The Queen of Elysium

Chapter 3 - Sink or Swim

Elissa's dreams are haunted by images of Aren's face and her heart despairs as to whether her vision of their future together is now beyond reach. After a restless night, she wearily pulls herself out of bed and crosses over to one of the windows; it is still dark outside.

While her rooms are indisputably sumptuous, she can't help feeling trapped. Rebelling against the thought of living in a gilded cage, she gets dressed in her black leather flying suit and wraps a dark cloak about her. Tipping out the display of fruit onto a table, she uses the woven basket to carry some shoes.

In stockinged feet, she creeps down the servants' stairway. Peeking into the room below, she freezes. There, sat at the feet of a guard, is a large Rottweiler-type dog, staring right at her. Thankfully, the guard hasn't yet noticed her, but one bark could lead to her discovery.

Placing a finger to her lips, she tries to mentally will the canine not to give her away. It cocks its head, gives a quizzical expression, then rises. Quickly, she tries to wrack her brains for a plausible excuse as to why she is skulking.

The dog bounds off into an adjoining room. She could kiss its furry face, when the guard follows it, muttering something like 'it better not be the stable cat again'.

Seizing her chance, she dashes out into the room and off down a corridor in the opposite direction. Sticking to the shadows and dodging into nooks, she makes her way through the palace. After stopping to put on her shoes and tuck in stray strands of pale hair beneath the dark hood, she finally slips outside.

The sky is starting to lighten with streaks of grey. With the basket hanging from one arm, she heads towards the vegetable gardens, hoping that any guards will mistake her for a servant.

Passing through the orchard, she continues over the parkland towards the far side of the island. Selecting a large cherry tree growing close to the fortified wall, she sets down the basket and starts climbing. Although she is able to get high enough, there is a chasm between her and the wall.

She bites her lip, eyeing the gap, then squeals as the bough she is standing on unexpectedly moves. Crouching low, she wobbled as it creaks forward. There is a flurry of petals and scrapping of twigs against the stonework as the tree breaches the divide.

She strokes the branch and sends a silent thank you to the tree, then simply walks onto the ramparts. From up here, she can see the twinkling lights from the city of Avalon reflecting prettily in dark water. Everything is going so well, until she looks down and her legs turn to jelly.

Closing her eyes, she takes several deep breaths, trying not to think about the accident which nearly claimed her life. Come on Elle, be strong.

Steeling herself, she removes her cloak and shoes, then jumps. As she hurtles downwards, she thinks to herself, I really need to stop doing things like this.

The impact is hard, and she plunges down and down into the river's inky depths. Fighting the panic, she claws her way to the surface. It is all too reminiscent of her escape from Corinth, only this time there is no Aren to help her.

Several blue haired heads bob up and her hopes soar at the sight of the nymphs. Striking out towards them, she starts swimming forward, only to be yanked backwards; suddenly caught in a ferocious current.

Fighting against the flow, she is pulled under. Choking, she resurfaces and puts all her efforts into remaining afloat. The water dryads keep track with her, remaining on her left, their expressions forlorn as they seem unable to approach her.

The water gets more violent and her eyes widen in alarm as she is helplessly dragged towards the rapier sharp gratings under the arches of the bridge ahead.