Twist of Fate

Chapter 9: Departure

Everything was packed and ready to go in less than five minutes. I had already gathered all my belongings in one place earlier because of what Zulén said, and I didn't have much in the first place. Now, it was only a matter of putting on the correct clothing fit for travel. I put on my most mobile clothing and checked one last time that no one was awake.

I nodded a silent farewell and leapt to the ground silently. Without hesitation, I headed for the men's carriage. The Silkrose Caravan had two large separate carriages for the men and women. They were kept close though in case of emergencies and other reasons. I doubted to slip away in the middle of the night was one, but it didn't stop me.

Before I headed for the carriage, I hid my bag in some bushes in case I got caught. You could never be too careful. As I enetered the perimeter of the carriage, I wondered how I would get Zulén to come out. What if someone else was awake? What would I tell them? What if Zulén wasn't even awake? Though, even if he wasn't, I was sure he was as alert as I was. He was a trained warrior from what I saw.

Depending on him being awake or alert in some way became the plan. I got as close as an arm's length away from the curtain of the carriage, before I noticed the presence of another. I spun around on my heel just in time to see a hand shoot in my direction. Surprised, I dodged with a startled cry, which was thankfully not too loud.

I took numerous steps back, in the opposite direction of the carriage, out of the reach of the person who tried to grab me. I looked at the person with narrowed eyes, trying not to show my heart was actually racing. I couldn't see their face though, the light of the moons made them into a tall, more than threatening silhouette.

"What do you want?" I demanded, slightly feigning bravado.

"That's what I should be asking you, Kouríeó," the silhouette retorted in a familiar patronizing tone.

I blinked. "Ah, then you're..."

The figure turned, allowing the light of the moon to flow over him. It was definitely Zulén, though, he looked a bit different with his long, dark hair pulled into a high ponytail. His bright silver-grey eyes glittered as he glared at me.

"Who else would it be?" He asked, arching a brow as he crossed his arms. "What are you doing here, Kouríeó?"

I frowned. I hadn't thought as far as how I would explain why I was there. I was occupied with how I would get him to come out of the carriage, which was, obviously, no longer an issue.

"Er, well..." I muttered, biting my lip. Was I supposed to tell him that Rauméí told me to get him? He'd think I was insane. It was already clear he could not hear the panther, so how would that convince him?

"Well, spit it out," Zulén said, growing impatient. "Why are you at the men's trailer in the middle of the night?"

"Because," I began, trying to gather my thoughts. "I've come to get you. Something bad may happen if we stay."

His eyes narrowed. "Something bad?"

I hesitated. "Yes. So we have to go now."

Zulén stared at me. "Has something already happened? For you to be in such a hurry to leave when just hours earlier you were reluctant to go. Why? What exactly do you mean by 'something bad'?"

I opened my mouth but had no idea what to say. How could I explain to him that a panther had warned me that if we didn't depart now, the city would "go up in flames"?

"Is it something else then?"

"What?" I asked, not understanding what he meant.

Zulén looked down at me. "Are you just trying to get out of here?" I blinked. "Do you no longer like it here because you sang? I noticed you don't like that kind of attention. But is that really all it takes for you to run away?"