CHAPTER 5:

ESCAPE

Morning swelled with a sluggish streak of light against a rising fog. The veil of mist clung to the damp, barren village like a cloud of vapor and a cool breeze chilled the air.

Platina shivered as she rolled over on a tall stack of hay. Her body was huddled in a tight ball and she took a moment to finger the dusty wool sheet she didn't remember snuggling under the night before. Her dress clung to her body like a second skin as the damp material made her legs itch. She frowned at the dried splotches of mud that decorated the better part of her skirt and wondered how she would explain them to her mother.

'Ha! Explaining a few stains to mother is the least of my concerns.' A dark frown creased her brow as memories of last night took hold of her thoughts. She sat up and rubbed her bleary eyes. After seven years, she'd finally found Lucian! But somehow, everything was falling apart. It was nothing like the reunion she'd dreamed of. Instead, the boy she knew was now a fugitive. And now, somehow she and Heather had become fugitives as well.

She couldn't deny the liberating aftertaste that came with helping to free the captives. But that feeling was sublime now as she stared around the cluttered shed she, Heather and Lucian snuck into the night before. Stacks of hay decorated most of the floor and several litters housed oxen and sheep that crooned with the morning light. The thick scent of musk clung to the air mingled with the stench of animal droppings and it made her nose wrinkle.

The room was a lot smaller than it looked last night. Of course, everything was dark then and none of them could see a thing. It wouldn't have mattered anyway. It was warmer than sleeping outside and they were willing to take whatever shelter they could find. Platina bristled at the thought. Hiding in sheds? Sleeping on hay? Breaking the law? How far would they go? What were they turning into?

Platina stretched and covered her mouth against a wide yawn.

"Well well, look who finally decided to wake up!"

She turned towards the familiar voice and rubbed the last vestiges of sleep from her eyes. "Do you ever sleep, Heather?"

The redhead shrugged as she walked from the back of the room with a pensive grin. Her hair was a tangled mess as it drooped down over her face and back. Her dress was just as damp, wrinkled and mud-stained as Platinas, yet she didn't seem to mind. She walked up next to her friend and stooped low, still clasping the steel bar she's nabbed the night before.

"Couldn't sleep."

Platina sighed and rubbed her shoulders. "I don't blame you." She looked up towards the slightly cracked double-doors ahead of them and stared out at the morning light. "I guess we can't go back now, can we?"

Heather frowned, sitting on the stack of hay next to her friend. "Probably not…"

Platina frowned. "I'm sorry I got us into this mess… we were only supposed to look."

Heather smirked. "Well, we did a bit more than that, now didn't we?" She shrugged. "It couldn't be helped. Who would'a guessed we'd find your childhood friend there?"

Platina shivered. "I still don't know what's going on. And even if it was rash, I just couldn't…"

Heather shook her head and placed a calming hand on her friend's shoulder. "Hey, don't worry. I understand how you must have felt… had it been my brother in that cage, I'd have done the same thing."

Platina winced and stared back at her friend. "I'm sorry… I'm being so selfish. All this time, I've only been thinking about myself. This must be hard on you too, considering what happened with your brother."

Heather sighed. "It helped, actually. What we did last night; even if it wasn't my brother we were freeing, being able to at least do something about it matters more to me than you know."

A veil of silence passed between the two women and another gust of wind crept through the crack in the door.

Platina bristled and rubbed her shivering arms. "What do we do now?"

Heather shook her head. "Dunno… If we try to go back, we run the risk of Villnore eventually discovering our hand in everything."

"But that's just…" Platina turned on her friend with wide eyes. "Can we really just… just … walk away? From everything?!?"

Heather stared back at her with a mangled expression. "Do we have a choice?"

"How can you be so calm about this!?!"

"I'm not!" Heather shook her hands. "Look, I… I'm scared too okay?… but I've been down this road, remember? I left my parents years ago. I'm not as fortunate as you; I haven't had a comfort zone for a long time! I guess it disappeared the day my brother was sold… but Detterby's been like a father to me. Leaving him… that's gonna be hard."

Platina drooped her head and curled her knees under the lap of her arms. "Isn't there some other way?"

Heather matched her posture and propped her chin against her knees. "Don't think so…"

The wind blew and both women shivered, staring at the early morning light. Moments passed in a sublime silence. Finally, Platina picked up her head and began looking around. "…Where's Lucian?"

Heather smacked her over the back of the head. "Airhead! You're just now noticing?"

Platina flushed. "I just thought he was… I don't know, sleeping I guess…"

Heather smirked. "That man hasn't slept a wink since I've seen him. He's as wired as Detterby after his fifth cup of morning coffee."

She rolled her face towards Platina with a flirtatious wink. "He's pretty handsome! No wonder you never gave Steve the time of day!"

Platina's face immediately turned red. "Ah! It's not like that!"

"Really?"

"YES! REALLY!"

"It's not?"

"NO! IT'S NOT!"

Heather grinned. "Then you won't mind if I make a pass at him?"

Platina's blush grew brighter. "Ah! That's! I mean! I! - You!"

Heather exploded in a fit of laughter. "You are SO OBVIOUS!" She pointed. "It's written all over your face!"

Platina blanched. "I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Yeah yeah." Heather waved her hand. "If it makes you feel any better, last night when you fell asleep, he was the one who found that blanket and covered you."

Platina smiled despite her best efforts. "Really?"

"Yes, really." Heather folded her arms and grinned. "Just tell me when the wedding bells are ringing and I'll be your maid of honor!"

"Oh! Hush, you!" Platina grabbed at a few strands of hay and threw them at her friend. Heather laughed.

Just then, the door crooned ever so slightly and both women froze, staring ahead of them. But the light betrayed Lucian's familiar black clothing and auburn hair as he now carried a brown bag over his shoulder. "What are you two laughing about?" He asked, making his way quietly through the door.

Platina smiled and Heather shook her head with a smirk. "Nothing. We were just wondering where you got to. What's in the bag?"

"Supplies." Lucian opened the bag and pulled out a loaf of soft bread. He tore it in two before tossing each half towards them.

Platina caught her side with a frown. "How did you get the oth to purchase supplies?"

"I didn't. I took what I needed before the shops opened up."

Platina blanched. "Lucian!!! You mean you stole these?" she jerked her loaf back as if it were suddenly offensive and disgusting. "How could you?!?"

"Ah, lighten up, Platina!" Heather took a vigorous bite from her loaf and chomped merrily. "We're fugitives now! It's not like we can shop around like normal people. We have to think smarter than that. And Lucian here's a wanted man. Would you rather we starve? Eat up! This bread is pretty good!"

But Platina glared at her friend and set the bread down next to her before folding her arms. "I … I don't have much of an appetite."

Lucian sighed and walked over to the two women. "You should listen to your friend."

He dropped his bag and the muffled sound of steel rang from the bottom. "I can't be seen walking around town. Too many soldiers and too many curious eyes." The young man stooped down and pulled three dusty cloaks from his bag. "Here, these are for you."

"Did you steal those too?" Platina frowned.

"Obviously." Lucian rolled his eyes, then set one on the hay next to Platina and held the other one out to Heather. The woman immediately reached for it and shrugged.

"It's a little smelly, but it'll do."

Lucian rose to his full height and threw his own cloak against his shoulders, tying the drawstrings before looping the cowl over his head. He looked down. Platina hadn't touched either her cloak or her bread. Instead, her arms were still stubbornly locked together and her face turned to the side.

Lucian sighed. "Look… I know this is hard for you. And I'm sorry you got mixed up in this… I wish none of this had happened."

Platina started then frowned and both she and Lucian fell into a tense silence. Moments passed as Platina sifted through her parade of whirling emotions. By all rights, she should hate Lucian. After all, he was the one who'd left her without another word! And now, it was because of him that they were in this nightmarish predicament. All this, and yet somehow, she couldn't bring herself to regret a single action.

Finally, she inched her face slightly towards him. "If none of this had happened…" She began with soft, hesitant tones. "Then, I wouldn't have met you again…" She rose her eyes to look up at him.

Lucian shifted his gaze away and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Ahem! Okay guys, don't we have better things to do?" Heather looped her own cloak over her shoulders and tied the strings. "How do I look."

"Pull that cowl over your head and I won't even recognize you." Lucian looked down at the violet haired woman. "Platina… please."

The young woman closed her eyes and swallowed the lump in her throat. "I just… wish I knew what was going on. Breaking into the consulate. Sneaking into private property. Killing guards. And now we're stealing. What are we becoming?" She looked up and stared at each of them. "What have we 'become'?"

Lucian folded his arms. "Survivors!"

"He's right, Platina." Heather raised her steel pipe. "Regardless of what we've done, we're not evil! Villnore hasn't left us any other options! We have to keep moving. We can't give up now or we'll be no better off than those captives in the slave pens."

Platina sighed and rose to her feet. "Will this ever end?"

"For you it will." Lucian frowned and reached for his bag. "Platina has a point… the two of your aren't meant for this. Look, none of the surviving guards got a good look at either of you. Once we clear some distance between ourselves and this barn, we'll go our separate ways. You two can lose your cloaks and return to your normal lives. Where I walk, I walk alone."

"Forget that!" Heather frowned. "Do you seriously think for even one second Villnore won't eventually hunt us down?"

"It's too dangerous to stay with me!"

"It was dangerous when we snuck into the pens! It was dangerous when we freed you! And it was sure as hell 'dangerous' when we followed you after you killed those guards! Whatever mess you're in, you're stuck with us now! 'Deal' with it!"

Lucian sighed and drooped his shoulders. "There's no arguing with you, is there?"

Heather smirked proudly. "Nope!"

"…Platina?"

The young woman looked over at him with sad eyes. She gently hugged her arms to herself. "You've changed, Lucian."

"I know." The young man looked back at her evenly.

Platina reached next to her and grasped the cloak at her side. Her hand shook and she clenched her fingers over the fabric, overruling her fear with determination. "I don't know what this is all about. But… but we'll follow you… So as soon as we get to safety, you'd better start telling us your story!" She fastened a sharp glare on him. "If I find out you've done something vile, I'll… I'll turn you over to Villnore myself!"

Heather nodded and folded her arms. "Yeah, the same goes for me."

In spite of their bold threat, Lucian smiled. "You two are crazy… but you're wrong. I haven't done anything wrong… and … when the time comes, we'll talk."

Both woman seemed satisfied with his answer. Platina quickly covered herself with her cloak and even took a small nibble of her bread.

Heather looked over at Lucian. "Where to now? Sooner or later, the owner of this shack is going to come marching in and unless we're gone by then, he'll be in for one helluva surprise."

"We're leaving right now." Lucian declared. "We'll stay low, avoiding as many main streets as we can."

"And after that?"

"The Kingfisher Inn. Originally I was supposed to rendezvous with some colleagues. But since my cover was blown, I have to assume they've been discovered as well. But I can't just ignore the alternative possibility altogether."

"So we're going to see if we run into your friends at the Inn? No problem!"

"It's harder than you think." Lucian frowned. "If they're hiding out in one of the rooms upstairs or if they're disguised like us, we won't know. What's more, if they've been discovered and Villnore has set a trap, that's even more harrowing."

"Aha, but we've got one ace up our sleeve that Villnore couldn't have known about." Heather smirked.

"What's that?"

"Platina and I work at the Kingfisher Inn."

Platina grinned at her friend and nodded her head. "It's true. We can ask our boss and the barmaids if they've seen anyone matching your friends descriptions."

Lucian immediately grinned and his shoulders lowered with relief. "Well then." He chuckled. "Maybe teaming up with you two won't be so bad after all."

"You're damn right it won't!" Heather beamed with a confident grin. "But before we do anything-"

"What's wrong?" Platina asked in concern.

"Did something happen?" Lucian urged.

"No no!" Heather waved her hand. "I just want to finish this bread! I don't know about you two, but I haven't eaten anything in almost two days and I am absolutely starving!"

XXXX

In another part of the town, the consulate was in shambles. The front door was shattered with more than a few marks from axes and blades that had torn through the aged wood. The storage room was a mess of broken casks, cracked wood and two weeks worth of ale and produce lay wasted and trampled. And worst of all, the slave pens were as barren as the desolate village, with swinging doors laying wide and empty over two shrouded bodies.

1st Captain Saunders frowned as he surveyed the damage, rubbing at bloodshot eyes from a fitful night. He paced back and forth in the empty pens, in front of a third guard with a heavy bandage over his midsection and another bandage covering his scalp.

"Let me get this straight." Saunders began. "Somehow, a handful of slaves managed to escape from over twenty five guards on duty? Then, they cut through the store room, destroying several weeks of provisions? And finally, they managed to somehow lock all of you behind the front gates, getting away scott free?"

The wounded guard squirmed. "I think they were lead by the prisoner we brought in, sir."

"And how does that make things any better???" Saunders drove his fingers through his hair, releasing a strangled sigh. "How am I going to explain this to the envoy that's coming from Villnore!? Do you have any idea how bad this is!?!"

"I'm sorry sir. I tried to stop them. But I was the only one who could make it here in time and there were too many of them. I took on five slaves at once but they managed to overpower me!"

Saunders raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Five, you say? Who was patrolling? How did they even break free???"

The guard shook his head. "I don't know sir! It was horrible! As soon as we heard the slaves making a racket, Jecht and Simmons went to investigate. I was on my way to make sure everything was in order when I saw the flood of slaves coming my way. I didn't have a chance to react!"

"Yet you took on five at once?" Saunders rolled his eyes and shook his head. "What about the others? Nine slaves and one hostage can't free themselves and mount an offensive in only a matter of moments! What- what about outside help? Do you remember seeing anyone else with them?"

"No sir! That's impossible! We have guards patrolling the gates constantly! There's no way anyone could have broken past our parameter!"

Saunders snarled and shook his head. "What about recovery? How the hell did they manage to lock you all behind the door?"

"The troops say one of our men betrayed us!"

"Betrayed us?!? Who was it? Who's missing that was on duty last night?"

The guard squirmed. "Well… everyone's here sir."

Saunder's glared. "Wait. Simmons is missing his chest plate…" He face bunched into an angry glare. "There was no traitor, you imbecile! One of the slaves took his armor and fooled you!"

"I… I wasn't aware of-"

"Pursuit!?! Tell me the men at least gave chase to the enemy???"

"Well… about that…"

"Oh for the love of- Don't tell me you didn't mount a retrieval party!?!"

"But sir!" The guard shuddered. "The slaves stole five of our best horses and cut the tethers for the rest. The animals were running rampant and my men had to get them under control, lest we lose the rest of our mares!"

"Fools!" Saunders glared and ground his teeth. "What an absolute mess! And the envoy from the capital will be arriving any day now…"

"Sir, shall I-"

"NO! You've done enough damage! You and your men! You will stay here and clean this mess up! Dismissed!"

The guard quickly hobbled out of the pens, clutching his injured waist. Another guard smoothly entered and came to a stop before his captain. "Sir, I've rallied all the patrols here as you ordered. Everyone's waiting for your command!"

Saunders nodded grimly. "And the outer parameter patrol?"

"Still guarding the gates sir. They're maintaining their post."

"How about the walls at the back of town?"

The guard shuddered. "It's as they say sir. Some of the wall was broken through- big enough for a horse to pass, I'd wager."

"I see…" Saunders sighed heavily. "Here are your orders. I want you to take a squad of soldiers and get on their trail. It may already be too late, but try to track them down anyway. I want everyone else combing this village from head to toe! Upturn every house, every shop and every farm if you have to! But if there is even one slave left hiding in this village I want them found and brought back to me, dead or alive!"

The guard saluted. "Sir!"

"And one more thing…"

The guard paused.

"Finding the prisoner is top priority. Send the word out. All soldiers have permission to kill. Cut through anyone that gets in your way, just find my slaves and find me that 'prisoner!'"

XXXX

"Llewelyn! If I have to wear this suffocating thing for a moment more, I swear I am going to kill someone!"

The young archer squirmed and waved his arms placidly. "Aelia, please calm down! It's just a dress!"

"Just a 'dress'?!? 'JUST' a dress? Did I hear you right?!?" The young woman leaned over one of the back tables in the Kingfisher Inn and squeezed her mug tightly between clenched fingers. The wood cracked with a loud pop and Llewelyn winced.

Aelia's dress was beige and folded into twin buns at her elbows, strapping over with a loop at her waist and bloomed into a flowing skirt at the bottom. The redhead bristled at the thought of wearing such and thing and slammed her mug against the table. "I hate this!"

Llewelyn cringed and smiled reassuringly. "Look on the bright side! The sooner we find out what's going on with our contact, the sooner we can leave! That'll make things better, right?"

But Aelia frowned and threw her arms into a tight fold. "Silver has some damn nerve! Thinking he can treat me like this! I swear I am going to wring his scrawny little neck when he gets back!"

"Aelia! Please calm down!" Llewelyn squirmed again under the growing stares of surrounding patrons. "You're making a scene…"

"Do I look like I give a damn?" She glared. But to his relief, her voice did lower a notch.

"We're supposedly 'under cover' now, remember? Just like 'Leader Boy' wanted!" Aelia threw her hands up with a sigh. "Ugh! What I wouldn't give for some steel at my waist and armor on my shoulders! Do you know how uncomfortable this is? This top is too tight! I can barely breath! And what is this thing? A corset? It feels like a torture device! And this sheet they call a skirt is just awful! I've got a constant draft blowing and it's freezing my ass off!"

Llewelyn flinched and turned his face away as his cheeks stained a deep shade of red. These were mental images he absolutely did not want to think about. "Ahem! I uh… I don't think any of the Villnore soldiers have done anything out of the ordinary from the eastern side of town." He pulled at his collar.

Aelia glared and wrapped her fingers around her cracked mug before taking a pull of the thick fluid. She released a loud belch and sighed. "Yeah, things were boring on the west too. Although…" She raised her eyes and gave him a hard stare. "I did notice there weren't as many red coats patrolling the roads as there were yesterday."

"I thought it was just me." Lewelyn rubbed his chin. "But that is strange. Maybe they just have a lax morning shift?"

"Dunno." Aelia shook her head. "But it's worth mentioning to Silver when he gets back."

Llewelyn nodded. "Have you heard from any of the others?"

"No. After Lemia gave us our outfits this morning, everyone scattered. She's still upstairs and I saw Celia wandering towards the market but other than that, nothing."

Llewelyn sighed and folded his arms. "I hope we find our contact soon. I don't like this. Everything about this town just gives me the chills!"

"At least you don't have a constant draft backing that up!"

Llewelyn winced. " 'Not' like that… But haven't you noticed? Something is off with this village. Nothing grows. Everything is decrepit. Even the people are nasty."

"It's that tower." Aelia shrugged. "I noticed it the moment we came through those gates. It's killing the town with it's coal smog. And as for the people, they're living in a dying village under Villnore occupation. It's a wonder they aren't rioting as we speak."

"Don't you think it's sad?" Llewelyn frowned. "I mean, they never asked for this. Villnore's destroying their lives."

"And that's new to you?" Aelia smirked. "Buck up, kiddo! We're doing everything we can but there's nothing we can do about this town. There's enough people here to take care of their own problems."

Llewelyn shrugged. "Maybe… I just-"

The bells jingled at the front of the room and the swinging doors parted, cutting Llewelyn off. Both rebels turned towards the new patron that came marching through the room. It was a middle aged, gangly woman wearing a chestnut colored shawl strapped over her head and a deep mahogany cloak pulled tight over her faded black dress.

The two rebels watched as she stormed down the isle of chairs and tables with a young man in tow carrying two large sacks of potatoes. At the end of the room, the bartender raised his mat of salt and pepper hair and eyed the woman with a hint of surprise.

"Bethal Ferva. Not like ye to come with yer own delivery. What brings ye here so early in the day?"

"Don't play cute with me, Detterby!" Bethal rolled her jaw in a sour glare and jammed her fists against her hips. "I want answers!"

The bartender paused long enough to look past her shoulder at the young man dragging a sack in each arm across the floor. "Steve! Ye can take those two bags to the storeroom."

The young man gave a sagging nod and plodded off, struggling with his load. Detterby folded his arms and looked back at Bethal. "That's hardly the three hundred pounds ye promised me."

"And you won't get your three hundred pounds until you tell me exactly what I need to know!" The old woman seethed.

Aelia quirked an eyebrow and leaned closer in her chair. "Now this is interesting." She whispered.

Llewelyn nodded but made no comment as he continued to watch the scene unfold before them.

"Woman, I have no idea what ye're going on about. What's got yer skirts in a bunch?"

"My daughter, you miserable dog! She wasn't home when I came back and she's been gone all night! I want to know where she is, and I want to know RIGHT NOW!" She slammed her fist against the counter.

Detterby placed his pudgy palms on the counter and leaned towards her. "What makes ye think I know where yer daughter is? I haven't seen her since she left the night before!"

"You're lying! You've done something! I know you have!"

"Ye're a paranoid bat!" Detterby glared. "What ye need to do is ask one of those damn soldiers walkin around town and stop accusing me of things I know nothing about!"

Bethal slammed her fist against the table once more. "IT'S MY DAUGHTER, YOU BASTARD! You help me find her right now, or so help me, you will not have another pound of my potatoes or anything else! I'll never sell to you again!"

"Calm down!" Detterby glared. "I don't give a flying damn about yer wants! Ye're a selfish, miserable old woman and I will not be cowed into yer weak threats. -'But' -" The big man folded his arms in speculation. "Yer daughter's dear to me too. And for 'her', I'm willing to look into this. Heather hasn't shown up for work either this morning and she's an hour late. Usually, she's right on time."

"Shown up?" Bethal folded her arms. "I was under the impression that little harlot lived with you?"

"Lived with me? Detterby folded his arms. "Now what kind of rumor are ye spreadin around, woman? I'll have ye know, I am a respectable man! And I don't treat my girls that way!"

"Just find my daughter!" Bethal shook her head. "I don't care about anything else!"

Detterby clenched his fists. "Don't think ye can order me around. Now get out of my Inn! If I find something out, I'll let ye know. And ye damn well better have the rest of my potatoes when ye do!" He dug into a pouch at his waist and the jingle of coins resounded before he tossed several onto the counter. "This covers the first two shipments. Ye get the rest when ye bring the rest."

Bethal glared and snatched up her coin then turned sharply on her heels and stormed towards the door. Llewelyn and Aelia dipped their heads low when she walked past but the woman stopped and turned sharply once more, glaring at the bartender. "If I find out, you've had anything to do with my daughter's disappearance, you will not hear the end of it! Do you hear me, Detterby!?!"

The bartender waved his hand. "Goodbye Bethal. 'Do' let the door hit ye on yer way out - might knock some sense into that head o' yers."

The old woman snarled and spun around again, shoving the doors open before marching out in a huff.

Llewelyn flinched and drooped his head towards Aelia.

"Now 'that' is one scary woman."

XXXX

Celia raced as fast as she could through the crowded streets of the market. The afternoon rolled in with angry black clouds and a sharp wind that blew, tugging at her cloak. The hem of her skirt tangled between her legs and for the fifth time that morning she cursed Lemia's taste in clothing and her own bad luck. It was a nice dress. But no longer, as she ran through a score of sodden puddles, kicking up mud and filth against the cream colored fabric.

Celia grabbed at the hems of her skirt, raising it above her ankles. She kicked her legs out and ran faster down the street. Her eyes jumped left and right, searching. Several villagers jumped aside and were startled by her uncommon behavior. She knew she was drawing attention to herself. But she didn't have time to be subtle. No, if everything she heard was true, none of them had any time left. The burlap sack smacked against her back and she ground her teeth, struggling against the uneven weight. She knew she was going to be sore but that was something she'd have to worry about later.

She saw a flash of crimson, several feet ahead of her as two Villnore soldiers walked around a corner. She quickly stopped and dove to the left, cutting between two narrow booths. She bashed her shoulder into a crate leaning too far to the left and the entire box crashed against the floor, spilling a flood of aged apples. Celia winced and grabbed her injured arm.

"Hey!" The merchant stood up, waving his fist.

"Sorry!" Celia called back but kept running. Her shoulder burned when she moved it. The skin was probably torn. She grit her teeth and the short lane came to a halt against a dirty hill. Celia bucked right and ran behind the train of booths, leaping over boxes in her way and tearing through sheets and cloths that hung before her. A collection of merchants swore and cursed her way. Celia prayed the soldiers wouldn't notice. She tore through the last booth and ran out towards the clearing where the Kingfisher Inn stood behind a crowd of villagers and travelers.

She swung her head left and right but she could find no trace of the crimson guards. Instead, the streets bubbled with the ambient flow of bodies strolling back and forth and more than a few angry glares were directed her way. Celia breathed in gulps and her head sank as her palms collapsed against her knees.

"Not exactly subtle." A hand fell over her shoulder. Celia immediately shot up and whirled around. She swung her arm but it fell short against a firm block and she winced as she stared back into Lawfer's hooded blue eyes.

"Has something happened?" The young man's eyes narrowed. And across from them, several paces away, another cloaked man walked idly, with a particular interest in the Inn's outer wall. But Celia knew that familiar spike of blue hair. She released a tense breath and grabbed Lawfer's wrist.

"We need to talk." She hissed. "Now!"

Lawfer nodded and released his arm. He glanced over at Kashell then turned and walked towards the Kingfisher. Celia followed. Very idly, Kashell stared up at the sky and opened his coin purse to count his change. Finally, after several moments, he casually strolled in towards the double doors.

The wind swept in his wake and in the not so far distance, a train of animated Villnore soldiers violently shoved their way through the markets, upturning covered boxes and tearing back the cowls of wandering travelers. Their swords were naked in their tight grips as they doggedly searched and scoured the market, slowly making their way towards the famous tavern that sat at the end.

XXXX

The tavern was unusually busy. Normally the days would stretch on and the staff would use that time to prepare their supplies and restock their beverages. Waitresses and waiters would play cards or gossip and everything would be ready for the evening crowd that kept everyone busy till the late hours of the night. But today, the swinging doors kept swinging and travelers and villagers came in droves. Many ordered ale and even more ordered food. Many requested rooms and the staff were forced to turn others away when all their vacancies filled up. Now, waitresses and waiters ran back and forth, struggling to keep up with the demand and supplies were running dangerously low.

It was under this heated atmosphere that three heavily cloaked figures slipped in amidst the throng of ever flowing patrons. Heather pushed her cowl back enough to scan the room. Familiar faces passed left and right and she recognized many of the waitresses. There was something euphoric about brushing against someone who knew her for so long and yet had no recognition of her now. Heather hid her smile and tucked her head low.

"We should head to the bar first." Platina whispered, walking closer to Heather. "I'm sure Mr. Detterby will help us!"

"No." Heather shook her head and turned slightly towards her friend. "If we walk straight to the bar, we'll draw too much attention. And you know how loud Detterby can get."

"She's right." Lucian scanned the room then motioned towards the left. "Over there. Just under the stairwell, there's a table that's empty."

He didn't ask. He quickly walked towards the identified table and both women frowned after him.

"Was he always this bossy?"

"No." Platina shook her head. "There's a lot that's changed about him in seven years…"

Heather shrugged then followed after the young man. Platina spared another glance towards the bar. Suddenly another customer barreled past her. Platina gasped as she tumbled back. A hand jumped out and caught her wrist, pulling her back to her feet.

"Sorry about that." A man's voice came from beneath a flowing cloak. The man pulled back his hood enough to reveal blond locks and a friendly smile. "Are you injured?"

Platina clasped her cowl under her chin and shook her head timidly. "No, but thank you. I'm fine."

The man nodded and gave her shoulder a gentle pat before moving past her at a brisk step. Platina blinked for a moment then looked around and quickly hurried towards the table beneath the stairs.

Lucian was already seated with his head lowered and Heather was drumming two fingers against the wooden surface with her cheek propped against her palm.

Platina blushed, pulling back her chair and taking a seat.

"Are you done falling all over yourself?" Heather dolled.

"I'm sorry. They moved so fast."

"Try not to be so clumsy. We're trying not to draw attention to ourselves, remember?"

Platina shook her head. "But why can't we just go to Mr. Detterby? What's the harm in telling him?"

Heather bristled. "The harm isn't him. The harm is everyone around him. Think about it! As soon as we show up, you know he's going to throw a fit about us being late!"

Platina squirmed. "Maybe. But then what do we do?"

"Oh this is ridiculous!" Lucian seethed. "I'll do a quick sweep of the room. That way, maybe I can-"

"No!" Heather fastened a tight grip over his wrist and gave him a sharp glare. "You do something stupid like that and it's not just your rump on the roast but ours too! No, -you- will stay here. I'll go to the back and get one of the others to help us out."

Lucian worked his mouth but before he could get a word out, Heather stuffed a finger to her lips. She promptly rose from her chair and walked under the shadow of the stairwell, towards the back of the Inn.

Lucian frowned and turned his face towards Platina, thumbing a finger over his shoulder. "Is she always this bossy?"

Platina hid her smirk behind a light cough and gave him an innocent shrug.

XXXX

Just two tables down, another group of travelers quickly huddled over another table towards the back of the bar.

"What gives?" Aelia huffed with a scowl. "I didn't even get a chance to finish my second drink!"

"There's no time for that!" Celia glared, eyeing the redhead. Her eyes shifted towards Llewelyn, Kashell and finally Lawfer.

"This had better be good." The blond frowned. "You've caused quite a stir already and you plowed right through that unfortunate girl near the entrance. Now tell us what's going on?"

Celia stooped down in her chair and lowered her satchel of provisions before bending her head low. "Villnore." She hissed. "They're combing the markets."

"Are you sure about that?" Llewelyn raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Aelia and I were just out there a while ago and the streets were dead. There wasn't a soldier in sight."

"He's right." The redhead nodded. "We were waiting until you all got back to let you know about it."

"Well they're definitely out in full force now." Celia frowned. "The villagers were all gossiping about how a pair of travelers were harassed in the residential sector. Apparently there's a village-wide search going on."

"Search?" Kashell rubbed his neck nervously. "You think they're onto us?"

"No." Celia looked at each of them. "Listen, apparently there was some kind of outbreak over by the village consulate last night."

"The consulate? But isn't that where they keep their slaves?" Llewelyn shook his head in wonder. "Why would they be up in arms for something like that?"

"They could always round up more slaves whenever they want." Aelia shrugged in agreement. "I don't see why that should get them all bent out of shape."

But Lawfer drew his hands together pensively. "I'm afraid it's a bit more complicated than that. From the information I've gathered thus far, the consulate has been serving as Villnore's base of operations. I doubt the commotion is simply over a few escapees. No, there's more to this picture than meets the eye."

"Either way, it's bad for us." Kashell looped a finger over his lock of blue hair. "If they're checking travelers, there's only a matter of time before they get to us, unless we make a break for it before then."

"Man's got a point." Aelia nodded. "We're running out of time Silver."

Lawfer sighed and tipped his head. "Agreed. We can't afford to risk staying any longer. We'll have to find Badrach and Grey."

"Hopefully they got us some horses by now." The redhead grunted

"I'm more concerned with their cover." Lawfer narrowed his eyes. "We need to move now!"

Llewelyn rose from the table. "Lemia's still upstairs. I'll go get her."

The blond nodded. "The rest of us will head towards the front porch of the Inn and keep a low profile. As soon as we get Badrach and Grey, we'll make out escape, with or without the horses!"

XXXX

Steve was having a bad day. He had such high hopes this morning. But after learning Platina was missing, he couldn't get rid of the overwhelming concern that clouded his thoughts. And while he'd hoped to do some searching on his own after stocking the potatoes, for some reason, business picked up to the point that he could barely get time to breath let alone take a few minutes to search around town.

The young man sighed heavily as he moved down the isle to hand off another order. Suddenly, a hand grasped him from the shadow of the stairs and yanked him back. The young man would have screamed. But another hand quickly slithered over his mouth, blocking all sound. His heart raced against his chest and his eyes bobbed wildly, trying to understand what was going on.

"Shh!"

The voice was hot against his ear and rang with a familiar pitch. He tried to crane his neck around to see who it was.

"Steve! It's me! Stay quiet!"

She finally released her hand from over his mouth and Steve turned with a dark glare on his face. "Heather!?!" He hissed in a low voice. "You scared the living crap out of me! What in the world are you doing hiding under the stairs? Detterby's looking all over for you! We've all been worried sick! Is- is Platina with you too?" The young man looked around anxiously and Heather rolled her eyes then gripped his arm tightly.

"Shut up for a moment and let me speak, will you?"

He swallowed but kept his mouth closed behind her glare.

"Platina's with me. But I told her to hang back."

"Why di-"

"Shh!" Heather pushed her finger to her lips. "We need you to come to table 13. That's where we are. Act casual. Trust me. We'll explain everything there. But you can't say anything to anyone else. Understand?"

Steve minced his lips but bobbed his head. "Is she alright, at least?"

Heather smirked and nodded. "She's fine. Remember. Act casual and don't-"

The bells jingled once more and the rising sounds of voices stopped suddenly. Heather blinked and turned her face towards the doors. Her eyes widened immediately and her heart nearly jumped out of her chest.

Standing behind the cloudy sky with the doors pushed wide, four Villnore soldiers promptly entered the tavern under a veil of hushed voices, wide eyes and startled bodies. The man in the lead pushed his palm over the pommel of his sword. "Everyone remain calm!" His voice rose over the wide expanse of the room. "By order of 1st Captain Saunders, we are conducting a preliminary check. This will only take a few moments. All patrons must produce papers of identification and we must clearly see your faces."

A collection of murmurs rang through the room and the guard stomped his foot heavily against the floor. "This is NOT up for debate. You will all comply! Otherwise you will be considered resisting the law and will be dealt with accordingly."

Heather sucked in her breath. Steve squirmed closer in the dark and whispered. "What is going on?"

"Shh! Don't say another word." A pensive frown fell over Heather's face. Now what would they do?

Several tables away, Platina's eyes widened beneath her hood and she clasped her hands together. She looked at Lucian anxiously and the young man frowned, quietly stooping low against his chair while his hand sank carefully into the opened bag at his feet.

Two tables away, five other guests bristled under the new series of events.

"I knew we shouldn't have left our weapons behind!" Aelia hissed.

"Just stay calm." Lawfer glared under his breath behind clenched teeth. But his own hand gravitated towards his boot.

The air grew thick with tension and a woman shrieked out in alarm as one of the guards tore her cowl from her head first. The woman shook in fear as the guard struck his hand out. "Papers!" he ordered.

"But I don't have my papers on me!" The woman shivered. "They're at my home!"

The lead guard turned towards his subordinate. "Take her away and search her house. If she's lying, throw her in the slave pens."

The crowd of people muttered a collection of heated whispers and fear clogged the room like a thick vapor. One by one more patrons were checked and many were dragged away behind a ring of screeching and struggling. The guards steadily marched closer towards Platina's table and she blanched. Lucian continued to fish around in his bag.

"NOW THAT'S ENOUGH!"

Everyone turned as Detterby's voice rang out across the room. The old bartender tore off his apron and marched towards the guards with his pudgy hands propped against his hips. "I've had just about enough o' ye thugs! Now ye listen here! These are MY customers! Ye ain't got no right cartin 'em off! These here are good, upright folks!"

The guard stood his ground against the bartender. "Sir, I am going to have to ask you to stand down! Let us finish our job and we'll let you return to yours!"

"That ain't how it works, laddy! This here's my Inn! Not yers! An I'm sick and tired o' ye thugs ruinin my business!"

Several tables away, Lucian clasped his fingers around the hilt of his hidden blade. And more tables down, Lawfer's fingers sank into the dark lining of his boot. The bartender and the guard continued to fuss and tension filled the air. Platina held her breath in suspense. A bead of sweat slithered down Lucian's brow. Lawfer's eyes narrowed with apprehension and the other rebels tensed for action. The seconds dragged.

Suddenly a loud crash rang across the room. Both the bartender and the guard paused, turning their faces. Lucian blinked from his table and looked up. Lawfer scowled and swiveled his head around.

Before the throng of gawking eyes, Steve's limp body crumbled to the floor and Heather stood over him with the top of a shattered glass. "NOBODY'S CHECKING MY PAPERS!" She yelled at the top of her lungs. She quickly picked up a chair and threw it at the guard.

The guard ducked and suddenly the room exploded in a parade of shouting voices and rising bodies. People threw mugs, others threw punches. Before long, more chairs were flung through the air. The guards pulled their swords free and the lead man raised his voice. "Stop! I am ordering you all to cease and desist!"

But a second chair crashed into his back and the guard immediately fell over. Bodies scrambled everywhere. Another guard ran up to help but a villager barreled into him and four more piled over the man, prying his sword from his hands.

Over the tide, Detterby's voice rang out like a strangled wail. "Heather?!? What in the hells are ye doing girl? Where?- Heather!!!"

But Heather was already moving. She leapt over an upturned chair and jumped onto a table before leaping over towards her friends. Platina was ducking her head as bodies tumbled and fell all around her. Lucian held a protective arm over her and looked up at the redhead with a smirk. "Nice job."

Heather swung her arm. "So much for finding your friends. Let's get out of here!"

Lucian nodded and rose from his chair, grasping the bag with one hand and pulling Platina in tow with the other. The young woman's hood fell back and her violet hair spilled out.

"Platina!?"

The stray voice rang out with surprise and Platina turned around to see Detterby waving his arms in her direction. The man's face was a parade of emotions as he struggled to move towards her but the tide of bodies pushed him in the opposite direction.

"Platina!" The man called out again. But then a fist flew, cracking the old man against the face. He stumbled back before his meaty fist swung forth in a return strike. More bodies dove in on him and it was all the heavy man could do to defend himself.

Platina winced with regret but Lucian pulled her arm once again. "Come on!"

Platina nodded and pulled her hood back up. She quickly followed her two friends as they made their way towards the door. Just then, another party of travelers crashed into them. Lucian glared and balled his fist, ready to strike. He didn't have time for drunken brawlers. But then the man on the opposite side took a step back. "Lucian???"

Lucian blinked and immediately threw his hood back. "Lawfer!!! You're alive!"

The blond pulled his own hood back and nodded with a thin smile. "I could say the same for you! Hurry, we don't have time!"

Lucian nodded and pulled Platina's arm, dragging her with him.

"Lucian? Who was-"

"Later!"

Heather quickly followed after her friends. She paused and glanced at Lawfer. The blond looked back at her and gave a curt nod. Heather smirked and shook her head before quickly rushing through the swinging doors. Lawfer followed and soon the rest of the companions spilled out through the swinging doors, rushing behind a sea of shouting, brawling, angry customers and soldiers.

Platina stumbled down the road and turned right at the sound of clapping, armored feet.

"More soldiers!" Lucian hissed.

"Quickly! To the side of the building!" Lawfer rushed around the corner and the others quickly followed him.

"Great! We're about as bare as a baby's ass without our gear!" Aelia ground her teeth.

Just then a loud crash rang from behind. All eyes swung around to see a large bag sagging against the barren earth. Lawfer looked up and grinned. "Lemia!"

Above the ground, the second floor window billowed as its curtains fluttered in the wind and an emerald haired woman stuck her head out. The woman quickly pushed out of the window and leapt. Platina's eyes jumped wide but before she could shout, an ethereal glow surrounded the woman, slowing her descent and instead of a gruesome fall to her death, she slowly leveled through the air and landed with a delicate tap of her feet.

Platina blinked. "How did she???"

"Questions later!" Celia ran towards the bag.

Lemia walked over to Lawfer and smiled. "I heard the commotion downstairs and figured you'd be needing these."

The blond smiled back. "You're a life saver! Okay everyone, mount up!" His head swung both ways.

"Where are Badrach and Grey?" Lemia asked with growing concern.

"We'll have to catch up to them!" Kashell hissed, digging through the bag and pulling his own blue armor out. The others quickly pressed into their coats of steel and Platina gasped in alarm as Aelia tore off her skirt before pressing her green armor over her shapely hips and torso.

"No time for subtlety I guess." Heather blinked and turned her head around the corner of the Inn. "The guards are heading inside. Whatever we're going to do, we'd better hurry!"

"Almost ready!" Lawfer snapped on his thigh plates then quickly strapped down the flaps of his chest plating.

Lucian was now pulling his own crimson armor over the dark clothing with his cloak discarded against the blowing wind. "I might be able to buy us some time!" He quickly strapped the leather belt around his waist and the sword dangled at his hip.

"Too late!" Celia pointed to the left and a train of Villnore soldiers rushed towards them, kicking a trail of dust in their wake. "They've seen us!"

"Damn it!" Lawfer snapped the final coil of armor against his forearm then yanked his silver spear out of the large bag. The clouds darkened against the grey sky and somewhere in the distance thunder struck. "We have no choice. We'll have to fight our way out!"

Kashell walked up next to him and gripped his broadsword in both hands. "I'm with you, man!"

Aelia smirked and twirled her own spear while Llewelyn stood beside her.

"We're all with you!" Celia nodded, fingering her own hilt.

Platina's eyes grew wide. This was too much! Who were these people? She brought her hands to her chin in fright and felt a hand fall on her shoulder. Lucian stood next to her with a reassuring smile.

"Just stay back. We'll protect you. Move when we move. Okay?"

The young woman nodded fearfully and Lucian walked up to join the others, sliding his sleek blade slowly from its sheath.

The opposing soldiers quickened their advance. Suddenly, more shadows bloomed behind them. These came at a faster pace and Lawfer winced when he discovered why.

"They're on horseback!" He swung his head left and right. "Brace yourselves. This is going to be difficult."

But then the train of soldiers started to buckle. They faltered, turned and raised their swords while their voices rang through the field. More dust kicked up and the clatter of bashing blades resonated in the distance. Four horses suddenly tore through the cloud of dust followed by two more with mounted riders!

"Grey! Badrach!" Celia laughed with relief.

Lawfer grinned. "Catch those horses!" He struck out an armored hand, grasping the mane of the nearest one before throwing himself onto its flank. He turned his mount around and towards the others.

Lucian was already pulling himself over his own horse and reaching out for Platina's hand. The young woman grasped his and he quickly lifted her up behind him.

Lemia mounted behind Grey and Llewelyn hopped up behind Badrach. Aelia pulled her own horse in tow, hopping over it and stooped low to retrieve their bag of remaining supplies. Celia mounted the final horse and held her hand out to Heather. The redhead was up in no time.

Lawfer nodded towards them all and pulled his reigns towards the fumbling soldiers. Some of the men were rising up from their confusion. Another quickly charged at them, raising his sword. Lawfer was closest to the man and he struggled to ready his spear.

Suddenly an arrow tore through the air, slamming into the man's head with suck force, his body jumped back into a hard tumble before his lifeless corpse lay limp against the earth. Llewelyn strung another bow from behind Badrach and the vagrant smirked. "Nice shot, kid!"

Lawfer turned his head back towards the south. "RIDE!" He shouted then urged his horse in a dead gallop. The fumbling Villnore soldiers reached for their blades but they were too late. Lawfer tore through first, striking out with his spear as he gouged one of the soldiers just below the chin. The man's head tore and snapped at an odd angle and Lawfer had to yank to release his spear. The others cut through the struggling throng of redcoats and within moments they blazed through the line of Villnore defenders, racing a trail towards the back of the village. A cloud of dust rose up behind them.

Platina glanced back towards the Inn and shivered. She looked ahead and Lucian galloped, keeping in pace with their leader. They raced through the town as villagers and travelers alike jumped and ran out of the way. They soon tore through the mangled fields of aged gardens and dying crops. Their horses plowed through the fields now and the village gates loomed into view. A dark blotch appeared in the sky and Platina frowned. It looked like a bird but no, it was too narrow and there were no wings. Suddenly the blotch grew bigger and faster and Lucian immediately yanked his horse to the left. Platina swerved left just as a speeding shaft swept past her flowing hair. She gasped and her heart raced. Her eyes widened in fear and shock.

"ARCHERS!" Lucian yelled over the wind.

Lawfer edged on his mount as more arrows spilled forth from the sky. "Lemia!" The blond called out.

From behind Gray, Lemia was already closing her eyes. A flood of memories rushed through her mind: Her studies of the roots of Yggdrasil; the traditions and honor of a family long ago and a legacy all but forgotten. The memories swirled, coalescing in the pit of her stomach and somewhere deep inside, a familiar glow filled her with a new awareness. She could feel it, tasting its ethereal essence, making her heady. It was a sublime sensation, one she secretly craved yet feared all at once. The power of Yggdrasil; magic that could only be harnessed by a select few!

She snapped her eyes open and once again, her body blazed with a pale yellow light. She thrust her arm forward and the light expanded to warp around the six horses. More blazing arrows swooped through the air only to fade against the surrounding orb. Lemia drooped slightly on her mount and Grey reached behind. Lemia's other hand immediately clasped his. The orb held.

The six horses continued to race across the fields as more arrows flew and fizzled against the shimmering barrier. The wall grew higher upon their approach and Lemia bunched her hand into a tight fist. The surrounding orb immediately folded in, growing smaller. It suddenly condensed into her balled fist before exploding forward from her hand like a cannon. The blazing ball of compressed light sped across the field ahead of them like a raging demon before bursting against the wall. The tall planks exploded and shattered as a plume of fire rose up. Shards of wood and stone shot out in all directions and at least one body fell through the air, crashing into the ground below.

Lawfer leaned in and urged his mount faster. The other five horses raced after him and as one, they all blazed into the horizons, rushing through the naked fields of the lands beyond Coriander, leaving a world of chaos and ruin in their wake.

:::::To Be Continued:::::

Author's Note: Thank you for reading. Please review and please stay tuned for Chapter 6: Decisions.

Writing Gamer 1/04/09