Exile

Part 14

Being around Alana wasn't too bad. Atlas had not had good first impressions of her but he decided he could survive.

He had also never seen Immi this happy. She was a relatively happy person, but she was downright ecstatic now. She ran all over the village giving flowers to random people and singing; constantly. It was cute and annoying at the same time. Atlas was more of the chaperone. Made sure no one murdered Immi out of annoyance and such things.

Atlas, meanwhile, wondered what they would do next. Soon Immi's father would send search parties to find his Imogine, and they would have to go home. The only way they wouldn't be caught was if they started moving. Surely the Duke would soon send people to this village as well. Atlas had to keep this to himself, though, because he knew, deep down, he wanted to be caught. If they got caught he could go home, and, most importantly, Immi would be safe. He knew Immi thought she could handle herself out in the world but she couldn't. She could beat some people up, but she's too naive and nice to hold her own.

"Atlas," called Immi. "You're strong, right?"

"Uh sure, why?" responded Atlas.

"Help this lady with her bags, please. I can't carry this one, it's too heavy."

"Do I have to?" asked Atlas.

Immi straightened up to her frightening full height of 5'1. "Yes."

Atlas sighed and picked up the bag.

"Thank you young man!" said the old lady.

"Yeah, yeah, don't mention it."

"I must do something to repay you!" said the old lady.

"No, really I'm good," said Atlas

"Nonsense, come in, come in." Before he could protest, Atlas was shoved into the lady's house and was forced to sit down at the table.

"Hey!" whined Immi from outside. "Can I come in?"

The old lady scowled and closed the blinds. Atlas reached for his dagger in his boot and put it up his sleeve.

"Atlas Hallow," said the old lady. "Age eighteen, son of Lukas Hallow, advisor to His Grace Duke Jasper."

"How do you know all this?" asked Atlas.

"I have been sent to retrieve you and Dutchess Imogine. Your father seemed to think you would be eager to return to Crane, so I offer you a choice. You convince Dutchess Imogine to return peacefully and she will not come in harm's way. But if she refuses to come we might have to use more convincing strategies."

Atlas looked at her, shocked. "You can't harm a Dutchess."

"I can," said the lady, "If I have permission from her father."

Atlas held in a gasp and laughed instead. "So you're trying to tell me that Duke Jasper wants to hurt his daughter?"

"You know that His Grace will do anything for his reputation. He is getting serious criticism for the incident involving Her Grace Dutchess Imogine."

Suddenly, there was a crash and Immi fell into the window.

"Leave Atlas alone," she declared, hands flaming.

"So I guess that's our cue to leave," said Atlas, scooping up Immi in his arms. "Bye, crazy lady."

"Yeah!" yelled Immi. "Bye, crazy old lady!"

Atlas jumped out the window Immi came in and ran to Alana's house.