The Iron Grip

Chapter 4

"Hurry up Soph", Lillie called.

"Yes your majesty", he joked.

"Shut up. Do you want them to find us?"

"You shut up. Bandits", Sophocles motioned upwards.

The group of five thugs carried hammers and axes, and looked angrier than a Primeape.

"Wait. If the thugs are here, then the Royal Guard can't be far behind", Lillie said frantically.

An arrow whizzed through the trees and implanted itself in one of the thugs legs. Too late.

"Run!", Sophocles shouted.

Lillie scampered away and then saw her chance to escape. Nestled inbetween the thicket was a Bouffalant. Lillie vaulted onto its back and thundered away.

After ten minutes of uncontrollable bounding, Lillie was finnaly launched off of the Bouffalant and onto the soft meadow grass.

Then it struck her. Sophocles. She had left him behind. Fucking shit. Why did she have to leave him. Well, because when trying to survive you only look out for yourself.

Meanwhile, things weren't going smoothly in the Aether Castle. "Any news commander?", Lusamine demanded.

"Not as of yet your majesty", the commander stammered.

Lusamine clenched her iron gauntlet. "Bring me some news or it is off with your head", Lusamine commanded.

"Yes your majesty", the commander said hastily before leaving the room.

"Gladion", called Lusamine. "Come here at once."

"What is it mother?", Gladion asked lazily.

"Take Hau and Silvally down to the river. Try and find Lillie", Lusamine ordered.

"Right away mother", Gladion replied.

"Godspeed Gladion!"

Gladion ran to the stables and climbed on Silvally's back. Hau hopped on and they sprinted through the city gates and down the river.

"Sophocles!", Lillie yelled. "Sophocles!" It was no use. Sophocles was long gone by now, even if he had survived.

In the distance, Lillie spotted a caravan of Copperajah plodding slowly southward. This was the perfect opportunity to blend in because society rejected their nomadic ways. These people would not have contact with the Royal Guard, creating the perfect disguise.

Lillie covered herself with mud and then stood in the path of the train of Copperajah. To her surprise, the nomads were happy to take her in on their journey southwards.

Kiawe and Lana had been separated from their parents at a young age, and lived their lives in the ever mobile group.

"So, where did you come from?", Kiawe asked.

"Ran away from a slave auction", Lillie said bluntly.

"Oh those are horrid. I was at one myself", Lana added.

"Lost a friend too", Lillie explained.

"She got sold?", Kiawe said sympathetically. "I've been there."

"He", Lillie corrected.

"So you got a lover?", Lana said mischievously.

"No!", Lillie exclaimed. "Never."

"Just trying to lighten the mood. Sorry", Lana said.

"It's fine. I am just not used to this", Lillie explained.

Kiawe cupped his mouth and whispered something into Lillie's ear. Lillie nodded, hoping that Kiawe wouldn't do something irrational.

"Just wanted to know. Carry on", Kiawe prompted.

"Where is this convoy headed?", Lillie asked curiously.

"To one of the towns near the south and then to the border wall", Lana said.

"Shit I forgot about the wall", Lillie muttered.