Say Walah

9: Loyal Fool

Rimi's heart pounded in her chest as she fled Mairo's chambers, her footsteps echoing in the empty corridor. As she rounded the corner to the staircase, she nearly collided with a solid figure.

"Oof!" she gasped, stumbling backward.

Lawal, the head of household, stood before her, his weathered face creased with concern and suspicion. "Where are you off to in such a hurry, girl?" he asked, his deep voice rumbling in the quiet night.

Rimi's mind raced, fabricating a story on the spot. "Oh, Lawal! Thank goodness," she panted, feigning relief. "Goggo Mairo... she's feeling unwell. A terrible stomachache. She's asked me to fetch some ginger root from the kitchens to settle her nausea."

Lawal's scanty eyebrow arched skeptically, but after a moment, his expression softened. "Very well," he said, stepping aside. "But mind you don't wake the entire household with your clattering about."

Rimi nodded gratefully, scurrying past him and down the stairs. She could feel his eyes on her back as she descended, willing herself not to look back or betray her urgency.

Once out of sight, she quickened her pace, slipping out a side door and into the cool night air. The stables loomed before her, and she darted inside, her eyes searching frantically for Accita's familiar form.

There, in the third stall, stood Mairo's beautiful brown horse, quietly munching on hay. Rimi's heart sank. If Mairo hadn't taken her horse, she wouldn't risk the guarded main gate. Which meant...

"The caves," Rimi whispered, realization dawning.

Without hesitation, she turned and ran towards the far end of the estate. The rocky outcropping that marked the secret pathway was barely visible in the darkness, but Rimi knew the way by heart. It was a path she and Mairo had explored countless times in their childhood, giggling at their own daring.

Now, that same path might lead Mairo to danger – or freedom.

Rimi pushed through the tall shrubs that obscured the entrance, branches scratching at her arms and face. The winding trail stretched before her, a ribbon of shadows in the moonlight. She knew Mairo had a head start, but if she hurried...

Taking a deep breath, Rimi began to run. Her feet flew over the familiar terrain, her body remembering the twists and turns even as her mind raced with worry. She moved as swiftly as she dared, trying to balance speed with stealth.

The night air filled her lungs, cool and crisp, as she pressed on. Somewhere ahead, Mairo was fleeing towards an uncertain future. And Rimi, driven by loyalty and fear in equal measure, chased after her, determined to catch up before it was too late.

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The night air hung heavy with the scent of damp earth as Mairo made her way towards the caves. Her heart raced, every rustle of leaves making her jump. Freedom was so close she could almost taste it.

Suddenly, she froze. Footsteps. Faint at first, but growing louder with each passing second. Panic gripped her chest as she realized someone had discovered her absence far sooner than she'd anticipated.

Mairo's eyes darted around frantically, searching for a hiding spot. There - a dense shrub just off the path. Without a second thought, she dove behind it, pressing herself as close to the ground as possible.

The footsteps grew closer. Mairo held her breath, willing her heart to quiet its frantic beating. Sweat beaded on her brow as she strained her ears, trying to discern any clue about her pursuer's identity.

Through the leaves, she caught glimpses of a figure moving swiftly along the path. The gait seemed familiar, but in the darkness and her panicked state, Mairo couldn't be sure.

As the figure drew level with her hiding spot, Mairo tensed, ready to bolt if discovered. But then, in the dim moonlight, she caught sight of a familiar profile.

Relief flooded through her, mingled with confusion. "Rimi?" she called softly, emerging from the bush.

Rimi spun around, her eyes wide with surprise. "Bismillah!" she exclaimed, her hand flying to her chest. "My lady, you nearly frightened the life out of me!"

Mairo stepped closer, her face a mix of emotions. "How did you find me so quickly?"

Rimi grasped Mairo's arm, as if to reassure herself that her lady was really there. "I know you, my lady. And I know this path." Her voice softened, tinged with concern. "But Goggo Mairo, what are you thinking? You can't just run away like this!"

Mairo's expression hardened. "I can, and I will. I won't be sold off like cattle to that... that monster."

"But where will you go? What will you do?" Rimi pleaded. "Please, my lady, reconsider. We can find another way."

Mairo shook her head firmly. "There is no other way, Rimi. My fate has been decided by men who see me as nothing more than a pawn in their games. I refuse to play."

Rimi's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Then... then let me come with you."

Mairo blinked in surprise. "What? No, Rimi, I can't ask that of you. It's too dangerous."

"You're not asking, I'm offering," Rimi insisted, her voice gaining strength. "My lady... Mairo... you're more than just my mistress. You're my friend, my sister in all but blood. If you leave, what's left for me here?"

Mairo hesitated, torn between her need for secrecy and the warmth blooming in her chest at Rimi's words. "Rimi, think about what you're saying. You'd be leaving everything behind – your family, your home, your future."

Rimi's grip on Mairo's arm tightened. "You are my future, my lady. Where you go, I go. That's always been true, hasn't it?"

Tears welled up in Mairo's eyes as she looked at her faithful help —friend. "Oh, Rimi..."

"Please," Rimi whispered, her own tears now falling freely. "Don't leave me behind. I couldn't bear it."

Mairo felt her resolve crumbling. She pulled Rimi into a tight embrace, their tears mingling. "You impossible, loyal fool," she murmured affectionately. "What am I going to do with you?"

Rimi pulled back, a watery smile on her face. "Take me with you, of course. Someone has to keep you out of trouble."

Mairo let out a soft, choked laugh. "As if you're not half the troublemaker I am." She took a deep breath, looking into Rimi's eyes. "Are you sure about this? Once we leave, there's no turning back."

Rimi nodded, her expression solemn but determined. "I'm sure. Whatever comes, we face it together."

Mairo squeezed Rimi's hand, feeling a surge of affection and gratitude for her friend. "Together, then. But we must hurry. Dawn will break soon, and we need to be far from here when it does."

Hand in hand, the two young women turned towards the cave entrance. The path ahead was uncertain, fraught with danger and the unknown. But as they stepped into the shadows, there was a spark of hope in their hearts. Whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them side by side, their bond stronger than any force that might try to tear them apart.

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