1 The Escape (2/2)

I looked pass the two men arguing and there I saw him gesturing me to come. there he was mounted on a horse that's galloping at full speed, I ran towards his direction to meet him half way.

”IT'S THE DEMON! OVER THERE!”

”THAT BASTARD TRAITOR IS WIT 'IM TOO!”

I overheard someone shouting as I was running then I saw father pluck a pole from the ground and placed it on top the saddle bag.

”KEEP RUNNING!” he screamed at me.

I ran as fast as I could! my legs felt like giving out anytime soon. I heard masses of people behind me all mixed in the disarray of voices, I turned to look and saw at least a dozen soldiers running towards me--I took off the drapery on me causing it to cover my pursuers, stalling them for a little bit of time. I couldn't run anymore I was scared that anytime soon I'd fall face flat on the ground, so I closed my eyes hoping I've neared the gap between me and my father. Suddenly I felt my collar was pulled out of nowhere and my whole body flew upwards. I glanced upwards only to see my father dragging me with one hand.

”GRAB HOLD ON THE HORSE KNOXX! I CAN'T PULL UP YOU LIKE THIS!” he shouted.

With little strength I had left I grabbed hold of the saddle while pathetically pulling myself till I could sit on the horse. As I sat down I held tight especially with how fast the horse was running, falling off the horse would definitely be easy. I looked forward and saw the town gate...

”THEY'RE NEARING THE GATES!”

”CLOSE THEM! THEY MUST NOT ESCAPE!”

”Father! the gates! they're closing!”

”I know!”

I looked at the gates with anxiety as I saw it closing relatively fast. Not until my father took the pole he had on the horse, I saw him take aim as if he had a target somewhere...

”GAH!” he huffed out.

There it goes! the pole flying into God knows where. We were speeding towards the gates with it having no signs of stopping; I panicked--The closer we got the lower the gates have gotten then exactly right at the gate I heard a loud crashing of chains followed by disgruntled voices of men.

”DUCK!”

I ducked just in time as we sped through the Iron gates, oddly enough the gates stopped halfway that's why we could pass through. Was it luck? or was it fate? my father didn't look like he'd make that throw but whatever the reason was; I was thankful. I turned around and took a look at

Yorkburgen one last time as I felt a little emotional, I grew up there and it was the only place It ever felt like home. Around the people I cared about and they were the same people that shunned us when we needed help, how could they just turn away from us like that after countless kindness we gave them... No words only disappointment and sadness filled my heart.

”Don't turn around, it's not home anymore.”

My father said it as absolute but I know that somewhere in his heart he felt the same way I did, I hope we could clear this misunderstanding...

Miles away from home we finally slowed down, too many thoughts filled my mind and too many questions left unanswered. I was too tired to ask my father about what I heard. I always looked up to him as he had taught me a lot of things in life but I trust him--

”Where are we going?” I asked.

”We're going to look for an old comrade of mine.”

”And where is that?”

”I don't know...”

He looked troubled, I was about to ask but then I saw a river from afar.

”There is a river over there!” I exclaimed.

I saw the clear and glistening flowing water with awe, I took off from the horse and sped through the bushes and plunged my hands deep into water as I cupped them to take a sip. I turned to my father and saw him there tying the horse onto a nearby tree so it wouldn't run away.

”Drink slowly Knoxx, the water won't go anywhere.”

”But I'm so thirsty, that was the first for me; running like that.”

”You must be exhausted? alright then we'll camp here for the night.

Go look for some firewood later so I can start a fire.”

I nodded as I gulped the sweet nectar of the Gods flowing into my empty stomach. Feeling rejuvenated and felt a little energized, I set off to look for firewood in the forest but not too far away. When I came back both arms filled with wood and I had dropped them into a clearing, I saw my father stepping out into the same clearing with a wild boar rested on his shoulders. When I saw the beast I felt my stomach rumbling with hunger, he placed the boar near the stack of wood and told me to line them properly or we won't have any dinner. So I did while he was skinning and butchering the animal ready for cooking. In a while we had pork roasting. I sat close to the fire and stared at the fire crackling under the sizzling pork leg, he was on the opposite side and was tending to the flames making sure that it would last the night. I looked at him and saw his eyes was blank as if his mind was voided of any emotion from what had happen. he looked back at me as I pulled my curious gaze.

”You know staring would get you in trouble.”

”I know that! you told me one time already, it's impolite...”

It fell quiet after a while then he handed me the pork leg on a stick, I gorged on it like a beast chomping on its prey.

”Slow down, you might choke yourself.”

”I can't help it, I drained myself from running.”

I had my fill and went to the river for water--The lovely moonlight showered the river with unimaginable beauty, glistening in the dead of night. The crickets were playing their nightly tune as I stared into the water and drank. The peacefulness lulled my restless mind and finally I collected myself.

”I'll ask him when I get back.” I whispered to myself.

Right before I left, fireflies started glowing above the waters. The scene left me at a loss for words so I decided to stay a little watching the night grow darker and the scene brighter than ever. Surprised, I saw the fireflies gathering together and had formed a figure of a person! I could not believe my eyes and rubbed them, after a split second that I did the apparition was gone; I'm imagining things. I must be tired and headed back towards the camp only to see my father sound asleep, I rested next to the fire and warmed myself, I thought why all of this had happen? was it all because I selfishly wanted to experience the festival like the others? now that I've thought of it this is my first time away from town, I was stuck in thought as the crackling of the camp fire soothed me to sleep.