Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 41: The Girl Leaves the Tower~

Jiu hadn't gotten much sleep. How could he after such a dream as that. He had set his mind upon getting Leora out of the manor, and nothing would change that. So, at five in the morning; Jiu slipped out of bed and got changed, his decision set in stone. He silently made his way down the corridor to where he recalled Leora's room had been placed, unfortunately next to Soren Cole's. He knocked, hoping it was light enough to keep the tutor fast asleep, but enough to wake the girl up.
"Edward?" Leora groaned after a moment, her voice muffled by the door.
"It's Jiu," Jiu whispered, praying Soren couldn't hear any of what he was saying.
There was a moment of silence, followed by the noise of someone hurriedly putting on fabric; scrambling towards the door. Leora peeked out at him, so he could only see her face and barely anything of her room.
"You are aware of the time, are you not?" The girl grumbled, her hair a mess.
"Very aware, Leora," Jiu whispered," But I must take you somewhere, this morning. Before anyone wakes."
Leora furrowed her eyebrows confused.
"Can you get dressed?" Jiu pleaded, his voice low.
"It's five-!"
"Shhh! I know, I know. Keep your voice down, alright? I promise you, you'll want to be awake for this."
Leora glared at him for a moment longer, trying to figure out what to do. After a long moment she sighed and shut the door. She kept it shut for a while, and Jiu was worried she'd just gone back to sleep and he was standing there like a fool. He went to knock again, but before he could, the door opened and Leora stepped out, shutting it softly behind her.

She was wearing a loose fitted dress, with sage hues to it; her hair only slightly brushed up to look a little more presentable, but even then it was a questionable look. She wore large, clunky brown boots; which made her look smaller than she already looked. Jiu smiled and led her quietly through the manor, praying a servant wouldn't stumble upon them as they snuck by. Jiu gently pushed open the front door and helped Leora out; shutting it silently behind them. He led her round the side of the house, where it was unlikely anyone would spot them.
"Where are we going?" Leora yawned, confused; the crunching of the gravel under her boots filling the silence.
Jiu did not answer. He led her to the very end wall of the east of the house; where a chipped iron gate stood, abandoned and dismal. Leora blinked slowly, not quite understanding.
"You took me to the gate?" She frowned, disappointedly," Are we giving it a paint job or something?"
"Not quite," Jiu chuckled.
He gently fiddled with the aged lock with a nearby stick until it loosened; he pushed the gate and let it sway open, leading out to a long forest path towards the village. Leora stared with wide eyes, rooted to the spot; gently clasping her hands together in an anxious sort of manner.

"Come, Leora," Jiu gently tugged at her hand, trying to pry her towards the gate," Let's go have some fun."
"Jiu...I..." Leora glanced away, sounding almost short of breath," I can't...Henry, he'll-"
"Henry?" Jiu scoffed," When have you ever cared what Henry thought?"
Leora glanced back at the ghost, sheepishly. She made no attempt to move.
"Come on, Leora," Jiu's gaze softened," You've been waiting for this moment! Henry won't know, okay? I won't let him. Just to the village, that's all."
Leora let out a shuddering breath, trembling a little," It's not that I don't want to, it's just...I shouldn't. I was made to...to stay, so..."
"Nonsense, Leora; everyone should be allowed to feel free. It won't be long, we'll be in and out."
Leora frowned," They'll alert Henry if they find I've gone."
"I've left Edward a note and instructions," Jiu stated, determined to get her out of the grim hell hole she called home.
"I'll miss my lessons."
"I won't keep you that long."
"I won't fit in."
"Who said anything about fitting in?"
"I-"
"Leora," Jiu firmly cut her off, squeezing her hand for reassurance," Trust me."
Leora stared up at Jiu with wide eyes. Then, with bated breath, she intertwined her fingers with his and stepped forward. Jiu slowly walked with her, only for Leora to hesitate at the threshold.

"Together," Jiu glanced at her," On the count of three, okay?"
Leora nodded, meekly.
"One..."
The girl gripped the ghosts' hand tighter.
"...Two..."
She clenched her eyes tightly shut.
"Three."
With a hurried movement you'd expect from a rabbit; Leora stepped over the threshold; panting for breath like she'd just ran a marathon.
Jiu smiled and gently closed the gate behind them," Good job, Leora. The hard part is over."
The girl glanced back at the manor, her eyes wide," I've never seen it... behind bars, before. Away from me...I..."
Leora turned around, staring at the long tunnel of trees that led them down the path to the village. With a sudden jab, Leora tugged Jiu by the arm into a run that the ghost was not expecting.
"L-Leora-!?" Jiu yelped, swiftly clasping her arm, as if scared once she broke from him she'd be loose like some excited puppy.
Leora's eyes sparkled as she dashed down the path; holding Jiu tightly, grinning at the sight of the passing vibrant greens. She glanced back at the manor and the gate, seeing it become smaller and all the more insignificant. It was like she was reliving some wonderful dream she'd had when she was little. Jiu saw the wonder in her eyes and he couldn't help but let out a chuckle when he ran with her, hand in hand. He knew it had been wise to stick to his decision. And, in some oddly bittersweet way, Duncan and the memory had granted Leora's freedom.