starfall

chapter 1:flee

     Mud splatters my ankles and the hem of my nightgown as I run, and run, and run. I can hear Faen running at my side, urging me quietly to quicken my pace.

      I don't know exactly when the attack on the castle took place, I only knew that it was swift and violent. I had been frantically shaken awake by Faen and offered no explanation as he quickly pulled me out of bed and told me to open the window, turning to barricade the door. We had fled in the early morning, racing through the forest under the first light of dawn.

     I'm quickly tiring, but the sun is slowly rising and we are so close to our salvation. my feet nimbly race across the forest floor, and my lungs burn with exertion. we don't stop running.

     it isn't until mid-morning that we stop for a break at a stream and I receive an explanation for the sudden flight.
"they attacked before dawn, there had to have been at least twenty maybe more. they went immediately to your parent's chambers-" he pauses looking at me, "I'm sorry your parents didn't-"

"it's okay, Faen, it wasn't your fault" now wasn't the time to break down, to grieve. I didn't blame anyone except for the assassins. Faen takes a breath beside me.

"I think it was a guild, sent by a neighboring kingdom, or maybe hired by a power-hungry noble." assassin guilds, a deadly weapon for those who couldn't afford an army, or a mistake. "I immediately went for you, to make sure you made it out, that you weren't also murdered" I see his hands clench together, knuckles going white as he cringes around the word.

"thank you Faen." I place a hand on his shoulder. "we should probably clean up a little before we start again" he nods in response. I wade into the stream, the water rising nearly to my knees, and motion for Faen's knife. I gently grasp the bone handle in one hand and my ruined nightgown in the other, quickly cutting the skirts to just above my knee. I rinse off the stubborn mud on my shins and quickly knot my hair back. I look back to Faen, free of mud and ready to go. I quickly motion with my head and we continue our trek.

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     it's nearly midday by the time we arrive. my hair has fallen around my face, sticking to my arms, neck, and shoulders with sweat. I quickly brush a tendril of hair behind my ear, knocking on Adrian's door. there is scuffling inside the cottage, I hear someone drop a pan and yelp, then the door springs open, and I'm greeted with an arm full of Adrien. I hug him closely, smiling despite the tragedy, and quietly sing in his ear, "I have a surprise for you". he pulls back, inclining his head, confused. I call out to Faen, "you can come out now!"

Faen steps out from behind a tree and Adrien's face lights up as he bounds over to Faen, leaping into his arms, beginning to talk quickly, fast enough that I only catch a few words, "I missed you" along with varying endearments in different languages. I watch fondly as they reunite. suddenly something in Adrien's face shifts when he sees the remnants of mud and blood on Faen's face.
"what's wrong?" he whips around to face me, taking in my hair, my nightgown. "why are you two here?" I set my jaw and begin to fidget, I see Faen's silver eyes turn to steel. I take a deep breath.
"we'll tell you inside."