Escaping Treachery
Copyright 2014 Chloe Grimshaw
Erin knew something was wrong as soon as she stepped out of her study and into the corridor. It was far too dark and cold. Usually the large torches that lined the wall would be lit, emitting light that would allow you to see- if only just- where you were going, and just enough warmth to stop you from freezing. However, tonight all the torches had been extinguished, making it incredibly hard for Erin to see even one step ahead of her.
Erin frowned and peered into the darkness in front of her. There was no way she would make it back to her rooms without any light. She’d probably mistake the distance, take a wrong turn and end up in the kitchens, which were on the other side of the castle to her rooms. ‘Excuse me your majesty’, Erin jumped and spun around. ‘Sorry for scaring you, but we was just won’ern if my lady would like to use this.’ The man that spoke was one of Erin’s guards - usually they were so quiet that Erin forgot that they were there – he was holding an old lantern with a small flame burning on the inside.
Erin looked up at the guard’s expectant face ‘Um yes thank you....’
‘Myles’ said the guard, handing her the lantern. Erin smiled at the guard and then turned back to the corridor. With the light of the lantern she could at least see a couple of steps in front of her. That would have to do. At least she would be able to see any object that had the potential to trip her up.
Taking a deep breath Erin headed towards her rooms, the guards following silently behind her. With each step Erin became more nervous. The only sound was coming from her and the guards, the rest of the castle was silent. Even though it was the middle of the night there still should have been some noise, or they should have seen the occasional person going to and fro, but there no one, just darkness and silence. Erin sped up.
It seemed, to Erin, that it was taking longer than usual to get to her rooms. By the time she finally spotted her door, she was almost running. Slowing her steps Erin opened the door, and glanced at her guards. They would stay outside, in the darkness.
Erin handed the guard, Myles, back his lantern and entered her room, closing the door behind her. She would be safe here, her rooms were her sanctuary, and no one could enter without her permission, or at least without facing the guards.
She was glad to see that the torches lighting her rooms were still lit, along with the fire in her sitting room. Seeing the fire Erin realised how cold she was, and decided to warm up a bit before going to bed. Sitting down in front of the fire, she allowed the warmth of the flames to wash over her, chasing away the last of her nervous feeling.
She was almost asleep when suddenly a hand fell across her shoulder and another hand covered her mouth stopping her from screaming for her guards, ‘Shh, it’s just me, Quinn’ said the owner of the hands. Erin groaned, Quinn was one of her most trusted spies, and he was also good friends with her brother. However she found him to be the most irritating man alive. ‘Good. Now I’m going to remove my hands,’ said Quinn moving away from her, and flopping into the chair next to her.
‘What are you doing here?’ asked Erin.
‘Just checking up on you, your majesty,’ grinned Quinn picking up a book from the floor. ‘Do you even have any maids?’ He asked looking around the room. Erin glanced about her room. Admittedly it was a mess. She had maids, she just preferred they not enter her rooms. She looked back at Quinn, who was now inspecting a pile of books besides him.
She had to admit, he was quite good looking with his dark black hair, which always seemed to be falling over his bright, green eyes. He had a large nose, which although it had been broken numerous times, complemented his face. He was quite tall as well. Erin guessed him to be around six foot two. His height actually annoyed Erin as she was only around five foot six, and looked like a child whenever she stood next to him.
Taking in Quinn’s looks made Erin aware of her own appearance. Her brown hair, which usually ran down her waist, was currently full of knots, and her own green eyes were probably bloodshot with the lack of sleep. She also found her skin to be too pale, as she had barely spent any time in the sun. Even her dress seemed to be a crumpled mess. Erin was becoming more embarrassed with each second, which turned into irritation when she realised she had been staring at Quinn for a while now and he had defiantly noticed it. ‘Don’t you have something better to do than annoy me?’ asked Erin, looking away from Quinn.
‘Nope’ said Quinn smirking
‘Then maybe you should...’ Erin stopped talking; she could hear the sounds of fighting coming from the corridor. Suddenly there was a scream and it became silent once more. Erin looked at Quinn. He had already moved behind the door, and had his sword drawn. Erin moved to stand behind him, feeling that it was the safest place to be.
Quinn reached for the door knob and silently turned it, pushing the door open just a crack, and taking a look outside. He tensed and Erin snuck a peek behind him. She gasped. Her guards lay still on the ground, Myles had his throat slashed open, the second guard had been disembowelled, bits of him scattered around on the floor. Erin shrank back against Quinn, staring at the bodies of her guards. ‘Erin,’ Quin said gently, ‘I need you to run and find a safe place to hide. Erin, can you do that?’ Erin looked up and saw five very well armed men. She knew then what had happened to her guards. These men had killed them. ‘Erin,’ she looked at Quinn, he had moved in to a fighting stance and was getting ready to defend her. ‘RUN!’ he shouted as the first man pounced.
Erin ran, - just as Quinn pounced, clearing a path for her- she had no other choice. She didn’t look back to see if Quinn followed, he was more than capable of taking care of himself. Erin didn’t know where she was going; she just ran hoping that no one was following her. However, luck was not on her side as she soon heard footsteps behind, she knew she was being pursued. Erin didn’t know how long she could outrun them and she was quickly getting tired.
She had lost her shoes somewhere during her mad dash for freedom, and her feet were now burning as she ran over the uneven stones of the castle floor. Her breath was coming in short gasps now, but still she kept running.
She was so close she could almost see it. Just around the corner and she would be safe, her pursuers would not be able to find her. Erin had grown up in this castle and knew where just about all the secret rooms and passages were, and luckily for her there was one such room waiting for her around the corner. With a final burst of energy Erin managed to enter the secret room and seal the entrance before her pursuers could see her enter.
Erin slumped to the floor exhausted. She would be safe for a while, until they decided to do a careful check of the castle, which would probably take a while. By then she would hopefully have escaped, or at the very least come up with a plan.
Looking around her Erin saw that the room was full of many long forgotten objects. There were boxes piled high with books and old documents, a couple of worn dresses, and the remains of what Erin thought might have once been a child’s toy. In the back of the room she found two small, silver daggers. The daggers she thought might come in handy, so she slipped them into the pocket of her skirt.
Once she had finished looking around Erin sat down and looked at her feet. They were badly bruised, and in some places the skin was broken and blood was starting to seep through. She tore some fabric off the old dresses and used it to bind her feet, which would have to do until she could see a healer.
Erin slumped against the wall, she needed to rest and think of a plan. She closed her eyes for a few seconds. However she must have fallen asleep, as for a second time that night, a hand suddenly fell upon Erin’s shoulder, and mouth waking her. ‘Erin don’t scream, it’s just me, Quinn,’ said the man holding her. Quinn took his hand away, and
Erin flung her arms his neck, while bursting into tears. Quinn wasn’t really sure what to do, so settled on patting her on the head.
‘Quinn, I’m scared. What’s happening?’ whispered Erin.
‘Someone brought these men here to assassinate you.’ Erin clutched Quinn tighter. ‘However they didn’t plan on you escaping. So whoever it was only brought around twenty men with him. I’ve already sent word to Mason; he should be sending more guards to round up your would be assassins.’ Erin relaxed slightly, everything would be alright. She trusted Mason he was a childhood friend of hers, and her Captain of the Guard.
‘What about James? Is he alright?’ asked Erin