Chapter III

The Blood runs dry.

Slowly as if by magic the sun began to rise. Dawn spreading over the horizon casting a blood red shadow behind it. The mid morning bell breaks the silence of the day. Welcoming the world of sleep to the world of life. A slow bustle starts as the villagers wake. From the city walls nothing stirs. The girl that usually stands there is gone.

The guard notes, the women more like for she had been a pretty sight. Something to watch as the world passed by. Something was wrong with her, something that caused her to plot and poke at the world. But for now he was alone. His eyes flicking up into the sun rise as a yawn escapes his lips. Where ever she is now, she is happy probably… probably in bed.

He was wrong, Rya was not in-fact in bed. Not that bed could save her now. No in the short time since that faithless night she had made a couple decisions. She was going to leave, with or without Alan and she was going to forget her life as a lady. Perhaps she would join a wolf pack, and live her life killing deer. No she mused there was more for her out there. Things that she had not yet discovered. She had brought a fair amount of money up here with her. All her savings in fact, why? She didn't know but it was enough to weigh down her pockets. No she would not take it all, it had a better use. Bribery was a after all a thing for liars and thieves like her.

Her master plan needed work though, a lot of it. First step was bribing or threatening Alan to come with her. That is if he didn't come in the first place. The next thing was to find a way out of her. Her gold would come to some use with the guards. But once she escaped this mad house she would have to make sure she never returned. Gardious would never allow her to just suddenly disappear.

No she needed a way to get rid of him for good. She wouldn't kill him, no she wasn't that cold blooded. But a broken leg or two for him wasn't such a bad idea. The guards wouldn't be able to go after her and would just end up going back. But it needed work. The real question was how to inflict the damage that she needed to. She had no idea, but being who she was she didn't think it over to much. A fatal plan she knew. But she was just to lazy and stubborn to work it all out. She would figure it out, work with her instincts when the time came.

--

Days had gone by since she had last seen Gardious. He was nothing to her. An empty coffin that held no meaning and would never capture her body. She was immortal to him, and death would never grip her. She had figured out her plan, or at least the half ass part was complete. Like she had said before the rest was all instincts. There was just one glitch to her plan.

She had not told Alan of what she planned to do. And every time she saw the man something reminded her of it. He would come with her would he not? They had been the best of friends from day one. Then what was so hard? What caused her hands to shake at the thought of it? They had made vows not to part. Not for reasons like this anyways. No this man and this wretched island was not going to part her from her friend. They had journeyed everywhere together. No she would have to tell him eventually, she was not going to leave without him.

A week past, the maid that once had come to her door everyday had abandoned her job. Rya lived of books now, the dust covers in the library greeting her every day. No there was no more joy here. No man to talk to that might capture her heart. Alan was busy with his duties during the day, and when she had offered to help she had been greeted with a no. She was a 'lady.' And no lady could ever work in the fields or stables. No she was to stay put and hope for the best. She had quit going to mid morning mass. Instead taking the time to go in the afternoon. She slept better now, perhaps it was the fact that she was drinking less wine. Perhaps not but sleep often welcomed her at night.

--

Afternoon mass welcomes the crowd with slow and heavy dongs from the heavy bronze bell. Nobles move into the church for only the rich have the money and time to praise the lord during the afternoon. A women and her servant follow suit, her hem raised as she moves slowly up the stairs with the crowd, the door open as they all step inside. Nobles and servant sitting suit. Equal as they stand and sing with god. Two different people, two different levels of power are equal in the hands of god. But god has graced them and as they kneel to pray they listen.

The priest speaks and only seconds later Rya's whispering voice follows suit. A slow whisper which only her servant and best of friends can hear. "I plan to escape." At these words Alan's head shoots up, his eye-brows stitched together as he examines the lady. "Are you insane, you could get killed." His voice is a deep and harsh whisper. A clear discouragement to her.

"I don't care, I'm leaving." Her voice is equally as harsh challenging him to stop her. He will come will he not? Oh how she prays so, but Alan has always been a strange one. If not then their vow might just have to be stretched. Hopefully not but she had no intensions of staying here. "When will you go?" His head returns to the bow a small frown is all she can see of his face. But she knows that his face will do anything but encourage her. But his question offers hope, unless he feels like telling on her. But that is unlikely, she has done nothing to upset him and so by doing so he would gain nothing.

"Tomorrow night." Her voice is still a dead whisper, so silent that even the people in front of her can't hear. Or so she thinks, but they have not yet raised their heads to curse at her. "Pack for two." Is his only reply.

--

The night is the only thing that covers them as they move at an awkward pace. Rya's clothing has changed, her hair is pulled back away from her face as she sports pants and a light jacket. The evening breeze is harsh for the summer. Its cold fingers draping into their clothing as they move. Night had fallen hours ago, and now the only thing besides them that is awake are the drunks and the occasional guard.