Aurora and Devrim hurried through the darkness of the tunnel, their only light the glow stone that was part of the walls. The Empress wrapped the Guardian's cloak around her tightly as she followed Devrim through the tunnel. She had been wary of using it because Zan was so much taller than her, but Aurora found as it wrapped around her shoulders that it adjusted to her height and build. The pair had placed many items inside the recesses of the cloak before leaving the palace, including money and weapons for protection. The weight of the cloak never changed. As she made her way underground, Aurora wondered what else she would discover about this magical garment. The novelty of adventure pushed her to move quickly, always anticipating the next discovery.
When the passage forked to lead inside and outside of the city of Valiant, Devrim paused and looked back at her. While the tunnel leading up inside Valiant was paved with glow-stone, the second passage was dark and unfriendly. It was likely carved much later by human hands once the city of Valiant grew beyond the initial tunnel. "Are you ready, Aurora?"
A thrill of excitement ran down the girl's spine. "Let's go!" She whispered excitedly as if speaking any louder would ruin the moment. Devrim lit a fire stick, a torch with a mixture inside it that would allow it to burn from one end for many hours. The passage was suddenly overrun with light. Aurora squinted. After a moment, her eyes adjusted and the pair continued onward. The fire stick put off less smoke than a regular torch, but after a while in the confined space, the Empress's eyes began to sting. "Are we almost out?"
As if in answer to her question, the tunnel widened suddenly and a rush of cold air brushed across Aurora's face. Devrim held up his hand in a fist: a sign to halt. He handed the fire stick to Aurora and made his way up into the cold air, checking to make sure the exit was clear. When he was sure it was safe, Devrim returned and put out the fire stick in the soft dirt floor. "No need to announce ourselves," he said quietly. As Aurora emerged from the ground, she realized the exit of the tunnel came out in a small cave. 'Very clever!' Aurora praised the ancient architects.
Outside the cave, the stars shone brightly. Devrim felt terribly exposed, but glancing back to his companion, he realized the cloak made her all but invisible. With her hood now pulled over her head, her face was inscrutable. He smiled knowing that she would not be recognized. They moved quickly along the open grassy terrain. Since a river ran along one of Valiant's sides, the ground was lush and green. Before long the pair could make out a group of four horses and two people against the skyline.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
"Who goes there?!" A voice called out in a whisper-yell.
"At ease, Nurlan." Devrim called. "Is Junayd with you?"
"Here, Sire." Junayd responded. Handpicked by Chief Zan, these two soldiers were the most loyal, strong and capable that Valiant had to offer. "The horses are ready."
Devrim nodded. "We better be off." Because the soldiers knew Devrim from his training exercises, Aurora decided to let him take the lead for now. The men had an understanding between them and all of them would move faster initially with her following along. She was not too proud to let others take the lead as the situation arose.
The four mounted their horses and after a moment to get their bearings, they headed north. By the time the sun rose, they were many miles away, and Valiant was a memory beyond the horizon.
When the sun was shining brightly, they stopped for breakfast. Junayd made a fire while Nurlan kneaded a small batch of dough for a flat bread. Aurora watched with fascination. "I'd love to learn some of your cooking skills," she said to the stalky brown-eyed man. His bulky frame looked comfortable as it pulled and pushed the dough. This routine was second nature.
Nurlan chuckled. "What use does an Empress have for cooking skills?"
Aurora flushed crimson. "I'm not an Empress out here, and I'd love to do my part. You never know when you may need another cook." Nurlan looked at her sidelong, but said nothing. He had been around nobility enough to know they seldom followed through with their lovely platitudes.
"Very good, Your Majesty," Junayd was more encouraging. Behind Junayd's broad shoulders and onyx eyes, he had a kindness which many soldiers lacked. The Empress, dressed as a plainly clothed teenager and not a twenty-four year old ruler, reminded him very much of his younger sister that he left back home.
At his words, Nurlan grunted, but began showing the Empress how to make the camp-bread. It was a simple mix of flour, sugar, salt and water. After mixing the ingredients and kneading them, Nurlan placed the dough in the fire until it was a firm flat bread. It was far simpler fare than the Empress was used to, but it was warm and nourishing. She ate hungrily. "This is fun," Aurora said naively. Having been out of the castle only a handful of times into the city of Valiant, this was new and different. The three men exchanged silent glances. Nurlan and Junayd were used to extreme conditions, having each been posted in the outskirts at different times. They much preferred the palace, but there was a strange comfort in being outdoors. Roughing it in the unknown wild was not, however, considered 'fun' for them.
Devrim agreed with the soldiers. Having been homeless for a short while between when his parents died and Emperor Elias gave him an inheritance, he was familiar with the hard life that few resources and an unknown future could bring. "I hope you still find it fun after we have been on the move for a couple weeks." Devrim said earnestly.
"Oh I am sure I will!" Aurora answered brightly.
She was wrong.