Part of a Plan Revealed
They walked up the stairs and returned to their hallway, meeting in Julius's room. Evan and Julius were weak from sobbing and still sniffling. The girls sat together, still hugging each other, afraid to let go for fear of losing each other. They sat in silence, Adena waiting to speak until they calmed down.
"Adena, why is it that no men guarded the cells?" Evan asked after a time.
"I have friends in high places who respect me more than their own king." She said with a wink. All three chuckled lightly, even through their sniffs.
"How soon do you wish to leave?" Adena asked, putting on a serious face.
"As soon as possible." They replied in unison.
"Good, because my friends in high places and I have thought of a way to get you out."
Curiosity crossed their faces.
"Evan, it all depends on you." Adena spoke.
"What?" Evan asked, "How so?"
"Well, actually, the Rider, but you will be, oh how you say, the manager. You will have to nurse the Rider back to health. Once he is well enough to travel, we will choose a date and leave."
"But what is the plan?" asked Julius.
"My friends will create a distraction bit enough for us to escape. Here-" and Adena pulled out a map of the castle. "The 'distraction', if you will, will take place on the north side, leading to the Ramr River. We will leave through the southeast exit and head for Kuasta. There we shall hide."
By the look on Julius's face, (which read, "Will we take Murtagh?") Adena added, "In the time it takes for the Rider to heal, we will work on bringing back Murtagh."
"What is the distraction?" Evan asked.
"Ahh" and Adena smiled, "That will remain a secret until we know for certain when the plan will take place."
Julius started to protest, but Evan silenced her. "Why don't we seek shelter with the Varden?" she asked.
"Too far a journey with on the supplies we'll have." Adena replied.
"Are you going to be traveling with us?" Julius inquired.
"Yes, my best friend Frawl and I will be leaving with you. Ahh yes, I've been meaning to tell you. Tomorrow Frawl has been granted access to the castle, so you will be meeting him tomorrow." She let it all sink in, and then looked at Evan.
"If you fail to heal the Rider, we are finished. You will see him twice a day, once in the early hours and once in the later hours. I know this will be no hard task for you." She said with a wink.
Evan smiled.