BOOK 3: One True Destiny

Chapter 9

                                                                                    The Escape

"Mary, wake up, wake up. We must leave now while everybody's asleep." Carlos whispered. The Scottish Queen tries to open her eyes and sees Carlos giving her the gesture to be silent. It is near dawn and they both fell asleep on the floor while gazing at the sky. "Carlos, how can we leave this place? The door is well guarded and we don't know the way out." She anxiously asked. "I have not heard any footsteps outside for the past few hours, perhaps the guards have left their post. I was able to quietly pick the lock of the door using your hairpin. We must go now while we still can." Says the prince as he slowly stands up and tiptoes his way to the door. He tried to listen for any sound from outside. There is nothing but silence, giving them the signal that this is the perfect time to escape. Slowly he opened the door to take a peek, the hallway seems clear and lighted by tall candle stands. Carlos gives Mary the sign that all is clear. She slowly stood up and walk towards him. He placed his hands on her cheeks. "Mary, whatever happens, I want you to keep running once we are outside. Do not look back. I'll be right behind you." The Queen nodded and said, "Carlos thank you." Then he opened the door as they both went outside the chamber slowly. Mary took off her shoes to make sure that she will not make any sound. Together they walked slowly... Carlos took a candle from the candle stand and gave it to Mary to lighten up their path. Both remained silent as they approach the stairway. Then they walk down step by step, minimizing their movement. Upon reaching the middle of the stairway they saw a man sitting near the fireplace whose back is facing them... The man is motionless, probably he's asleep like the rest of them. Carlos slightly tapped Mary's shoulder, his way of telling her to continue walking. After a brief moment they are finally at the end of the stairs. They again quietly tiptoed and searched for the door, which is located not far from the man that is sleeping. Slowly, Carlos unlocks the door and in a slower pace turns the door knob trying to prevent any squeak. He let Mary go first, then he followed closing the door quietly behind him. Now the gate is the only thing that's keeping them captive. The full moon provides them enough light to see the road clearly. Soon the guards might show up from their rounds, they must climb over the gate quickly but soundlessly! Carlos took Mary's hand as they approach the gate. The prince tries to calm her down, she is quivering from fear. "Your Majesty, we must hurry." He whispered in her ear. He then proceeded to give her a lift to help her from climbing. Mary is taking a while to move herself up, her dress may get caught up on the rail and she is being careful... She is almost there... She can feel her heart pounding! She can feel the sense of freedom! A few minutes later her feet finally touched the ground. Now that she is outside, it is Carlos' turn. The prince slowly placed his hands on the steel bars, trying to minimize the sound. Then he proceeded to step on the gaps... He is midway and he lost his footing! But he managed right-away to gather himself without making a noise, much to Mary's relief. After a brief but nerve-racking moment he is finally on the ground to join Mary at last! The two then hugged each other out of joy. Then they proceeded to walk farther and farther away from their captor's grip; they managed to disappear in the night.

                                                                                            The Discovery

It is early morning as the caretaker hurriedly rundown the stairs to alert his master that  Carlos and Mary had escaped. "Condottiero! (Contractor!) Condottiero! (Contractor!)" He exclaimed. The man who was sleeping near the fireplace, the same man that the escapees had seen earlier immediately wakes up. "What is it?!" He asked. The caretaker knelt down and said, "They're gone! Our captives had escaped!" "What?! How?! How is it possible for two young people to escape fully grown armed men?! Call the head guard! I want to know who's assigned to watch their door last night! Bring him to my presence this instant!" The man screamed angrily. After a brief moment the head guard shows up with all the guards. "Forgive me, Condottiero. I did not leave my post on purpose. I needed to accompany one of our men to the near infirmary, he felt ill." Says one of the guards who bowed down. The Condottiero strike the guard's face as hard as he could! "Bring them back if you want to keep your head! All of you, go find them now!" He exclaimed. They all promptly left the man's presence to search for Prince Carlos and Queen Mary. The Condottierro begins to breathe heavily as he anxiously pace back and forth, then he makes a tight fist and continuously punch the wall! He is furious! The caretaker who just witnessed his act begins to tremble in fear as the man walk towards his direction. "We must find them! They cannot leave this place! Send an urgent message to the rest of our brothers who are currently in this location. We need their assistance to track them down immediately! Tell the guards not to mention anything to anyone about this matter. Because when he finds out or even hear that they successfully escaped, we are all dead!" He exclaimed.