Chapter 5
"The Escape"
Four days passed since Arianna was in Madam Lilianne's household and it hadn't been all that pleasant since the day she arrived. Arianna soon met her other companions who were also under the training of Madam Lilianne. There was Trinia, the daughter of Vasdenin's blacksmith Vilgroth, Polli who was the daughter of a wealthy tailor and Gromedina, an orphan. Of all these girls that Arianna came to know, it was Gromedina who Arianna respected most since Gromedina shared Arianna's remorse in not having any parents of her own. But even though they had a few common interests, Gromedina was very reclusive, wanting to keep to herself rather than sharing ideas with the other girls most especially the redheaded peasant girl from the fields who she liked the least of all. Arianna left all the girls alone and tried to make herself fit into this new society with new rules not at all to her liking.
Educating a peasant girl to behave like a proper gentlewoman was an extremely difficult and complex task; Madam Lilianne came to realize that on the fifth day of Arianna's stay.
Arianna came out of the dining room just before teatime clutching a silver tray that carried a large ceramic teapot, a small bowl of sugar, a tiny beaker of honey and two delicate teacups full to the brim. She walked into the sitting room in an extremely awkward fashion given that her attire was utterly uncomfortable as well as burdensome. The young girl was dressed up in a long velvet silk gown, over which she wore even longer lavender tunic and her long scarlet hair was hidden and kept underneath a large feathery blue cap that could hardly stay still atop her head. Her satin shoes pinched her feet as she walked and she grimaced while she endured the burns in each of her tiny steps.
The other girls were sitting on large cozy armchairs sewing and knitting leisurely while they secretly giggled and taunted the poor little peasant girl that was now the poor little dressed up doll trying to make her way towards the end of the hallway where Madam and her visitor, the town head's wife, were making lengthy gossips and thunderous laughter. There area was littered with yarn balls and many colored threads. Luli's gray half-starved cat, which was an unfortunate looking creature, was lying on the floor gnawing on one of the yarn balls.
"Just look at that poor wretched little thing, I feel such pity for it, don't you Polli?" Luli proclaimed in a loud tone as she pulled her little needle through her stitching pad.
The other girls softly snickered.
"Which poor wretched thing are you referring to Luli? The animal at the foot of your chair or the animal limping down the hallway?" the blonde girl replied with a mocking grin.
The girls burst into raucous laughter and Arianna didn't try to pretend that she couldn't hear them. She heard them perfectly well and it took every little fiber in her body and mind to keep her from drowning them all in hot chamomile tea.
Think of the archery contest, it's happening this afternoon, put them out of your mind, just think of the contest, Arianna told herself. But one day they will be sorry, though now wasn't the appropriate moment for the passing of their consequences. Arianna first had to discover a way to reach her governess' table in one piece then she might have a good timing for the execution of her escape.
Arianna winced as she took another step, she could hardly see her path ahead since the feathered cap was slowly making its way over her eyes. The tray shook in her hands as she grew more perturbed and exhausted with every step she made. Her clothes weighed down on her and she could feel a trickle of sweat drip from her brow. Then, after a few more excruciating strides, she heard the high-pitched voice of her governess.
"Ah, now Anillina, let me introduce you to my newest student, Arianna."
Arianna could barely see the town head's wife, but she caught the slight nod of acknowledgement from her. Her heart was beating rapidly in her chest as she tried her best to execute a proper curtsey but because of the unbearable pain in her heels, she simply bent her knees and head slightly with an uncomfortable smile.
"How do you do Arianna?" the eminent visitor greeted.
But before Arianna could answer, Madam cut in, "She came from the fields you know. When she arrived her she was nothing short of a peasant rascal. Now, look at her, a proper and refined lady."
The two women chuckled lightly. Arianna tried her best to keep her posture erect and straight but the pains in her shoulders were as agonizing as the burns on her feet.
"So, Anillina dear, would you care to have some tea?" Madam Lilianne asked cheerily.
Madam Anillina nodded, "I would be delighted to."
Then Madam looked at the peasant girl with a glint of severity in her eye. Arianna then realized that she was still holding the silver tray. Sighing with relief that she would be finally rid of her burden, she took a few steps forward so as to lay the silver platter as gracefully as possible unto the miniature tea table.
Suddenly, at the very moment Arianna stepped forward, a yarn ball came rolling and unraveling before her path and following after it was Luli's disheveled gray cat. So it was that Arianna's stride was cut short as it's path collided with the cat's thus allowing Arianna to lurch forward causing the silver tray and all its contents to come flying into the very laps of the gentlewomen sitting at the tea table.
Ear piercing shrieks rang throughout the house alongside some uproarious laughter that was followed by some shouts of pain as the girl's enormous amusement caused their sharp needles to prick their little fingers.
Arianna looked up from under her blue-feathered cap to see how much damage what her fateful blunder had caused. She cringed at the prospect of the situation.
Both the plump ladies were springing all about the room, shrieking while they wrung their hands over their heads and tried to cool the burning effect of the hot liquid all over their intricate garments. The young girls were in a confused state, half laughing at the comical commotion before them and half crying over their prickly pains caused by their pointed needles. It was all pure chaos in Arianna's eyes but she knew better than to just be lying on the ground watching everyone in the room in their hilarious state. This was all entirely her fault and she would not want to stay for the humiliation portion. But, then again, though the situation at the moment was far from what Arianna was anticipating, here was the perfect time to execute her carefully planned revenge by causing more destruction unto those who had caused her so much shame and torture as well as her plan for her escape.
Arianna hastily tossed her hat aside, stood up and gathered her dress in her hands, with a sly grin on her face, she believed it was the perfect time to say good-bye to this appalling family and to start her new life as the only woman hunter of Vasdenin…or the worst and youngest outlaw of the Northern lands. More importantly, Arianna knew what would serve as a farewell present to her "dear" friends.
Swiftly sprinting towards the kitchen, she heard the outraged cry of Madam bellowing her name. Arianna had to act quickly before they find out what she was going to do and ruin her entire plan. Once Arianna was in the large kitchen, relieved to find the cook absent, she approached a small cupboard that was hidden behind the stove and opened it. A foul stench emerged from inside the compartment, particularly underneath a large sack and there was a dull sound of scratching and faint squeaking as well. Ignoring the odor and sounds, she pulled the sack away revealing a long steel cage. Smiling cunningly, she laughed as she murmured, "Enjoy your freedom, my friends."
Sliding the shudder open, Arianna dashed outside the kitchen and nearly collided with the half-drenched Madam Lilianne. Before Arianna could dodge to the side, the large woman held Arianna by her shoulders.
"Now I've got you, you little rat." She declared triumphantly with a smile.
Arianna grinned as well, "Do you really think so?"
Right after Arianna spoke; a swarm of large filthy black rats came scampering out from under the kitchen door causing Madam to release the girl while backing away and screaming with fright. Arianna then turned and ran up the stairs. She then heard a loud succession of screeches on her way up and she laughed coyly hoping that one of those rats would jump down Luli's throat. Those rats certainly turned out useful after all. She said to herself thinking back to a few days before when the cook told that he kept the rats he caught in a cupboard and would burn all of them when the cage was full.
Once Arianna got up to the room she was currently sharing with the governess's daughters, she slammed the door shut and looking around, spotted an old wooden chair. Arianna grabbed it and propped it against the door handle so as to make the door impossible for entry. Then, she struggled to strip off the arduous garment that she was wearing…but to no avail. Groaning frustrated, she mustered all her strength and managed to tear the dress off. After which, she removed her constricted footwear and tossed them aside. She breathed a sigh of relief as she slowly pressed her aching toes to ease them. Suddenly, she heard a faint scuffling outside the door and she remembered the rats. So, thinking quickly, she crammed the velvet gown into the crack under the door before any of the pesky rodents could get a chance to enter the room.
Then she heard some commotion outside, hoping it wasn't any of the occupants in the house, Arianna looked out of the window. She instead saw a tall man who was dressed splendidly in festive garments marching down the road proclaiming in his loud baritone voice, "The Archery contest! The Archery contest is about to begin! All lads and lords willing to participate, proceed to the main tent to be registered! Only fifty silver pieces for registration! I repeat! The Archery contest is about to begin! Go now in haste to the archery field!"
Arianna took a deep breath and smiled excitedly, what she was about to do was probably the most dangerous and most adventurous thing she had ever done in her life.
"My victory awaits!" she said enthusiastically and she immediately opened her trunk, took out her hunting gear and hastily put on her hunting garments. Glancing at her reflection in a long looking glass on the wall, she gasped when she noticed that her long scarlet hair was still unkempt and in a disarray. Snatching Luli's brush from her dresser, Arianna quickly fixed up her disheveled hair and after she had braided it and rolled it up in a clean and swift manner, she picked up her hunting cap and tucked her hair securely underneath it. Taking a second look at herself, she smiled satisfactorily; she made a pretty good impersonation of a local farm boy. With her slightly faded and tattered hunting clothes, worn brown boots and an old bow and quiver, she could definitely make a fool out of the whole town, if no one had any second thoughts about her slightly obvious feminine features.
"Arianna! Where is the wretched girl? Arianna!"
"She's in the room Mother!"
Arianna turned and saw the doorknob being shaken forcibly. She had to find a way to get out of the room at once but the only chance of escape was through the window. Arianna peeked out and realized that it was a short way off from the ground though she wouldn't mind a soft landing.
The loud heated voices from the opposite side of the door urged Arianna to make a final decision. Seeing as she had no other options, Arianna had to use the window, looking around again she spotted the mattress she had used as a bed near her heels, so without any hesitation, she pulled it up and flung it out the window, it landed perfectly on the hard ground.
Shouldering her bow and quiver, she caught sight of a pair of matches on the floor. Smiling suddenly, she grabbed them. At the same time, the chair gave way and the door was flung wide open. Standing by the doorway were Madam Lilianne and the other girls looking positively tousled and infuriated from head to toe.
"Don't you dare make any drastic move there, peasant girl!" Madam roared.
Arianna smirked back sympathetically, " Oh Madam, I terribly apologize for my hasty departure but I'm afraid there is nothing more you can teach me. So, may the gods guard you till I return… oh, I mean, if I ever return. Or if I never return… hmmm."
The women made ready to charge inside but stopped abruptly when Arianna held up the already lit match.
"Your house, Madam, has certainly ignited a lot of warm feeling in me. Farewell!" Arianna waved before flicking the match towards Luli's bed and leaping out of the window.
As Arianna landed safely though a little painfully on the soft mattress, she heard another bout of screams from the window above. Looking up she saw the bright color of flames dancing about the room. Laughing lightly, she stood up and dusted herself off but then had a deep feeling that someone was watching her. Turning around, she came face to face with a small boy who was looking at her with plain shock on his face.
Arianna tilted her hat to him and said cheerily, "Good day there, boy!"
After which, she walked hurriedly away from the little child before anyone else could notice her.
Well, that was certainly invigorating, she thought to herself with a smile, now, the time for my glory and fame has come!
