Chapter 112: Flight into the Wilderness

The reed torch in the cell fluttered and Reika stared at a figure now standing before her. "Kael?" she stuttered out, barely louder than a whisper. He drew the hood off his head, and in bright moonlight features defined: hard eyes, his jaw clenching tightly-but in that soft regard, all trace of fear fell away from Reika's face. "It's me," Kael whispered, his voice quieter with his light footsteps. "I couldn't leave you here, Luna. Not like this." Tears suddenly sprang into Reika's eyes. "How did you-? I thought you were still locked up in the dungeons. "I was," Kael said, dropping down on his knees to examine her shackles. "But they underestimated my ability to pick a lock. Let's just say, I know the dungeon too well, I built it." He drew a small blade from his boot and started working on the shackles. Reika laughed shakily despite the grim situation. "You always were resourceful." Kael raised his face to her; his face softened in gentleness. "You carry Alpha Ileus' pup. I could not let anything befall you." The words constricted her chest, and she instinctively laid a protecting hand on her stomach. "Grateful, Kael." With a click the manacles opened, and Kael grasped her wrists, pulling her up without effort to her feet. "Not much time, Araidne's soldiers will soon notice that you are no longer here." ---  The Chase Begins Kael led Reika through twisting passages, neither speaking nor making a single noise that could give away where they were. He avoided the main passageways and continued with those small, narrow corridors he had walked down when he was released. "Where are we going?" she whispered lowly, evenness shaking between fear and adrenaline. There is an older exit at the back of the castle," Kael replied. "It gives access to the city's outlying areas. If luck would have it, we slip through before any of the guards may become aware of where you've gone." Closer and louder still, the distant hum of talking and footsteps met their ears. "They're coming," Reika hissed low, trying to keep desperation out of her tone. Kael grabbed her hand, his grip firm but reassuring. 'Stay close. We'll make it." They moved faster, their footsteps muffled by the thick layers of dust and grime on the floor. Kael pushed open a hidden door, revealing a narrow tunnel that smelled of damp earth and decay. 'This way," he said, leading her inside. --- Freedom, But Not Safe Yet The cool night air hit Reika like a blessing as they finally cleared the tunnel: they were out of the castle and beyond the high walls, with a sprawl of the desert ahead of them. Kael turned to her, his eyes serious. "We can't go to the city. Too much danger: Araidne's soldiers everywhere." Reika nodded, making her resolution strong. "Then to the desert-to our only chance." Kael looked out, his eyes scouring the dunes of sand that reached to him, merci­less. "The desert is cruel, Luna. You're sure you're up to it in your condition?" "I don't have a choice," Reika replied with finality. "Neither do you. Let's go." --- The Soldiers Close In It wasn't the easiest hike into the desert: soft-sifted sand made every step a chore, and howling wind whirled around them, slapping their clothes. Behind them, shouts and clanging armor grew loud. The soldiers had found their way out. "They're closing in," Kael muttered, peering over his shoulder. Reika made a stumbling run over ground that was so uneven in places, her heart racing with fear. "We have to keep going-we can't let them catch us." Then an arrow whizzed past them to lodge itself in the sand. "Run!" Kael shouted tugging her with him as he took off. --- Araidne's Choice In her black horse, Araidne sat motionless and regarded her soldiers charging after the desert fugitives. Beside her, Finley sat impassive on horseback while his eyes however gave thoughtful regard to that which lay around. "They will never make it across the desert," Finley said. "We should let the elements do the work for us." Araidne's lips curled into a smirk. "Of course. Call them off." Finley nodded and jerked a hand for the soldiers to follow. "They are beneath breathing the same air as us," Araidne said coldly. "Soon enough, the desert will take them anyway." --- Surviving the Impossible Reika and Kael slowed their pace as the sounds of pursuit fell silent. Kael stopped, laying a hand on her shoulder. "They've stopped following us," he said cautiously. Reika turned, her chest heaving for breath. "You think they've given up?" Kael shook his head. "No, they are relying on the desert to get rid of us." She swallowed hard, her eyes running across endless dunes. "Then we prove them wrong. We'll survive." Kael's face softened; his eyes turned to hers. "You are much stronger than you actually seem to be, Luna, and I will protect that, against all odds, from anything out there. They trudged on, screaming desert winds pummeling them. The sun climbed higher, relentless heat bleeding their energy away. *Kael spotted a small outcroping of rocks and guided Reika toward the sliver of shade. "We'll rest here for a moment," he said, guiding her to sit down. She let her head fall back against the cool stone, the instinctive gesture of her hand upon her abdomen. "Kael, you don't think we'll make it, do you? He crouched beside her, his face a mask. "I know we will. And one day we'll return to the kingdom, and we will reclaim what is rightfully ours." --- Spark of Hope The alien desert became the heavy cold bite of the night, above which shone the stars like they would blaze enough to burn. Kael lit a fire with some dry twigs and rubbish he had collected on his way. Reika stared into the flame of flickering fire while her brain started to muse. "Kael, what if Daisy wasn't able to hide Ileus? What if Araidne finds him?" Kael's reassuring hand closed on her shoulder. "Daisy's got game, sugar. She won't let you down. Have a little faith." Tears perched on her lashes as she whispered, "I just want him back. I want my family to be complete." Kael said nothing, simply nodded, while his eyes-impervious to so much-stood fast. ---The Cliffhanger But all that came, if except the soft crackle of the flames, was some unintelligible guttural growl. Kael stiffened, hands going instinctively to his dagger at his side. "Stay close," he whispered, peering into the dark. Shining back in the dark, then, was a pair of eyes from which a great wolf-like figure came. Reika gasped, caught her breath. "What is that? Kael's grip on his dagger tightened; voice barely above a whisper, "I don't know. Whatever it is, though, it does not seem to be friendly." It had moved one step closer; the growl was loud. Kael stepped between Reika and the beast, setting himself in a defensive stance. "Ready to run," he whispered. Reika's heart was racing while she clutched her cloak to run. The creature attacked.