some muscle help…I would be captured in an instant with myself being in such a vulnerable state…

I heard the crunching of the dry grass as hurried footsteps came around a corner and stopped abruptly. Silence followed as I heard only the heavy breathing of a young male.

My neck strained to see who it was, but regrettably I had my back to him and my body was apparently not in the mood to move and cause the tree to move unnecessarily. "Are you just going to stand and stare at me all day or help me?" I grumbled to the tree branch protruding upwards.

The second he spoke, I realized who he was. "C-Cosette?" He sounded dumbfounded. Why wasn't I surprised?

I couldn't resist a sarcastic comment as I rolled my eyes at the branch. "No, I'm a monkey-…Which should explain my situation with the tree…" I refused to let myself fall into the whole "Cosette" deal. I'm not a fricken' pet, I have real name.

I heard him chuckle a bit and felt lightened a bit that he wasn't that uneasy with me as he was before. I didn't understand why he was like that…But I wasn't the one to judge…I was an odd character myself. If you would call me "odd".

Then I remembered my situation again. "Oh…and another thing…" I felt embarrassed to ask him, fearful that he would change back to his babbling self again. "Could you make sure I don't get a concussion while I try to climb down this tower of doom?"

"Y-yes." He corrected himself. "I mean, of course I will." But he sounded even more unsure this time which almost saddened me, I wanted him to be my friend not a scared victim.

"Okay, I'm gonna climb down. And if I fall, you'll catch me…Right?" I felt like I was trying to reassure myself rather than him.

I could imagine him giving me a nod with a confident look as he replied. "Yes." Why do I not feel assured?

"Um…Okay." I paused a bit more, trying to find a good place for my foot to stay sturdy without falling. "Here I go!" I put my feet in a nook of the trunk and tried to climb down the ridiculously tall tree. I didn't realize I slipped as it happened so suddenly, I heard a gasp come from my mouth as my heart jumped.

I couldn't catch the branch. I fell.

Onto Gervaise.

I rolled off him as casually as I could possibly manage, realizing I was probably cutting off his airway or something-…I'm chubby. Does that give you a hint? "…That wasn't so bad."

I glanced at him to find him blushing scarlet again. Uh oh. I ruined it.

"What?" I feigned ignorance as I attempted to make him laugh again. "Was I too heavy or something? Sorry, it must have something to do with the many McDonalds meals I had when I was little…Those pounds never go away…" I laughed to myself.

I heard him sit up and I looked towards him hoping I hadn't made myself look like an idiot, hoping he would laugh. "N-no, t-there would never be anything wrong! It's-…You're beautiful!" He shut his mouth, realizing what he just said…accompanied with (you guessed it) blushing.

For a minute we just stared, paralyzed from the shock. His vivid green eyes against my dull brown ones.

I found myself trying to pull words from my mouth in an effort to speak, to communicate. But then, what was I supposed to say? "…Thank…you…?" Only silence followed as I chuckled nervously and stood up with Gervaise following suit.

My first thought had to be: Ugh, I better not be turning into a Mary Sue. Cause' if that's the case I'm gonna pick a fight with a certain assassin and have him knife me. I shivered at the thought being a Mary Sue (who wouldn't?).

Hey, I'm a typical 15 year old girl. Of course I read fanfiction. If most girls read fanfiction…they do, right?

"It's great, you know." What am I saying? I tried to get some word bubbles in the air in an attempt at dialogue exchange. He said nothing, which nearly put me into having a symphony of words and babbles. "Having friends, they can talk and-…and hang out without having awkward silences…and quiet…"

Yeah, so basically I was giving him the "Let's be friends" speech. It's not you, it's me, we're just not compatible enough for each other…But we can still be friends right?

Hey, you! In the audience! Which one of you called me a JERK?! How about you say that to my FACE, you PANSY!?... It's not MY fault I have no interest in developing some cliché romantic relationship with someone I barely know…

I forced my body to turned towards him in a steadfast manner. "What's your favorite color?" I made my face absolutely stoic, my posture erect and serious. I watched confusion etch the features of his round face.

"Pardon?" He blinked.

"Favorite color. What is it?" I spoke monotone with no emotion. I felt like I was speaking to a mentally ill person again. But I forced myself to be patient.

"Green." He said uneasily as though he were saying something forbidden. If I wasn't so angelic I would have spontaneously roared at him just to see him run off screaming. But I have self control. Unfortunately.

I smiled in what I hoped was friendly towards him. Translating into "friendship and nothing more". "Awesome. Mine is blue!...Or was it black…or white…no…red?" I pondered. "No, no, it's blue. Today."

To my utmost satisfaction, he smiled and laughed a bit. When Gervaise laughs, it is like a melodious sound, like wind chimes in the air. I figured he didn't laugh as much as he should have. Ah, the disadvantages of living within the lair of devil woman- er, I mean, Rosette.

"You should laugh more." I found myself whispering. He heard me and smiled like a child receiving candy…and then faded as though the candy was eaten in front of his face.

"Cosette." He asked in a questioning voice as we continued walking through the very private garden of the house. He seemed too troubled about something else to realize where we were and worry. I nearly laughed at the thought.

"What is it?" I asked, not seeing the danger of his questioning tone. The upcoming danger zone (Hey, that rhymed!).

"Why-…Do-…" He hesitated a bit then took in a big breath. "Cosette, I am… fond of you." His face turned bright red as I saw his hands clutch his shirt nervously in anticipation.

I felt the color drain from my face. What was I going to say? I didn't want to hurt him…But… "I like you too Gervaise." Before he had time to react I continued. "Just as I like Yvette and all my friends. I like everyone with the same intensity as I HATE Rosette. And that's a lot!"

I could see him sadden, it nearly made me fill with regret and slap myself. I felt like I was murdering him or something. I attentively placed my hands on his shoulders in a way I hoped was comforting and spoke softly. "I'm sorry I can't return your affections…it's just that…I can't."

"But I like us being friends…don't you?" I waited for his answer and saw him look at towards me with a smile. My heart lifted into hope.

"I like for us to be friends too, Cosette." I decided to forgive him for using the stupid pet name all the time. I felt certain from then on, any more disasters that may come along the way would only be minimal. What was the worst that could happen?

After talking some more and laughing at my very bad but apparently good but still very cheesy jokes, Gervaise needed to go off and do some of his work before he was missed while I needed to go back to Yvette and check on her. We said our farewells, both of us hopefully departing with smiles.

I found her working in the kitchen, bustling about with unsystematic things. She was so uneasy I watched her take out some bowls, stack them, put them in the pantry, them take them out seconds later to un-stack them…then stack them again.

"So, how did it go?" I asked relaxed, hoping with my demeanor being relaxed she would try to follow suit.

She looked at me as though just noticing me. Apparently she was really distracted with something because I was standing only a few inches away from her face. "He has prepared everything. And I told him of you." I assumed "he" was Marcellin.

I felt my heart quicken with caution as I rashly hushed her. "Keep it down." I whispered. "Do you want her to hear?!" I rushed over to the window and looked outside as though some horrendous monster (preferably Rosette) would jump in, teeth bared and talons out.

After some vain moments of possibly unnecessary searching, I gave her the thumbs up sigh to signal it was okay. I could see her trying not to laugh at my seriousness of the situation. "We need to find somewhere to talk…" I glanced over to the closet door where the grain, flour and dry food were kept.

I grinned while Yvette frowned. "But Cosette, it's stuffy in there."

"Oh, suck it up and be a…" I was about to say "man". But remembered I was talking to Yvette and not my brother. Darn it. "…Just be tough about it. Secrecy isn't a luxury."

I had to usher her through the creaky door and into the dust. You could actually see how stuffy it was from the little sunlight streaming in from the cracks. I coughed, when we entered and closed the door, from the dust... "So?"I asked expectantly.

She looked as nervous as she had been before, the smile wiped completely off her face. "He said that he'll prepare for our departure and that we leave tonight."

The closet suddenly felt even more cramped. "Tonight." I gasped out the word. Why was it so soon? Only hours from now…

"Yes…Are you frightened?" She asked, taking my hand within her calloused ones. Her gentle brown eyes scanning over mine.

"Are you kidding?! I'm more excited than the first time I went to Wild Waves!" She gave me a confused expression, but laughed along. I tried not to sound as anxious as I felt, If I looked worried, Yvette would be worried…And the whole trip would go downhill from there.

Then I thought of preparations we needed to do for this trip. I felt like we were going camping. "Do we need to bring anything?"

She quirked her eyebrow, perplexed at my question. "What is there to bring?"

Suddenly seeing what she meant I felt kind of stupid. "Ah. Yes. Good point." Being servants we didn't have anything to bring on the trip. No valuables…No worldly possessions. Guess that means there's less weight to carry. We could only hope that Marcellin would provide for us.

Stillness filled the cramped up room; the cramped up stuffy room. "Can we get out of here now?" I gasped.

She seemed oblivious to the uncomfortable situation of the room. Gah, the lucky dog! "Eh? Is this bothering you? Oh, forgive me, let us leave." I despised her for feigning ignorance as I made a move to literally kick her out of the closet.

She laughed as she dodged my kicked and fled from the cramped up room, careful to not step on any of the bags of flour and grain. I followed her as I gasped in the first breath of fresh air in what seemed like forever.

I heard her chortle unladylike and I stared at her and smirked. "Not everyone can be graceful like me, I know."

"Graceful?" She questioned as she beamed, full of beauty and grace which I obviously lacked. Why was everyone so beautiful in this time period. I swear, even the "ugly" people were drop dead gorgeous.

But then I remembered the beggar's gaunt and bloodied face. Dead in the dust where the guards left him for some horrified bystander to pass by and find. To be repulsed. I shivered at the memory of my first time seeing a death, a murder.

I attempted to joke, as to cover up the memory and push it away. I hoped Yvette didn't notice."Yes, didn't you see how elegantly I was falling just a second ago?" Said I as I stood up, brushing myself off smiling to myself.

She laughed again, hands clutching at her stomach as though it were too much to bear. Her laugh is melodious and it made me happy that I was the cause of it. She seemed to shine with a brilliance of the sun when she laughed. She seemed even more beautiful to me.

"What's your real name, Yvette?" I asked, my curiosity tugging at my words.

She smiled benevolently and with such a patience at my abruptness, she might as well have been a goddess. "Khairiya al Din. My father…" She heisitated for a brief, but noticeable, second but then grinned. "He is a well known blacksmith where I lived. Many would travel just to have my father make weapons for them." She seemed sad to be talking about him, I knew it was better to not question any further.

"Khairiya..." I tried out her name, grinning. "Better than Yvette."

"Is that so?" She seemed pleased, as she smiled once again in her shining brilliance that seemed to light up the room.

"Yup, it doesn't rhyme with Rosette's name." I said, laughing until she joined in too.

I noted how much younger she seemed when she laughed, and it made me feel encouraged to continue.

We were running away to Masyaf together (Not like that, you sickos), so I needed to know the true information of Yve-…Khairiya. My friend…I thought of Raynham and a horrible feeling came to my gut. I hoped that he was doing alright.

But then I thought briefly of Gervaise. He was my friend now. I was making so many friends now, and so quickly. I didn't realize a smile had formed on my face while thinking of this.

While in the curious boundaries of my mind I wondered aloud to her. "How old are you, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Ah, such curiosity would bring you only trouble, Cosette." She looked amused as she shook her finger at me like a mother would to a naughty child.

"Yeah, yeah. And I'll probably won't live to tell the tale." I rolled my eyes, as though I heard this before and put on a serious face. "Now tell me."

She pondered dramatically, knowing she was causing me to wait on her. "I am twenty years and six, still young, many people would declare." Pft, so much for middle aged. I am so bad at this guessing people's age thing. It's a good thing I didn't say anything before…

But I stared at her and blurted before I could stop my big mouth. "B-but you look so much older!" EGAD! Did I just say that?!…Wait, yes I did. Crud!

She only smiled sadly instead of chiding me or bursting out in anger like I anticipated. "Is that so? Hmm, these past years have not been good to me. Grief puts many years on one's face."

I patted her on the back. "Do you want to talk about it?" I got all "counselor/parent" on her, I felt alarmed.

"…No. Forgive me, I had not meant to…" Why do they always give us the apologizing gimmick?! What exactly ARE they sorry for?!

I sighed deeply from the tiresome and very cliché ordeal. "We need to do something fun…"An idea came to mind. "You know what?! I know what to do to cheer you up!" I said in a singsong voice.

"Hmm?" She looked at me, curiously as I only smiled reassuringly, taking her and ushering her out of the "kitchen". She looked a bit worried as though wondering what I could possibly be thinking this time but I ignored that as she was pushed out the door.

"First, we need to get you out of this stuffy, gloomy disease ridden hell hole."

I sneaked into the dining room ever so quietly and snitched two chairs, careful not to release the evil snicker that was begging to be liberated from my mouth. Khairiya looked at me with anxious eyes. "What are you doing?!" She whispered as loud as she dared.

I looked at the two chairs I was carrying and then paused. " You're right," I proclaimed. "We only need one!" I tossed the other chair carelessly back into the dining room and heard a loud crash of something expensive. Khairiya gasped at my behavior. "What are you DOING?!" She asked again while I casually walked out of the house.

I placed the chair against the side of the wall, under a window. I turned to Khairiya expertly, and noticed her horrified expression. Apparently she was still shocked about me tossing the other chair in the dining room. "Stay here." I made a stop sign with my hand to clarify.

She only nodded in response. She had no idea what I was doing as I raced back into the house and sneaked around, dodged the glances and eyes of the servants. Most were tending to the mess that was made in the dining room. Apparently, the chair did more damage than I gave it credit for.

Tip toeing into the next room, I raided it of anything that was solid and rectangular shaped. Anything sturdy. I took mostly books. I passed through another room, and took the pillowcases and used them as bags.

I came to what seemed to be Rosette's room. She wasn't there. But GOD, I've never seen so much pink in my life. I rushed past and went to the next room, grabbed a book…paused, then grabbed a chair, went back, threw it in and closed the door. I heard more crashing of pricey objects…then moved on.

It didn't take long to hear the gasps and horror stricken voices of the other servants immediately rushing over to Rosette's room.

Then I came to the room with the window which Khairiya and the chair were standing beneath. I peaked my head out shyly. "Hey Khairiya." I waved as she jumped, who obviously didn't expect me to appear from the window.

Hand on her heart as though to prevent a heart attack, she exclaimed for the third time. "What are you DOING?!"

My only response was. "Having fun yet?" Her response was a glare. Meaning: No, I am not!

I sighed as I cautioned her to look out as I tossed down the pillow cases full of books. She exclaimed after catching all of them in a fit of gasps and mutterings. She dumped the books out, most of which were at least 2 inches wide. She picked one up curiously and noticed it was the Bible and gasped. "Cosette, you cannot steal from your master! It's an unforgivable deed!"

"I'm going to return them…" I muttered pathetically, knowing that was not going to make up for the trouble I caused. Already I could hear the other servants fussing over Rosette's apparently damaged room.

"Come back down here this instant, before you're caught!" She pondered a bit on the situation and added. "Before we're caught!"

It wasn't hard to sneak back downstairs and out the house…The servants were too occupied with the two rooms and muttering about the bothersome perpetrator who would do such a thing. I would do such a thing. I attempted to not laugh hysterically while I exited the house.

Meeting up with Khairiya, I helped carry the books and chair as we went back the kitchen building. She still had no idea what I was planning. She even said so when we got there. "I have no idea what you are planning, Cosette." She watched as I put the chair against the wall. "But I am sure you are up to no good." I smirked at her comment as I climbed up the wall using the chair as a step, and onto the roof.

I sat down. "Come up, Khairiya, I'll help you." Though I didn't think my help was necessary, she was taller than me.

I watched her climb up and finally sit down I told her with a smile, "Now, just relax and watch for the sunrise."

"Do you not fear you will fall?" She asked, as she looked out towards the sky. I could see a few people stared at us, mumbling amongst themselves, wondering what we were doing from across the street. I thought they were born with eyes to see that we're obviously climbing a roof…Apparently not.

At least it's a wide street.

"Don't say that! Just think of the view." I said bothered and not wanting to get a panic attack and require Gervaise to save me again. I was fine with heights as long as I didn't think of falling or look too long at the ground.

She sighed. "Yes…It feels…looks beautiful." We looked out, it was getting close to a sunset and the sky looked like it was on fire, with oranges blending with the yellows. A small gust of wind blew past us; it felt perfect in this warm humid air.

While she enjoyed the view I went back down to get the books and set them on the roof. Khairiya had a questioning look upon her face as she watched me climb up and set down the last bag. "What are the books for, Cosette?"

"What else are books for Khairiya?" I asked sarcastically, but then I smiled. "They were my back up plan in case the chair didn't work to help us onto the roof. She answered with an "oh". And we just sat there silently for a while.

A shrill voice cried out, ruining the moment. "Just what do you think you are doing?!"

"Oh god, be careful Khairiya, it's the devil. Oh wait, it's Rosette…Even worse!" I whispered urgently, though loud enough for Rosette to hear quite clearly.

When she heard me and I could almost feel her dagger glares on my skin, wanting to pierce me and make me bleed where I stood. "I asked you a question, Cosette!"

"Yes, I heard you. I just thought it was a trick question since we're obviously sitting on the roof of your kitchen!" I retorted, feeling the anger coming on more strongly than I anticipated.

"Perhaps I should call the guards to clean up the scum upon our roof…" She shouted. Oh no, she did not just say what I think she said.

"I hope you're not referring to us." I glared as I felt myself reach towards the bags of books behind us. Khairiya saw the movement and stopped me. For the 4th time, she asked me in distress. "What are you DOING?!"

Rosette smiled at Khairiya's suffering, her loveliness stood out even more (which only increased my hatred for her). "Oh, I was speaking not of you, pet. But of the trash you just happen to be sitting ne-…" She would never be as beautiful as Khairiya. Never.

"SHUT UP!" If my fury could be shown visually, it'd be like flames, no, an explosion from an atomic bomb from the words she had spoken of Khairiya. Felt like jumping onto her and pulling at her gorgeous and sleek hair, clawing at her doll-like face.

Instead, I reached for the books and brought one out of the bag with a mischievous grin full of madness. For a moment Rosette just stood there with a confused look on her face, obviously not comprehending. But seconds passed and she finally knew what I was going to do.

"You wouldn't dare." She gasped, he eyes wide with dread as she backed up a little.

"Watch me." I declared as I launched the book towards her face. Unfortunately, she dodged it. But I had a lot of books with me, so I didn't mind as I launched another, and then another with swift timing I managed to hit her a few times as she ran screaming. I think I made her cry too…Sweet.

Khairiya sat stunned beside me. "What now?" She asked as though to herself as she stood up slowly beside me. I looked towards her, carrying the remaining books. "To MASYAF!" I said in a battle like way, I immediately giggled at myself.

She helped me gather the books on the ground and put them in the pillowcases, and then we were off.

Khairiya and I were laughing as we went, I'm sure she was remembering the look upon Rosette's face. "That was most brilliant, Cosette!" It was priceless.

"Yes, I know. I'm just so cool that way." I pretended to flip my hair with poise and we burst out laughing again. I had to be careful not to trip and land on my face as we were running. So, we didn't say much the rest of the way.

But by the time we reached the stables we hushed each other, knowing we had to be quiet and waited for Marcellin. The horses grunted at our arrival and we calmed them down, assuring them we weren't a threat. It was already getting dark and I shivered involuntarily. The only place I wanted to be in the dark was inside a house. But that wasn't an option today.

It wasn't long until we heard footsteps and I felt excited, but when we looked in the doorway, it wasn't Marcellin at all.

It was Gervaise. Doesn't God like owe me a favor now, with all the junk he's put me through?! For once, why can't everything go as planned?!

"What are you intending on doing?" He asked, staring. I realized his intentions were good but with him being my friend, I did not want to hurt him, I did not want him to know we were leaving him. Possibly forever. My stomach twisted with regret, I didn't feel hungry anymore.

I thought of something quick. "We are planning on stealing the horses, running away, and murdering helpless innocents along the way for our entertainment. And when that isn't enough to satisfy us, we shall steal into some secluded library and rip out the last pages from them! MUHAHAHAHA!" I laughed outrageously in a mockingly evil way.

Khairiya and Gervaise gave me weird looks, but I was already too used to them to be bothered by it anymore so I shrugged. "Come on, that was a joke." I rolled my eyes.

"I am assuming you are…teasing me." Gervaise did not seem to be in the mood for laughing which killed my spirits of enjoyment immediately. He looked like he was insulted which hurt me deeply. We were supposed to be friends.

But before I could say anything, Khairiya spoke. "We would never ridicule you Gervaise, but please, where is your brother?" She assured him with her gentle voice and kind eyes. Gervaise seemed to take that in as he nodded grimly.

After much silence, he asked. "Why are you here?" His lovely green eyes stared at me, it seemed as though he were asked me the question. I felt disturbed, and at a loss of words. I can't lie, he's my friend. Friends don't lie to each other.

"I do not-…" I started to say but was interrupted by Marcellin coming in, out of breath. Apparently, he ran to get here, something must have kept him back. My curiosity nearly urged my mouth to ask what but decided against it. This was not the time.

"Oh look! Marcellin! We found you!" I said cheerfully. My voice was the only one that spoken out into the silence as we heard only the heavy breathing of the tired Marcellin.

He ignored my comment and tossed us some stifling looking cloaks, dark and clearly worn out. "Hurry, put them on and follow me."

It was then he noticed his brother standing there, confused at what was happening. "Gervaise…" We watched as his mind attempted to figure a way to get his brother out of this situation.

"B-brother? What are you doing?" Gervaise, the poor guy had no idea what was happening. I nearly went over to him, to embrace him. He looked so sad and lost.

Marcellin grabbed us just as we put the heavy cloaks on and dragged us outside. "I haven't time for this brother." His face was impassable, he would say nothing.

"But…"

"Gervaise!" I shouted hastily. I feared deeply that I would accidently blurt out something of what we were doing as I hesitated.

He turned towards me, eyes hopeful. I felt a pang of ache shoot through me in guilt. We need to get rid of him for his own safety. I kept telling this to myself over and over again as I tried not to let my emotions show through as I spoke to him.

"Quick, we need you to distract Rosette and her aunt!" I said being sure not to leave out the urgency in my voice. "Hurry! Lives are at stake!" OUR LIVES!

He nodded and ran off towards the house without another word and I felt relieved. I felt even guiltier that he would put so much trust in me.

"Good thinking." Khairiya commented, patting me softly, as Marcellin led us to a cart.

"Thank you. It's what I do." I attempted to smile, but managed only a little curl of my lip. I frowned sadly. "I'm going to miss him." I spoke as though my heart was being ripped in half from the guilt. All I could imagine was Gervaise finding out the truth, his betrayal. My memories flitted back to Ryanham, his pain…his maimed legs. I shuddered.

"You are to stay still the moment you feel the cart moving, do you understand?" He looked to us, staid and completely unaffected by the situation. I set the bags of books onto the cart, and they landed with a large thump and we lay down. When we nodded he took a large cloak, preparing to cover us with it. "Lay down. And remain still."

We did so, on our sides as we felt the cloak being set down on us. Our breaths quickened and I could feel the warmth from Khairiya's breathing, as I'm sure she could feel mine.

Then, we heard him get the horses and work with the mechanisms of the cart, before we knew it, we began moving and we stiffened, being careful not to move as much as possible.

We heard him whisper undertone. "A friend of mine is a guard of the gates; he will be having the last shift and will let us through quietly."

Who is he trying to convince? It's not like we think he's in some diabolical plot to get rid of us...

It was, however, consoling to know that everything was under control and that with each step the horses took, we were moving farther and farther away from Rosette. I grinned at the thought and would have cheered if I wasn't required to be motionless.

Hope you enjoyed reading, and thanks again for taking you precious and valuable time to read/ give me feedback.

I already have an idea for the next chapter...I just need to type it up...I think I'll be coming back to update on Ryan again...Maybe...(Ryan: YAY!) Not. (Ryan: Awww, You hate me.) Eh, it's more of a hate/love thing we have going on. I hate to love you and I love to hate you. (Ryan: Oh...Wait, What?! O.o)