It rained hard penetrating Griffin’s black cloak. The sky was a menacing gray and it had been raining for days since the three were first captured. Still they continued on through the rain and fog, covering quite a bit of land. Not once was the girl able to ride the horse. It wasn’t that she was tired or even tiring. Far from it, she was only hoping for a chance to escape as she had countless times before.
Her dragon companion, whom she called Dragon, was kept chained as well as the Shire, Singer. Griffin had a brace around her neck, and her hands were tied. Dragon’s wings were pinned to his sides and the horse was kept on three ropes trailing to three guards one on either side and one guiding it. Grif was dragged along behind the horse, the dragon fallowing her.
Abruptly Griffin was pulled to a stop along a row of pine trees. Ahead was a small strip of trees and through the branches the girl was dismayed to see the towers of the gates to the seaside city holding the Queen. Angrily she yanked on the chains sending the young man that guided her from the front head first into the mud. The man got up and shot her a nasty glance from behind the mud he tried so angrily to wipe from his eyes and mouth. Griffin grimaced as the man behind her pulled her into the cover of the trees with Dragon and Singer. Here they were all staked to the ground. Griffen sat down contentedly against Singer who had lain in the damp bed of fallen pine needles and was chewing on a tuft of grass.
“Good grief Griffin would you stop the rain!” The dragon’s voice broke into the others heads, “I’m sure the little fur ball is fine.” Griffin looked up at him fire in her eyes as the cool voice swept through her head.
A soldier timidly plopping a deer carcass in front of Dragon caught his gaze, the large red reptile licked his cops and stared at the man. The soldier was held in place by the eyes. The dragon snapped playfully at the soldier and he jumped but surprisingly held his ground. Ravenously Dragon chopped onto the dead body, the horse looked away in disgusted as the blood dribbled down the dragon’s chin the man gasped and backed away his eyes never leaving Dragons steady gaze, again the dragon snapped at the man.
“Ha, he likes you.” Griffin stated sarcastically. The soldier pulled his eyes from the dragon and met the girl’s cold stare. Griffin was surprised to see that he wasn’t much older than she, “You j-just w-wait u-u-until the Q-queen deals with you!” He spat out, turning and walking toward the other men farther off, he tripped half way and muttered a curse, the trio’s eye’s followed him.
“You wait.” Griffin muttered under her breath.
“For what may I ask? We are chained and you can’t use you’re magic.” The dragon inquired.
“I don’t know. Sleep now I’m sure we’ll need it.” The girl answered flatly lying next to the horse.
“Sleep? Ha, that’s a laugh.” The dragon curled its humongous tail around the sleeping pair and gnawed hungrily on the meat, cautiously watching the men set up camp. As the girl beside him started to stir in her sleep he laid his wing over the pair to protect them from the rain the girls nightmares brought and tucked his own broad head in under the red shelter.
***
The companions entered the Great Hall reluctantly, all three trying unsuccessfully to come up with a plan for their escape. Their escorts had left them with relief at the entrance and they were now surrounded by half of the Royal Guard, who were apparently the biggest and most intimidating of the queen’s army. The walls were lit by a strange blue fire, definitely not elven but a type of magic that even the half elf who had been raised on almost every type of magic an elf or Black Gypsy can master, couldn’t find a word for. The ceiling was a high arch and the floor was of cobblestone, the smell was almost unbearable. A mixture of blood, sweat, fecies and animals, covered by a sweet perfume, obvious to Griffin, the Queens touch. The company crossed through the middle of the large room into a broad hallway lit with the same fire. The walls they realized were of a reddish color through the dust. They approached a large pair of polished red oak doors, and the soldier leading them turned around about eight feet in front of Griffin and Singer.
“You, up.” He commanded roughly. The soldiers worked with the ropes and chains so the young girl could get onto the horse. Never did she ride with a saddle, the young Gypsy found it inconvenient, therefore jumped up gracefully onto the stallions bare back grabbing onto his purple mane. The stallion was a big horse almost twice the size of even the biggest of his brother Clydesdales in the Carnivals or Traveling Show, and he was very headstrong. Dressed with purple and black Gypsy ribbons, his tail was magically braided with black ribbon. He looked majestic even to the red huge beast behind him.
The slender girl was wearing the purple and black colors as well, the purple reflecting her eyes and hair. A small ribbon of purple hair hung beside her left eye, the rest of the hair was jet black, as the horse’s body was. Her colors had come early on in her life, at three.
Griffin was one hundred and thirty eight in elven years, but only twenty three in human. Her Band was Pitch Black. The society was magical as were all of the Blacks across the world. The Bands were determined by their hair color. Everyone in a band has the same hair color except for the lock of hair above or below the left eye. It had never happened that a member of a Band was born with different color hair than their parents. If the mother were to join the father’s band and become pregnant, over the course of the pregnancy the mothers hair would turn to the color of the band she now lived with.
When a child reaches the age of six they would start to see a new hue to the hair over the left eye, along with their eyes. The colors will change during that year and the next until the eyes and lock of hair are one color. The earlier the Blacks children reach its final color the more magic that Black would be able to perform. Griffin had been born of an Elf father and a Gypsy mother. She had received her colors early, giving her power over everything that the Black Gypsy’s could master, then most of her Fathers knowledge had been passed down through the last thirteen years until her Father had nothing else to teach her and she went away for a year to study on her own.
Griffin was distracted from her thoughts as the big doors opened. The cool breeze rustled the young girl’s hair and the ribbons attached inconspicuously to her clothing, she lifted her chin and anyone looking upon her would have thought her royalty, sitting on a high horse confidently facing possible death, with a serene look. Though somewhere, deep in her heart she found hatred well up, any onlookers wouldn’t have notice the shivers, but the stallion did and soothed her with his soft nickering.
“Don’t show fear mistress.” The large red dragon soothed.
“There is no fear. Hatred, yes. Fear, never.” Griffin answered and once again they where led forward.
***
Griffin was disgusted by the look of the throne room she had just entered. Even the carnivorous dragon was appalled by the stench of the outer corridors. The stench covered by another sick perfume making it smell even worse. Griffin felt the horse under her retch and gag just as she did, upon first entering the hall. Immediately her eyes swept the room, there were two guards holding the doors open. The men were large but not large enough to scare the girl. There were three more of these men scattered about the room and two on each side of the throne.
The guards didn’t move but faced a gaudy gold chair as a door closed and the clatter of knifes against sheaths and the clip clop of high-heeled boots interrupted the silence. Griffin felt her eyes drawn to a fat lady dressed in red velvet, a heavily jeweled crown on her head. Griffin’s eyes were immediately alight with hatred and the dragon’s nostrils flared. A voice floated into her mind, “Easy girl.” Singer stated in a calm voice. Behind the rider and mount two or three thuds sounded and the screech of metal upon stone filled the silence. The dragon had dragged the pathetic soldiers closer to the girl so the Gypsy could feel the hot air as the reptile breathed deeply out, sending a shiver down the soldier’s backs. By this time the fat woman had reached the over done chair and had taken a seat her eyes never leaving Griffin’s in a level stare. Finally the fat queen looked away as a maid handed her a goblet. Griffin watched the terrified girl reenter the side door through which she had come. The Queen’s high voice pulled her attention back to the fat lady.
“I hear you claimed not to have my precious jewel.” The old woman sneered once again trying to stare Griffin down, “What do I have to do to get you to give it to me. I’ve sent my best soldiers to kill your family but the stupid men cannot find them. Perhaps some of your other enemies might have killed them already?” She inquired. Griffin stood her ground her eyes bore into the Queens. The fear was plainly seen in the Queen’s eyes and over her flushed face. Her bulging dark brown eyes swept over the three, her gaze snapped back to meet Griffin’s icy glare, “I see we are missing one. The mutt or anamaga?” Griffin was caught by surprise at this remark, but quickly regained her cold stare and expressionless face. Her purple eyes flashed in anger and pain.
“Now you seem surprised that I know this, but then I am informed that you were surprised by my men finding you in that run down shack. Do you forget I am the Queen of the Ruling? I have eyes every-where and don’t worry about the young one she was a bit slow on the uptake but after she was in our grasp she caught on, scared one of my half men to death with that form-changing stunt. All of the captors swear they caught an dog, but when she was to be fed there she was, a huge wolf stuck in the center of a cage.” She chuckled,” My men had fun with that.”
At this last word the girl’s rage was unable to be contained. She and the horse as one jumped forward at the stairs, the chain reached its end, but with a quick flick of her wrist the chains flew into her hands. The horse clattered up the stairs and stopped in front of the throne and the girl jumped down gracefully a small dagger at the Queens throat. All of this had happened in one fluid motion and before any one else could move the silence was shattered by the great oak doors being flung open. Griffin felt herself thrown into the air and smashed into the wall opposite the throne, knocking her breath from her lungs.
***
The dragon pulled viciously on the chains roaring trying to drag the men forward. The three men from around the room had gathered with surprising speed and had pulled the horse back down the stairs and were now helping to hold the dragon down. The horse reared lifting the men holding the ropes of the ground, and kicked wildly attempting to escape from the soldiers grasp and help his mistress.
Griffin tried to stand, but a man standing over her shattered her attempts. She smelled the magic wafting around him and was roughly pulled up by her forearm. She tried to feebly pull herself away. It was no use. The man’s grip was like iron. She felt the immobility spell cast onto her, like a cool rush of water down her spine, but the counter spell wouldn’t come to mind. Her head throbbed, as she was pulled to the soldiers awaiting arms and gripped tightly by two of the men. Griffin’s hate filled eyes followed the mage as he bent over pick up the dagger. He ran his finger over the blade testing the edge. The Queen was still being inspected and questioned by the soldiers. Finally she sat once again on the gaudy chair crown awry, dress mussed and red wine splattered all over her.
The Queen went red under the wine and gave the man now bowing to her an icy glare, “Well. Master Jorgen. What a pleasant surprise.” The Queens insincerity was as plain as day. The mage straightened and turned to Griffin.
“Now what do we have here?” He asked smirking, “The young girl has gotten herself in enough trouble to be brought before the Queen.” Griffin kept her gaze steady though her head reeled. Her vision blurred in and out of focus, the only feeling she had, was of the warm trick of blood descending from the back of her head. The man’s eyes wandered to Dragon then to Singer, standing farther off.
“Over sized horse, red dragon. Both very rare, I suppose this is the mutt’s master?” The Mage turned his attention back the Queen hand gesturing to Griffin. The lady’s eye’s never met his but turned away, “A shape changer is highly sought after. She is probably only the second left. Tell me how many forms does she take on, just the two candid am I correct. She’s still only a year?” The mage inquired pushing Griffin past her limits. She still remand conscious, but barely, “Where is she?” Griffin demanded.
“Ahh, so she is yours.”
“Sarabeth belongs to no one.” The Dragon spoke up. He rarely ever spoke in human tongue, but he could sense his lady’s weakening. Though neither the dragon nor horse cared much for the shape changer, Griffin’s affection had started to rub off.
The Mage was momentarily stunned that the large reptile’s out burst, then chuckle to himself, “There are only two people in the Ruling with such a horse and an dog. The only person with both is a young woman. Though I didn’t realize she was this young.” The tall man stepped forward, closer to Griffin. The dragon growled his warning, “Hello Griffin.” Griffen struggled as the man’s hand trailed over her forehead,” Shh…we will talk again” The mage’s words rushed through Griffin’s head and no longer able to fight the magic in the voice she slumped over unconscious.
When she awoke Griffin leaned against a hay bale in a corner in of a shadowed cell surrounded by clumps of hay and dirty bits of cloth, a large metal door was to her left. The room was lit by torches held in place by brackets every few feet around the prison’s walls. At least the smell had subsided. At first she thought it was a dream, but her movements to stand gave way to a wave of nausea, and throbbing from her head dissolving the thought, and the strength. Griffen slumped unconscious again only to be caught by Singer and lowered to the concrete floor.
***
Waking a second time Griffen found herself looking into the eyes of a girl, she seemed to be about twelve. Slowly Griffen clambered to her feet. Tilting back she was caught and straightened again by a warm muzzle. Carefully Singer shifted his position to allow his mistress to wrap an unsteady hand around his broad neck.
Griffin managed a faint smile to the young girl. Her color was red Griffin observed. The girls long black hair was pinned up in a messy bun. Griffin’s hand instinctively rose to touch the wound on the base of her skull. Instead of finding dried blood where it should have been she found smooth hair and a small bump, Griffin brought her hand back to her face and sure enough there wasn’t any blood.
“I fixed you up best I could. You squirmed a bit, but I tried all the same.” The young girl spoke, drawing Griffin’s confused gaze to meet hers. Of course, Red may heal, Griffin recited in her head.
“My names Remington. Remington Cheyenne, if it pleases milady.” Griffin again reached back and touched her hand to her wound. The girl watched clearly astonished as purple fire rushed from Griffen’s palm, she didn’t need a healer’s color, and instead she brought forth power from her fathers training. Griffin was glad to see the immobility and anti-magic charms had worn off.
“How’d you do tha’?” Ashamed by her out burst Remington’s hand shot to her mouth. She curtsied shame faced, “Milady ‘scuse my rude remark.” As Griffin’s head cleared from the magic, she managed a few thoughts. This girl thought her a leader’s daughter, or a noble. Smiling, Griffin corrected her, “My name is Griffin. There isn’t’ a need bow or curtsy to me I am a civilian, same as you.”
“I know you.” Remington replied eyes glittering, “You’re the Mage, and you’re the one who befriended the Dragons. You were the talk of the Band before we were raided.” Her face grew ashen, “We could’ve used you. The men died one by one, me mum managed to get me brother and me and a few of the camp’s children away, afore she died from an arrow wound. I tried to ‘eal it but she wouldn’ let me.” The girl’s eyes were clouded, a tear rolled down her cheek. Her voice cracked as she added, “the soldiers aren’t ‘sposed to kill women an’ children. But that don’t apply to us Gypsy’s. To them we’re just trash, or wolves waiting to be hunted down.” She wiped the tear away quickly as a crash sounded from behind a corner and a toddler ran into her arms. Griffen realized suddenly that she had been moved. The room was the same setup but instead of one stone room a door to Remington and the boy’s cell joined the two prisons. The small boy was laughing he hid behind Remington’s skirts as soon as he saw the stranger, Griffin guessed he was about five years of age, though small from lack of food, and rest. He stared at the smiling elder in awe his smile dissipating along with his laughter. Griffin assumed him to be Remington’s little brother she spoke of before.
Cautiously he slid out from the folds of cloth watching Griffin still. Griffin bent down and held out her hand in a Black’s hello. Instead of doing the same he ran up to her and touched her forehead, closing his eyes. Confused Griffin looked up at Remington, not moving a muscle. Remington smiled encouragingly, Griffen felt a prod at her mind and politely pushed it away. Suddenly the boy pulled his hand away and ran back to the smiling girl, he was pale and he didn’t look pleased. Griffin stayed were she was watching the girl kneel as Griffin had. She hadn’t seemed to notice the boy’s sudden disturbed look.
“What did you See Miguel?” Remington asked. Griffin’s eyes were drawn to his left eye then farther up. Of course there was no color, black on black was a cymbal of a Seer, or one who could see the future, as others would have daydreams. Most could See a persons past as well as long as they got close enough to touch them, she guessed that was what he had attempted to do.
Miguel turned away and ran through the door, which he had come through. Griffin stood, and just as suddenly as he had gone Miguel was back dashing behind the horse laughing, franticly looking over his shoulder. Fear seemingly forgotten, he squealed and hugged the big animals leg. More laughs and squeals reached Griffin’s ears as two more children burst through the gray door gripping onto Miguel and Singer. Singer whinnied as a young girl tickled his stomach. He had always liked children. Deep barking reached Griffin’s ears surprised both Griffin and Singer looked down peering through the door, for the owner of the familiar bark. A flash of black caught Griffin’s eye, but before she could respond or move she was tackled and engulfed in a tackling hug, pulling the brindle animal away Griffin burst out laughing.
***
“Sarabeth! Were have you been?” Speaking out loud again she hugged the Belgian Shepherd pup.
“Missy! Oh! Oh no!” Sarabeth leapt back quickly, looking around,” They mustn’t find you here. If they do the Queen will kill you! You must run. Mistress please-go back the way you came! Please!”
“Sarabeth! Calm yourself. She knows I’m here-“
“What! They found you! They found New Haven? No! How could the-“Sarabeth was interrupted by Remington,”New Haven? You know of New Haven, the Gypsy’s New Haven? My Band went there, the ones who hadn’t been killed!” Remington’s eyes pleaded with the pair, for confirmation.
“How did you understand us?” Griffin jumped to her feet and grasped the girl by the shoulders. Sarabeth quietly moved to Singer’s side watching the pair in confusion, “How!”
“I-I-I learnt it. M-My mother was a Wildmage. S-She could talk to the animals. I knew you were talking a’ cause you’re eyes-everyone’s eyes look distant, all I have to do is concentrate and listen into others thought’s I c-can’t talk to others yet though.” Remington was surprised by Griffin’s outburst and a little frightened.
“Who else knows this?” The kids squealed and ran into the other room. Miguel ran up to Griffin pulling her arm, but Griffin ignored the child. She still searched the girls face for an answer. The horse now stood over Griffen.
“Remington you must answer me! Who else knows? Griffen’s fear for once was plain in her eye’s the younger girl was now terrified, “No one! No one I swear. Wait the Queen. Yes! The Queen knows. I swear that’s all. She is the only one that knows.” She had started to cry. Griffin let the shaken girl go and backed up.
“The Queen is worse than a thousand Gypsy Hunters now that she’s got me. That’s why I’m in here with you and the others. She knows you will understand anything I say. If you don’t tell her than she will kill the children, until you have spoken.” Griffen turned about scanning the room with keen eyes, looking for a possible escape for the girl who had helped her.
“Is their any way out?” Sarabeth pleaded quietly with Griffen her sweet voice trebling in hatred or fear. She had come to know the children well and did not want to see them harmed, yet she had to say the same for Griffin.
“I d-don know of any way.” Remington interrupted, turning back to Griffen,” Surly she will not kill the children. They were put in my care! I can not watch them just die, but I will not tell them your secrets. Still you must tell me. Does New Haven really exist? Do my Band’s people still live?” Her tears flowed freely now and Michael had retreated into the other room peering through the door.
“Either they die or you talk... Remington,” Griffen turned back to the girl hands on her shoulders again, “You must tell her everything if we cannot find a way out of this cage… Yes, the New Haven does exist, but not for long unless we find away out of here.”
“W-what do you mean? She won’t shut the haven down would she?” Remington’s eyes flooded with tears, “She can not be that cold hearted! The children may know a way out. They have scoured every corner in the cell. I will ask them, but you must help me. One of the children is sick, come and I will show you. If you can fix her wounds then I swear upon my Mother’s grave that I will find us a way out.”
“The Queen has no heart. She will not just shut New Haven down. First, she will trap every last living Gypsy in their own refuge and kill them off one by one. I’ve seen it done before. That’s were my family went, along with the rest of my Band. Show me the child and I will do my best.” Griffin replied blankly.
***
Griffin, Singer, and Sarabeth were led into the other room to find eight beds made of straw and rags. Three of them were occupied by sleeping children. None of the children looked to be over the age of ten. The first bed was occupied by what looked like twins a boy and a girl in the corner under a few scraps of blankets. Griffin felt her heart melt at the sight of the pathetic children, neither of the twins slept, instead stared wide-eyed at the new comer.
In the next bed over a girl, maybe nine lay on her back unconscious, a young boy around Miguel’s age sat besides her patting her brow with a dirty rag. He looked up anxiously as Remington walked over to him. Her mouth set in a grim line, hatred sparked in her eyes. Singer followed Remington to the girl and nudged her with his snout. The young girl smiled slightly and raised an unsteady hand to pat him gently on the muzzle. He whinnied quietly and the girl let her hand drop back to her side her smile replaced by a twisted grimace as Remington’s hand passed over her head, red fire pouring from it. Remington stood again to look at Griffin instead of meeting her gaze Griffin set about inspecting the other children from were she stood. Still another girl than the rest stared at Griffin, she sat against the wall in the corner of the cell on a few scraps of straw. Her knees were pulled up to her chest, her raggy shirt pulled over them, silently Griffin walked to were she sat and kneeled in front of her.
“What is your name?” Griffin asked. The girl looked away, Griffin examined her face. She was younger than the rest, Griffin guessed, and she was not the same. Her hair wasn’t brown as the other children’s were, instead silky grey and tan hair fell over her face, matching Sarabeth’s long fur almost exactly.
“Isabelle.” She stated. She turned and looked at Griffin, her voice was strong and she held her head high.
“How old are you?” Griffin asked this time Isabelle didn’t turn away, but looked into Griffin’s violet eyes with her strange, almost transparent green eyes.
“Why are you talking to me?” She asked surprising Griffin.
“Why wouldn’t I?” Griffin asked returning the girls gaze.
“I’m different. No one talks to me.” This time Griffin didn’t say anything, but pulled herself to her feet. Silently she asked Singer for her cloak, when she brought it she laid it over the girls shoulder’s and whisper in her ear, “You’re strong, I can tell. You could help me if you wanted to.” Griffin turned and walked to the Remington’s side and silently started to examine her patient. Remington slid to sit as Isabelle did close to the bed of straw watching Griffin work.
“She’s never spoken to anyone before.” Remington remarked, looking over at the small girl who now sat with her hands in her lap legs folded. Her head was bent looking at whatever she held,” She was here before we arrived. I’m not sure she’s Gypsy at all.” Remington looked to Griffin, though Griffin still kept her eye’s downcast. After a moment Remington stood calling the children for a game of “Search for an Escape”. Once they all left the door was closed, and it was only Griffin, her unconscious patient, and Isabelle. After a few moments of silence a quiet rustling sounded and Isabelle lowered herself were Remington had been sitting earlier. Griffin looked up briefly. The girl still looked at her hands.
“I’m fifty-four, I’m elven to.” She pulled back her hair to reveal the pointed ears. Griffin looked up and Isabelle let her hair fall back to its original place, “I’ve never known my parents, but my aunt sent me to the Queen in order for her family to be protected by the Ruling. They were rebels.” Griffin remained concentrated on the sick girl she was tending to. Secretly she felt hatred well up for whoever had left this girl with the Ruling.
“I know about you, Sarabeth talks to me in the night.” Griffin glanced up. Isabelle looked at the sick child with an almost confused look, like she had never spoken before and the words were hard to find though she spoke fluently, without pause. “I know a way out.” Griffin looked up startled and turned away from the sick girl.
“Y-you what?” Griffin asked, looking back at her charge.
“Well that’s what you’re looking for right?” Isabelle asked a little bit confused.
“Yes, but why didn’t you tell us this earlier?” Griffin asked kneeling, “I’m sorry… will you please show me were it is?”
“Only if you tell me something…” Isabelle answered fidgeting and for the first time Griffen noticed the chains on her arms and legs similar to the ones Griffen previously wore. A faint smile danced over her mouth and her eyes lit with humor, “Did you actually steal the queen’s stone?”
Griffin was surprised, but nodded her head. As soon as she confirmed the girls answer, Isabelle grinned broadly and handed Griffin something.
Before Griffin could open her hand, a crash sounded in the opposite room. Yells and harsh commands echoed into the cell as Griffin and Isabelle leapt to their feet. Suddenly the shouts of men and screams of children subsided and Remington burst through the door.
“Help!” She gasped. A gash ran down her face from right eyebrow to the corner of her mouth and she carried an unconscious Miguel in her arms.
***
“Isabelle, move her,” Griffen ordered quickly, pointing to her earlier patient. Isabelle looked at her unsure,” Do it. She’s healed. She’ll rest for a few hours. Here.” Griffen took Miguel from his sister and set him on the now empty space.
After healing Miguel until dusk, Griffen stumbled into the next room to were Remington and Sarabeth sat on a few scraps of straw. Remington’s gash had scabbed though Griffen staggered over and laid her hand on the wounded girl’s forehead. As Griffen started the healing Remington feebly tried to push her hand away, but was held back by Sarabeth. After only a few minutes Griffen collapsed onto the floor with Isabelle carefully pulling her to Singers side.
“You can leave her there for now… Thank you.” Sarabeth’s face was creased with worry as she stared at her unconscious friend. The thick hair around her neck almost resembled a grey mane, as on a lion. The small white star on her chest was almost hidden by the darker hair. One ear flopped forward in a puppyish manner as the other stuck up alert and twitching at the slightest noise.
Sarabeth maneuvered herself to curl around Griffen’s head, with Singers help. Griffen’s limp hand somehow found its way to be lost in Sarabeth’s thick fur. Isabelle sat near in case she was needed and watched her sleeping idol for a short time until she too, was lost in a dream of a better place.
Griffin woke around midnight to Sarabeth’s low growls. After a moment she picked up the soft sound of boots shuffling in the corridor. She was still unsteady and pushed herself to her feet. Remington still slept on her right, Isabelle on her left. Making no noise she stepped carefully to Isabelle’s side placing her hand firmly over her mouth startling the elven girl into reality. Her eyes snapped open. Griffin brought her finger to her mouth motioning for silence as she removed her hand. Gesturing to the metal door Griffin waited until Isabelle heard the faint noises and nodded.
“Wake Remington, no noise.” Griffin ordered Sarabeth silently. The dog stood, canine fangs disappeared under her previously raised lips. Singer was already up moving across the room to check on the unaware children. Griffin pulled Isabelle softly to her feet. She drew her close to whisper almost inaudibly into her ear. Isabelle nodded firmly, waving her hand for the other three to follow her, Remington looking around cautiously, fear plain on her face.
They entered the other room as metal clanked softly on metal on the opposite side of the door. Isabelle checked first around the room looking back at Griffin, following close behind, and Remington, confused but aware of danger. Isabelle trod to the opposite wall and felt over the bricks on the length of the wall. She stopped near the left corner, smirking she passed her hand over the stone and a passage appeared. She stepped inside barely clearing the tunnel ceiling and grabbed something off the wall. She reentered the room carrying a torch. Griffin took the offered torch and lit it with her magic. The light sparked violet, turning quickly into normal fire. She passed by Isabelle and entered the somewhat lit tunnel. Along both walls was a row of torches hanging unlit. Griffin passed what she guessed was halfway through lighting torches and turned back. Sarabeth stood in the opposite room guarding the door, her ears twitched every so often when and interesting noise was sounded. Griffin motioned for Singer and as the horse neared her she pulled a chain out from under her black tunic placing it around his neck. She nodded to him and Remington and drew them over to the sleeping pile of children. Silently Griffin asked Remington to lift the children onto the horses broad back,
“He won’t fit through that hole let alone with these children on his back.” Remington whispered. Griffin grabbed the chain around the horses neck and shook it to make sure Remington understood her, ”This will do it.”
Remington looked unsure but hoisted the previously sick girl onto the horses back. Griffin produced a few lengths of rope from her belt securing the first child as Isabelle and Remington added the second. The girls got four of the children onto the broad back, each checked the ropes a few times to make sure they were secure and huddled around Griffin while Singer stood patiently.
There were seven children not including Isabelle and Remington. Miguel, the sick girl Ariel, Lara a eight year old Gypsy and her twin brother Dram sat on Singers back slightly awake. A three year old was lying in the corner, and two young boys sat leaning against each other, asleep in the far corner of the room. Griffen grabbed Isabelle’s hand pulling her to the wall, whispering as the metallic noises from outside sounded, louder than before.
“I need you to take these two.” She motioned to the boys and nodded to Sarabeth as she quietly padded to them. Isabelle opened her mouth to speak but Griffen cut her short. “Sara will help you. She will show you how to help her. I want you out first. Singer will follow with Miguel and the other children.
Isabelle glanced to Sarabeth, unsure then back to Griffen. “There are seven?” Griffin nodded. “Remington will take the last child and you will go, quickly as you can to the gates. Once you reach the outer wall-“ Griffin was cut short by a curse on the other side of the door and her eyebrow quirked as a grin flooded over Isabelle though she did not remove her gaze from her elder. Griffin smiled and nodded, finishing. “ You will go to the gates. You must find a safe spot for the children. Isabelle you need to make sure they sleep on through this. Remington can help you if you show her how.”
“How though will we proceed with the rest of the escape.” Isabelle asked, fire alight in her eyes. Griffin shook her head. “You’re impatience is much to much. Sarabeth will o about her way. O not question her and do not stop her if she leaves you at any point. If you are caught and you know where she is they will get it out of you. Therefore you will not learn it to hold the knowledge against you. You will let her go and when she returns to you, you will receive further instructions.” A louder crash sounded in the hall, followed by a larger curse and Isabelle’s smile grew. Griffin shook he head and hugged the girl swiftly pushing her to the door. Remington caught her arm, turning her face up to the older woman in question. Griffin nodded.
“Isabelle knows all she needs. You follow her no questions asked?” Remington nodded, glancing to the once silent girl, then back to Griffin, worry overriding the excitement and apprehension.
“And you Mistress?”
Griffin laughed and shrugged. “I fight for my people and you are no different.” She glanced to the door, to the exit and back. “I think it is time you leave?” Remington nodded slowly and turned. Isabelle stood to the side and offered her the youngest of the children. Isabelle accepted him and walked to Singer, taking the chain in hand she started for the low tunnel, glancing back at Griffin, she nodded. Griffin smiled and nodded back to her.
Isabelle smiled to Griffin and hurried to where Sarabeth stood as the curses grew louder and more frequent. Griffin watched Sarabeth instruct Isabelle and in a moment the two both had a child in there arms and
It was Griffin’s turn to move. She sighed and waited for them to disappear before snapping her fingers. The tunnel closed in on itself and she smiled. The second after this the door would open with a bang and the fight would begin.
***
Sarabeth led the way for the young women and Singer. They passed through the tunnel to the outer gates with ease. It seemed that even with the queens rival there still was no need to worry. Isabelle searched the ramparts with keen eyes. Remington led Singer on, hiding under his broad neck as she walked.
They kept to the shadows. Both Sarabeth and Isabelle felt it was better that way. Sarabeth led them to the outskirt of the city, following the walls. The palace had been easy to get out of. The walls had grated fixtures for the creeks to run through for fresh water. Following the grates to the other side was no problem for the company.
Sarabeth drew to a halt and looked over her shoulder at Isabelle. The young girl crept forward around Singer and Remington to their leader.
‘Stay here. There is a grate farther down. Get the children into it. Have Remington sit with them. You and Singer will stay and watch for people. Be careful. I will be back when I can.’
‘And If we’re found? What then?’
‘Don’t worry about it. Fight them off for as long as you can and singer will contact me.’ Isabelle watched her curiously but remembered not to ask questions. Griffin and Sarabeth both seemed sure this would work. As if they’d done it before. But to Isabelle’s knowledge, which was far more than one would think for a peasant elf as she was, this was her hero’s first time being caught by the Queen.
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Submission Name: Grifin's Watch
