Chapter 3: Flight into Shadow
974 Words
“Up. Now."
The smuggler's boot nudged Adele's side. She blinked awake, fingers instinctively tightening around the blade beneath her cloak.
“Border patrol's getting close," the woman grunted. “We move at first light."
Adele sat up wordlessly. Rowan stirred inside her belly, not yet born but ever present. She wrapped her hand around her wrist, where the old ration tag clung like a second skin.
A few hours later, the caravan rumbled down the icy slope, wheels squeaking and jolting over the frozen dirt. Adele rode beside crates of salt, her cloak drawn low, eyes sharp under her hood.
"Forest's thin here. Bad spot if we're being tracked," one of the smugglers muttered.
The leader—a broad man with broken teeth—snorted. “Don't worry. Wolves don't sniff dirt roads. They only chase what runs."
Adele kept her head down. But every rustle of leaves, every snapping twig made her pulse throb in her throat.
---
##Later That Day – Inside the Forest Borderline
A sudden shout broke through the steady creak of the wagon.
“Riders!" someone yelled.
Adele flung herself into the trees as arrows hissed past. The smugglers scattered, most abandoning cargo to the snow.
She crawled behind a gnarled trunk, breath steaming in short gasps.
Horses thundered down the trail. Royal trackers, black armor gleaming, sniffed the air with sharpened senses.
“She was spotted near here," one barked. “Pregnant. Silverfang-born."
Adele's fingers tightened on the crushed pine needles in her pocket. She rubbed the resin across her neck and arms, masking her scent with sap and sweat.
“I smell iron and herbs," another tracker growled. “But no fresh wolf."
A third sniffed again. “The smugglers split. She's not among them."
“Then we hunt the girl alone."
Their footsteps faded. Adele didn't move until a squirrel scurried past.
Then she exhaled slowly.
Still alive.
---
##Evening – Deep in the Wolfbone Expanse
The trees grew denser, frost crusting bark like lace. Adele stumbled forward until her legs gave out beside a moss-covered stump.
Crickets chirped, hidden beneath frost.
“I'll die out here," she murmured.
She reached into her cloak. The veil's hem still glittered—jewels uncut, too fine to be ignored.
She ripped a sapphire free and tucked it into her boot.
---
##At Dusk – Caravan Campfire
“Another stray?" a tall woman asked, looking up from the fire.
“Found her near Hollow Creek," one of the smugglers said. “Didn't say much, but offered this."
He tossed the glittering sapphire into the dirt.
The woman bent to pick it up, eyes narrowing.
“Not local cut," she murmured. “This is royal."
Adele stepped forward, feigning meekness. She pressed her palm to her throat and shook her head.
“Mute?"
She nodded.
“Servant?"
Another nod.
The woman tilted her head. “Then you'll work. We've got a spot in the back cart. You watch the goods and keep quiet. That work for you?"
Adele nodded again.
The woman smiled thinly. “Good. I'm Iva. Lie well, keep your hands where they belong, and we'll keep your bones warm."
---
##Nightfall – Caravan Wagon
Under a coarse wool blanket, Adele listened to snoring men and the soft clang of swords hidden in crates.
“Where'd you pick up the mute girl?" a voice whispered nearby.
“Thornline. Says she's a servant."
“Too clean. Those eyes—noble. I'd bet coin she's running from something."
“Don't matter. As long as she pays."
Adele closed her eyes, teeth clenched.
No one could know. No one could guess.
Rowan moved inside her again, a soft kick against her ribs.
“I'm getting us out," she whispered to him. “One way or another."
---
##The Next Morning – Edge of Thornridge Pass
Snowflakes drifted through the mist. The caravan halted at a wooden checkpoint guarded by half-drunk militia in patched leather.
Papers shuffled. Questions flew.
“You," one soldier said, yanking Adele from the cart. “What's your name?"
She shook her head. Gestured to her throat.
“Mute?"
Iva stepped in smoothly. “She's mine. Bought her for ten silver last month. Good for lifting and sorting herbs."
The soldier grunted. “That so?"
He sniffed. His eyes narrowed. “She smells like… wolf."
Adele's pulse stilled.
“She handled pelts last night," Iva snapped. “Yours, if I'm not mistaken."
The soldier hesitated. Then laughed. “Fine. Let her pass. Keep her muzzled if she starts howling."
---
##That Night – Hidden in the Hills Beyond
Fires crackled low as smugglers shared soup and stale bread.
Adele crouched apart, watching stars flicker above the branches.
“You're not just mute," Iva said quietly, appearing beside her.
Adele looked up.
“You don't sleep like the others. Don't flinch like a servant. And that sapphire? Royal issue."
Adele didn't move.
Iva pulled a blade from her belt but didn't raise it.
“I don't care who you are. But if your past brings soldiers to this camp, you better tell me now."
Adele met her gaze. Then slowly lifted her sleeve—revealing the scarred chain marks around her wrist.
Iva blinked.
“No servant got those," she muttered. “That's the Maw Chain."
Adele nodded once.
Iva lowered the blade.
“Alright then," she said softly. “You don't owe me the story. But you better survive. Someone's going to want that baby dead."
Adele's throat tightened.
Iva turned to go, then paused.
“Tomorrow, we leave for Thornridge. It's quiet. Remote. A good place to disappear. If you want out, it's your chance."
Adele's hand dropped to her belly.
Yes.
She would vanish. She would raise her child in peace.
And no crown, no Alpha prince, no bloody throne would ever touch him.
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- Writer
