I woke up to see a fire before me. It was the middle of the night, and I was out in the woods; tied to a tree, with my hands also tied behind my back. There was a gag on my mouth.
A sharp pain came from the back of my head as I started to recall recent events. I'd been knocked out cold. That was how I ended up here at this moment. But how did I end up in this situation? My plan was executed perfectly, right?
******* Thirteen days ago *******
There was rapping on my door very early in the morrow. I was still in bed when I awoke to hear someone knocking furiously.
"Ugh." I struggled to pretend I wasn't aware of the disturbing sound trying to take away my longing for sleep. I was tempted to scream and tell them to come back later, but I'd been shown my place numerous times before for similar responses.
I pulled down my bedding from over me, which was a piece of worn-out cloth meant for me to lie on. I struggled to my feet, and managed to get there after three bouts of staggering. I moved to the door and pulled on it, silently praying I didn't get punched for not answering in time.
'It's probably one of those neighbor's kids come to disturb me this morrow. Best do away with them quickly and go back to sleep.' I'd thought.
"Yes?" I subconsciously asked as soon as I opened the door, only to find a man clad in the armour of Xanderian soldiers.
"Oh. It's been a time since a soldier of this lovely nation came by. Please, let me treat you to a meal."
The soldier looked me up and down with an intently disgusted gaze and then spat at my feet, which I dodged. He took out a parcel and threw it in my direction. Then, he saw himself off even before I got a hold of the parcel.
I moved my attention to the parcel he'd dropped. I noticed the royal seal. Seemed like the Queen wanted something from me. I broke the seal and opened the parcel to find a letter. Just what I was expecting.
'Now, let's see what we have here.' I tore open the letter and began reading its contents:
Jason,
This is a royal invitation to the Palace for my twentieth birthday. I wish to introduce you to some important people of the Kingdom so I can shift the attention they are bearing on me to pick a husband onto you. Anyways, in a moon's time, I will send a carriage and some appropriate dressings. We most certainly would not have you looking horrendous on mine birthday, now would we?
By the way, I am sure you are aware, but just to clarify; you cannot decline this invitation, so I expect to see you there.
Her Majesty,
Queen Alicia.
"Damn! She wants everyone to notice the person who murdered her father instead of her, all so she won't pick a husband. Stupid nobles." I sat myself on the floor to contemplate my current situation and everything I'd planned till now.
I decided then and there that I would escape. I took out an old scroll I had which depicted all seven kingdoms of the world. I was in Xander, which coincidentally, was at the very centre of the world; so any cardinal direction I took right now would land me in a relatively new country.
I took a look at all six kingdoms to which I'd never been: Ichrysia, Astrig, Verillis, Cretia, Kreemlin and Ladia. Five of them were constant trade partners with Xander, so it would be easier to find me in any of them than in the last country. Only Kreemlin: the desert kingdom, was not in a trade agreement with Xander. They were basically a nation no one knew anything about, except that it was a land of deserts. This nation became my best escape option.
I'd run from Xander and into Kreemlin. Surely, I'd hide my gift, as it would arouse attention. This meant I'd have to find another way to protect myself, especially against bandits and monsters. I got up from my seating position to wait for people to start coming by to be healed.
By dusk, I wasn't too tired because just seventeen people came by, which was relatively low. I moved around to practice the use of Light in a fight, as I had done the last five years. This was just practice, I had no idea what an actual fight would be like. Nevertheless, I pressed on. I continued on till it was late before cleaning up. I lay on the bed in an attempt to sleep, but sleep did not come; so I began to think how my life had turned out.
I was extremely talented, and I knew this. I could use the gift like no one could. Everyone basically needed to chant in order to cast spells, but I didn't. Anything I wanted, I could create. My only limit was my imagination.
I wondered how I would have turned out if that stroke of bad luck did not befall me. If I had not lost my father. If I had not lost my family. I thought long and hard into the night, before finally losing myself to sleep.
My routine for the next day was the same, it was basically my routine for five years by then; so it was quite easy to pull through. Things changed, however; on that next day. I went from healing to practicing with the gift once it was dusk. During my practice, there was a hurried knock on the door. I managed to make myself look 'composed' in time for the door to be blown open.
Some soldiers brought in an old man, around the age of one hundred fifty to one hundred seventy; and dropped him on the floor. From what I saw, I knew what I had to do. There was an arrow in his chest, just above his heart. This man was extremely lucky to be alive. 'Extremely' is even underwhelming in it's use.
I got to work. I broke the arrow and pulled out both parts from opposite sides and quickly applied healing magic. I was so caught up in it, that I forgot to chant a spell for a healing of this level. This left the soldiers wide-eyed. The day after, specifically on the morrow of said day, I received a royal summons to the palace. I was to meet with Queen Alicia on the eve of the next day.
I lay on the floor with my bare back kissing the dirt. I looked again at the missive in my hand. I read it over and over again and thought about this summons. My escape was planned to be the day after next, and going to the palace would most certainly ruin my chances of escape. If I were to escape anytime soon, it had to be this night; else I might as well forget it, because I would not be able to make it. I had to go tonite. I had to escape this night.