Till Death Do Us Part

22. On the Run

"When should we launch the rescue party, do you think?" he asked, patting Zephyr's head.

The gryphon jumped to his paws, his tail lashing excitedly and ready for action.

"Are you planning to swoop from the sky and rescue me like a knight in shining armour?" sounded a mocking voice as Skylar walked into the clearing. "You did just that a few days ago, you know."

Gawyn leapt to his feet as fast as his injured ankle let him. "Are you all right? What took you so long?"

"I was sneaking around, remember? That needs time," she scolded and put down a heavy-looking sack.

Zephyr perked up and sniffed the bag, poking it with his beak impatiently.

"Hey, easy there! Yes, I've got something for you too. Just give me a second, and I'll fish it out for you." Skylar pushed a big head away from the sack gently. After a second, she took out a whole chicken flesh and tossed it at the gryphon. He caught it in his beak, trotted away to plop down on the grass, and began tearing it apart.

"That's a lot of food," noticed Gawyn looking over Sky's shoulder. "How did you manage to steal all that?"

"Stealing is such a harsh word," she shrugged, pushing a loaf of bread into his hands. "Technically, I didn't steal it. I left my earrings behind. It should be more than enough to pay for this food."

The General frowned. "You left your earrings? Do you think it's wise? If the townsfolk show it to soldiers, they will track us down."

"If they give it to soldiers, they will take it away, and the farmers never see the money." Skylar rolled her eyes. "I don't think they do that. And anyway, even if they do, we will be far away already. Now, eat quickly. The moon is shining bright today, and we can make a few more miles before we retire for the night."

"Yes, sir," replied Gawyn with a mocking salute.

***

"We need to turn a bit north here," Skylar said, looking around with a frown. "I think we wandered too wide into the forest to avoid the main roads. If we keep up with this direction, we will end up at the border."

"How do you know that?" asked Gawyn, leaning heavily on his walking stick. "It's all trees. They look the same to me."

Skylar laughed. "You forget we already entered the Shawcross' lands. I was born and raised here. I know those woods better than anyone. Look, the terrain is getting slightly more elevated here, and the trees changing from big wide oaks and clones to more slender pine trees, see?" She gestured towards the trunks. "The closer to the border, the rockier the ground becomes, and it's harder for most plants to survive there."

"Huh, you're right, of course. Lead on then. It should be safe now to leave the forest anyway if we are in your domain."

"Well, I do hope so. However, we can't be sure what's the story Elinora told everyone. I will hate it if some self-righteous farmer skewers us with a pitchfork in an outburst of patriotism."

"Yeah, that would be most unfortunate. Especially after we survived five days in the wilderness and are so close to our destination." Gawyn sighed.

"Chin up. We're almost there."

They kept walking for a while, and Skylar was visibly more relaxed. Her body was no longer tense, and she smiled more. Even Zephyr ventured more and more into the woods, leaving them to practise his hunting skills. Feeling so close to a safe harbour must have lowered their vigilance because they missed a hidden trap.

One moment they were walking, and the next, they were both stranded in the net hanging off the tree.

"What the hell," grunted Gawyn, trying to get his bearings. "Ugh, can you move your knee? It's right in my stomach."

"I'm trying," gasped Skylar trying to squirm her way out of a tangled mass of limbs they became. "How did I miss this stupid trap? I can't believe it!"

"It doesn't matter. Can you reach your sword to cut us out?"

"Not without cutting you in half in the process."

"I try to call Zephyr. Maybe he could reach us and...."

"Well, look at that!" the loud shout interrupted him. A young man walked out from the bushes. He looked as if he was barely old enough to join the army, though he was wearing Shawcross scouting unit's camouflaged uniform.

"Oh, thanks gods, he's one of ours." Skylar sighed.

"I can't believe my eyes!" continued the boy ignoring her. "I'll be damned if it's not a traitorous general!" he exclaimed excitedly, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

"Are you sure about that?" Gawyn asked, raising his brows.

"Your head will fetch me a handsome prize! That it will!"

"What are you talking about? I'm Skylar Shawcross! You surely know me!" Skylar protested, wriggling around the net and trying to get a better look at the boy.

"I don't know who you are, ma'am, and I don't care. Unfortunately, you're travelling with a wanted man. Now be good prisoners and wait here. I'll be back in a jiffy!" the boy shouted and disappeared into the bushes.

"One of your people, hm?" Gawyn scoffed. "Charming."

"Shut it! We better figure out the way out of this trap before he gets back."