Let The Games Begin.

E v a s i o n

After the hoplites catch up to me, we ride back in silence. None of them dare speak to me. Probably out of fear of what I said about mentioning them to my mother. Good. The less they spoke to me the better. The lack of communication gives me time to think.

Nearly the whole way back I'd rode ahead of them. Very trusting on their part, since I could shoot off in any direction at any time. I knew that we were going to have to stop and water the horses soon. We had travelled through the night and were now only a short distance from the palace. The horse that I was on winnied, and pulled to the right, drawing me away from my thoughts. 

I heard it then. The subtle rush of a nearby river. I smiled to myself, glanced back at the guards. Some were chatting amongst themselves, others were watching me and some were even looking around, admiring the beautiful grecian scenery. I leaned down towards the horses left ear and whispered, "Let's make them earn it, shall we?" The horse gave a slight nod, almost like it understood me. Sitting up, I looked behind me once more and then snapped the reins, pulling the horse sharply to the right. We were off of the main road and cutting into the woods quickly, racing through trees and shrubs towards the source of the water which was growing louder by the second. 

Naturally, the guards trudged into the woods after me. I laughed aloud, racing away ahead of them. I knew these woods well. One of the things my father would let me do with him when I was (rarely) allowed into the cartography room was study maps. He would always say, 'For one to rule a kingdom, it is important to know it inside and out.'

I snapped the reins again, charging straight for the river that we were approaching. The horse picks up speed and then jumps, sailing over the water. I know of a hidden spot with a small pond, behind the waterfall that feeds into the river that the horse could drink from. That is, if I could gain enough speed to make the turn unnoticed. Ahead were two tall, thin trees that crossed at the top to make an 'X'. Casting a glance over my shoulder, I see that the guards are closer than I thought. Weighing my options, I shrug and tug the horse to the left, through the trees and around the backside of the waterfall we had passed. The gap in the rocks that led to the hidden oasis was smaller than I remember but I led the horse straight through and then cruise to a stop. When the thundering of horses had passed and all was quiet again, I slid off the horse, secured the reins to the saddle and let it find its way to the water's edge. 

As the horse drinks, I pat his neck. I lean back and look down the length of the horses body, my gaze falling on a saddle bag. Just to be nosey, I open it and rummage through the contents. Several folded maps, some coins and dehydrated meats as well as some fruit. 

Something shiny at the bottom of the bag catches my eye. Biting into an apple with one hand, I reach back in and pull out the shiny object. "Ha!" I shout. "The captains seal!" I had picked a horse at random and ended up taking the captains. 

I pocket the seal and then go back to the water's edge. "Your speed should have given away your station. Beautiful creature." I run my hand over the horse's mane and then sit down on a rock, in the shade. To my right, grows a small pasture of grass. The horse munches contentedly, shaking his head every so often. 

Once the guards make the clearing into the pasture beyond the forest, that stretches several miles until your reach the palace walls, and they realize their captive is nowhere in sight, they will have no choice but to retreat. It should take them approximately seven minutes to make it to the edge of the trees. A minute or two to collectively agree to start the trip back. 

Once the horse has finished grazing, he comes back to me and leans down. 

     "Ready to go?" I asked, standing.

He gives another slight nod, eyeing me.

     "You know, It feels like you understand me, definitely more than you should for being a horse. But I'm not upset about it." I smile, petting his neck. "How about we ditch my mother's cronies. I'll take you back to the stables and get you some apples. Unless, of course, plans change. But I'll still make sure you get your apples."

Climbing onto the horse, I turn him around and we make our way back towards the direction of the main road. It was maybe two miles from here to the palace. If we start now, we'd have a good head start on the hoplites by the time they make it back to where we are now.

     "So, how am I going to do this?" I think aloud. "I can't burst through the front doors and announce my return. They'll swarm me. If mother finds out, she'll confine me to my room. I can't sneak in through the window and hide in my room forever, I have to eat. If I hire a personal guard, they'll blab unless I pay them heavily to keep quiet. Someone is bound to see them bringing food to my room and they'll be suspicious. The treasurer will notice a the consistently missing money." I glance around, suddenly unsure of my decision to return. I can't go back to the village. Subconsciously, I reach down and pet the horses hair. Still thinking aloud, I say, "I want to do something dramatic, though. Something that proves that I'm not joking around if I actually inherit the throne." I sigh and cross my arms, riding the rest of the way in silence. Have no doubts. A plan is brewing. 

Near enough to the portcullis that I can see it, and still far enough away that the guards on watch can't hear the horse, I wait in the shade for the band of guards who had brought me back to catch up. Glancing up as the thundering of horses and men grew louder, I see the captain, who has apparently stolen someone's horse and made them walk, or ride with someone else, swing off the horse and approach me, spear in hand.

     "Lady Integra, I have to warn you. If you run off again, I will strike. My men and I are not playing this sick little game of yours. Get up. We're going in."

I sigh and roll my eyes, dropping the blade of grass I was knotting. I stand, swipe the grass from the bottom of the tunic and say, "I could have your head for that. On a pike. It would accentuate the throne room nicely. Especially hanging behind the thrones."

He shifts uncomfortably. "Just follow orders. Why make this harder than it needs to be?"

     "Don't worry about what I do. I am in charge. You're not." The captain opens his mouth to speak. I interject with, "Shut up. Here's the plan." I motion for his men to move their horses closer. "You, captain, are going to take your horse, a sweetheart by the way, make sure he gets the best apples, to the gate and tell the guards on watch by the portcullis that you didn't have any success in finding me. Tell them you need their help tending the horses and gathering supplies so you can go back out tomorrow. Keep them far enough away from the door that I can make my way to the side door and go in, through the garden. I'll take it from there. In thirty minutes, bring ten or so men to the throne room. I'll have your next orders ready."

The captain nods, tongue in cheek, and then asks, "And why should we listen to you?"

     "Simple. Because if you don't, I'll kill you." I gave him a cheeky grin and wink at him, handing him the reins to his horse. Begrudgingly, he takes them and starts his men off in the direction to  the palace entrance.