"Your Highness," he said, appearing again from the same corner of shadows. As'rya was reading a book as she waited and looked up from her spot on the bed when he entered. She had only a smaller backpack this time, similar to his own but fancier and much less used. She had also tossed on a sturdy looking leather cloak. Still in the white dress, though. It would only cause more problems while they travelled.
"Your Highness, I would recommend wearing different clothes," he began to explain. "We will be going through some rough areas, and your dress will get ripped and stained along the way."
Glancing down, the princess shook her head. "I understand your concerns, Mr. Demon, but as a Royal Princess, I must represent the royal family, even now."
"Please," Dagger complained, "Don't call me that. You can call me Dagger if you want." The stupid title sounded even more ridiculous coming from this regal and proper noble. She nodded assent. "Fine. Don't tell me I didn't warn you later when it gets ruined," he gestured to the white garment.
"I have travel clothes packed as well," As'rya informed him. He sure hoped she did.
Ugh, he was tired already.
The sun was beginning to make its descent from midday by the time they departed. There were no goodbyes, well wishes, or hugs with the Queen. In fact, the princess didn't even bother to ask to see her mother. Instead, she led them through servants halls and storage spaces, familiar with the passages.
"Princess, I don't think-" Dagger began but the young woman interrupted.
"I would like to say goodbye to a few people," As'rya insisted as they neared the kitchen ahead.
"I don't know..." He had no idea if it would be safe.
"They are trustworthy people, and I will be discreet," the princess assured him. He sighed, agreeing. After all, this was going to be a rough journey. The least he could do was let her say a couple goodbyes.
As'rya pointed out two people when they left and Dagger shadow stepped both of them over. The two, a servant and a chef, by the looks of their attire, tearfully threw their arms around her. The tall chef sniffled quietly while wiping his eyes while the older maid enveloped her in a motherly hug, whispering in her ear and running her hand gently over her hair. The pair quietly wished the girl off in a heartfelt farewell before returning to their posts to avoid suspicion. Her own eyes shiny with unshed tears, As'rya bid them goodbye; her and Dagger set off again down the halls. Before long, they reached a door leading down a plain road to the back.
"This way should be safe," As'rya motioned to the exit. "It's the servant's route, and is much less guarded. Since secrecy is a priority, it will be easier to leave the castle grounds that way." Nodding appreciatively, Dagger led them away. The pair began the journey out of the Capital and out of the Kingdom.
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As'rya had claimed she needed the dress to 'represent the royal family', but he wasn't sure the girl had realized just how little they would be seen. While maneuvering through the most deserted alleys and the darkest streets, Dagger used his shadow cloaking to make their appearances masked and their forms inconspicuous. In the instances where they reached an area too populated to maneuver safely, he would use shadow step to jump short distances. After the first couple jumps, though, he tried to avoid using it for the most part. It was much more difficult and draining than he had anticipated, especially using it on both of them.
"Mmm," As'rya paused for the hundredth time and Dagger had to stop himself from snapping at her. She wasn't really helping with the 'stealth' part of this. As if she'd never been to the market, the girl had to stop and gaze at every new sight, listen in on every errant conversation, or admire the ordinary wares. Be patient, she's the princess, he reminded himself...she's the princess...
"Umm, Sir Dagger? Do you think it would be possible to grab some food from the stalls before we go?" The scent of roasted meat and spiced rice wafted around them and this time, he actually agreed with her. He had meant to get food anyways, before the mad scramble that was...this current situation.
"If you stay here and be quiet," Dagger emphasized the quiet part, "I will go get some." As'rya nodded, tucking back against the afternoon shadows. He twisted the dark shapes around her, obscuring her from passing glances. It was harder when he wasn't there beside her, but it would be manageable for a short while.
Getting out of the city was looking better and better; he wasn't used to having to use his power so much and already, the whispers of the Beast beginning to stir.
Once she was securely hidden, he shadow-stepped and grabbed a few filled rice cakes, dropping the coins on the counter before the stall owner could even sense him.
"Let's go," he told her. One last shadow step and they would be able to leave the gates fairly easily. The inky black shadows were beginning to stretch, giving them plenty of cover.
With a swirl of darkness that looked almost water-like, the pair vanished, reappearing in an alley near the city gates. As'rya let out a small 'wow' as she had done each time they'd shadow jumped. It was disconcerting that she wasn't perturbed or bothered by his abilities. Dagger assumed she didn't know who he was or the reputation he carried. Instead of commenting, he just handed her one of the steaming rice cakes. They took a moment to eat, Dagger savoring the vegetable and tangy sauce in his rice pocket. As'rya devoured hers, taking delicate bites but still finishing the large meal off in a surprising amount of time.
From this point on, Dagger moved through the streets with confidence. He had left the city limits many times, and none of them were sanctioned or marked. Of course, they could shadow step to the other side of the wall, but the guards at the top may still spot them upon their re-apparition.
Instead, he led them to a seemingly normal part of the wall. It was almost completely out of sight from the guards and a small hole in the bottom was easily hidden by a heavy stone slab on top. With practiced ease, Dagger lifted the heavy stone, gesturing As'rya into the passage. He followed quickly after, ensuring that the entrance was secured, and led them through the dark until they emerged again in the forest, 100 yards into the edge of the treeline.
"Well, that seems like a gap in the city's security," the second princess commented as they emerged, brushing dirt from the cloak. Her tone was mild though and Dagger didn't think she was seriously upset.
"Its my personal way in and out," he told her, "and I've never seen anyone else use it. I made it seven or eight years back."
They lapsed into silence for a moment as they walked into the forest and Dagger considered that maybe he shouldn't have said anything, before As'rya spoke up.
"Why don't you...just use your ability?" the princess asked cautiously, unsure if she was allowed to broach the topic.
"Sometimes I do. Sometimes, when its midday and very sunny, I can't use shadow step without being caught," he told her. "But most of the time, I just prefer not to."
"I see," As'rya replied. The pair fell silent again, dedicating their attention to navigate through bushes and around branches. The sky was beginning to change hues, the blue bleeding into orange and reds, casting the woods in a fiery glow. Dagger didn't know how long the princess would be able to travel, especially once it was truly dark. But the setting sun not only provided them good cover, but increased Daggers range with his abilities, as well as his prowess and strength.
At night, Dagger was his most deadly.
His powers drew on darkness, so the darkest time of day was the easiest for him to manipulate the curse. But it was more than that. With the retreat of the sun, he felt a pressure release, like a weight was lifted. The hush that fell over the world felt like a balm to his mind. Most of the time, he would spend the day resting, choosing only to move when the sun was out of sight.