Summary:
Highever is attacked and Adoracia must find a way to save what is left of her life.
9:30 Dragon, Draconis 16th
Lady was warning her.
Adoracia had just retired to her room after darkness had fallen. She was in the midst of removing the armor she'd been wearing all day. It hadn't been used, so it didn't need any extra care, luckily. Having already removed the leather gloves and vambraces, she was starting on the pauldrons when her dog started growling at the door.
Looking up from her undressing, she froze and trained her attention on the door. She heard the sounds of shouting and fighting. It took her a moment to decipher the noises as an attack and not the normal sounds of men training that she was used to.
Immediately reversing her actions, she quickly began to redress her armor situation. She had just gotten her gloves back on when she heard someone banging on the door. She grabbed the sword and daggers from the weapon stand and moved behind the door, motioning for Lady to hide.
She looked down and saw that the door was not locked, as she'd never had reason to start locking it. The enemy must have caught on, because they tried the handle and it opened. Her room was well lit and she saw that this man did not wear the Highever colors with his armor. There was a crest on his shield, but she couldn't see it clearly. He looked around the room, sword drawn, before he saw her.
"Not asleep? Well, that's too bad." He laughed; his rough voice grating on Adora's ears for all of five seconds before Lady charged.
The man went down with a yelp as he struggled to dislodge the war hound from around his neck. She wasn't getting past his gorget, so she switched to his unprotected face. Adora winced, looking away as the man screamed.
He'll bring more, you fool! She realized with a start. He was making a lot of noise. Setting a determined face, she drew her sword from its scabbard and looked down at the man who had invaded her home.
"Lady." The command was in her name and the hound halted her assault, moving aside to reveal the ruin of the man's face. He was crying now, gurgling obscenities obscured by the blood filling his throat.
She swung the sword down with all her might; the blade stuck in the armor, her swing not quite powerful enough to slice through clean. Adora panicked when the man resumed screaming in earnest. She struggled to wrench the blade free, stumbling when it finally did. He was trying to move away from her and she couldn't help but see the deep dent that was now crushing his throat, causing his screams to bleed into moans.
Steeling herself against the sight, she took a shaky step forward and brought her sword down again and again, until she'd finally hacked through the steel, ending his torment.
Her heart was pounding heavily in her chest and she felt something wet on her face. For a horrible moment she imagined it was the man's blood, but when she turned to see her reflection in her vanity, she saw tears.
What have I done?
She'd just murdered a man.
An invader, her mind insisted, ever the voice of reason.
Wiping at her tears, she looked back to the corpse ruining the beautiful throw rug on her chamber floor. Now that she could concentrate, she finally saw crest on his shield. The bear was no mystery to her. It belonged to the Howe's of Amaranthine.
An arrow whistled by her ear, missing her by a hair. She whirled, blindly flinging a dagger in the direction of the archer. The man went down with a cry and she saw her dagger sticking out of his throat. She stepped back, and then rushed forward to take the dagger from the corpse. She replaced it in its sheath and surveyed the damage she'd done.
I did that? She had never thrown a blade with such accuracy before. Ser Gilmore had always told her she was overthinking her actions; that she needed to let them flow through her as easily as she breathed, as if her weapon were an extension of her being. Is this what he meant?
More screams. She shook herself and looked around, scanning the hall for more soldiers. Lady barked behind her, but it was a sound of joy. Adora turned to see her mother had emerged from the hall leading to her room. She was dressed for battle, her old armor fitting her as perfectly as if she were born to it, with a bow in hand and a quiver on her back.
"Adora!" She called out, relief coloring her voice. Jogging to her daughter's side, she drew her into an embrace. "Oh, my girl. Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
She shook her head, numb with relief that her mother was there with her. "No. I hadn't gone to bed. Lady warned me. I…" Her eyes widened as she looked down to the man at her feet. "I killed them. They were going to… Howe lied!"
Eleanor saw the shield that marked the soldiers as the arl's men and gasped at the implications. "You don't think Howe's men were delayed… on purpose?" Her eyes narrowing, hardening with rage. "That bastard! I'll cut his lying throat myself!"
"I'll hold him down," Adoracia offered, glaring down at the dead man. She looked past her mother to the empty bedroom. "Where's father?"
Her mother shook her head, her gray eyes now leaden with worry. "He never came to bed."
"Damn," she swore, turning when she heard the sound of armored footsteps approaching. "We have to find him!"
Lady barked; the sound was a warning to whoever was coming their way. Two more of the arl's men entered the hall, swords at the ready and shields held before them. The men nodded to each other and crept forward cautiously, eyeing the dog as she growled and paced with them.
"You ladies shouldn't be out this late. " One intoned, a malicious grin spreading across his pale face.
His partner laughed. "Why don't we take you back to your rooms? We'll keep-"
His offer was cut short by an arrow to the face. He went down with a hideous shriek and before his partner could react, the other man was brought down by another arrow.
Adora looked to her mother as she lowered the bow. Eleanor nodded at her. "We should check on Oriana and Oren. Maker, I hope she barred the door…"
Her brother's room was at the other end of the hall. The door was closed and they could hear no sounds within. Adora pushed gently at the door and found that it was unlocked and had not been closed all the way. A fist closed around her heart. Lady whined softly at her side.
"No!" Her mother's anguished cry hurt her ears.
Oren lay huddled in a corner, surrounded by a puddle of blood.
Oriana lay slumped over the edge of the bed on her stomach, her nightgown shredded all around her. Her head was smashed into the mattress, a gorey mess where her silky hair used to lay flat.
"Maker, no! My little Oren…" Eleanor's broken sobs echoed back in the stillness of the room. "What manner of fiend slaughters innocents?!"
I'm so sorry. She'd told Fergus she'd protect them. Her legs felt wooden as she walked to the bed and carefully shifted her sister-in-law around. She laid her on her back, arms at her sides, legs closed and covered her body with the blanket.
Her mother was holding Oren's tiny body, holding him close and crying. She helped her stand and convinced her to leave Oren with his mother, covering the both of them with the blanket.
"Why would they do this?" She gasped quietly, closing the door behind her and her mother.
Eleanor shook her head, her eyes wild with mixed emotions. "Howe is not even taking hostages! He means to kill all of us!" Her eyes rolled in her head as she leaned back against the door, fighting the next barrage of tears that were on their way. "Oh, poor Fergus! My boy…"
She could still hear men fighting, the clash of metal striking metal echoing throughout the castle. "Mother, we must find Father." They had to move. If they could find their own men, rally their forces, perhaps they could stop the castle from being taken.
Most of our men are off to war, Adora Bell, her brother's voice crooned softly in her head. She scrunched her eyes closed and tried to block him out. It was her guilt clawing at her consciousness already. What are you going to do with a few guards? You can barely fight.
No. That would not be the case tonight. She would not bow down and cower before her enemies like some wilting, summer flower. She would fight. For the first time in her life she would fight with her heart and not with her mind. She would not falter and she would not go down quietly, into the darkness like poor Oren and Oriana.
I will kill them.
Without waiting for her mother, she strode down the hall, away from the safety of locked doors and entered the chaos of the keep.
Howe's men were everywhere. Everywhere they turned they saw the bodies of Highever's people. To their credit, there were more of Howe's soldiers dead, usually two or three to each of the Highever men. It would have been heartening if Adoracia did not know how few men remained at the castle. She knew many of their faces, even distorted in a death mask as several of them were. It broke her heart to know just how many families were being destroyed in the night.
They'd deduced that her father must be at the front gates, likely trying his best to keep the main horde of Amaranthine's soldiers at bay. The best knights would be with him, guarding his side.
If he was not there, then he would be at the servants' exit in the larder. It was their only hope of escape if Howe had the place surrounded, as he likely did.
Adora had given up hope of securing the castle when she'd seen the havoc the traitorous arl had wrought throughout the castle. So many noncombatants had been killed. Children, servants, Brother Alduous; they had even killed the priestess in their humble Chantry.
Her mother had recommended they stop by the treasury to get the Cousland family sword. It was their family treasure and it would add further insult to their tragedy if Howe should get his hands on it as well. She wanted to save it, but she wanted to save her parents even more. The route to the treasury would be too dangerous. She left it behind.
On their way to the front gates, they'd come to the aid and likewise been rescued by many of their own soldiers. The more of them they could save, the better a chance they had.
They were just rounding another corner when they ran into the Warden recruits. Leif and Nereus both were in full armor and surrounded by a dozen dead Amaranthine soldiers. Leif was the first to notice them. His fierce eyes looked up at their approach and he lowered his blades.
Nereus sidestepped the corpses and approached them with Leif trailing behind him. "Adora, your Ladyship," he nodded to the both of them. "These cowards tried ambushing me in my sleep. Too bad for them I'm a light sleeper, hm?" He took in their pale, drawn faces and frowned. "Is there anyone-"
"No," Adora cut him off, not wanting him to ask. "Have either of you seen my father? Or Ser Gilmore, perhaps?"
"Duncan went to find your father," he recounted quickly. "I believe I heard Ser Gilmore was defending the front gate. We should hurry."
The redhead nodded curtly and the five of them fought their way through the few soldiers fool enough to intercept them on their way to the gate. Leif was a scrappy fighter, deftly weaving between enemies to stab at their weak points. Nereus was devastating with his magical attacks and his barriers kept them from harm. She was glad the Wardens had decided to stay for the night. Surely she wouldn't have made it so far without them.
After taking out at least a dozen more of Howe's men, they finally managed to get to the main hall. The guards recognized them and let them in, barring the door behind them.
"Lady Cousland! Teyrna! Thank the Maker you're-" The man's joy was short lived as a blast knocked one of the side doors open. He turned and ran towards the commotion without hesitation and was struck down by a crossbow bolt.
The other soldiers had also assembled in response to the uproar from the side door, many of them shouting battle cries as they went to meet the arl's men in combat. At least ten men had poured in through the breach, including one woman in the unmistakable robes of a mage.
Adora's eyes widened. The men were already locked in combat with the soldiers, but the mage was going to bring disaster upon them if she wasn't put down quickly. Her eyes leapt to Nereus, who nodded in understanding.
"This will be quick," he assured her, thrusting his staff in the direction of the other mage. The woman was lifted into the air by an unseen force and the staff she'd been carrying dropped from her trembling fingers. She opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came out. Within seconds, her body had been crushed into an unrecognizable mess of blood, bones, and fabric; it dropped to the ground.
Adora shivered. Magic was truly terrifying if it could do damage like that.
Men fighting on both sides noticed the demise of the mage, several of them faltering in battle. Highever's guards took the initiative and struck down those who were distracted. After all, the mage had been the enemy – whatever had happened to her wouldn't be happening to them.
When it seemed they were gaining an advantage over the enemy soldiers, another group flooded in through the open side door, starting the battle anew.
Adoracia heard her mother swear as she took up position to rain arrows down on the arl's men. She saw Leif and Lady had already joined the fray and Nereus was back to casting spells, taking great care to avoid hitting the Highever soldiers with friendly fire.
The numbness from the shock of seeing what had happened to Oren and Oriana was beginning to wear off. She could still feel the adrenaline pumping through her veins, but she was suddenly terrified. Her hands gripped her weapons tightly, but they were shaking.
Cries of anger, pain and death were flooding her senses. Suddenly, she felt weak and wanted to do nothing more than curl up and hide.
Before she could do any such thing, she saw Leif take a hit to the shoulder and cry out.
She flung herself into the action.
These men are strangers and they are spilling blood for us. They could have left. She knew that Grey Wardens didn't get involved in political disputes. The men of Highever were fighting for their own reasons. Loyalty, coin, to save themselves, or even because they had nowhere to run to. It was expected of them to fight. Not these two, though. She didn't know why they fought, but they were there with her and she couldn't stand by while they fought her battles for her.
Soon enough, she found herself at the dwarf's side. She was relieved to see that the armor had protected him, and then she was distracted by an axe coming her way. Leif blocked it and she took the opportunity to disable the arm holding it.
They fought side by side, their swords and daggers catching the light from the fire and sending arcs of red blood flying through the air. It only took a few minutes of fighting, but eventually the arl's men were defeated and the door was blocked with tables and benches.
"Go! Man the gates!" Ser Gilmore was barking orders at the remaining men, directing them toward the biggest threat. "Keep those bastards out as long as you can!"
"Roland!" Adora cried, ecstatic to see him alive.
The knight turned from the men and they ran off to comply with his orders. His brown eyes widened as he strode across the room to meet the two Cousland women.
"Your Ladyship! My Lady! You're both alive!" The relief in his voice was heavy with emotion as he looked the two of them over for injuries. "Thank the Maker. I was certain Howe's men had gotten through."
"They did get through." Adora admitted, tears threatening to break forth. She was just so happy to see that someone else she cared for had survived.
Her mother continued for her, placing a hand on her shoulder for comfort. "They killed Oriana… and Oren. I can't believe…" Her eyes narrowed on a gash in Ser Gilmore's armor. "Are you injured?"
The red haired knight quickly covered the wound with a gauntleted hand. "Don't worry about me, your Ladyship. It's nothing. Thank the Maker you two are unharmed. I don't know what I…" He looked down. "When I realized what was happening, it was all I could do to shut the gates. But they won't keep Howe's men out for long."
They could see the men struggling to keep the main gate closed. The sounds of what was likely a battering ram were ringing throughout the room like thunder. Splinters were beginning to form in the massive oak doors.
Ser Gilmore looked back to the two women. "If you've another way out of the castle, use it quickly. You must get to safety."
"Ser Gilmore, have you seen Bryce?" The teyrna asked quickly, eyeing the door on the far side of the room.
"When I last saw the teyrn, he was badly wounded. I urged him not to go, but he was determined to find you." He informed them, sighing softly as he spoke. "He went towards the kitchen. I believe he thought to find you at the servants' exit in the larder."
"Bless you Ser Gilmore. Maker watch over you. " Eleanor intoned, before turning and walking towards one of the doors that would eventually lead them to the kitchen. Adora watched her, biting her lip in indecision. She took a step closer to Ser Gilmore and could see that his wound was oozing blood.
"Maker watch over us all." He turned to join the men at the gate, but Adora caught his arm.
"Come with us, Roland. Please, you're in no state to fight." I need you to live. She had already lost two people she cared about. She didn't want to lose another.
He looked down at her hand on his arm, his dark eyes unreadable. "My lady…" He sighed and shook his head. "If I do that, you won't make it out before the gates fall. I'm sorry."
"Rory, please!" In a desperate effort to change his mind, she'd used his childhood nickname.
Shock registered briefly on his face. He gently pried her hand from his arm, shook his head firmly, and stepped out of her reach. "Please, Adora. Go. While you still have a chance." He walked away, going back to the gate to stand with the rest of the men.
He's already gone, Adora Bell. Accept it. He was never yours.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she took a deep breath and willed the voice away. Her father was hurt. She needed to find him.
Lady bumped her hand, licking at her until she moved. She rubbed the mabari's head and went to follow her mother. Leif fell into step beside her, looking back over his shoulder to watch the knights fight back against the tide of death. She didn't see Nereus anymore and assumed he'd gone ahead of them after Duncan.
"Duncan's going to be with your father. I know he is," the dwarf mumbled quietly.
Adora heard him clear as day, regardless of the din throughout the castle halls. Her mother had already killed the few men that had been between them and the kitchen. Entering the kitchen, she saw Nan and the elven servants already dead. Lady ran to Nan's side, sniffing at her and whining sadly. She'd known her since she was a pup and although the old woman had complained she'd always given the war hound scraps when she was good.
"Poor Nan," she whispered, closing the kitchen door behind them. She spared her nanny another glance, swallowed her tears, and entered the adjoining room to the larder where just earlier she'd fought giant rats with her knight and dog by her side.
Now she entered and saw her mother on the floor by her father. She was holding him in her lap, cupping his face and speaking softly. He was still alive, but he was covered in blood. Adora couldn't even begin to count his injuries. He hadn't been wearing armor when he'd been attacked.
"Father!" She cried, rushing to her parents' sides and throwing herself on the ground beside them.
Bryce Cousland looked up at his youngest and smiled. "There… you are. Pup, your mother… she said you were right behind her."
"I was. I am." She was crying openly now, tears streaming down her face. She grasped her father's hand, holding it close. His hand was still so large and she felt so small and helpless. "Daddy, please don't go."
"Why would Rendon do this to us?" Her mother wailed. "He was our friend. Oh, Bryce…"
The teyrn shivered, but his touch was feverish. "He can't… get away with this! The king will-" he broke off into a series of body wracking, wet coughs. Blood painted his lips red.
Eleanor shook her head. "Bryce, we must get you out of here. There must be a way to-"
Her husband put a finger to her lips, shaking his head. "I… I won't survive the standing, I think. Eleanor, love. Take Adora. Get out. Find… the king."
"No, Daddy," Adora shook her head, looking around the room with an insane wish that they'd find a stretcher or something to carry him with. "That's not true. You'll be fine. We just… we just need to sort this all out."
"Ah, my darling girl," her father choked out, emotion tinting his voice with all the love in the world. "If only will could make it so."
Eleanor sighed, the action shaking her whole body. "Once Howe's men break through the gate, they will find us. We must go!" Her eyes were begging her husband, willing him to take the risk and run.
"Someone… must reach Fergus…" his voice was getting weaker, the pause between words being filled with his rattling breath. "Tell him what has happened."
"I hate to break in," Leif said, coughing awkwardly as he did so. Adora had forgotten he was there. She whipped her head around to stare at him as he spoke. "But if Howe has gone outta his way to kill you all here, he's probly got something planned for your son, too."
He's right. Adora realized, fright filling her like cold sea water.
Her father let out another rattling cough. Eleanor shook him slightly. "Bryce, no! The servants' passage is right here! We can flee together, find you healing magic!"
The teyrn shook his head, speaking in the most broken voice Adora had ever heard. "The castle is surrounded… I cannot make it."
The door burst open behind them.
Leif had already turned with his blades in hand and Adora had begun to rise before seeing it was Duncan. The Warden sheathed his sword when he saw the room was clear of enemies, and then entered the small room. Nereus was close behind him, his face grim. The mage closed the door behind them.
"I'm afraid the teyrn is correct." Evidently he'd heard their conversation. "Howe's men have not yet discovered this exit, but they have surrounded the castle. Getting past will be difficult enough."
"Duncan!" Leif exclaimed, sheathing his blades. "Where've you been? I thought you'd be with the teyrn when we found him."
"I was. Luckily I was near when the arl's men attacked. I am ashamed that I could not protect him. The least I could do was get him here safely. I was looking for her Ladyship and her daughter in his place."
Accepting this answer, Leif then turned his attention to Nereus. He was glaring suspiciously at the lanky mage. "And you. Where'd you run off to?"
Nereus shrugged. "Here and there. I thought I might stop that red knight from bleeding to death all over the gates, if that's fine with you."
Adora gasped. "Roland! You healed him?" She looked from her father to Nereus, her gray eyes pleading. "Could you…?"
The mage sighed and looked away. "I can't. I'm not… I'm not skilled enough. And I've drained the last of my mana. I'm sorry, my lady."
She didn't understand everything he'd said, but she knew enough to trust that what he said was true. Besides, he'd have no reason to hold back. If he could heal her father, he would.
"Do not be sorry, young man. My daughter and I would not have made it here without help from you and your colleague." Eleanor muttered softly. "You have done more than enough for us."
Duncan leveled his gaze on Adora and she looked away. "I am not surprised you made it here unharmed."
"Are you going to help us, Duncan?" She asked gently, afraid to look him in the eyes. Her father was dying… if he could help, maybe he might survive.
Lady was sitting by the door, her ears twitching in tune to the different sounds. Suddenly, she rose, turning the growl lowly at the door.
"Whatever is to be done now, it must be quick! They are coming!" The teyrna warned, her eyes jumping to the closed door.
Adora could hear it, too. Before, the fighting had been silenced by the pantry and kitchen doors. Now the sounds of battle were beginning to leak through the cracks. It was still muted by the barriers, but it would reach them soon enough. Seeing the dead kitchen staff might put them off their scent for a moment, but it would not last long.
"Duncan… I beg of you…" Bryce's voice was so quiet, the Warden had to lean in to hear. "Take my wife and daughter to safety!"
Duncan straightened. "I will, your Lordship. But… I fear I must ask for something in return."
"Are you insane?! What do you think you're gonna get outta 'em?" Leif was outraged.
Nereus was watching the door, pointedly ignoring the conversation between the rest of the room's inhabitants.
The Commander of the Grey stared at his recruit with empathy. "What is happening here pales in comparison to the evil now loose in this world." His eyes locked onto the teyrn's. "I came to this castle seeking a recruit. The darkspawn threat demands that I leave with one."
"What?!" Adora hissed, stunned that he would make such a request even now.
Her father nodded weakly. "I… I understand."
"What? No!" She exclaimed again, looking between her father and Duncan. "What about Ser Gilmore? He's still alive! He's just outside. You could take him and we could-"
"Out of the question. We must leave now. I do not have time to search the castle for someone who might still be alive." Duncan shut her down immediately. "Truthfully, you were always my first choice."
He is mad. Adora shook her head, eyes wide in response to his concession. "No…"
The Warden ignored her disavowal. "I will take the teyrna and your daughter to Ostagar, to tell Fergus and the king what happened. Then, your daughter joins the Grey Wardens."
"Father, no! Please, don't agree to this!" She didn't want to be a Warden. She didn't want to leave her father behind. If he didn't agree, maybe they could force Duncan to help, somehow…
Her father looked into her eyes. "I'm sorry, pup." He nodded to Duncan. "So long as justice comes to Howe… I agree."
"No!" She moaned, clinging to her father and mother.
Duncan spoke softly from behind her. "I am offering you a place in the Grey Wardens, Adora Cousland. Fight with us."
"No." She spat, glaring at the man who would sacrifice another for a chance at a recruit. "I won't do it."
Sighing sadly, the Warden's voice held more power behind it compared to just a moment ago. "Then I have no choice. I hereby invoke the Right of Conscription and recruit you, Adoracia Belinda Cousland, into the Grey Wardens despite your objection."
His knowledge of her full name felt like a binding contract. She cried out, gripping at her parents feebly, even as Duncan was pulling her away.
"I'm sorry, pup, but… it's better this way." Her father murmured softly as she was pulled away from him. His hands were so cold. She needed to help him.
"No no no no…" she just repeated the word over and over again, unbelieving.
Her mother looked up at her, tears in her eyes as her daughter was pulled away. Looking down at her husband, she stroked his cheek with her hand. "Bryce… are you sure?"
"Our daughter will not die of Howe's treachery." His voice had some strength behind it at last. "She will live, and make her mark on the world."
Something was happening. Adora could see it, even through her struggles and her tears. She knew when her mother didn't get up.
"Darling, go with Duncan. You have a better chance to escape without me."
Her heart was breaking. It had been squeezed earlier at the discovery of her sister-in-law and nephew lying dead and violated. It had been hammered when she left Roland to die at the gates. Now it was shattering at the loss of her parents.
"Eleanor!" Her father gasped, dismay apparent in his voice.
"Hush, Bryce." She pressed a kiss to his bloody lips. "I'll kill every bastard that comes through that door to buy them more time. But I won't abandon you."
"What about your daughter, huh?" Leif was involving himself again, his face flushed with anger. "You're alive. You're not even hurt! Are you gonna just throw your life away? Look at this girl! She needs you!"
"Leif, this is not your place." Duncan warned him softly as he held Adora in his arms.
She went limp, willing him to just drop her and leave her behind. She might as well die with her parents. Fergus was better off not knowing the truth. Let Howe tell his lies. I will die here.
She could hear Leif arguing with her mother and Duncan. She couldn't hear their words any more. The sounds of fighting drew nearer. She could hear men shouting.
"I…" her father's voice broke through the haze that had settled over her mind. "I'm so sorry it's come to this, my love."
She shook her head and straightened up. Duncan loosened his hold on her now that she was standing.
"We had a good life," her mother said, carefully laying the teyrn up against some sacks of flour. She stood, drawing her bow and knocking an arrow. "We did all we could. It's up to our children now."
Nereus spoke up at last. "We need to leave. Now."
"Mom… Dad… please." Her tears would never stop, not after this.
Her mother looked away. Her father looked up at her, blood dribbling from his lips as he spoke. "Go now, pup. Go… warn your brother. And know… that we love you both. You do us proud."
A thunderous crash shook the keep. Dust fell from the beams above them. More shouting followed.
"They've broken through the gates. We must go. Now!" Duncan grabbed Adora again, dragging her towards the secret passage.
"Goodbye, my darling girl," her mother whispered, never once looking back at her.
She twisted, growling and trying to break free from the Warden's grip. "No! Don't leave them! You can't leave them! Those are my parents you're leaving to die!"
Her cheek stung. She stopped. He'd slapped her. Lady growled, and then stood down.
"They are my friends," he hissed, towering over her. "If I could save them, I would. Your father is beyond helping and your mother has made a brave sacrifice for you. Now be worthy of it!"
She let him pull her through the trap door and into the tunnel. Lady was walking ahead of her and Duncan; she could hear Nereus and Leif behind them. They closed the door behind her, covering them in darkness.
I am dead, she thought to herself, stumbling in the darkness like a drunk. Duncan had released his grip on her once they were in the tunnel. There was no going back and they both knew it.
She hadn't used the servant's passage since she was a child. Back when Roland had first come to the castle, in fact. As a child, she'd been so much kinder than as a teenager in later years. She'd found a friend in the young boy and wanted to show him all of her secrets. They'd sneak into the larder when Nan wasn't paying attention and then run through the tunnel, all the way out to the coast. They'd dance and play in the waves, collect seashells, and lie in the sun until their skin turned red and burned.
After a whole summer of search parties being sent out after the wayward children, Adora had been encouraged to stop being so reckless. Her father had found ways to keep the young squire busy and her mother had set Adora on play dates with Delilah Howe.
Blinking rapidly in the darkness, Adora was overwhelmed with her childhood memories. She knew the passage as well as she knew any part of the castle. She needed to be in the sea.
Stumbling lamely at first, she pushed past Duncan. Soon she was jogging, and then sprinting blindly through the tunnel, narrowly missing the beams that supported the ancient structure. She could hear Lady at her side, barking happily at the chance to run. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks as she ran and she started sobbing, hiccuping as she slowly came down from the run and burst out into the moonlit cove.
The waves were rushing up on the stretch of beach, welcoming her with frosted lines in the sand. The sound of the Waking Sea roared throughout her head and she collapsed into the sand, breathing the cleanest air she'd ever known. She could remember everything. She never wanted to let go.
Howe will pay for this.