The Unforeseen [EDITING]

Chapter Three

She landed with a heavy thud.
     "Ugh, fucking hell," Timena whined, rubbing her lower back in pain. She had definitely underestimated the fall and her back and rear end were paying the price for it. Slowly, she pushed herself off the hard ground and began hobbling deeper into the alleyway.
     She could see the end of the cobblestone pavement which led to a grassy slope and into a forest. She needed to get back now.
     "Timena." The voice startled her as she turned around. She relaxed slightly at the sight of Aldus.
     "I see you made it down safely, my brother's searching through the city you need to leave, now." He said hurriedly.
     "What's going on? What is he doing here?" She asked angrily.
     "Someone slipped word to him that you might be planning an escape." He grabbed her arm, leading her away from the church.
     "W-Who?"
     "He didn't say, he left in search of you as soon as he heard," Aldus replied hurriedly.
     They both ran, dodging behind buildings and the grassy hill. As they neared the entrance of Gabaden, Timena could see her horse.
     "Do you have a way out?" He peered his head out, ensuring she had a clear path.
     "Yes, I do, but one last question... why are you helping me?"
     "I don't exactly agree with my brother," Aldus answered before urging her to run.
     "But what-"
     "We don't have time." He cut her off, gently pushing her forward.

     The galloping of the horse sounded in Timena's ears, but she was lost in thought. She worried about her next move—where she would go, leaving her family... it was frightening. As the pace slowed, they entered the grassland. Timena led her horse into the stable, quickly giving the reins to Enoch.
     She was almost out the door but suddenly stopped herself in her tracks. Turning back, Timena looked to him. He favored both of his parents more and more with each passing day. With Eurina's sandy brown hair and warm eyes, and Norman's height and quiet mannerisms. She brought him in for a hug and held onto him tightly before pulling back and looking into his eyes. He could see the worry in Timena's face but before he could say a word, she was already out the door.
     "Norman!" Timena ran into the kitchen, looking around frantically. He came in with a fairly large burlap sack. She sighed with relief, Norman was already prepared.

     The stable was empty as Norman led the horses by their reins outside. Enoch must have been sent away sometime before and for that Timena was grateful—she couldn't bear the look of sadness on his face. It pained her to leave but she had no choice, there was no going back now.
     Hoisting themselves up onto the horses, Timena took one last look at her home before following Norman further down the hill and into the forest.
     The horses trotted alongside one another steadily, Timena looked around, surveying the area.
     "Where are we going?" She asked, hesitantly.
     "You're going to stay somewhere for the night, it is close by and then tomorrow you'll follow the path that will lead you to Vitabesk. We'll discuss it more when we get to the cottage." Apprehension set in at Norman's words.

     Spotting an undersized cottage from a distance, a sense of dread took shelter in Timena's chest. As they got closer, eventually they came to a stop before moving to get off the backs of their horses.
     "It was my childhood home." Norman answered the unspoken question. Producing a small key from his pocket, he unlocked the door before pushing it open.
     Dust hung in the air—the furniture was covered with large, dingy white sheets and papers were scattered across the wooden floor. At the far left of the room was a fireplace and surrounding it were three beaten down, cushioned chairs.
     "Come, we have to discuss a few things." He gestured for her to sit. Dust swirled around as both of their weights fell onto the cushions.
     "Now, at the first light of day, you need to be on the move. You know your way to Vitabesk for the most part, but instead of the path leading you into town, you'll be continuing left after you cross the stream. You'll be on that path for a while before you see a small cottage, quite like this one. Knock and when you meet Makar, tell him Norman sent you." Timena listened as her eyes followed the map of the forest that was being shown to her. Nodding her head in understanding, he gave it to her.
     Concluding their discussion of her plans for the following day, she confided in Norman about what Emandalyn had overheard. The information was difficult for her to digest, but she knew there was a possibility that it was true.
     "Do you think father would, do that?" Her voice trembled with uncertainty.
     Norman remained silent for a moment, "It very well could be, it must have been dire if your father turned to Silas for help." He said thoughtfully. "He was left to clean up the mess of his predecessors." 
     Resting her head in the palm of her hands, Timena tried to calm herself. "Fuck."
     "Indeed." Norman added with a sigh.   
     The part of the journey Timena had been dreading the most had come. Norman's arms enveloped her in a long hug, resting his chin atop her head, they stayed that way for a few seconds before he pulled away. 
     "You will be fine, you're brave." With those parting words, he pushed himself up and onto his horse. She looked up to see him smile reassuringly before turning away to leave.
     Timena stood there long after he had left, fighting the urge to succumb to her own fear. She was alone, and she didn't feel very brave at all.