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Chapter 12: Breaking Free
Misaki spent her days in her new home. She did her duties but often found herself restless. She would pace the halls over and over. Usui had been very busy for the last few days and Misaki found herself missing him. Her mind would often wonder what he was doing but Misaki would quickly crush the thought. What Usui did had nothing to with her. The servants were distant and Misaki longed for her friends back home.
Misaki would often travel out to the towering wall and walk along it. Eventually she would reach a gate with guards posted on each side. She wasn't allowed out.
Misaki's mind turned with ideas. She was going to break free...even if it was only for the after noon. An idea sparked in her mind. Misaki smiled to herself and quickly returned to her bedchamber.
Misaki dismissed all her maids. The door closed leaving her all alone.
Misaki dashed over to a chest and threw it open. She tossed aside the stiff petticoats and found what she was looking for. A white tunic and sturdy pants lay folded at the bottom of the chest. Misaki discarded her gown into the chest and pulled on the men's clothing.
She darted around covering her tracks. The bed curtains were let down and fluffy pillows were stuck under the blankets to resemble a sleeping figure.
Misaki jammed a hat over her head and slipped on her boots. The room was put back to order and then Misaki opened the large glass window. She stuck her head out the window, staring at the ground.
The bedchamber was on an upper floor meaning if Misaki fell...she would be dead. Misaki licked her lips and cautiously put a leg over the window ledge. She reached out and grabbed a vine of ivy. Misaki gave the vine several hard tugs. The plant seemed sturdy.
Misaki slowly eased her other leg out the window and gripped the vine tightly. She used to other hand to gently close the window.
"Don't look down!" she yelled at herself. Misaki placed her other hand on the vine. She slowly slid off the window sill and onto the face of the wall.
Her heart was pounding and her sweat felt ice cold. Misaki could feel the wind blowing as if trying to knock her off.
"I fear nothing," she kept repeating to herself as she began descending on the large tangle of ivy. Misaki lowered herself inch by inch. One hand below the other while her feet desperately searched for footholds.
The ground got closer and closer and Misaki let out a breath of relief. It was almost over. When her feet touched solid ground, Misaki cheered triumphantly on the inside. No tower was ever going to keep her in.
Misaki kept her back pressed against the stone wall as she looked around. When there wasn't anyone in sight, she darted toward the walls in the garden. These walls were what was keeping her inside and Misaki was determined to break free. She could almost taste the fresh air of the outside world.
Misaki stretched out her muscles and placed her hands onto the wall. She pulled herself up. Her feet and hands grappled for the next step. Misaki sucked in a breath and climbed some more. This wall was much taller than the ones at home and much better constructed.
The smooth wall rarely had a good foothold causing Misaki to slide or fall off before even reaching halfway. Misaki laid on the grass staring at the blue skies. There was no way to climb the crackless wall.
"Fear not" Misaki said smugly. "I came prepared..."
She crawled behind several bushes and picked up a long coil of rope with a thick metal hook at the end of it. The rope was almost as long as the wall. Misaki tied the end of the rope around her waist and swung the hook around and around. She stepped back a few steps, swinging the rope harder and harder before letting it fly out. The hook scraped against the top ledge of the wall, holding fast.
Misaki gave an experimental tug before beginning to climb the wall. She used the rope to pull herself up and walked vertically along the wall.
The rope burned her hands and Misaki strained to keep her body upright.
A cheer of victory almost escaped her lips when she seated herself on top the the towering wall. From here Misaki could see miles and miles of land. She could see houses and nature all mapping out the landscape.
Misaki's break was short because she would be easily spotted when so high up. She turned and began lowering herself down the opposite side of the wall.
Misaki successfully dropped onto the soft grass. She quickly untied the rope around her waist. She tugged at the rope trying to free the hook. The hook flashed brightly in the sunlight. A large bird perched next to the shiny metal, curiously.
"Be gone!" Misaki hissed, trying to yank the hook down. This only made the metal shine harder. The bird walked over and pecked at the metal. The foolish thing then tried to perch upon it, sending the hook crashing to the ground...on the other side of the wall.
"No!" Misaki yelled in frustration as her only way back disappeared. "If I had my bow!" she told the bird who was flying away. "You'd be in a stew tonight!"
Misaki refused to let her freedom be spoiled by a silly bird. She promptly turned on her heel and headed down the dusty path. The towns here were unfamiliar. Misaki looked at all the peasants who were better dressed than the ones at home.
"Perhaps my people are now like this..." Misaki thought to herself as she weaved through the crowds. The land of Seika certainly became wealthier after her marriage.
Misaki found herself in a local tavern. She paid for a mug of ale and took a seat at a table near the corner. People here kept more to themselves. Misaki had a harder time eavesdropping.
She turned her attention to her mug. She had never tasted ale before and decided to give it a try. She carefully tilted the glass against her lips. The taste was sweet but balanced with a hint of bitterness. Misaki easily drained her large mug. She wondered why she never tried it before. The frothy drink satisfied her thirst and cooled her down.
Misaki, becoming quickly bored, left, in search of more amusing places. She enjoyed wandering the streets and chatting with the vendors.
The public square seemed to be having a gathering. Misaki eagerly followed to watch the excitement.
"We welcome all young men to join in the competition!" a man yelled. Five targets were set up. "The game is quite simple you see. Choose a bow and shoot. The men with the most accurate aim move on. Come all!"
Misaki pushed her way up to the front. She was not going to let a game of archery slip through her fingers.
"I'd like to join!" she told the man. The man eyed her.
"Pretty young" he remarked.
"Twas no year limit" Misaki reminded him. The man chuckled and tossed her a bow. She lined up next to all the other competitors. The men looked down at her and quietly scoffed. They were all easily twice Misaki's size though in archery size hardly mattered.
Each took their turn and Misaki waited patiently for hers. When she finally stood on the mark, she was ready. She calmly selected an arrow and held up her bow. Her eyes never left the target as she slowly pulled her arm back.
The arrow swished through the air and struck the center of the board. The spectators cheered.
"Lucky shot!" a man yelled.
Misaki smiled smugly as she reloaded her bow. She took aim and released. The arrow hit the center once again. The crowd cheered for her again. She was the supposed underdog after all. Her third arrow struck the center again, landing Misaki into the next round.
The next rounds was easy. Misaki had done these games with the noble boys from a young age. She easily hit the rolling apple as well as the flying pigeons.
In the last round there was only her and three other men. The host brought out a young girl. Her clothing was worn and her eyes were terrified. She was tied to a post.
"Those who can hit this bowl will become the victor! There is a prize of pride as well as a gold ring" the man said holding up the glinting ring. The man set the small bowl on the servant's head.
Misaki's jaw almost dropped open. How could they play with a person's life?
"Stop!" Misaki yelled, stepping forward. "I forbid this"
The crowd got quieter.
"Why is that so, young lad?" the man asked, rolling his eyes.
"This is a person's life!" Misaki exclaimed. "Has anyone asked the girl?" she demanded.
The men laughed. "Tis a slave!" they yelled. "Hardly a life"
Misaki stood her ground. She refused to let this atrocity happened. The slave girl whimpered, her eyes begging Misaki.
"Get out if you don't want to play" the man said. "Let the rest of us have our fun"
"No!" Misaki snapped. "I refuse to let anyone of you lay a hand upon her!"
People laughed. The man smirked and approached Misaki.
"Hey, farmer boy" he said pushing Misaki to the side. "You aren't in any position to be giving orders."
Misaki remembered that right now she wasn't a duchess but a lowly peasant. "You will kill her!" Misaki yelled.
"Don't trust in your skills or are you a coward?" a man jeered. Misaki turned, anger boiling within her.
"I would never bet anything against a human life"
"A slave!" the crowd yelled.
"Move aside boy" one man said shoving Misaki to the ground. "I'm winning that ring"
Misaki scrambled up and grabbed the man's arm. The man easily shoved her off. Misaki retrieved her dagger and pointed it at the man's neck.
"No one moves!" she ordered.
A man pointed an arrow at Misaki. "Step aside boy or else you'll be the dead one..."
The silent tension was broken by the sound of trumpets. Everyone scattered to the edges of the road and got on their knees.
Misaki cursed. Usui was back. She was suppose to return a long time ago but she forgot. She went to go kneel with the others when she got an idea. Misaki dashed over to the post and sliced the rope. The slave girl rushed into her arms, sobbing.
"Run!" Misaki exclaimed.
"What's going on?" a voice demanded. Misaki quickly pulled her hat down and sneaked a peek under the brim. Usui's right hand man, Kanou got off his horse and approached the dispute.
Please don't let Usui come...
"This boy is stirring up trouble" a man told Kanou. "He disrupted our game of archery"
"Lies!" Misaki snapped. "They are using a girl as a target. One slip and she's dead."
"Is this not a slave girl?" Kanou asked.
"Tis my property" the host said getting up. "I do as I please with it."
"Boy, you don't own the slave. You can not control her fate" Kanou explained.
Misaki glared at him. "No!" she yelled. "Slave or not she shall not be treated this way. Over my dead body will she be used for sport"
"What's the holdup Kanou?" a silky voice asked. Misaki gulped as Usui approached them. She bowed her head as Kanou told Usui the story.
"Lad..." Usui said gently. "This is not your business"
"You wouldn't let an innocent die for sport, would you?" Misaki demanded, trying to sound fierce and covering her face the same time.
Usui paused and tilted his head to the side. He took a deep breath and looked away. He pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled.
"How dare you speak to the grand duke in this manner!" Kanou said drawing his sword. "On your knees peasant"
Usui grabbed Kanou's wrist. "Stay back" he said. "You lad..." he said sternly. "Come with me and leave this matter alone"
Misaki was tempted to stomp her feet. "I refuse!" she yelled. "I am not going anywhere"
Usui walked up to her and grabbed her arm. "If you know what's good for you...you better go home with me...Misaki" he said under his breath.
Misaki yanked her arm away. "Save the girl" she said.
"Its none of your business" Usui hissed.
"Do something or else I will be volunteering to take her place" Misaki said crossing her arms.
Usui and Misaki locked eyes. Usui finally sighed and turned toward the host.
"How much for the slave girl and the elimination of this in sports?" Usui asked.
The host dropped to his knees. "I would not dare defy the duke. He only needs to say so."
Usui smiled. "Kanou. Give the man three rubies"
The man stared in awe as the stones dropped into the palm. "I promise to never use people in my games ever again" he said bowing.
"Thank you" Usui said. "Kanou, take the slave girl. I'll be leaving first" he turned and raised an eyebrow at Misaki.
"As for you..." Usui muttered, swinging Misaki up over his shoulder.
"Put me down!" Misaki yelled, thrashing. A blush creeping to her cheeks as Usui was casually threw her over his shoulder in front of everyone.
Usui ignored her and carried her, slung over his shoulder, back to his horse where he promptly set her on the saddle and got on behind her.
"You, my lady..." he said, shaking his head and kicking his horse into a gallop. "Are in so much trouble..."