A Tale of Time: The Malice of Men

Chapter 32: Adventure

Adventure is exciting. Adventure is scary.

Adventure is exhilarating. Adventure is overrated.

Adventure is fun. Adventure is danger.

Look what you've done trying to save her!

He met Esha the next day and the day after that. His father wasn't overly concerned since he always came home in time for dinner. Araan told him he made a new friend and that explanation seemed to suffice for now.

Truth be told, Esha was the most boring person he had ever met! She did nothing fun. All she would do when they were together was talk about events at home, using so many names that Araan was confused before long. The poor child wasn't made for politics. They talked about Esha going too. They did all this in that tower of theirs. Esha hated leaving Symbeya and that made Araan glad, though he couldn't say why.

Since they had so much time, they decided to make the top floor of the tower habitable again. By this time, they were so close that Araan got Esha to do actual work! (Although she was vert horrible at it and usually left Araan with more work to do). They cleaned up the floor as best as they could and stocked it with food they had smuggled out of their house. (Esha was the main contributor here). Esha brought a slate and a few pieces of chalk with her and began to teach Araan to read. He proved to be a fast learner.

How Esha got away from home everyday, he did not know. He never bothered to ask her either. All he could think of was bow nice and clever she was. And beautiful. As for Esha, she found a haven in Araan. They became unlikely friends.

The day Esha would have to leave was fast approaching ans even the comforting presence of Araan couldn't keep her growing anxiety at bay. "Twelve hours, Araan! I'll be gone in half a day !" Her tiny head bobbed up and down as she paced across the room. Her eyes were wild and rebellious.

"Isn't there anything we can do?" Araan asked.

"My governess would never allow me to escape. She doesn't know I am not at home now, but she will keep an eye on me the day after. The only reason I have managed to escape is because I...." She trailed off.

"Tell me what will happen. Tell me everything." Araan stood up.

"I must be ready to depart by noon. I wake up at day break and am readied...."

"One of these days you should try readying yourself."

"Quiet! Or do you want me to stop?" 

Araan shooting his head.

"After I am readied, and this takes a while, mind you, I say my goodbyes. All the things will already have been packed and loaded by then. Then, I leave. There will be Royal guards all around the house and father says they are very good. What can you do?" She expected Araan to do something about this.

"What do you have to do today?" He asked.

"Nothing."

"Who sees you after you go home?"

"Only my governess. I dine alone and she makes sure I go to bed once I change and say my prayers."

"Will there be anyone around your room today?"

"No. Araan, what are you thinking?"

"Listen." He said. "I have a plan." As he told her his plan, her face lit up. This was going to be so exciting! Just like all the stories she read!

"Will you really do this?" She asked in disbelief.

"Of course!"

So they set their plan into action. Araan didn't come home that day and neither did Esha. The parents of both children were worried. Esha's mother and father sent a search party. Araan himself set out to find his son. Both groups remained unsuccessful, for the children were hiding inside the tower, and Esha thought herself to be the only person who knew the way in.

They didn't dare set a light, but they had plenty of food and that are up for it. They spent the night in talk.

"How long do we have to stay here?" Esha asked timidly.

"As long as it takes." Araan said, sighing. Clearly, he was the only brain in this operation.

"They won't leave without me. They will stay for days."

"So will we." Araan said, determined. Outside, storm clouds gathered. It was going to rain quite heavily.

"Aren't you scared?" Esha was trying  to hide her own fear. It wouldn't do to let Araan know he had too much control over her.

"I'm not." Araan was stoic. "Are you afraid of storms?" He retorted.

"Absolutely not." She said, shaking her head, but the way she clung to herself seemed to indicate otherwise. She was wearing a simple evening gown. Araan still had on the clothes he left home with in the morning. It was getting unbelievably dark now and they could only just make our their faces. Lightning flashed and just for a split second, the place seemed as bright as daylight. Thunder came almost immediately. By some stroke of luck, neither of them happened to be by the window. Esha gave a little scream, but Araan shushed her quickly. "Quiet!" 

Outside, it began to rain hard. At first, it was just strong wind. A heavy branch hit the glass pane hard and they were afraid it shattered, but it held strong. When the wind relented, it was a relief. The familiar 'rain smell' that precedes every storm ceased and the actually downpour began.

They could not see it, but they could hear and feel it. The whole place rattled and rumbled as the rain attacked savagely, now attacking the Windows, now threatening to tear down the roof. It was the most ferocious rain they had ever seen.They debated whether or not to go to a lower level to get away from the noise, bbut neither of them was in a position to move. Besides, this was the best floor in the tower. So they clung to each other. It was a strange experience for Araan to feel so cool and dry during rain, and he ran his palms across his arms to make sure it was actually true. To Esha, all of this was perfectly normal, even  slightly better now that Araan was with her. He may be stupid but he was exceedingly brave. I'd only there were more Araans.

----------------Outside, it continued to pour hard. There was lightning and thunder in plenty as well. At this point, both were very tired and sick of.the storm. Araan was prepared to stay as long as it took for the soldiers to leave, but he was growing restless. He stood up ans began to move about. Lightning struck again. The world outside the window turned bright as day. Esha had her head to the ground. She did not notice that Araan was standing at the window. Araan, for his part, continued to move about and due to sheer boredom, began to explore the lower levels. Unlike the top floor, this place was unusually cold and damp. Araan wondered wwhere this dampness came from. Was there a hole in the wall somewhere? That was when Araan noticed the door to the lower levels was now open. Before he could react, he felt a hand over his mouth. "I've got you now, girl!"

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Something of a Famous Five twist here! What do you think will happen to Araan? Was Esha too dependent on him? Let me know.