Rahla brought Clarinor into the forest and pulled a map from his back pocket. The map was withered and at least 300 years old. She watched him leaned against a tall tree. "So, what's the plan?"
"Hold on." He unfolded it gently on a stump and stood up and pointed at it.
"It's a map of the ship. I'm aware. They have them plastered all over the top level. "
"See the dotted lines on the bottom left and right that lead up?"
"Barely. It's so old you're lucky if you can see anything."
"Any way. Its an escape pod to the top level. It hasn't been used in over a hundred years."
"How do you know they still work? I believe my mother had them unconnected." He let out a sigh. and sat against the tree.
"I can't live down here. I'm used to clean and tidy everything. New clothes. Nothing like down here. You wanna know something?" She nodded and sat next to him. "If you don't get married soon you have to go and work in the Main house. "
"What?!" Her eyes were almost bulging.
He nodded and looked into his lap. "I'm sorry." His voice trailed off.
"I- I can't!" She started to shake and he rapped his human arm around her to calm her.
He dropped his voice to a whisper, "We will get out before than. I promise."
She wiped her eyes and leaned against him. She whimpered, "Protect me Rahla. Please." He nodded and they drifted asleep.
The sun rose and Rahla woke first and shook her shoulder, "Clarinor! Wake up! We fell asleep!" She jumped up and handed the damp map to Rahla and started to run to the shack.
Annabelle was looking out the window. Clarinor was panting as she pled, "I am so sorry. Please forgive me."
"You're fine Clarinor." She smiled softly and rubbed her eyes. "You have a visitor."
"Who?"
"He refuses to tell me his name." Clarinor walked in cautious. Her eyes widen as she say her Friend from the main level.
"Jale?" his nod was sharp.
His hair was a near black with a bit of a blue tint. "Clarinor, you are missed." She stuck up her chin a bit, "I am sorry you cannot visit us."
"It is quite alright." She took in a deep breath. "It is quite nice once you get used to it."
Jale stood. Lanky and tan. He nodded to Annabelle and left the room in four long steps. Once he was out of sight Annabelle whispered, "You okay honey?" Clarinor only nodded as she left the shack to find Rahla. She found the shack he was living at. His Take in mother answered the door and bowed quickly.
"Princess! What is the pleasure of meeting you here?" Clarinor kept her lips close together. She looked passed the withered old woman to see Rahla. The woman nodded and moved out of the way and Clarinor stepped in and Rahla stood erect.
"Yes Clarinor?"
"We need to talk. Now." He nodded and followed her out of the shack. They walked down the unpaved path to the woods where they were previously. "Rahla. I can't leave now."
"What? Why?"
"I saw an old friend today. He was so... I don't know.. Uncaring. Like I was nothing any longer." She took in a deep breath and leaned against a tree for balance.
"Yes you can Clarinor. You can return," He took his hands in hers and lowered his voice. "We can leave together. I have a new plan."
She kept her head low and her voice weak. "I can't be seen anywhere now. I stick out. Your very own foster mother knew I was the princes."
He nodded slowly and wrapped his arms around her. She sighed softly and closed her eyes. He whispered softly, "Clarinor, We can live on the second level. We can-"
"No. We can't. I can't leave here. I'll help you get out. But I must stay."
"Clarinor..."
"No. Stop. Rahla I can not leave." He put his finger to her lips and let out a long shh.
"We are leaving together. Listen to me." He let his finger down and lowered his voice. "I can change your appearance." Her eyes widened a bit.
She choked out, "How?"
"We need to cut your hair and change your complexion a bit. I also know someone who can change your eye color."
She petted her long hair. "But it's to dark."
"Bleach it a little. We need to start tonight." He gave her a bit of a smile.
She continued to frown, "But yours is to light. How do we darken it?"
"I can shave my hair." His hair was already pretty short. So it didn't really bother her. "Clarinor, we will make it out alive. We will have a better life on another level."
She nodded and smiled softly. She sat against the tree and looked up and the pink and orange sky. In a soft whisper, "Can we sleep out here again?"
He nodded and sat next to her. She laid her head on his shoulder and started to drift asleep. She dreamed about being with Rahla, the hidden life they would have. The pink turned to purple than to black as little white and yellow stars flickered. Rahla stayed awake thinking about how they'd get past the guards. The pink sky came back with a chilling wind. Clarinor sat up with a shiver as Rahla was between awake and asleep. "Rahla, wake up, It's dawn." His eyes fluttered as he slowly sat up.
"Clarinor, I have a new plan."
"Yes? What is it?" She sat closer so he didn't have to talk as loud.
"We need to get married," he put his finger to her lips so she didnt reject it instantly, "That way we can move closer to the gates and the woods with the escape pods."
"And the guards."
"Yes. I know." His sentence trailed off, "How well are you at playing sick?"
"I don't know. Why?"
"I need you to be fake sick so we go to the Second Level for you to get treatment. They leave us alone and we sneak out."
"How do you know that will even work?"
"What's the worse that could happen? They kick us back down here?"
She shrugged, "True."
~to be continued~
