The Gifted

Chapter Five: Chasing Shadows

Hey guys!  As mentioned before I base things off of music pieces instead of the other way around.  This chapter is brought to you by the Chronicles of Narnia soundtrack.  Definitely recommend listening to it as you read.  It won't disappoint and fits the mood very well!  

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"Trystan, what are you talking about?"

He ignored me and frantically went to my wardrobe, grabbing travel clothes and a cloak.  He threw them at me, "get changed."  I did as he said, not fully understanding the situation, while he went into the other room and shuffled things around.  I swear if this is another trick...

No sooner than I had pulled on the last boot that Trystan came barging back in, still frantic, and slipped a folded piece of parchment in my pocket.  "Let's go."  Before I could question it, he grabbed my hand and pulled me out into the hallway.  A small gasp escaped me as I saw the two guards outside my door weren't just unconscious, arrows protruded from one and the other had a slit throat.  

We had just reached the first floor, when an alarm bell sounded.  "Damn.  I was hoping to have more time than this." Keeping hold of my hand, Trystan yanked me into one of the servant halls.  "Listen, go to the stables, I already have Apollo saddled and ready for you.  The gate will be closing soon due to the alarm, but whatever you do, don't stop.  I'll handle the gate.  Go to the Eastern woods.  Find Flint."  

He turned to leave, but I grabbed his arm, "Trystan, I-" I didn't even know what to say.  I didn't forgive him, but somehow I knew I could trust him in this.  This was a serious, panicked Trystan that I wasn't familiar with and it scared me.  "Just...be safe." He gave me a sad smile and took off down the hall.  

I got to the empty stables and found Apollo.  Immediately hoisting myself onto the saddle, I urged him into a full gallop.  The gate was halfway closed and a small group of men on the right of it seemed to be trying to force it down but were struggling with the task.  

There was no sneaking past.  A few archers at the top of the wall heard my approach and didn't hesitate to shoot at me.  Thankfully, they weren't Gifted Militants. Their arrows fell short, except one did come close enough for me to hear it zip through the air.  

Coming up on the gate, I swung my right leg over to join my other on the left stirrup and huddled down on Apollo.  I wasn't sure if the men at the gate had weapons but this way they had a very small target if they did.  The archers rang the bell on the wall as I ducked under the gate, alerting the castle of my whereabouts.  

Then I heard another bell ring in reply in the distance.  A distinct bell that plagued many townspeople's nightmares.  They were unleashing the trackers.  As if sensing my distress, Apollo ran even faster as I swung myself back into the saddle.  The Eastern forest was my only hope.  I was a skilled enough rider to go through the densely packed forrest, I just hoped the same couldn't be said for the trackers.  

I looked at my surroundings, looking for anything that I could use that would give me an advantage.  My eyes landed on the river.  I steered Apollo to the edge of the bank and he reared up, not happy at the sudden change in terrain.  Despite his resistance, I compelled him forward.  The water was deep, coming up to Apollo's neck.  The substance made us slower, even with my help moving some of the water out of the way.  Just as we were about to reach the other side, I dipped my hand into the cold water and icy tendrils shot into the liquid in all directions.  It was too thin to stand on, so it would only make it more difficult to follow me.

Apollo burst from the water and once again started picking up his pace.  I looked behind me and saw the black riders in the distance, my heart tightening at the sight.  Their figures were like shadows riding upon horses.  Haunting.  They were gaining, despite my efforts with the river, but along with the fear came new determination.  The tree line wasn't far now, only a slight ditch of a branching creek bed from the river separated us from what I hoped would be safety.