Golden Swords

Is this love?

A shout went up as soon as she crested the rise above the manor, and Dastar came sprinting out to meet her. She caught a glimpse of his face, twisted with worry, before she was scooped into his arms. "Thank the gods you're safe," He murmured into her hair, and when she looked up she saw tears crawling down his face. All of the barriers she'd spent the day building against him came crashing down, all of her carefully planned arguments suddenly seemed petty and bitter. His tears unmade the warrior she'd become in the last few hours, returned her to her empty shell, wracked with guilt and full of fear. When he said, "Never do that to me again," it was all she could do to nod.

The next day brought about a bit of a change to her life. She didn't try to leave that night, choosing instead to bite her lip to stop the tears from falling until after Dastar had fallen asleep. It broke her to have to hurt him again, but there was no way she was keeping her promise to never escape again. Even if she wanted to stay, Ebony needed her to return and feed her.

But in the morning, she was horrified to find three guards escorting her to her morning tea with her ladies in waiting. She'd put on a tunic and leggings under her long gown, hoping to make her escape quickly, but knew better than to try and escape under the watchful eyes of the guards. Every second she could grab in her warrior form was precious, and she could see now she needed more preparations for her escapes, she knew that a failed attempt would mean increased security that could put a stop to all hope of leaving the house again. However she couldn't leave it too long, as Ebony would soon run out of fresh water and food. She desperately hoped that the strange hunter would have the sense to feed her, or at least set her free so the horse could find her way back to these stables.

She sweated in furious silence for the rest of the day, wearing two layers of clothes, and having to sit through royal farewells that seemed to go on for years. The king leered at her from upon his horse, and the queen treated her with utmost disdain after her escapade yesterday. Even Dastar seemed cold and distant, more angry with her when he saw what a perfect lady the queen was. It hurt inside that he didn't want her the way she was, when she thought he was perfect in every way. She was glad when the royal train disappeared over the hill.

She woke herself at five the next morning, blinking sleep out of her eyes. Dastar's arms were wrapped tight around her, but she eased herself ever so gently free, praying that he didn't wake up. He grunted once, and her heart stopped, but then he merely turned over onto his side and she crept away from the bed. There was one sleepy sentry posted outside of the door, close enough to it to notice if someone tried to enter or exit, but far enough away to give privacy. The corridor was long and thin, making easy to defend. And hard to sneak down. No. She wasn't going to risk the doorway and all the guards posted inside the manor. She was going to turn to the escape route of her wild childhood. The window.

A few minutes later, balanced precariously on the window ledge, she slightly regretted her decision. Her and Dastar's room was four floors up, and the beautiful creeper she'd thought she could clamber down looked much thinner and weaker than she'd remembered. She cast around for something stronger, and spotted a drainpipe hidden amongst the bushy vine. She carefully reached out and tested the pipe for strength. It was satisfyingly secure, and she began to transfer her weight onto it, gripping it tightly with her right hand, before stretching out her leg and wedging it tightly into a chunk of vine that seemed thicker than the rest. It gave slightly when she moved her second hand to join her first, but held. Her final leg joined and she was now clinging to the pipe, four floors up, partially hidden by a massive bushy vine covered with the dying flowers of late summer. Even in the early morning, their scent was overpowering.

When she reached the bottom, she snuck around the house and slipped out using the servant's path through the garden. Then she was away, out into the woods, and all her regrets seemed miles away. She sucked in the morning air, setting off at a soft lope through the woods towards her midnight horse and her swords of gold.