Back To Where The Flashback Began

The rain came that first night on the run. Islana had realized that while the guards and dogs might have been sent out after her, she had a decent head start, and the torrential downpour that blanketed the area would have made searching impossible.

There had been just enough time to makeshift a small shelter of fallen tree branches and leaves. Islana didn’t know much about making such a thing but Saul had given her some pointers. It did the job, barely, but it still was better than nothing.

It might have seemed that running had been spur of the moment, but there had been planning involved. Saul had dropped information to Islana over the time they knew each other, He had given her information about the ships leaving Salos for Arcadia. Told her that the best thing, if someone were to run, was to go more a zig-zag route than straight to the port. It would take longer but would make the runaway harder to catch. It was his idea to wait until after the Lady of the house passed because that meant fewer servants being in the home, in general. It was just the events that led it to being the day of that particular festival but the day of a festival made the most sense. That three towns over he knew someone who could help her a little anyway.

Islana, like all of Vasant’s, slaves had a marking of sorts. Not on her body but a metal bracelet that was forged together, which held Vasant’s crest. It was a symbol of ownership. Saul apparently knew a blacksmith who could get rid of the bracelet for her. No questions asked. There was no way to know for sure she could trust the blacksmith but Saul had her trust, as much as the girl could manage, and really what choice was there?

The young woman already knew about forging and hunting, though she needed a knife for those skills to be more useful. She knew how to navigate by the stars. To tell the time by the sun and the moon. All things that would prove to make a huge difference in her survival

Making it through the first week or so, the girl finally made it to the village with the blacksmith. As promised the man made quick work of the bracelet, throwing it into the fire. He didn’t charge her or ask any questions. When asked about where to buy a knife, the man let her buy one of his old ones which was plenty sharp She had known that a new knife would have cost more than she had so the offer was accepted with gratitude.

A few more towns over, she sold the basket and had enough left over just enough to buy some stew and a brew at an inn.

Days became weeks, weeks became months and months became years. The zig-zagging didn’t always keep the guards and dogs away. Sometimes Islana was left holding her breath in order not to be heard. Climbing helped her scout the woods better and looked for those looking for her. There wasn’t always a good place to hide or a getaway avenue to take but somehow the girl was never caught.

Vasant never gave up the search, though how much of that was because of what he wanted to do to her and how much was because of the secret she knew was debatable. Going into the second year and the girl still wasn’t sure if the Lord wanted her alive or dead. Until a conversation overheard left no doubt.

“We must be close,” A deep guard’s voice could be heard from where Islana, hid in some underbrush. “This would be a lot easier if we could just kill the little fugitive.”

“We have our orders,” The barking could be heard coming closer as another guard responded. “Lord Vasant definitely wants her alive. He apparently has plans for her.”

“We all know what kind of plans those are.” Both guards laughed at the first guard’s comment. “Let’s move on, she’s apparently not here."

In the cold and the dark cave, the secret played with seventeen-year-old Islana's mind. Maybe, she should have taken the secret to the King. Would he have believed her? With no proof, probably not, the Lord had been accurate about that, no one would believe her. It wasn’t an option any longer anyway.

So, the secret stayed with her. Maybe, she would hear someday that Vasant and the others had been found out or that they had succeeded in the overthrow of the King. Hopefully, either way, she would be far away from Vasant when and if that time ever came.