Dreamwalker

14- Stolen Goods

Knife, check. Two loaves of bread, check. One jug of water, check. A stolen necklace made of real gold, check. The king's books and papers, taken in the dead of night from the castle library, check. Soutine tied everything up in the sack and slung it over his shoulder with a furtive glance around the room. He had such fond memories in this room, he was almost sad to leave. His old desk with his materials was still there, and Piano's old chair was still in the corner where he would take notes. That window was the one he looked out every day, the piles of papers all over the floor that he forgot to throw away, the bed was the one he shared with Piano on his happiest nights. He bit his lip to keep his tears down and strode out the door.

The night was calm and cold. Tiny snowflakes blew around in the whistling wind. Soutine could look up at every single shining star in the skies as the clouds were mere silver whisps tonight. He walked through the town as quiet as he could. Every nerve was on edge. Something was sure to go wrong, and when it did, he had to be ready for it. That was where the sword in his belt came in. He only hoped he wouldn't have to use it.

The witches quarters were in the center of town in a one-story building that sprawled across the mountainside. Soutine unlocked the door and entered, still silent. He tiptoed down the hall. Doors to either side of him locked in rooms of families and prisoners. Still, no difference, between the witches and the prisoners, Soutine thought to himself. He finally stopped at a door on the left and rapped on the door twice. Please don't wake up. Please don't wake up. Please--

A tiny round-eyed girl covered in freckles opened the door, grinning. "Monsieur Violin!" she exclaimed.

"Shh! Shh, quiet!" He squatted down next to her and put his finger over his lips. "Remember, Bell? Whisper voice."

"Ohh," she replied, echoing his whisper.

"Perfect. Do you want to ride on my back?"

"No, I can walk."

"We'll have to move fast. Can you do that?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Good. Come on, then. Stay quiet." Soutine moved aside so she could scurry out into the hall with him while he closed the door.

They exited the building. Soutine locked the door back up to avoid suspicion. "What was that?" Bell asked.

"What?" Soutine whirled around to see what she was pointing at. It was an innocent-looking shrub. "What did you see, Bell?"

"Thought it moved," she said.

Soutine put a hand on her shoulder, squinting at the bush, which wasn't moving anymore. "We have to go. Now."

"Monsieur Violin?"

"What's the matter?"

She took a few steps closer to push against his leg. "I'm scared," she muttered, like she was ashamed to admit it.

"Hey now, little strawberry, we'll be alright, I promise. I won't let anything happen to you. Would you like to hold my hand?"

She nodded fervently, reached up, and grabbed his fingers with her significantly smaller hand. "Are you better now?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"Good. Let's go." He lead the way down through the sleeping town. Every so often, he would glance behind him to make sure they weren't being followed. He wouldn't put it past any of the guards to sneak up on them.