I ran as fast as my legs could go, not looking back in fear that what I left behind could catch up with me. I was sure no one would notice that I was gone until morning came. It everything went as I planned it, I would be far gone by morning time.
* * *
I had started my day like any other normal day in the castle. I woke up from sleep, took s bath, Mirabel brought my breakfast and then I lounged around in the garden.
The Dark Lord had returned from Mirideth without finding Rowland and that was a huge relief. Although the tyrant was back, I still hadn't gotten a glimpse of him, but I wasn't going to wait around any longer.
Mirabel and I had been to the stables to see the horses and her father. We had fed the other horses and I volunteered to feed Twilight. Something always drew me to the horse. Maybe it was it's strength or it's beauty. Maybe it was the calm aura it exuded or something else that compelled me to it. I stroked the horse's mane and felt quite relaxed myself.
"It's been a while since Twilight had been so calm at someone's touch." I heard a calm smooth voice behind me.
I quickly spun round to come face to face with a man who was at least half a foot taller than me.
"I'm sorry for touching it. I understand it's His Majesty's horse. I'll just go ahead now." I said. With the way the man was dressed, it was obvious that he was from a noble family. The way he stood and spoke with his hands behind his back, he looked like he didn't tolerate mistakes.
"No. I never said you couldn't touch it. That would make me look jealous to Mr James and I can't afford that." The man said with a soft smile.
At his words, I noticed Mr James was also standing there too. "Well, it seems you have a rival for the horse's affection, Mr Kellan."
What? Why would I be someone's rival over something as trivial as that?
"Do not mind Mr James." The gentleman in black said to me. "My name is Kellan, His Majesty's right hand man." He offered his hand for a shake and I took it.
"My name is Frieda. The..."
"...old physician's daughter." The man completed the sentence for me. "Everybody in the castle knows about you Milady. My master cannot wait to meet you."
"Then why hasn't he shown himself yet? Why haven't I met him?" I asked him. If he was the king's right hand man then he must know quite a lot about the dark lord.
The man returned his hand to his back and then smiled. If I didn't know better, I would have thought his smile was comforting. It was not. It was a bit unnerving.
"His majesty is truly busy and doesn't have time to meet you right now. When he is, he will send for you to come and meet him." Mr Kellan informed me.
Everyone in this damned castle said the same words sometimes I wondered if they shared the same brain. It was so sickening.
"Is this how your master treats all his guests? Abducting and forcefully bringing them to the castle so that he can ignore their presence and make them wait? That is not a typical host behavior." I guess my boldness came from the fact that he wasn't looking very mean or scary.
Mr Kellan was obviously not expecting my words and was taken back by what I had said.
His smile, or smirk rather became wider.
"Oh I assure you he doesn't treat his other guests this way because there are no other guests. You're the first one in a long time."
I wanted to slap myself hard. I had momentarily forgotten that I was the first in ten years, which was actually nothing to be excited about.
"Well that is no way to treat the first guest in ten years either." I told him.
I don't know why, I just felt I needed to have the last word with this man for me to be satisfied. I also had a feeling he wouldn't be one to back down easily.
He stepped closer, reducing the space between us. "I agree milady, how do you propose he should have gone about it then? He asked me. He wanted my opinion? Fine, I'll tell him what I think.
"First, he should, you know, send an invitation." Like normal people do, I added to myself. "Then, I'll accept his invitation and come willingly. When I arrive, he will acknowledge my presence and give me audience on the second or third day."
The man nodded. "Alright I agree. I'll inform master of the new method of welcoming guests. He wouldn't know since he isn't very social." He told me.
He walked away.
Wait? Did he really mean that? That he was going to tell the Dark Lord what I had said? He might say it exactly the way I did or he might even fabricate details. He might make it sound like I have no regard for the king. What if he said something like that and gets me in trouble...oh no.
"Wait. Mr Kellan" I ran after him without even realizing.
"You can't tell him I said so though. I'd like to remain anonymous as you express the opinion."
His brow raised in question and then it widened slightly in realization. "Oh don't worry. I'll be sure to keep you anonymous. I wouldn't want him executing our first guest in ten years over that, now would I?"
I gulped. Then I nodded and I shook my head, wondering what would be an appropriate answer for his question.
"Good. Now that I've promised, can you let me go? You're clinging to me like your long lost lover."
I didn't even realized that I had grabbed hold of his wrist and I was holding on to him. I let him go instantly and he straightened his sleeve.
"Have a nice day, Miss Frieda." He gave me a little bow and I bowed back. I watched his back as he walked away, his ponytail of black silky hair swishing as he walked along with a lofty gait.
I usually had an opinion of people when I first met them and I easily decided whether I would like them or not. But the Dark Lord's right hand man? I wasn't so sure.
* * *
The rest of my day was spent in my room, planning my escape. I had to leave the castle tonight but how would I do it?
I thought about all I had observed in the castle. I had two guards watching my door and they never let me out unless I was being accompanied.
There was a long flight of stairs I had to climb down before I reach the ground floor of the castle. There were guards stationed at strategic places on the ground floor.
Out side was the courtyard that led to the main gate, I couldn't take that route however, it was too heavily guarded. My best option was through the back gate, into the orchard. If I wanted to get to the back gate without suspicion, I should take the door at the kitchen.
So I had four main problems. How I would get out of the door, how I would get to the kitchen, how I would get past the kitchen and how I would make it past the gate into the orchard.