Chapter 4 - Escape

The moon has already risen up to the top of the sky. Most of the guards already changed their shift at the moment and it's less tight in term of security there in this particular night. Admon was very sure that this is the perfect time to execute the plan.

Admon calling out one of the guards and asked for some water for Equ. The guard didn't really wanted to help him at the moment but after he mentioned that Equ was unconscious, he immediately head of to grab some water.

Equ who was acting unconscious since earlier get up and take a key out from her bandaid. Admin carefully unlock the cell door and they both head out in haste. They head to the table where the Mandiens keep items they loot from people they imprison and take some of the stuff that could be useful. Equ take her axe and they left the room.

The route would not be easy, this prison area were placed at the very centre of the camp. This camp have 3 door and it was surrounded by 3 metre high wall made out of stonework. The closest wall from them was to the east of them.

On their way to the wall, there should be a bunch of guards and it should be heavily guarded. they supposed to be out of here before the guard that fetch the water for them return to the cell and find out that they're gone. He will immediately alert the other guards and all.

But, as planned by Admon who already stayed in this place for almost 7 month, he seen the patern of these guards usually have somekind of midnight rollcall in certain time and tonight is one of them so he taking that into account as an advantage to them.

Then, they eventually arrived to the wall and attempt to climb it. Some guard who was stationed around there saw them and immediately alert the other guards while trying to get them. Equ managed to climb up first but that doesn't goes the same as Admon when the guard managed to grab a hold to his leg.

Equ immediately jumps down from the wall and hack the guard's head with her axe. With the momentum she had, the axe immediately pierced into the helm and that guard fall on the ground limp.

Unfortunately, the other guards arrived there to put up a chase on them. Admon grab a crossbow from the guards before and precisely shot a rope that tied a few barres and it causes the barrel to fall and rolled. It managed to slow down the guards as they make a run for it. They both then climb the wall and jump our from th other side of the wall.

When Admon was standing on the wall and about to jump down, a guard managed to crossbow his stomach as he falls of the wall. Equ picks him up and they both try to move as fast as possible into the woods. They realized their speed and Equ commanded Admon to climb a tree. She supports her from below and then she follows up after.

After a while they hide, the light of torches starts to light up the forest as the Mandiens guards walking through the forest trying to track them down. They saw those guards walking past the tree they hiding on. None of the guards even suspects they were there.

"Hey, Libria. What do you think of me?"

"You are the most annoying cat in existance." She said restraining her voice but she seems to be really mean what she said.

"Great, Ok. Libria, you're free to go now. This is the time when we part ways." He said with his normal smile.

Equ quickly shook her head and stated that she will not left Admon alone with those wound he had. As long as the wound not tended, she's not willing to left him.

"See? I told you you're beauty itself."

"Enough of that bullsh*t, We need to get away from here."

"No, Libria. I mean this. This is the right time for you to go, I will just slow you down."

Even with that stated, Equ forced to bring Admon with her. She persuade him to keep going on with her and he gives up and just following Equ. They then arrived into a cave not far from there and rested there for the night.

Along their way there, Equ managed to grab some herbs for the wound. She processed those herbs with some rocks and applied it to Admon's wound and wrapped it with her bandage. She's no longer need the bandaid at her leg anyway.

"Miss... can you not be that harsh on me. Just... do that a bit gentle...?" he said as he feel a bit of pain by the way Equ bandaging his wound.

"Now, if you don't feel like dying after successfully escaping that camp, don't you dare call me 'miss' or I'll not hesitate to swing this axe to your face."

She said that and immediately step out from the cave to grab some fresh night air while also staying on guard. While she at it, she can't help but to feel disturbed by the way Admon speak. She knows that her cheek were creeps by redness when he call her by 'Miss'. She just can't take it normally. Even so, she still owns Admon a favor from bringing her out from the cell as well.

The time goes on for the night and nothing much happening. The Mandiens didn't seems to find this cave for some reason and all.

Tomorrow morning, in the Wheatlyn Village (the place where Alen and the rest stay), a few resistance army come to visit there to see the situation after Mandiens attack a few days ago. They also here to get some supplies for the Vientophrite who's about at war.

Alen who was by accident being around that area, he misheard their conversation with a villager.

"How was the town of Vientophrite? Are they ready for the attack?"

"Seems like it. Our attack on reclaiming Cronyth 5 days ago has lower the Mandiens food supply. In return, they will be targeting this area like the previous attack. You all must keep the defence up." Explain the resistance soldier said and the villager nodded in understanding.

Suddenly, Aknow appeared around that area as well and talk to the soldier about Billet of Atlas again. He responded to that by stating that he didn't really know much but he's pretty sure there is some elders in Costfalcon might know it. Aknow thanks the soldier and walk off.

"Right, I'm getting closer to it." Aknow proclaimed to herself.

'Billet of Atlas? Again? Who is this kid actually?' Alen think.

In the night later, they all assembled at a food stall in the village. Aknow tells everyone about her wish to go to Coastfalcon.

"What for? Coastfalcon is quite far. It might take 2 or more days to reach there with a horse wagon."

"What are we doing here anyway? I'm planning to go there for some research. While we're all in Stegi, why not I take this golden opportunity?" Aknow answered calmly while keeping eye contact with everyone.

"It's about that history thing again? Don't you ever get tired about that?" Jyeora ask with a big sister-ish stare.

Aknow shrugs and Jyeora sigh as she really understand the situation now. They both has been living together for years. So, they know each other very well.

"Okay, fine. If you wish to go, Why not?" She said sounded nonchalant about it.

"Ah! As usual Jyo! You always understand me." She said with her eyes sparkling.

"Whatever, how about you Loktah? Would you tag along?"

Loktah thinks for himself for a moment regarding that. Written in his expression that wouldn't really agree about leaving this area for some reason.

"Er... Loktah. I think we should stick together for all the time. I think I'm agreed with Aknow's point. We can't really do anything here anyway." Said Alen.

After a moment of thinking, Loktah finally agreed to join them. Alen actually think that staying here would be on think he would really like to do but he still curious about Aknow and wanted to dug out more about this certain peculiar person.

In the next morning, they and stand in front of the village gate facing the road that they will head on. The villager says their goodbyes and all, then...

"What are we doing here again?" Loktah ask.

Jyeora and Alen with blank eyes looking to the front and hearing Loktah's question. Aknow scratching her head and grinning innocently.

"Where the heck is the wagon?!" Loktah ask again slightly angered.

"Pardon me, Sir Loktah. I don't remember promising anything like a vehichle or anything... or did I?" She answered and still with her innocent smile.

"Let's just go." Alen said blankly and starts to strides forward.

"Yes. When we will arrive if we don't start walking now?" Jyeora also walk along Alen as they both also perplexed by the fact that they imagining about wagon ride when that wasn't even promised at all.

After that, they all starts their jouney on foot to Lliyedresse. One of the 6 town they will pass to reach Coastfalcon. They might take 4 days on foot or worse... a week or so.

Meanwhile, in Barkvine forest, Equ and Admon walking through the forest to the south. Their destination was Admon's village who was not that far from there. Equ planned to get some ration, meds and stuff then just left the village. She can't imagine living in Neko-ajin Village anyway.

"You sure you don't want to stay for a while, Libria?"

"Equ."

Admin slightly confused hearing that respond from Equ.

"Sorry, what?"

"My name. Equ. Equi Libria."

"Oh... Equ. What a unique name."

Equ stated that she were forced to not stay in the village for many reason, no matter what, it's always a no.

"I can't really live a peaceful life with being like you around."

"Being? Hmm... so... your implying that I'm disturbing your heart space huh, Miss?"

Suddenly, A very fast slap hits Admon's face without he had enough time to react. He almost fell due to that. Equ say nothing and just keepo walking.

Admon rubs his cheek while giggling awkwardly. He didn't expect that Equ would be that strong judging from her small hand but then it brings back the fact that Equ was Inu-Ajin who's genetically stronger than normal human.

"Admon, how long this walk will talk from here?"

"Around 3 hours or so? Why..." Admon stop talking as Equ raised her axe.

He gulped as he could sense Equ's hunting instinct increase tremendously. Suddenly, she ran forward into the bushes. Admon were in shock but he immediately try to catch up. After a few moment, he managed to follow Equ's track and saw he behind a bush.

As he get close, he saw Equ already manage to take down a sheep with her axe still at the sheep's neck. Her hand and shirt get stained by the sheep's blood. Admon get more shocked to this situation.

"What? Anything wrong?" Equ ask nonchalantly to the petrified Admon behind her.

"No-nothing."

"If so, can you gather some firewood? I need to work this sheep out."

Admon didn't say much just wander around for firewood.

Not long after that, Equ lights up a bonfire and starts to cook the meat on the fire. They then eat the mutton.

"Ehhw.. this so empty..."

"Stop whining, you always eat salt huh? Shut up and just eat. I eat this almost all the time."

Admon can't say anything to that. Equ was not a person who knows how to actually cook but, she already used to empty meat so there is no problem is the food is flavourless.

"Em... Miss..." Admon stop on his track immediately when Equ hit the tree beside them with her axe.

Not long after, they both continue their walk to Admon's village.

...