Flight of Frost and Aurora

Chapter 56

As dawn broke over Snejotep Haven, the town buzzed with preparation for Alastor and Lute's wedding. Colorful bunting adorned the square, and townsfolk scurried to set up the makeshift altar, adorned with flowers and ribbons. Lute was in one room getting dressed and beautified for the ceremony, while Alastor was locked away in another, heavily guarded. It seemed Lucifer wasn't as dumb as Alastor had assumed; he had taken every precaution to prevent Alastor from running out on his not-so-blushing bride. Two men stood watch at the door and the windows.

"Where was this level of intelligence at his second wedding?" Alastor muttered to himself. "Alright, slipping away won't be as easy as I thought, but I've been in tight spots before."

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Come in," he called.

It was Heinrich and Vagatha.

"They sent us to bring you your wedding clothes," Heinrich said. "And to tell you to hurry up."

"Any luck finding evidence to clear my name?" Alastor asked.

"No, I searched all day and night, but found nothing," Vagatha replied, her voice heavy with regret. "I'm sorry, Alastor."

"Don't worry about it. I don't need evidence right now."

"I still can't believe you're actually going to marry that dreadful girl," Vagatha said incredulously.

"Now, Vagatha, you of all people should know I don't always mean what I say."

"What do you mean?" Heinrich asked, confused. "You told everyone at the trial you would marry her to avoid hanging,"

"Yes, but that doesn't mean I'm actually going through with it. I just needed a diversion for my escape."

"You're planning to run out on her?" Vagatha said.

"Bingo!"

"But they'll hang you for that!" she protested.

"Only if they catch me."

"Alastor, you're in a locked room, guarded by eight armed men. How do you expect to escape?"

"If David could slay Goliath, who was ten times his size, with just a sling and a stone, then I can certainly find a way out of this. I just need to figure it out."

"One the problem with that analogy: David had divine intervention, and you don't," Heinrich pointed out.

"Maybe, maybe not. After all, I did say my prayers before bed last night."

"Maybe we could help you," Vagatha suggested. "Heinrich and I could create a distraction while you make your escape."

"No, because then they'll hang you both for helping me," Alastor replied firmly. "I have to get out of here on my own."

"Even if you do escape, where will you go? You'll be a fugitive with nothing. All your money is at the church, pending what will be done with it. If you try to claim it, you'll be caught," Heinrich warned. "And believe me, it's a dangerous world out there without money."

"When I escape, I'm going to find Charlotte. I know she's still alive. I'll find her, bring her back, and that will fix everything."

"But you don't even know where she could be," Vagatha pointed out.

"True, but finding her is the only thing I want to do. I refuse to eat, sleep, or do anything else until I hear her voice, see her face, and hold her in my arms again."

"I hope she's still out there, Alastor, because Anthony and I have searched everywhere and we found nothing to indicate she's alive."

"Hey, where's Anthony anyway?" Heinrich asked. "Shouldn't he be here by now to give you your last meal?"