The Lost Princess of Winterspring

14: FREEDOM III

Seeing the guard left, she pulled Malaya inside and closed the door. She kneeled in front of her and assured her that they have nothing to do with the fire and they're innocent people. She instructed Malaya to pack up their things because they are going to leave Arden at dawn.

"But you said we are innocent so why are we running away?" Malaya asked as she sees her mother hurriedly packing up their clothes.

"Yes, we are innocent but this is not how the world sees us, Malaya."

"What do you mean?" Malaya was very curious and this is what Mathilda expect from her child. They have been living in mountains for many years and this is the first time her child left their village. She looked over her daughter—she must've been so stressed out and drained from what had just happened to them and it hasn't been a month since then.

"My child, just know that I will do everything I can to keep you safe. And I know, this hasn't been so easy for us yet alone, for a child who just lost her home and her father. I will explain to you everything after we left Arden. Would that be okay with you?"

Mathilda has been shaking in fear of once again, endangering their family but she promised herself that they won't lay their hands on her child even if it means she will have to sacrifice her own life. She stumbled with the thought of having to sacrifice and in hope, she won't have to do it.

The night came in a blur and Mathilda has been awake throughout the day and has been keeping an eye on their window. She prepared dinner for the two of them before sneaking out of Arden. She went over to the room of Malaya and found her carrying her things—she was ready to escape.

"Let's have our last dinner in Arden, Malaya." She smiled as she leaned over to the side of the door.

"Okay, mother." Mathilda helped her carry her things and put them beside the dining table. "Can you at least let me know what is your plan?"

"Good question. Let me put your things in this bag so it won't be too heavy for you to carry once we roll out." She pulled a small black sack from her pocket and put everything inside while Malaya settled down to eat her dinner.

"We will leave with caution after eating our dinner. If the carriage will come from Clearcrest, it will be coming from the east so we will head out north—back to Carcassone." Mathilda sat down in front of Malaya as she continues to discuss the plan she has in mind."

"Carcassone? Why are we coming back to our village? What if anyone sees us there? They might be a hindrance to our escape."

"In my speculation, Carcassone won't be liveable until the end of the next winter as the fire destroyed the vast majority of the nimphian's livelihood. Also, Voera has a secret house up to the trees. It will be a good hiding place for a while—just until our name has been cleared out of this preposterous allegation against us."

Malaya nodded as she agreed to the plan of Mathilda. She finished her food and checked the windows to see if there is someone who's still awake. The dark will be very helpful to their escape. Mathilda closed the windows and blew off the candles. Her heartbeat has been nonstop running in fear of getting caught. Malaya held her hand and smiled at her assuring her that it will go with their plan no matter how it is flawed as long as they're together, it will be fine.

She opened the door and checked outside for any nimphians. As soon as she realized that it is clear, she pulled Malaya out of the room and walked to the left side of the Inn where there is a big window. She pulled it up and inspect the area. There were at least five nimphian guards. She turned over to Malaya and smiled.

"There are five guards below us. Let's transform into a bird but we have to keep our noise down so it won't cause a commotion." Malaya nodded and pulled her arm and opened her palms as she continues to speak the spell.

El fal mou

The two turned into a small brown bird and flew from one roof to the other. They have to be vigilant since it is well known that no animals are lurking in the whole town of Arden. If they got caught, it will cause a stir in the minds of the guards making them think that there is someone who uses spells in the middle of the night which is prohibited.

After crossing three roofs, Malaya pulled the wings of Mathilda giving her a signal that her spell is nearing its expiry. She became worried—they have to cross four more roofs to be able to transform back into their nimphian form. She chirped silently to Malaya as if telling her that they have to hurry to the next roof.

They continued to glide and jump from roof to roof but this time, with more haste in their movement. As soon as they landed on the ground, Malaya turned back to a nimphian. She hid behind the barrels of wine near the gate of the boundary of Arden and Carcassone while Mathilda is on the roof remaining a bird.

She saw three nimphian guards at the gate as she continues to formulate her plan. Mathilda used meditation to communicate with her daughter.

Malaya, use your arrow and put sleeping powder at the tip. Enchant the spell of silence. Mathilda commanded.

Malaya pulled out her arrow from the magic bag and enchanted silence.

Lisov el mou. As words left her mouth, her arrows became invisible and only the enchanter can see them. She stood up and positioned herself in the middle of the barrels. She stepped back and pulled the string of her bow and placed 3 arrows and whispered ram iv sou il and released the string.