Women of Adoth

Haenla (Part 2)

 

Ser Joce left Haenla alone in the dark for three days before returning. This time, when the door opened, Haenla's eyes did not cause her pain. Instead, her dilated eyes could see straight outside, clear as ever. She rose and waited for Ser Joce to enter and light the candle on the floor.

"Princess, it is time. I'm sorry if I have awoken you," he said quietly, bowing to her before speaking.

"Let us go then," she said, walking towards the door with haste. This is it, I'm escaping. No more rape, no more darkness, no more sitting in my own shit and eating whatever moves besides myself. He suddenly grabbed her arm, pulling her away from the door and shooshed her.

"My princess, you must be quiet. Speaking up will cause people to notice us. If we are caught, I will lose my head and I only assume the same for you." She nodded, waiting for him to continue. "It is the dead of night, and only one or two knights are visiting other women in the cells tonight. It should be easy to sneak past them. Once we get outside, I need you to avoid people from seeing your face and to keep extremely quiet. Here," Ser Joce said, handing her a bundle of heavy clothes.

"Please, turn," Haenla snapped, taking off her dirty rags of clothing and putting on the nice wool dress, fur coat, and hood Ser Joce gave her. After finishing, she tapped the knight on the shoulder and they were on their way.

"Now remember... silent," he said, putting his finger to his lips just before blowing out the candle. Grabbing Haenla's wrist lightly, guiding her through the halls, Haenla's fear was being replaced with exhilaration. His grip became stronger and stronger on her wrist until she was in pain. Haenla was so focused on running towards the doors at the end of the long hall that the pain did not even phase her.

Opening the door slowly and peeking out, Ser Joce looked around and very suddenly burst through, pulling Haenla behind him. Before them, two knights and two women stood before them, looking fearful and shocked.

"Princess Haenla of Obril," he motioned at her. See? He's giving you away. These men are going to rape you and dispose of you, just like they are going to do with these two women with them.

"I am Ser Moad, and this is Ileana," a young handsome knight with brighed red hair whispered, looking the woman named Ileana in the eyes, smiling. Smiling back, she kissed him on the cheek and whispered something into his dead. What is this? Does Ser Joce take me for some whore like Ileana most likely is?

"Am I am Ser Rett, and my lady is Mariea," he also whispered, "we need to go Ser Joce. We are wasting time with introductions, risking our lives and the lives of our women. Let's get on the boat before we lose our heads to the King's sword."

After a quick nod by Ser Joce, they were running again, towards the docks, where a smaller ship floated, awaiting their boarding. The cold whipping Haenla's face was the first breeze she had felt in months, and while it was unpleasant, she was thankful to breathe different air.

Lifting her by the waist and lifting her above his head, Ser Joce helped Haenla onto the ship that would take lead her to freedom. Once Ser Joce, Ser Moad, Ser Rett, Mariea, and Ileana were all on the ship, Ser Moad prepared the ship to said away from the docks. Haenla laid on the deck of the ship and stared into the sky. I feel like I am free for the first time in almost a year. But am I free? I still don't know if I can trust any of these people.

After having sailed a few hours, Ser Joce found Haenla curled up, asleep on the deck of the ship alone in her winter coat.

"Princess Haenla, it's quite cold out here. Would you like to go down into the ship?" Ser Joce questioned kindly, shivering. After a few seconds of no response, he asked again. "Princess, let's go down into the ship. It's cold, is it not?" Again, he waited, to hear no response. Fearing she had died from the cold winds, Ser Joce fell to Haenla's side and rolled her quickly onto her back. Her eyes shot open and she pulled away.