As Laeleth and Schuyler hurried through the streets they could see the mass panic and destruction the queen had already caused on her exit from the castle.
She was continuing to push her way to the outer wall as though breaking free from a confining prison. Anything that stood in her path was at risk of annihilation. None dared attack her as they sought shelter from the abomination.
Thatched roofs were in flames, people were screaming, children were crying, and animals dashed randomly around in fear. The dark queen’s terrifying, transformed nature had created an eruption of chaos that no one had expected or understood.
Laeleth continued to look for Gabriel and Laevon, but it was almost impossible to make any headway against the throng of panicked people. She was becoming more discouraged at every minute that slipped by. They could not have gone very far that quickly! She felt as though she might be running in circles as the morning sunlight did not yet provide much aid.
She turned down a side street just in time to escape a loose horse and cart. The frantic animal raced by her in a terrified stupor.
“Wait, don’t go that way!” Schuyler warned in a heated whisper. “It’s Brenner!”
He pointed down the street where the imposing Andarian captain was standing surrounded by his own troops.
Schuyler started to turn back around, but Laeleth was not deterred.
“We have not gone this way yet,” Laeleth spoke firmly. “It is not as crowded. Come on,” she urged the young guard.
Schuyler groaned at this. He was not keen on running into his former superior. “It is less crowded because he is there. He is probably aiding the queen,” he spoke in a desperate attempt to persuade her.
But Laeleth had a determined look on her face that would not be denied.
“Exactly ... I am certain this is the way now.”
She tried to keep to the side of the stone structures and take cover behind any object, hoping to slip past him unnoticed. Schuyler followed along behind her as he watched for any sign of trouble.
She was nearly past the captain and his group now. She could hear low, solemn whispering as she edged her way behind an abandoned merchant stand.
But Brenner caught sight of her quickly and turned the attention of his guards. “Stop right there!” he yelled gruffly while pointing towards her.
Laeleth did not heed him as she began to run again, hoping to lose herself in the confusion of the crowds.
Brenner was not dissuaded however as he pushed his way towards her fleeing form.
Laeleth did not look back as she realized that she and Schuyler had now been separated. Her breathing came more ragged again as she was losing stamina. Her feet seemed to be stumbling often on the cobbled side streets. She knew she could not continue on in this way much longer.
Laeleth felt a rough hand grip her shoulder and was pulled back sharply. She whirled around to meet the enraged glare of Brenner.
“Let me go, you bastard! I saved your life!” Laeleth snapped savagely at him and attempted to resist him. She was no longer intimidated by the queen’s tool. Every delay only increased her anger.
A strange look came over Brenner’s face as he processed what she had said. He recalled her intervention in the throne room when the vampire had attacked him. Laeleth had been the only reason he was not killed on the spot.
But Brenner was not a grateful man, and his prideful, stern nature was soon recovered.
“The queen wanted you, and I’ll be damned if I don’t save my own skin by bringing you to her,” he snarled back.
Laeleth struggled with all of her might, but she was helpless against his excruciatingly tight grip.
She could see no clear way out of this situation. She had no weapons or any physical strength to oppose him. The dragon fire against her neck seemed to burn into her flesh and she recalled the Seraphim gem she had once worn.
Why was the queen so intrigued by this stone? Had she feared it - and if so, why? Laeleth realized she was still clutching the jar containing the remains of the butterfly wings. Perhaps it was this magic the Hesperus was concerned about instead. Laeleth's book had stated that power in the wings could purify unholiness - and this sadistic queen was very face of it. All of these thoughts raced through her frenzied mind as she felt Brenner begin tugging her back towards the main square. Hope of escape was quickly becoming a fleeting fantasy.
