Her New Life

Chapter 2: Escape Part 2

She was red in the face and out of breath. She had chased after her. Maxi started to panic. Was she trying to drag her back? Had she already alerted the guards? Before she could get her answer, Joana grabbed her shoulders and shook her. "You can't get out this way, you fool! Follow me." Joana pulled Maxi back towards the gardens and took her to a densely wooded area. They stopped in front of a crooked hole in the wall. Maxi was still surprised by Joana helping her escape.

Joana quickly removed several bricks that formed a small hole big enough for a person to fit through. "Many of the servants use this exit to leave the castle to retrieve 'personal items' or to fool around with their lovers without being seen. Or to complete various dirty work for extra cash. Not even the guards know about it. Those who do would be too afraid to alert the Duke. Lord knows what filthy secrets they keep." Joana paused and sighed heavily.

Then she dug into her pocket and pushed a small pouch into Maxi's hand. She could hear the coins jingling inside. "This is about half of my meager wages. It's not a lot, but it should be enough to get you a ride out of town and a place to stay for at least a night."

She grasped her hands in hers. Her eyes were full of worry. Or was it regret, or fear? She couldn't tell. She finally spoke after glancing behind Maxi nervously. "Don't look back, My Lady. You are on your own now. Be well."

She then pushed Maxi through the hole after explaining where to go and who to find. Without another word, she quickly began concealing the opening again, and that was Maxi's cue to run. She ran past trees and past various houses until she came upon a busy town. She made it out of the castle; she actually made it past the guards! Relief had no time to comfort her, for she had a new problem arise. How was she going to leave the Duchy and survive on her own?

With her hood pulled down to her nose and her trembling hands clutching the gift her former nursemaid gave her; she quietly made her way through the streets. Even though she had only packed a few clothes and small morsels of food, it felt heavy to carry on her own. She never thought she would have to carry her life with her one day. And there wasn't much to it. Following Joana's advice, she found an inn called the Haven. A fitting name for her current situation.

She opened the doors and was greeted by bustling tables, people singing, and drunken peasants and guards alike. She nervously looked around. Were people always this scary and rowdy? She stood in the corner next to the door for a moment, before gathering her courage and walking towards an empty seat. All the servants appeared busy, and she was too scared to call one over. She was supposed to look for a woman by the name of Jane. Apparently, Joana had known her as she was a former worker at Croyso castle. Eventually, a young server came close enough for Maxi to call out to her.

She was slightly taken aback by her annoyed look, clearly tired of being harassed by the drunken guests. Maxi hesitated. "D-Do yo-you k-know a-a-a Jane?" The girl looked perplexed and then annoyed again.

"I can't half understand ya, girl! Speak up! You want food, a room?" Maxi lowered her head, her face burning with shame. Before she could try again, she heard a loud bellow from a drunken man.

"Hold your liquor, fool! I'm coming!!" She glanced back at Maxi. "Once you've made up your mind, I'll come back to ya."

She stormed off to silence the man. Maxi kept her head lowered on the verge of tears. She was fooling herself. Her plan had already got her caught, by an unknown ally, but caught, nonetheless. Not to mention, her embarrassing impediment made it impossible for her to talk to people. What could she do now? Maybe she should give up, return to the castle, and beg her father to spare her. A fool's dream, but what else could she do? She stared into space aimlessly, before she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder.