One Hundred Tears In The Sunset

Chapter Thriteen

Louder,

Louder,

And we'll run for our life's,

I can hardly speak I understand,

Why you can't raise your voice to say...

(Leona Lewis)

***

The very air had changed. Warm winds of summer had turned to harsh chills of winter. Silence filled the once alive woodland. Clouds fell across the shining stars and shadows crept behind every tree. Teyha closed her eyes and waited,

"TEYHA!" She would be punished for this, for leaving the castle. The Princess didn't blame Brooke, she had wanted to stare up at the stars, and to feel the wind kiss her face. She had wanted to feel life's bittersweet moments once more,

"Teyha? Teyha listen to me..." Blue eyes darted in front of her and she felt her pulse quicken once more. A fierce heat fed down her body which had nothing to do with fever,

"I won't tell him about you Brooke. You can go." She smiled softly as a wave of dizziness shuddered down her. She was so tired,

"No. Listen, do you want to go back?"

"Back where?" She frowned. Brooke was sweating. A fine shine glowed on his tanned skin,

"Back to the castle..."

"I have to. Where else would I go?" She whispered,

"Come with me Teyha. Let me show you life is never as bad as it seems. Let me make you wish to live again." He clutched her hands so tight, his eyes wide and begging,

"But my Uncle..."

"Don't think about it, just say yes."

"TEYHA!" Mr Blairs was closer now,

"Brooke I..."

"TEYHA!!!"

"Trust me." He breathed,

"Yes." She whispered, "Yes"

She had said yes. Her grey eyes had flickered in worry, doubt and then power. He'd seen the strength in Teyha that showed she would fight. Brooke grabbed her, and she held on to his neck as he slipped down the ladder,

"Clarence. I need you to help us." Brooke spoke quickly and the servant boy stepped beside them,

"Ya know I would do anything for ya."

"Give me some time to get away from the castle, lure him away and then meet us by the broken wall." Brooke spoke quickly, his eyes darting around the tree's searching for danger. Clarence grinned,

"Easy as lemons...Imma on it." His brown eyes smiled down at him, "Ya won't leave without me though will ya??"

"I'll wait." Brooke said softly. The boy had always wished to escape the castle but he would have never done it alone, he was too young. Brooke couldn't leave him behind, the kid relied on him,

"I'll be seeing ya soon then." The boy grinned darted away in the darkness,

"You still sure about this?" Brooke murmured to Teyha softly,

"I am scared. But I am as sure as anything else. I really have nothing to lose." She whispered back.

She clung on tightly to Brooke as he ran. She knew he had to be hurting, carrying her on a weak leg must ache terribly but he didn't slow down. Beneath her hands she felt his heart thumping loudly. He had asked her to trust him and she was, after all what else did she have to lose? What would it matter to give life another shot?

"WHERE THE DEVIL ARE YOU GIRL?" Mr Blair's voice screamed. Teyha flinched and grabbed Brooke tighter,

"It's OK." He muttered softly and held her so tight she could barely breath. A loud scream ran out through the trees. It was high pitch and loud. Teyha's heart nearly stopped in fright, "It's Clarence." Brooke explained and she nodded weakly. The servant boy was luring Mr Blairs away,

"Where do we go Brooke?" Teyha whispered as he pushed deeper into the trees. The Princess hadn't let herself think about what she was doing, but now doubts plagued her mind. She didn't want to go back to the castle, yet what was on the outside for her?

"I have friends Teyha. We'll sort something out." He muttered, "You'll have to get through the gap yourself. Do you have the strength?" She nodded. Her body was feeling stronger, her head kept swimming with dizziness but this time when Brooke put her on the woodland floor she managed to stand straight. Teyha let her gaze fall back on the castle,

"What of the horses?" She asked. Brooke ran his hands through his hair,

"You're right. They were Jenna's. Without someone to look after them he'll kill the mares." She watched him hesitate, "Will you be OK while I let them out? I'll have to go to the gates. We could take Gem though." Brooke's blue eyes were wide with worry, "Clarence should be here in a bit. I don't want to leave you."

"I will be OK. I am not a damsel in distress." Teyha said softly and slowly bent down into the castle wall's gap. Her body groaned and she shivered. Her bones ached but the Princess carried on until she was out on the other side,

"I will be back soon." His blue eyes gazed through the hole at her,

"Be careful." The Princess whispered but he was gone before the words had reached him.

*****

Brooke gritted his teeth and pushed himself through the trees. He owned this to Jenna, he couldn't leave the horses. Teyha's eyes had looked terrified when he had left her, he had wanted nothing more than to climb through the gap with her, but he had to do this. His pulse was racing, palms sweating. I am stealing a sick princess, a swearing servant boy, and a grumpy horse, what can go wrong? He reached the stone stables and quickly tore inside,

"Hello ladies." He muttered,

"BROOKE?" Mr Blair's voice screamed only seconds away. Brooke stood frozen and stared into the darkness. Loud heavy footsteps echoed out, they were coming nearer. He could see the man's shadow glinting closer him from the open door way, when,

"Oi!!!" Clarence shouted from the woodland and Thomas stopped walking. Brooke held his breath waiting,

"You think I'm stupid Brooke? Your servant pet will not fool me." Mr Blair's voice chuckled, "I know you have her. I just have no idea what the hell your playing at." Brooke closed his eyes, and turned quickly opening the horse hatch. The white mare's nose flared in anger. Gem hated being woke up. He braced himself, and jumped up the horse's back,

"I'm getting her out of here before you can hurt her anymore."

"Then you truly are a fool." Mr Blairs stepped calmly into the stables. His green eyes blazed in the light of the stars, his face smiling softly, "The whole kingdom will be searching for her, and for the kidnapper." Brooke pushed away the thought. He didn't care what Mr Blair's said. As long as Teyha was safe, as long as she never wished to leave the world again, everything was worth it. He squeezed his feet on Gem and she lurched forward making Thomas dart out of the way,

"I say, let them search." Brooke chuckled as Gem darted out into the woods,

"They'll hang you when you get caught." He shouted,

"Then let them." He snapped softly to the night air, "The rope always breaks anyway."