As they departed for Wimark, Oriana’s thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions and strategies. She was ready to do whatever it took to ensure their safety and seek justice for her family. The fate of the Verner family was uncertain, but Oriana was determined to shape that fate herself.
’Prince Arlan is to planning abduct you and your grandfather on the way to the capital.’ That servant’s words rang in her ears.
Determination blazed in Oriana’s eyes as she made up her mind.
’I have to reach the capital by all ans. I can’t let us fall in his hands. I have to be careful. That man is simply unpredictable.’
Her focus was on keeping her grandfather safe and uncovering the truth about the accusations against her family.
Having the patient in tow, their journey promised to be a far cry from the swift expedition they’d enjoyed when traveling from Karlin to Wimark. Instead, they were bound for a series of leisurely stops and well-deserved rest breaks.
Arlan’s faction had devised their own strategy, while Commander Loyset remained vigilant, anticipating any moves from Arlan and his shadowy forces.
On a serene evening, as the entire group sought repose at an inn just beyond a city’s outskirts, deep in the night, a discreet inn servant approached Oriana after most of the troop had drifted to sleep. She was poised for an assault upon encountering the unfamiliar presence in her room, but the servant swiftly offered an explanation.
"Miss, I am here to effect your escape."
In that dimly lit room, Oriana tightly clutched a knife, cautiously inquiring, "Who are you?"
"I’m a rcenary sent by the servant in Wiamark, prepared to assist your flight. My comrades are poised outside, ready to escort you and your grandfather to safety."
"Why should I trust you?"
"Trust, I’m afraid, is your sole recourse. The Prince is plotting to abduct you on your next visit, leaving you with no alternative. Should you opt not to place your trust in , I’ll have no choice but to depart."
Oriana fell into contemplative silence before finally asking, "Can we include my grandpa in our escape?"
"Certainly, we’ve made the necessary arrangents for his safe departure as well."
Oriana’s skepticism lingered, and she inquired, "How did you manage to get here? There are knights posted outside."
"The knights guarding the hallway are incapacitated; we’ve made sure of that. We’re seasoned rcenaries, well-versed in such matters. Now, it’s decision ti for you," the man stated firmly.
As Oriana grappled with the notion that she might never escape, an unexpected opportunity presented itself. She wasn’t prepared to let it slip away. Her quest for uncovering the truth about her past could wait until her grandfather had fully recovered.
"I’m in. First, make arrangents for my grandpa’s departure."
The two n promptly entered the room, and the leader announced, "They are my n."
Since Oriana had been caring for her grandfather, he was in the sa room. The three n worked together to place the unconscious old man on a stretcher, and they quietly left the room. Oriana followed them closely.
’If we encounter an unexpected guest, I can use my powers to buy us so ti,’ she thought.
They slipped out of the rear exit of the inn and ventured into the woods beyond. The inn was situated on the outskirts of the city, and the surroundings were desolate. The few knights posted at the rear were already sound asleep.
Oriana couldn’t help but wonder how these rcenaries had managed to outwit Arlan’s or Commander Loyset’s n so effortlessly.
"How did you incapacitate the other knights? Everything seems so quiet," Oriana asked as they hurried along.
"One of our team mbers mixed a sleep-inducing substance into their food," the man explained.
She knitted her brows with a doubt, "Then why am I awake?"
"The servant who served your al is one of our own. He made sure you didn’t consu the dish that was spiked."
Oriana marveled at the ticulous planning of these individuals.
As they journeyed deep into the woods, a significant distance from the inn, they encountered a waiting entourage. Black horses and a dark-hued carriage, camouflaged by the surrounding shadows, were accompanied by several n dressed in somber attire, much like Oriana’s initial escort.
The dim light of a few lamps revealed their presence to those who stood nearby, capitalizing on the cover of darkness for their escape. Oriana couldn’t help but admire the precision of their operation.
They kept old man inside the carriage and asked Oriana, "Please get inside."
Curiosity gnawed at her, and she asked, "Where are we headed from here?"
Toward the neighboring kingdom’s border. There, more allies of ours will facilitate your escape to the other side of the border and help you establish a new life," ca the response.
"Why are you helping this much by going against the royal forces itself and making yourself enemy of this kingdom?" she could not help but ask. All this arrangent looked well planned and it didn’t look like was made on whim.
"For the sake of your grandpa who had once helped our friend and we rcenaries were never friends with any kingdom or their royal families. We live on our own terms and follow our own rules," the man replied in hurry as he kept looking around in case they were discovered, "now do not ask more questions and get inside or we will get caught," the man urged.
Though sowhat unwilling, Oriana still got inside the carriage thinking, ’Let’s see what happens next. Not like my life is any better at the mont or will be better after going to the palace.’
Everyone got on the horses and were ready to leave but....
There was none of horse neighing and footsteps and swords pulling out of their scabbards, making them halt the next mont.
Inside the carriage, Oriana’s heart raced, and she stole a furtive glance through the window. In the scarce moonlight, barely touching the ground, and the feeble lamplight providing minimal aid, she could discern the presence of nurous newly arrived swordsn who had encircled them.
"We are caught. That damn Prince," she muttered under her breath.
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