She gave a half-smile and everything went silent again. She focused her eyes around her. The carriage was small, obviously not for transportation. It seemed like what people usually use in transferring livestock.
It confirmed her speculations when she saw a bunch of chicken or bird feathers splattered on the surface. The box stank of blood and dried meat. There were chains and hooks hanging on the side of the walls.
It was a butcher's carriage.
From the inside, she guessed it was still dawn. No to little light leaked in the small holes. She must have passed out for a few minutes only. But it already seemed like a long time.
The road was rough and uneven, and the travel was as uncomfortable as it could get. For all she knew, they didn't take the main road or they might get caught. Of course, who in the right mind would risk that thinking they have just kidnapped two of the royal family.
"Stop the carriage, I need to take a piss," a man spoke from the outside.
The horse paused on their hooves, "Make it quick," another man said.
Allyria looked at Kaius, "What do we do now?" she whispered.
"We don't have enough time for plans," he crouched and motioned for her to follow him, "Come on."
All of a sudden, the rear wooden door banged and flew right outside. Talk about having a silent exit.
"What's happening there?" the man in front asked, his boots closing in to check up on them.
They didn't wait for another word and jumped out, adrenaline coursing through her veins.
"Hey!" he waved his hands, "Get back here!"
Allyria caught a glimpse of the man and immediately recognized him. It was still that guard from the castle. Having no time to think, they sprinted towards the opposite direction. They didn't know where they were heading; all they thought of was getting away.
"Get them!" one of them demanded, and the sound of footsteps followed where they were. There were many of them. Two or three. She could only guess.
The mud soiled her dress. She was filthy all over, but she didn't care. She wiped the sweat from her face and continued to run for her life. A horse neighed from the back and the sound of wheels alarmed her. They couldn't keep running forever. They had to escape now.
She turned her head for a quick look. Two in heels. One on the stallion. That was all she needed to see.
"Kaius!" she pointed at an area covered in thick bushes. She already lacked any idea. If they were to survive, they need to get in the forest to lose them.
The horse was already a meter away. Before the rebels could get a hold of them, they took a turn and into the woods.
They ran as fast as they can without looking back. She couldn't tell if they already lost them or the guards are just behind her but she couldn't think of that now.
It was a race with no victors but a fight for their freedom.
They jumped from branch to branch. Sweat dripped from her face. Her knees weakened. They sprint past an old sign. She couldn't even read what was in it. No one seemed concerned.
Her lungs already started to burn. The ground blurred below her but she continued running for what seemed longer than it should have. The only thing she could hear was the sound of her sandals pounding on the grass and the strong wind as it swooshed against the trees.
She peered behind. Her eyes widened. Two of the guards were still at their tails.
Allyria halted, her breath coming in short gasps. "Kaius…"
Kaius paused as he turned his head towards Allyria huddled over a tree, her palm resting on one knee, "We need to go."
"I can't…"
He offered a hand, his eyes pleading her to take it, "Come on."
Kaius… She was the one who took him here. She endangered his life. He wouldn't be here if it weren't for her. They had to escape, if not for her then for those who risked their lives trying to save her.
'I have to summit my all to running away free.'
Allyria took his hand and forced her legs to push harder. Once again, she brought her head back to the course. She hurdled over a fallen tree; her dress torn to shreds. Heart pacing, she ran through the maze with Kaius beside her.
The sky started to rumble and heavy rain poured from the clouds.
Drops of rain beat against her skin like hammers. Her dainty slippers were caked in mud, and the storm had battered her braided hair into a tangled mess. Tree branches stretched out in front of her, forming a cavern of distorted limbs that seemed to reach out and grab her flesh. She seethed through the pain, blood pouring from the scratches.
She already wanted to stop, hopelessness gnawing at her insides. But she couldn't.
Allyria ran for what seemed like an eternity, gazing at Kaius who was just behind her, "We need to —"
Kaius gasped, his eyes widened, "Allyria!"
The next thing she knew, she was already falling.
Her body was in a helpless motion. Tumbling and slipping, hitting trees and branches along the way. She was out of control, like being in a dream and falling in an endless sky.
Halfway down the cliff, the trees gave way, and it left her falling through the air. Before she knew it, she was hurtling over grass, earth and rock until the cliff slope became even steeper and she fell farther.
Her vision was wild. Her emotion was all over the place.
A loud thump exploded and her ears rang. She held her head. Blood trickled from her hands.
And she blacked out.