Bandit Queen

Chapter Four

"Aurelia you have to cooperate. You have to go back to your cell. Come on!" hissed Percy as he dragged her along the hallway by her now bound hands.

Silent tears ran down her face.

Aurelia. Thanks to that godawful name she was going to die, painfully.

Percy leaned over, putting his lips an inch from her ear. "I will get you out of this, but first I need you to act like my prisoner, please."

Lia nodded her head, silently agreeing to comply. She was dead either way, so it did not matter. She had nothing to lose anymore.

On her way back to the cell, she did not stop to greet and comfort the prisoners. She knew that her demeanor would only drown surviving hopes. The halls were even darker since the sun had set. Most of the guards held torches.

A group of them stood in the corner cackling, as they threatened a girl inside of one of the cells with their torches. They would stick the burning ends through the bars, forcing her to back up to the stone wall.

Lia clenched her firsts and bit her tongue. If this was the kingdom that she was supposed to rule, it was a huge disappointment, but maybe she could change that. Maybe things could get better. If she was the queen, she would stop this at once. Somehow she'd do it.

The pair arrived at her cell. Hers was the only one at this end of the hall. She was glad for such an isolated placement.

"I will be back to get you in two hours. I will get you out of here," promised Percy.

"If you say so," replied Lia.

"Trust me."

She watched as Percy's shadow disappeared around the corner, sliding down the wall of the cell. She pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them.

What was she going to do?

How did Liya and the healers fit into this equation?

Why hadn't someone told her about this important piece of information about her life?

Did they even know her identity?

Lia shook her head. There was no point in stressing out anymore. The only person that could answer those questions, if she could, was Liya, the woman who had raised her. The one that she had known as her mother.

Lia reached under her robe to feel the mark on her chest. She then plucked a strand of her red hair. These were the proof that she was in fact a princess and not the daughter of a healer.

Tears of confusion, loneliness and terror ran down her cheeks. Where was the brave girl that she had been that morning?

Maybe she was still there. She liked that version of herself better.

She stood up.

"I will be brave. I will fight!" she told herself.

She paced her cell, building herself up and plotting.

"I will meet my uncle. I will kill him. I will end this war. I will reestablish relationships with Isdole. I will bring everyone home. I will end all of the killings. I will forbid branding people with the mark of a thief."

She made a mental list of everything that she was going to do.

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Elicia sat on a rocking chair in her parlor writing. It was addressed to her mother, but it would never reach her. She was dead. Everything that she had cared about was gone. Her family, her dreams, and love.

Dear Mom,

I miss you. I miss our old life so much. I would give everything to go back in time to before everything went wrong. Life has been so unfair to so many people and it's my father's fault. They say that love between family members is perpetual but I hate him. He took everything from me. Before all of this happened, I was happy. He ruined dear Aurelia's life. He has destroyed this kingdom. And, he has taken everything that I've cared about away.

Today is Aurelia's sixteenth birthday. If it wasn't for him, we would still be bestfriends. I would be helping her prepare for her annual birthday ball. We would laugh and talk about handsome princes and have afternoon tea together. Myron would be here too. Even if we were just friends, because my cousin and him were to marry, that would be okay. It was a million times better than this. More likely than not, she is dead. But I still pray every night for her recovery. Despite the fact that if she was alive, she'd hate me. I only wish that she could see how I truly feel and not how my father portrays me.

I've considered terminating his life and mine. I don't think that this family deserves to live anymore after all that he has done. Would it be a sin to kill him? Would saving this kingdom from his tyrannical ruling doom me to hell in the process? Would that be worth it?

Please lend me your courage and strength to continue on. I hope that I have not disappointed you too much.

Sincerely,

Your daughter Elicia

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Percy watched as General Axel and his company left for their homes. It was the night shift and all had gone quiet. Most of the guards who took this shift were either drunk or passed out asleep. This was their perfect and only chance of escape.

First he went to the back door in the kitchen where food was unloaded, if there was any that is. He unlocked it. Then, he crept silently through the abandoned halls watching for any patrolling guards. He saw none.

At last he came upon Aurelia's cell. She was pacing, lost in her thoughts. He unlocked the gate. She stopped moving and just stared at him. Before he knew what had happened, she charged at him.

Percy prepared for impact but it never came. She wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"No...No problem," he stuttered, shocked that she had done such a thing. His face turned a soft shade of red. Barely detectable, but it was there. He shook his head.

"Please follow me. We must stay undetected for as long as we can," he stated.

She nodded, grabbing his hand. It was much bigger than her own.

They jogged through the dim prison. The only other sounds in the hall were far away guards, arguing about their poker hands and what to drink next.

That was until they heard a sharp and familiar voice.

"Halt! What are you doing with the prisoner?"

Standing in the middle of the hall was Baldy.

"Were you trying to escape with our hairdresser princess? I don't think so," and with that, he yelled, "A PRISONER IS ESCAPING! ALL GUARDS TO THE FORTH HALL!"

Hey guys! This chapter was interesting to write. Lol I've been sitting at my desk for like three hours. You all are so great!! Please remember to show your love by commenting and voting!

-XOXO Meaghan