Chapter 7: Escape

Yurick kicked open the delicate French doors at the back of the drawing room, leading into the library in back. Knowing that he had very little time before Smith's men caught up to him, he searched for an exit in the room. He walked in between bookshelves, searching for a little side door perhaps. Behind him, he heard the quiet scraping of metal on wood, not unlike a sword drawing out of a sheath. Wait, thought Yurick. He spun around, only to find Orrin's sword pointed at his throat.

"You'll not leave here alive scum," Orrin hissed. "Where's Lilli?" Yurick felt the cold steel poke his neck. "Answer me!"

"I don't know," Yurick spluttered. "She was in the drawing room and then she went-"

"Liar!" Orrin yelled. "You killed her didn't you?"

Yurick clenched his fists, struggling to retain his composure. "No, I didn't. I-"

"Yes you did, I saw you with the knife-"

"Shut up!" yelled Yurick, finally losing patience. "If you'll let me talk for two seconds, I'll explain!" Orrin said nothing, but did not lower his weapon. "I didn't kill her," repeated Yurick, a dark fury permeating his tone. "Why would I?"

"You're a bandit now, a filthy mercenary," spat Orrin bitterly. "It's what you do."

An uncontrollable fury surged through Yurick. "Contrary to what you seem to believe," he said in a rising tone, "I don't just kill because I can. You're a fool, if you think I've sunk to the level of a common bandit, that I'd steal the life of one who I lov-." Yurick halted abruptly. "Look," he said, forcing calm into his voice. "I don't know where she is, but I do know that Smith, the leader of the men is searching for both you and me. Come with me, and we'll go find Lilli?" Yurick extended his hand.

Orrin hesitated, and then spoke. "It seems there is still a trace of the little boy I met all those years ago." He nodded, and then sheathed his sword. "Let's go."

The two men shoved their way through the small side door that led into the garden. There, with much convincing on Yurick's part, they scaled the fences and set off at a jog towards the forest behind. Before they could go more than a few paces however, a loud voice rang out behind them.

"Stop right there!" yelled a deep, commanding voice. There was a smashing sound, and then a portion of the garden fences fell to the ground. In the midst of the rubble stood Grido and Kansu, Smith's men. Grido was holding a drawn bow, with its arrow pointed straight at Orrin.

"You'll not escape," sneered Kansu. "The boss'll have a word or two with you for this, kid."

"We've already spoken," said Yurick mildly, trying to keep his voice calm.

"Oh yes, that. We've orders about that: you're not to leave here until the boss gets his hands on you, dead or alive." Kansu leered at them. "Will you come with us, kid?"

"No" said Yurick in a low, angry voice. "I'd rather die than go back to Smith!"

"Right then…" Kansu turned to Grido. "Shoot his friend"

It was as if the world was going in slow motion. Yurick watched as Grido released the fletching of the arrow, as it sped its way towards Orrin's chest. Suddenly, an onslaught of memories plagued Yurick.

It had been three days since the attack on the village. Yurick and his mother had been driven out of the village two days ago, and were trekking their way through the barren hills in the north. Yurick, in the lead, climbed to the top of a hill. Pausing for breath, he turned towards his mother. She had her cloak wrapped tightly around her as she struggled to reach him.

"Only a bit further, mum" Yurick called out encouragingly. In truth, he had no idea how much further. The village had been their home, and now they had nowhere to go.

"Yurick…" she was almost whispering. "I can't…" Yurick watched in horror as his mother collapsed.

"No! Mum!" he ran down to her. She'll be okay, he thought desperately. She has to be.

"Yurick, I love you dearly…" she shuddered in his arms.

"No, mum, you're going to be okay… stay with me!" Yurick's fingers fluttered near her neck, searching for the thumping of life in her body. Her pale fingers reached out for his hand.

"Yurick, listen to me" she stared at him with her clear blue eyes. "Never forget how much I love you… my child"

"…I love you mum," Yurick choked out, tears obscuring his vision. Then, she went limp as life left her body. Yurick stared into her lifeless eyes, thinking of all the things that would never be.

He sat there for hours on the windy hill. It had begun to rain some time ago, but Yurick didn't care. All he could feel was the steady thumping of life in his veins, and his mother's stone cold face. It was as if time has ceased to pass. His eyes drooped as his body fell to its weariness. Good, thought Yurick. Maybe I'll never wake again.

When Yurick awoke again, he was lying on the ground, next to his mother. In death, she looked peaceful, and happy. Only now did he realize what a hard life they had lived, and everything she had done for him. Yet he felt nothing, only a cold emptiness. He crouched next to her, holding a solitary wildflower he had found.

"Mum," he whispered "I promise you that I won't forget…I'll never forget you…"

Yurick blinked as he was thrust back into reality. He saw the shaft of the arrow flying towards Orrin, and made a decision. His pale arms shoved Orrin as he threw himself in front. Yurick felt a burning pain as the arrow struck his chest. He cried out, and then slid into unconsciousness.

Orrin struggled off the ground as he tried to make sense of what had just happened. He saw the boy lying limp on the ground next to him, a long black arrow embedded in his chest. He took a look behind them, and then saw the man with the bow nock another arrow. No time, he thought. In one motion, he lifted Yurick and began to walk towards the forest, well aware of red blotch spreading on Yurick's shirt. Orrin ducked as another arrow whizzed by, then broke into a run.

A few minutes later, he set Yurick down, in the concealment of the trees. He would have liked more cover, but Yurick's breathing had become ragged and irregular. Something had to be done, or the man would die. He knelt down to inspect the wound. The arrow had hit a rib, which meant that Orrin could not push the arrow through. Preparing himself, Orrin grasped the shaft of the arrow, intending to pull it out.

"I would not do that", came a cool female voice behind him. Orrin turned, and relief flooded his features.

"Lillibeth, are you all right?" Orrin smiled. "I was worri-"

"I'm fine," she answered curtly. "Anyway, I would not pull that out." Orrin looked at her questioningly. "It's got barbs, and if you don't cut it out, he'll bleed to death."

"Can't you stop the bleeding if I pull it out?" asked Orrin, trying to hide his irritation. "I don't have a knife with me." Lilli sighed.

"I could…" she said reluctantly. Orrin smiled brightly.

"Ready then? One…two…three…" He yanked on the shaft, drawing it out. Immediately, blood pooled in the empty space. Lilli knelt down swiftly, and placed her hand over the wound. Without touching it, she closed her eyes and reached for her power.

"It is done," Lilli said a few moments later. "Now, what has happened to you?" Orrin brushed his hand over her hair.

"It would be better for him to tell you, Yurick would explain it better than I." Lilli blanched.

"I don't want to hear anything that filth has to say!" she exclaimed. "He-"

She broke off as Yurick stirred. Grimacing in pain, he opened his eyes. Yurick looked up at Lilli's face in pleasure. She was all right, he thought.

"We need to stop meeting like this," Yurick said with a half-smile. He quickly stopped, for Lilli looked as though she might hit him. Lilli addressed Orrin.

"You promised me answers," she said curtly, turning her back on Yurick.

"That I did. However, I think they may make more sense coming from Yurick." Orrin turned to him.

"What is it you want to know?" asked Yurick, struggling to sit up. Lilli glared at him until he stopped moving.

"I won't listen to what he has to say," Lilli's bright green eyes were mere slits. "He's a liar; a piece of scum." She turned to Orrin. "Whatever needs to be said, I'm sure you can tell me. Orrin sighed, exasperated.

"I can't provide you with all the answers you seek, Lilibeth. You're going to have to ask him."

"Fine." Lilli turned her gaze upon Yurick. "What the hell were you doing with them?" spat Lilli

"Lilli, calm-"

"No!" she cried. "It's been seven years to the day since I last saw you, Yurick. I trusted you, and now I find you working with bandits!"

"Mercenaries, actually" Yurick commented.

"He even talks like them," she muttered. "You told me once that I deserved to be happy. And I have been. Orrin has always been very kind to me. Yet you weren't there." She paused. "Why did you leave me?" whispered Lilli.

You weren't there. Her words cut him to the core. She was right, he had abandoned her.

"You're right Lilli. I left." Yurick stared into her eyes. "I told myself that I was doing the right thing, that you deserved better. In reality, I think…" He hesitated, and then forced the words out. "I was scared. I wasn't ready to have people that I cared about in my life…" he trailed off. "I do not think you can forgive me, but I hope you can understand. Lilli?"

She stared at the ground, trying to digest the information. "How were you hurt?" she asked finally.

"That, I think I can explain." Orrin rested his hand on Lilli's shoulder. "As Yurick and I were leaving the house, two of the men stopped us."

"And they shot him," Lilli finished.

"…yes." Orrin took a breath. "Before they did however, they tried to shoot me." Lilli's eyes widened in horror. "Yurick pushed me out of the way," Orrin continued. "He saved me."

Lilli turned to Yurick. "Why?" she asked. "Why throw yourself in front?"

Yurick stared at the ground. "I still remember the day my mum died. I was only ten years old, but even back then I would have done anything to save her. There was nothing I could do. I let her die." He took a shaky breath. "You and I have both lost our parents, Lilli. But Orrin is your family now. I couldn't let you lose him, too."

Lilli knelt down to him. "Yurick, I…"she wavered. "I'm sorry." Yurick stared up at her incredulously.

"You're sorry? What for?" He pushed himself up. "You've only acted as anyone would've." She gave him a timid smile, which he returned.

"Where do we go from here, Yurick?"

Bit of a longer chapter this time, but I hope you enjoyed it! I'm so sorry for not getting it up sooner, but I've just been so busy and then my friend wouldn't get back to me… If you liked it, please review/follow! It may help to quicken the next chapter!