I couldn't sleep, as much as the sheets in our room were warm and comfortable, I couldn't. I took the bed next to the window, the rain hadn't stopped, only increased, the sounds of lightning echoed in the open sky. The man that had that girl in chains was given a room at the far end of the corridor, just three doors away from ours. I turned to Amenadiel's bed and found him sleeping well, his breathing steady, and I couldn't help but feel glad, he always overworked himself when it came to protecting me.
When my father was king, he offered handsome rewards for anyone who reported any magical activity or captured and brought before him anyone suspected of sorcery. That man, I would guess is a bounty hunter and is going to deliver that poor young girl to a brutal death. I cannot allow that.
My leathers as well as my borrowed cloak was at arm's length, I quickly wore it and awoke Amenadiel which didn't prove difficult. Looks like he wasn't fast asleep after all "Is all amiss your highness?" he asked, already reaching for his sword. Heartstopper already hung at my side, "That girl that that bounty hunter brought in chains is a witch" he nodded in understanding "And you want to help her escape?" he asked, I nodded.
Without another word, he strapped his sword to his back, and we made our way downstairs to find the stables. We made it a priority to remain as silent as possible as we walked into the stables, we found it with minimal effort, we really just followed the smell of horse shit.
The stables were dark, and we could see nothing, we could only smell hay and horse dung. I held out my palm and chanted a spell "Incendia." Fire danced at my fingertips, and I felt warmth, not enough to burn, but enough to feel as though I was covered in three heavy blankets. Amenadiel soon found a discarded torch and I lit it and began our search.
We found the girl at the far end of the stable, bound by heavy iron chains and gagged by a white material, the cold made her shiver, I unfastened my cloak and wrapped it around her, which made her jerk awake, her eyes widened with confusion and fear "I'm not here to hurt you," I assured "I'm here to help"
I stretched my hands towards her chains and whispered "Aperio Ostium," the chains immediately broke and Amenadiel scooped her up "We need to leave now before anyone else comes in here" I nodded. When I looked to the girl, she had already passed out. I opened the stable doors and looked to see if anyone was prowling the streets, there was none. We ran as fast as we could, trying our best not to draw attention, we could not take her to the castle, and I knew no other place.
"Where are we going to take her?" I asked, we were going nowhere at this point.
The sounds of multiple coordinated footsteps were heard too close to our location, my heartbeat raced as they approached, we were running ahead, then we heard other footsteps. The guards were patrolling the city.
I thought we were going to get caught, that's when Amenadiel veered left into an unknown tunnel.
We went down a stairwell that seemed to stretch for miles on end, the flames that danced on my fingertips were the only source of illumination that we had. The end of the stairs held nothing but a large circular space with pieces of wood thrown carelessly around, Amenadiel made quick work of the wood and bundled it into a pile and gestured for me to do my thing. I flung my flames at it and created some sort of campfire. Amenadiel carefully set the girl down and tucked the cloak around her "When were you going to tell me you were a witch?" he asked.
I hadn't thought much about anything when I used my magic to unchain the girl and light a fire, I hadn't told Amenadiel, but part of me didn't feel the need to hide it from him, I felt safe. "You didn't seem surprised or alert" he chuckled "That's because I already knew"
My eyes flew wide in surprise, and he remained unfazed "I'll admit I didn't know for certain, but I could tell something was different about you, and when I saw you summon fire, I knew that that was it was, and I welcomed it"
A smile found its way to my lips "When I first set eyes on you, I sensed something different about you as well, I still can't say what" he smirked "Perhaps you will soon"
The girl jerked awake a few hours later, the only window in this place was unreachable, and the sun's rays illuminated the space after I called in the flames. "What happened? Where am I?" I let Amenadiel do the talking because I didn't exactly know where I was either "You're in one of my hiding spots, I haven't used this place in years. To answer your other question, you were rescued by my lady"
The girl looked at me in awe "You're a witch aren't you?" I asked, she shook her head "A druid" she answered. Amenadiel and I exchanged glances before the girl spoke again "I was taken from my village in the woods by Frederick, my sisters were killed and---" tears began to fall from her eyes, and I raised a hand for her to stop.
"You don't have to say anymore, we won't hurt you," I assured "but we cannot stay, you'll be safe here, and I'll come back in a few hours with food, water, some candles and warm clothes" Amenadiel gave me a look that told me that coming back here alone was a bad idea, but I dismissed it, if we came together it would draw attention, and if he comes alone he'll be recognized, and questions will start flying as to why a royal guard is not beside his princess. If I come myself, it'll be subtler, I can easily wrap a cloak around me to conceal my appearance.
"What is your name?" I asked, she responded, her voice low and smooth "My name is Cynthia" she said. "Well Cynthia, my name is Natalya, and this is Amenadiel," she gave him a half smile. "I'll be back soon" Cynthia lay on the floor and covered herself in the cloak and drifted to sleep while Amenadiel and I ascended the stairs.
The streets were too occupied for anyone to notice that we came out of a narrow space, horses rode for the castle to prepare for the jousting today, one I had no intention of going. As if sensing it, Amenadiel spoke "Tell me you're not going to skip the jousting" I smiled and rolled my eyes "I doubt my presence will be missed"
"How are you going to do it?" he asked, I already had somewhat of a full proof plan, and I explained it all to him. "And you're sure it'll work?" I smiled "Of course it will"
We arrived at the castle and encountered no interruptions, no lord that wished to speak to me, or my brother, or Melissa. Alice and I bumped into each other as she was about to enter my room to perform her morning duties "After you, your highness" she said, and I entered.
After my very warm and pleasurable bath, I asked Alice to discreetly pack some food from the kitchens along with some water and candles, while I took care to find some fresh clothes. I made a quick trip to the physicians' chambers and paid him well to tell anyone that asked of me that I had spent the day in his office because I had some illness that did not allow me to attend the jousting. I for one will definitely say I was there if asked.
I had a quick breakfast and saw neither Acrisius nor Drazhan, not that I wondered where they were anyway. Instead of a gown, I wore black pants with a white shirt and a black cloak.
My door swung open, and Amenadiel rushed in "Frederick is here"