Into the Gilded Walls

Chapter Three

As Gilian headed to the healer hut to look for Valri, he felt nervous. He had faked an injury so he'd be able to see her, to tell her his choice.

He walked in, holding his “injured” arm. He looked around, and his gaze rested on his friend. She was wrapping cloth around someone's arm. He started to head over to her, walking past sick and injured people. He let his arm go, not needing to fake it anymore.

Valri looked up as she heard his footsteps on the hard-packed dirt floor. Something flashed in her eyes, but Gillian could decipher what it was.

“Oh. Hi… I was hoping I wouldn't have to see you.” Her voice was soft and a bit sad. She stood up, facing him.

“Not see me?” Gilian's eyebrows furrowed as he stepped up to her, by her side.

“I was going to leave. Tonight… it's too hard for me to say goodbye to you.” She sighed and looked away.

“That's what I wanted to talk to you about!” He put a hand on her shoulder, making her look back at him.

“You can't talk me out of this, Gilian.” She said firmly and he stifled a sigh.

“I know… and I'm not going to stop you.” he murmured, starting to rethink the choice. Would it be worth it? Would it?

“You're not? Surely you are, I mean, you seemed pretty against the idea of escaping.” She said the last word in a low, quiet voice, as if she was afraid someone was listening in on their conversation. And to their surprise, someone was.

“Escaping? Young ones, that's… quite a feat. Brave or foolish? Depends on how it turns out.” The man Valri had been bandaging up, had spoken up. Unbeknownst to the two friends, he heard every word, Gilian jumped slightly, and by the look on Valri’s face, he could tell she had also forgotten the man had been sitting there.

“Jrack?” Gilian finally recognized the man, a bit surprised. “What happened to your arm?”

“Ah, fell down from the top, cut my arm open.” He shrugged, nonchalant. “But, don't change the subject, pups, that's what us woodlanders call young ones,” he clarified to Valri, “now what were you saying about escaping?” His friendly green eyes sparkled.

“I was uh saying, I'm not gonna stop you, Valri.” Gilian turned his gaze back to his friend.

“Yes, and why not?” she raised an eyebrow.

The boy took a deep breath, thought it over once or twice, and sighed, “because I'm coming with.”

“Oh, is it because of me? I don't want to force you into this, Gilian.” Her brow now furrowed.

“No… it's my choice, Valri. I need to get free of this place, I want to be free. If I have to carry one more bucket of tar, I'm going to go insane.”

“And… your family?” Those words made him pause again and he sighed.

“I'll… I'll have to leave them- but once we get to the rebellion, I'll… bring a force of people and take back this town!” He nodded at the thought, he could help his family by finding the rebel group!

“Hm, don't be so sure about that, pup.” Jrack spoke up again.

“What do you mean?”

“If you and your lady friend do get out of here, and you do find the rebellion… you'll find it… different than your expectations.” He met Gilian's gaze. His green eyes shined with a deep knowledge, making the younger boy feel amazed.

“Different?”

“I can't say that much, sorry pups. But I do wish you the best of luck.” He flashed a smile as he stood up.

“Wait, you're not fully-” Valri was cut off.

“I'll be alright, pup.” he chuckled softly. “But I am curious, how do you plan on escaping?”

“At night… I… Well, I guess we, will sneak off, past the guards in dark clothes stolen from the laundry…?”

“I wish you the best of luck.” He smiled.

“Do you… want to come with us?” Gilian asked, a bit uncertain.

“Me? Ah, my traveling and escaping days are over for now, little pups. And anyways, my work here isn't done.” He gave the two friends a mysterious wink and started to head out the hut.

Gilian and Valri made eye contact, Gilian shrugging.

“Now, about escaping, Gilian. Are you sure?” Valri gave him a worried look.

“I told you, it's my choice. And I choose this.” he nodded. “I'm sure.” Valri nodded back at him, the faintest of smiles on her face.

“I'll tell you the plan.”

.     .      .

At midnight, Gilian met with Valri. Because there were still guards out, they had to be extremely careful. Even the smallest rock shifting would jeopardize their safety. Gilian had wanted to say goodbye to his family, but his friend voted against it, saying it wouldn't be safe.

They were wearing cloaks that blended into the night, they had stolen these from the laundry pile. They might've smelt bad, but they helped keep them out of sight.

Gilian followed the girl, darting from shadow to shadow. His palms were sweaty and he felt shaky. He feared the Ra’aven would be able to sense his nervousness somehow. It wouldn't be surprising, since the abilities of the creatures were strange and unknown. They could breathe fire for all he knew.

He bumped into a body, and he feared it was a Ra'aven, almost screaming out in fear. When he saw he didn't bump into a pair of raven black wings, he sighed inwardly.

He felt a warm breath on his neck and heard his friend whispering, “we’re almost there… a few more blocks then we have the plains.”

He nodded in response, unable to speak, scared he would accidently talk too loud.

“Swiftly and quietly. Jraak gar bain.” Valri had a tendency to speak Ra'aven, she had to learn some so she could speak with the creatures who didn't know Common Tongue. And while she hated the creatures, she found their language intriguing. Gilian respected that, even though he saw the language as confusing and hard.

As his aching feet hit the road again, he kept a close eye on Valri, not wanting to bump into her again, in case she'd accidently be knocked to the ground and they be caught. It was hard to watch her, when he also had to watch for loose rocks and unpacked dirt.

Terror filled his heart again as he saw a torch, what if it betrayed their position? It probably will, that was their purpose. The two escapees stopped in their tracks, and hid behind a barrel as the torch light bounced their way.

They heard the low hisses and mumbles from the Ra'aven. Gilian held his breath, as the light went past the hiding spot. It stopped, and one of the creatures growled.

“I smell something, Tukar.”

“You're always smelling something. What is it this time?” A second voice in an annoyed tone spoke up.

“Like… humans.” the first voice said in a curious voice, almost musing.

“Karrk, you rwa’ch, this used to be a human town, humans are everywhere. Now come on.” Tukar said in a low, annoyed, voice. The footsteps started again, and the light flickered away.

Gilian let out his breath slowly, then he felt Valri tug on the sleeve of his cloak. They stood up again and started to walk.

They rounded the corner, right into an armored body. Gilian let out a small sound of surprise, falling to the ground, Valri falling next to him.

“Well, well, well.” a voice chortled. “What have we here? Two younglings out at night?” its voice went sharp, indicating excitement.

“My, my, this hasn't happened in a while.” The voice hummed, then Gilian was picked up by the collar of his shirt and slung over the Ra'aven’s shoulder.

“Walk.” It commanded Valri, a sneer in its voice. “Time to teach you two a lesson, to the dungeons!”