The woods were darker than usual. The sounds of death near the castle wallowed about the trees. I followed Karina deeper into the sanctity of the darkness. She was holding her tears back, and her strides were longer and more powerful. My lungs felt like they were going to explode as my body was beginning to shut down.
"Karina slow down!" I managed to say. She stopped dead on in the centre of the path, she turned back to me. Her face white as a sheet and her eyes wide with grief. I noticed her fists balled tightly and she strut around me.
"We need to hurry up and find them-"
"And we will- but I'm going to keel over dead if you keep going so fast!" She knew it was fast as her breaths were long and deep. She moved the hair from her face and her lips quivered.
"I'm sorry." She muttered. I wasn't going to bring up Ryan. Not now at least. I don't think I can run any faster. She took deep breaths as she waited for me to catch my long needed breath. Right now I wasn't worried about anything apart from her, if she snaps now, she may cause catastrophic destruction. And I can't handle that right now! My main focus is to keep her calm... An easier task would be to tame a giant.
"They haven't left any tracks.. where would they go? Where would SHE go?" she paces back and forth. We knew they were headed to the tree. We needed to intercept them before. We had the advantage of the shadows, but once they get to the tree. It's too risky.
"Where would she go?" I repeat under my breath. Then it comes to me.
(FLASHBACK TO THE DUNGEONS)
"I figured it out." Karina says all giddy.
"Figured what out?" She looks around making sure we are alone.
"How to break you out." She gleamed with pride. But I was afraid and it showed on my face. Her expression shifted judging mine.
"What's wrong?" She asked placing her hand on my arm.
"Karina, we cant do this. If we do this, and we get caught..They will kill you, and me. I can't live with that-"
"Damien I cant live with you in here. They found you gulity, you will be here forever, I cant just leave you here." She says. I smile as she is genuine. It makes me feel lighter knowing she has my back till the end.
"Karina where would we go? Nowhere is safe for us."
"I can help with that." Karina whips round to see who was there. Lavria stands up and smiles. "Your majesty" Lavria Says whilst simultaneously curtsying. She looks at me confused.
"Damien, I can help." Lavria says and smiles.
"Lavria?" Karina says her eyes fixed on the dim figure. "What are you doing here?" She asks crossing her arms. Lavria looks down in shame. "Your majesty-" she stutters,
"Karina is fine." Lavria takes a dry gulp.
"...Karina, I can help you, but please get me out of here. Let me work in the Castle again. I promise to be faithful. Please."
"Lavria I thought you took leave to help your mother. What are you doing here?" Lavria looks at me in need to help.
"I-I might of-taken a few things-"
"What why!?" Karina says. "Lavria why didn't you come to me... I told you if you ever needed anything you can come to me-"
"Your majesty, if I didn't do it. I was afraid to loose my mother. And I can't support my family by myself. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. " Karina turns to look at me. Almost asking for my advice. I smile slightly and nod placing a kiss on her forehead.
"Alright Lavria, I trust you because Damien here seems to trust you." She looks up at me. "You can work as my maid, take Isla's....job. You start tomorrow...is that ok?"
"Yes yes your majesty thank you oh thank you so very much!" She squeals with happiness.
"Now you said you can help.. what can you do?"
"I can give you somewhere to stay. I know a place that no one knows of only me. It's near the Tree Iqra, I found it when I was a child. Just stumbled upon it I suppose. I'll tell you where it is. Its near the stone valley, right next to the dead tree. you can use it. For whatever you need. Stow Damien there for the time being. No one will find him. I can guarantee."
(CURRENT TIMES)
"The hiding spot- near the tree!" I say. The memory is now fresh in her mind as Karinas eyes go wife and her mouth opens up as we simultaneously say.
"Stone valley!"
"It's not far from here-" She takes off running and I see her draw her sword. I run after her and also draw my weapon. We jump over rocks and squeeze through the trees. Everywhere to me looks the same but Karina knows this place like the back of her hand weaving making her own paths. Suddenly the trees have been replaced by massive rocks piercing out of the ground.
"Careful where you step, these things can go straight through you." She pointed to the floor. I followed her movements making sure I picked up the technique quickly. She moved with precision, I on the otherhand am more of a free fighter. So I struggled. She found it funny and giggled when I almost fell. It was good to see her smile. Make her forget, the traumas about to settle.
"There it is. The dead tree." She pointed to a ghastly looking piece of bark. The branches had entwined themselves so much, that they had become one. There was absolutely no life on this tree whatsoever. No fresh leaves and no live animals. It was literal, dead tree. We saw smoke rise from the back.
"They're there." I say seeing the points of their spears resting upon the tree. I grip my sword harder and curl my teeth. I hear Karina take a deep breath and I know, that means she is gonna do something stupid. I take her arm holding it tight. She resists and I look to where she was looking. I see Lavria.
"Karina Breathe." Her breaths were uneven and the lust of death in her eyes were too evil. our eyes followed her movements as she took a group of soilders through the cave. Karina lept up and I tried to catch her but she slipped through my fingers. She turned back in time to say.
"Damien trust me. I'll take care of her, you get the guards. Meet me there after?" She runs off into the cave and I watch her disappear amongst the vines. I look back over to the tree and examine the guards. 8 of them. All armed. There is no point in stealth. Let's have some fun with it. I get up and walk straight over to them.
"Hello you blazing shits." I say with a smile on my face. It felt good. Taking the piss. They stare at me like I had smacked them in the face. I saw them tense up and look at my weapon. Quick looks at me and to each other unable to do anything. I was the best fighter in the Blaze. They get up and arm themselves still looking at eachother. They look st my black clothing and grip their swords tighter smirking and giggling. Yet still unsure whether or not to bow. And yet they were Hesitant to fight. Drawing my sword, a smile rests on my face, this will be fun.