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I crouch down, remaining low as I press forward so as to not attract attention. I descend down the next few rooftops with ease, though some jumps are a little high for my liking. I come down to the final rooftop, peering over it to see ground level below me.
There’s no obvious route down, causing anxiety to rise within me once more as I search around for a solution. I spot a pillar running up the side of the building.
Looks like I’m going to have to rappel down there somehow… Aha!
I grip the hemline of my dress and rip some fabric off. The end of the dress stops right above my ankles, and by the time I’m done tearing off the fabric, it stops midway down my thighs, leaving me with a lot to work with.
I tie one end around a stone stump above the pillar and the other end around my waist. I then begin the perilous descent, hugging the pillar tight as I make my way down to the ground.
By the gods, I actually did it!I think as my feet hit the ground. Eager to get out of here, I untie the loose fabric makeshift rope from my waist and turn around.Only thing now is to— oh shit…
A treacherous sight stands before me. Surrounding the gardens on all sides is a giant cobblestone wall, stretching as high as what I estimate to be at least thirty-five feet. That same voice from earlier chimes back into my head, saying it’s best to retreat.
Still, I refuse to let anything stop me. If I have come this far, I know I have it within me to escape anything. The sight of the wall only fuels my drive to get out of this damned place.
Noticing I’m on an incline, I take cover behind a nearby statue and make observations of my surroundings. There is still a small distance to go before I reach the wall, with the gardens running around in a maze-like formation.
A few guards roam the area, I watch for a few minutes trying to best determine their route. It’s too erratic to get a hold of, so I decide just to move on and be extra cautious around bends and corners.
I’ve got to stay in cover if I hope to escape. If they catch me, I’ve no hope of fighting back.
Moving down the incline, I press myself against a stone wall. Coming to its corner, I peek my head around, watching as a guard walks across into a different section of the gardens. With the coast clear, I move forward.
I come next to a small fountain. With no better cover, I stoop low behind one side of it. Through the spouting water, I spot a guard circling around the other side. I move at the same pace as him, all the while keeping an eye out for any others. I reach the other side without issue and press forward.
Coming to the final obstacle in my path, I spot an arch up ahead leading the way to the wall. Standing underneath it are a pair of guards, chatting to themselves.
Doesn’t look like they’ll be moving anytime soon.
I grab a rock at my feet and throw it the way across from me. Immediately, I crouch down and make myself as small as possible.
“What was that?” says one of the guards. “Let’s go check it out!”
I hold my breath as they walk by me, silent as a ghost. As soon as they’re out of my way, I scuttle underneath the arch and finally reach the wall. It stands even taller now I’m right next to it.
It’s the last thing in my way before I can escape and get my freedom back. Even with all of the odds stacked against me, I’m not stopping now, not when I’ve come this far.
9
IHOKHA
Filled with rage, I pace hurriedly through the hallways of the estate. Feelings like this certainly aren’t anything new with my brother, but that doesn’t mean they get any easier to deal with. I ignore the greetings of the zagfer and miou guards as I pass them by, waving them off with a dismissive hand.
“I need to cool off,” I mutter to myself. “Before I end up murdering my brother.”
I come to a backdoor, serving as an entrance to the private gardens. Stepping through into them, I’m greeted by wondrous sights, sounds, and smells. The garden has always been a sacred place of relaxation and calm for me, doubling as a getaway spot from my piece-of-shit brother.
I look around at the neatly trimmed hedges as a gardener works nearby. He tends to a flower bed, upon which lay several variations ranging in color from blood red to moon white.
A fresh floral smell bounces through the air, filling my nostrils with a pleasant earthy aroma. The songs of birds pass by overhead as I take a deep breath to regain my inner peace.
Turning around, I look up at the tower where Ellie is being kept. The window is open, which I guess is the choice of Fohri. He probably wants us all to hear the screams of Ellie. If I wanted to, I could have made use of my advanced hearing to better listen in but I have no desire to.
“If only there was something I could do,” I groan. Sighing, I spin back around and begin a quiet walk through the gardens. I’m greeted by staff passing me by. The guards salute me as I approach. Under the intense heat of the afternoon sun, I can’t imagine how they manage to do their job.
“Good afternoon sir,” chimes a guard.
“Hello,” I reply. “Anything to report?”
