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| On opening her eyes, Alys wondered how long she had slept. It seemed the three men had forgotten her, the lot of them caught in drink and tales of valor she was sure were falsehoods. Her body ached from head to toe. Her head pounded. Still, she set her pain aside as best she could and listened to their exchange. Their shouts of bravado grew louder and louder as each tried out-voicing the other. It was a good sign. The distraction gave her leave to reposition. Slowly she shifted and pressed against the tree, moving her bound limbs as best she could to restore the flow of blood. Pain coursed through her arms and she bit her lip against the onslaught, but the groan she fought to suppress found release. A firm hand pressed over her mouth. "Shhh," came a low and familiar voice. "Make not a sound and haps, by God's grace, we can both escape unscathed." Draegon. Alys sighed against his palm. She moved her head in affirmation, careful not to stir too much lest the movement catch her captors' attention. "Good. Now pay heed. I will loose my hand, but pray, whatever pain you feel, make not a sound, and move not. I would that they not see us until you are unbound and there is no choice in the matter. Once free, we must run like the wind. Are your legs able to carry you?" Alys moved her feet ever slightly, then nodded. Though the elder man had threatened to bind her legs, he hadn't done so. She felt sure they would support her. As she readied herself, Draegon's warm breath of relief brushed her ear. Then his hand slid from her mouth, and the sudden loss of his touch caused her unfounded panic. Quickly she tamped it down, sure he was still with her, if only she could feel him. When his whispers assured her that he hadn't left but merely worked to cut her bindings, she shuddered, eager to be free but afraid of what would follow. Then the ropes fell loose. Still she did not move, waiting as Draegon worked at the knot in her gag. When it too fell away, she moved her jaw to work out the stiffness. "Listen well, little Wren," Draegon warned. His check pressed against her temple. His words vibrated in her ear. "Tis not possible to escape without notice. Once we rise, all eyes will fall upon us, and I have naught but a dagger at my side, a small comfort against three opponents. Not when one can grab you whilst I am fighting another. Do you understand?" Alys blinked and nodded. "Then trust me and listen well to my direction. I know these paths. They are my home more than Greystone itself. Do not hesitate, do not question, just follow." Again she blinked, her answer cut short as she was yanked to her feet and dragged into the brush. "God's blood, she's escaped!" Bertram's voice carried through the trees. "Get after her, fools." "Faster!" Draegon commanded over his shoulder. He pulled Alys in his wake, holding back his long strides to accommodate her shorter ones. A difficult task when all he could think of was getting them to safety. With Greystone so far away, there was only one place that would offer them refuge. "I--," Alys gasped. "I cannot keep stride." "You must!" he ordered. "God's blood, you must!" He gripped her hand tighter still, crushing it in a desperate hold. "Nay, I cannot." Alys stumbled as her skirts caught in the brambles. Draegon stopped short and turned. He cupped her face in his hands, staring down at her with an intensity that made her shiver. "I'll not leave you, Wren. Tis but a short distance more. You can make it." His voice grew hoarse. "Do it, Wren. Do it for me." Alys doubled over. "Tis too dark," she gasped. "I can scarcely see you standing so close, much less where I run. And the pain." She clutched her side. "Wren," Draegon beseeched as the sound of hurried steps reached his ears. "You must." It was all he said before sprinting off, pulling her behind him once more. Alys gulped. Once again she fought to keep up, her breath shallow and clipped, the stitch in her side an unbearable ache. Why didn't he just cover her with his cloak and hide in the brush as he had done before? Why this running? All at once he stopped, the sudden lack of momentun causing her legs to buckle. Taking advantage of the reprieve, she caught her breath as she sensed him climb a steep hillside. "Take my hand!" Draegon ordered. He reached down to her out of the darkness. A rustling sounded in the distance. Alys froze. "Wren," he ordered. "Take my hand now!" He stretched his arm out to her, beckoning her to take hold. Seeing her reach up, he clasped his fingers about her wrist and drew her to him. With a sharp tug, he pulled her into a deep black chasm hidden behind a wall of shrubbery. "God's faith!" she gasped as the darkness engulfed her. Draegon pulled her back against him. He clamped a hand over her mouth. "They approach." |
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