"Utter one word of kindness, just one"
She sat still, motionless as the priest fell to his knees clutching on tightly to the white fabric which covered her. The girl let out a quiet whimper as she felt his head lean onto her stomach, while his tears started to drench the thin fabric that she wore.
"Please!" the priest cried.
Every fibre of her being begged Esmeralda to push the priest away from her, to shove him on the ground and assault his person, but she knew better than to anger him in the the situation currently unfolding before her. Her breathing became jagged as she struggled for words. Esmeralda slowly started to feel tears welling up in her eyes as she began speaking.
"I don't want to die"
The tears started descending as she shut her eyes closed so she couldn't see the man in front of her. As much as Esmeralda wanted to deny it, she knew he was telling the truth about Phoebus, that he was engaged to another and didn't care for her. It felt as if daggers were being plunged into her heart as she stood. She slowly began opening her eyes again, the priest kneeled motionless as if he didn't expect that answer from her. He let out a shuddered breath as he looked up to her.
"Then come with me! We must hurry, before dawn breaks" the priest exclaimed.
The priest hurriedly started to rummage around his cassock with trembling hands until he pulled out a silver key and unlocked her chains, with a loud clang the restraints that held the gypsy fell to the ground in a heap. The priest then proceeded to stand holding Esmeraldas hand in an iron grip and led her up the stairs. He knocked on the old wooden door and it opened, on the other side stood a guard wearing thick silver armour. He held a large spear in his right hand while his left held a ring of keys. He saluted the priest as he held the door open for him. After a moment he noticed Esmeralda standing behind the Archdeacon.
"Your grace, she should be in her cell-"
"I need to hear her confessions in a proper environment." The Archdeacon said, cutting off the guard.
"I would advise against this, your grace." The guard said eyeing Esmeralda
"Do not question my authority, soldier, or would you prefer me to report you to the bishop for wasting my time?"
"My apologies, your grace!"
The soldier quickly stood out of the way, so that the archdeacon could lead the gypsy out of the prison. He held onto Esmeralda tightly in fear of her escaping as he led her past several guards. Esmeralda shuddered in pain at the tight grip the priest held her in as she tried to keep her distance from the priest as much as she could. She continued to follow the Archdeacon as she felt the gaze of onlookers throughout the prison. She kept her eyes scanning her surroundings as they left the prison and continued towards Notre dame.
Picking up speed the archdeacon continued leading Esmeralda towards Notre dame being careful of any more watchful eyes. When they reached the cathedral the priest led her around the back towards a small stable, he quickly went up to a black horse and started fitting it with a saddle and reins.
While the archdeacon was doing this, Esmeralda noticed a small brown bag, it was sitting on a barrel and was most likely prepared by the archdeacon ahead of time. Getting a closer look Esmeralda saw that it was filled with food and a canteen filled with water. Inspecting the bag further Esmeralda noticed a cross and a strange whip that was branded with knots and bits of metal. Before she could examine the whip further the priest grabbed the bag and placed it in a saddle bag along with some more food for the horse.
He turned to her and handed her a cloak then gestured for her to get onto the horse, after a few failed attempts to get up, she managed to climb onto the horse and shortly after the priest got onto the horse and held onto the reins. Esmeralda could hear his breathing become jagged due to the close proximity of the two. She shuddered as she realised that the priest will be very close to her so that he could reach the reins, she could hear his pulse as his breathing continued to become more jagged, as the horse began to gallop towards the city gate.
She held onto her cloak for comfort as they reached the gates, the priest gave a short wave and the guards let them pass, unable to see Esmeraldas face concealed by the cloak.
The archdeacon began to lead the horse outside the gates of Paris, eventually they became surrounded by trees as the archdeacon continued to lead the horse.
After what seemed like a short while Esmeralda started feeling tired, after everything that had happened to her she was exhausted. Before she knew it she was leaning against the archdeacon's chest, she felt him wince in pain but he didn't move her. She let herself fall into a dreamless sleep.
Hours later she suddenly woke to the sound of a man greeting the archdeacon. She sat up with a shiver from the cool air and looked around to see who was talking.
"Claude! Brother dear, it's so good to see you again." A man with blonde hair said warmly.