- I can still feel the weight of her magic… pressing me down. I thought… I thought that was the end for us. - Shalyn murmured, her back pressed firmly against one of the walls as she tried to steady herself.
- What happened back there? - Sylleth asks, sitting beside Shalyn. - How long was I out, anyway?
- No more than two weeks… - Shalyn's voice carries a hint of weariness, as if the weight of the past days had settled deep in her bones.
- Who was that woman? - Sylleth asked, examining the dark scar on his shoulder.
- I... I don't know anymore... - Shalyn whispered, her voice trembling, clearly shaken by the memory.
Seeing Shalyn's distress, Sylleth stopped asking questions and leaned his head against the wall, thinking of a way to calm his companion.
Shalyn closed her eyes, trying to rest, but at that moment, a soft hum reached her ears.
The melody filled the room, simple yet carrying a note of peace and nostalgia. The hum was a small comfort in the tense moment, a way to steady Shalyn's nerves as she lost herself in the rhythm of the tune.
The girl glanced to the side, realizing the melody was coming from Sylleth. After a brief moment, he stopped humming and, with a gentle smile on his lips, said.
- My mother used to hum this tune all the time. Apparently, it's an old elven folk melody. - Sylleth said, leaning on his hand as memories of his childhood, his family, and his hometown washed over him. - Maybe one day, I'll hear it from her again.
- Definitely... - The girl said, gently placing her hand on Sylleth's shoulder. - Together, we'll find... our loved ones.
- Shalyn... - Sylleth tried to say something, but a quiet chuckle from behind the wall interrupted him.
- Liar! - The girl said slowly, peering through the wooden bars at Sylleth and Shalyn. - I've never heard elves sing anything like that... unless you’re talking about the ones from the North. - She chuckled again, her laughter echoing softly.
- Zara, weren’t you supposed to be working on a way to get us out of these chains? - Shalyn asked as she stood up from the ground.
Zara raised her hands, making sure they were visible through the bars.
- I'm already free from them. - She said, her smile widening as her tail flicked playfully. - And on top of that, I know when we'll finally have a chance to escape from here!
- Don't shout like that, the hunters might hear you. - Sylleth said as he stood up, and together with Shalyn, they approached the wall.
- Don't worry, they're as dumb as a bag of rocks. - The girl giggled again, her laughter filled with mischief.
- You said you know when we can escape? - Shalyn asked, whispering so no unwanted ears could overhear them.
- Exactly! - Zara exclaimed. - I overheard them last night talking about moving us to a boat tomorrow night. That's when you can make your escape. - She said with a warm, cheerful cadence, her tone playful and full of energy, despite the whole situation.
- Us? And what about you? - Sylleth asked, his curiosity piqued.
- I'll escape from here once we're already on Isernia. It’ll be closer to home for me. - She replied, her tone light and almost playful, as if she was being kidnapped on a daily basis.
- As if it were that simple... - Shalyn retorted. - ...This isn’t a game, we could actually die here. - She tried to mask his fear with an annoyed snort, but the worry in his voice was unmistakable.
- Let’s not give up so easily. Just a moment ago, you were saying we’d make it, remember? - Sylleth said, offering a reassuring smile to lift his companion’s spirits.
- Exactly, exactly! - Zara chimed in cheerfully.
- I’m sorry... The whole situation with Lazare is still bothering me. - Shalyn explained, her voice calmer now but still tinged with fear.
- Who? - Zara asked, her face showing curiosity.
- Never mind. - Sylleth replied, turning back to the girl. - But let’s get to the point... Are you sure we can escape? - He asked, his voice filled with hope.
- No. - Zara answered almost immediately.
- And why did I even ask... - Sylleth sighed, then sat down on the floor.
Shalyn sat beside him, leaning her head against the wall behind them.
- So... - Zara began, extending her hands through the bars as if trying to reach them. - ...Would you like me to help with those shackles?
No sooner had she spoken the words than she quickly pulled her hands back, retreating behind the wall. She whispered urgently, her voice barely audible.
- They're coming for you.
Shalyn flinched, trying her best not to appear suspicious as the door to their carriage creaked open. The same hunter they had encountered at Lazare stepped inside.
- How’s the journey treating you? - He asked, settling onto a wooden chair fixed to the wall opposite the pair. He placed his sword beside him with a casual thud. - You don’t have to answer. - He continued, a smirk playing on his lips. - I don’t really care.
- What are you doing here? - Shalyn asked angrily.
- The boss wants everyone separated, each in a different carriage... - The man stood up and walked over to the door. - And my group is responsible for you two. - As he opened the door, two masked figures stepped inside. Their build made it clear they were both men.
One of the men grabbed Sylleth by the neck and slammed him into the floor.
- Sylleth! - Shalyn screamed as the second man grabbed her by the arms, unlocked her shackles, and began dragging her out of the carriage.
- Shalyn! Let her go! - Sylleth struggled to break free from the man holding him, but his efforts were in vain.
- Let me go! - Shalyn shouted as the man pulled her outside.
- Well then, next time, I’ll pay you a visit when we're already in Naora. - The man said, lifting his sword before stepping out of the carriage. The man holding Sylleth also stood up, leaving the carriage and locking the door behind him.
Sylleth immediately scrambled to his feet and rushed towards the door, but the chains held him back, preventing him from even getting close.
- Damn it... - Sylleth turned towards the wall, where he saw Zara staring at him in surprise. - Zara... Please, help me with these chains - Sylleth begged, reaching his hands through the bars towards the girl
- No. - Zara replied, stepping away from the wall.
- Please! - Sylleth shouted desperately, his voice trembling with fear and urgency.
- Calm down. There's nothing you can do right now. - She said in a unusual for her serious voice, sitting down on the floor. - They won't hurt her. You'll see her again when they move us onto the ship.
Sylleth sank back against the wall, feeling the weight of their recent separation. They had barely managed to reunite before being torn apart once more. Lost in his thoughts, he was consumed with worry for Shalyn, his family, and his own uncertain future. His mind was overwhelmed with dark, relentless thoughts that refused to let him find any peace. But just as he was sinking deeper into his troubled trance, a bright and cheerful voice cut through the gloom, jolting him back to the present.
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- Hey, hey, take it easy. - Zara said, looking down at him with a teasing smile. - I told you they’re not the brightest, right? They won’t even notice when you make your escape. - The girl chuckled again, resting her head against the bars as if trying to squeeze through them and join him on the other side.
Sylleth looked up, a faint smile tugging at his lips as Zara’s laughter reached him.
- Okay, thanks... - He said, reassured by Zara's words. - You’re acting like a cat, you know that? - He said, pushing himself off the ground.
- Well, that’s because I am one... - Zara pointed at her orange ears and tail. - ...Or rather, a cheetah, but only halfway. - She glanced down, gently stroking her own tail with a playful grin
- Alright... I guess I’ll take a nap. - Sylleth said, sitting back down against the wall.
- How many times are you going to get up and sit down on this floor? - Zara teased, pushing her fluffy tail through the bars in an attempt to reach his head.
- Quiet, now. - He replied, gently pushing her tail away from his face before lying down. - Good night.
- Good night! - Zara shouted, as if she wanted the entire carriage to hear her
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The next day, Sylleth was jolted awake by a loud banging on the wall.
- Get up, get up! - Zara’s voice came through, clearly intent on rousing him from sleep.
- Mmm... What’s going on? - Sylleth mumbled, his voice thick with sleep as he tried to open his eyes.
- I’ll tell you, you’ve been sleeping forever, it’s already afternoon. - Zara leaned her head against the wooden bars, continuing to bang on the wall.
- Already...? - It took Sylleth a moment to fully wake up, but the relentless noise from Zara sped up the process. - When will we be at the port?
- I have no idea. - Zara giggled. - I was just bored, so I decided to wake you up.
Syllleth got up from the ground and glanced into Zara’s carriage, where she had moved aside.
- Is there a window in there? - He asked, scanning the carriage for any sign of one.
- Nope. - Zara replied with a playful smile.
- So how do you know it’s already evening? - Sylleth asked, glancing at Zara.
- I didn’t know for sure, but I had a feeling. - Zara chuckled again, clearly in better spirits for some reason.
- Never mind... - Sylleth said, pushing himself away from the wall.
- You... where are you from? I can see you’re an elf... - She asked, her tail and ears twitching with curiosity.
- A small village; you probably wouldn’t know it. - Sylleth replied, pacing around the small area where his chains were fastened.
- Ah, I thought you might be one of those Northern elves... - Zara's ears drooped, showing her disappointment.
- Well, I do live in the North. - Sylleth said, continuing his pacing with a hint of amusement.
- That’s not what I meant... I’d really love to see the elves from Ilythyrra. - Zara said, stepping away from the wall with a wistful look.
- Maybe someday you’ll run into someone from there. - He said, finally coming to a halt.
- They’re coming back. - Zara warned, quickly retreating to her corner.
Just then, the door to Sylleth's carriage swung open, and a massive shadow fell across the floor. A familiar voice reached his ears, sending a jolt of recognition through him.
- I told you I’d be back. - The man stepped into the carriage, carrying a set of heavy chains.
- Are we already in Naora? - Sylleth asked, his posture and tone defensive.
- Quiet, I need to change your chains. - The man said, beginning to unfasten Sylleth’s current restraints.
At that exact moment, the wall separating Zara’s and Sylleth’s carriages began to tremble and crack, loud thuds echoing from behind it.
- What the hell?! - The man shouted, dropping the chains onto the floor and turning toward the wall in alarm.
Suddenly, the wall shattered, pieces flying across the room. The man lunged for his sword, but Zara was faster. She kicked him in the face mid-air, sending his weapon skidding across the carriage.
- Now! - Zara shouted, grabbing Sylleth’s hand and pulling him toward the opening. They rushed outside, the chaos of their escape unfolding around them.
- Stop them! - The man yelled, racing back for his sword.
Outside, the sprawling cityscape unfolded before Sylleth and Zara. Tall gray stone buildings lined the wide cobblestone avenue. Scattered throughout the area were groups of slaves—elves, humans, demi-humans, half-breeds—of all ages, all bound in chains. The grim sight of their shackles contrasted starkly with the imposing, indifferent architecture surrounding them
- Do you see her anywhere? - Zara asked, darting towards one of the side alleys.
- No... - Sylleth scanned the area frantically, his eyes searching for his companion.
- Let me go! - A familiar voice reached his ears, it was Shalyn’s.
Sylleth immediately spun around, searching for the source of the sound. He spotted a group of hunters running toward them, but they were still a good distance away, giving them a bit of time.
- There she is! - Zara shouted, sprinting toward Shalyn, who was just being pulled out of a carriage.
Sylleth surged forward, unexpectedly overtaking Zara as he raced to reach Shalyn.
- Shalyn! - Sylleth shouted as he sprinted toward her and the huntress holding her chains.
As Sylleth closed in, the huntress turned toward him, pulling a dagger from her belt.
- I’ll handle her... - Zara said, rushing up beside Sylleth. - We don’t have much time; the others are on their way.
Sylleth nodded and tried to sidestep the huntress, but she lunged at him. Zara seized the moment, taking advantage of the huntress’s distraction, and slashed her face with her sharp claws.
- AGH! - the huntress screamed, clutching her face.
Sylleth managed to reach Shalyn and immediately started trying to break her chains.
- Sylleth! - Shalyn cried, tears streaming down her face.
- Hold on, just a little longer... - Sylleth said, glancing over his shoulder. He saw Zara running toward them, but behind her, a group of hunters was closing in at an alarming speed.
Zara quickly struck at the chains, but they didn’t break as easily as she had hoped.
- These are tougher than they look... - She muttered, almost admiring their craftsmanship.
- Hurry... please. - Shalyn choked out between sobs.
After a few more determined strikes, the chains finally shattered, freeing Shalyn.
- Alright, run! - Zara patted Sylleth on the back with a wide grin. - I'll try to free some of the others. Maybe we'll meet again. - She then dashed toward the group of slaves, heading straight for the oncoming hunters.
- Let's go! - Sylleth shouted, grabbing Shalyn’s hand.
Shalyn wiped the tears from her face and nodded. They started running down the alley, heading in the direction that seemed like an exit. Just as they gained some distance, Sylleth felt a sudden tug on his back.
- Got you! - The familiar man shouted, lifting Sylleth off the ground and pressing his sword against Sylleth’s throat.
- Let go! - Sylleth yelled, struggling and kicking at the man.
- Sylleth! - Shalyn screamed, running toward him.
- Stop! - Sylleth shouted, suddenly freezing in place. His eyes met Shalyn’s, silently pleading with her to run, to leave him behind. He was trying to convey that he could handle this on his own, but Shalyn hesitated, uncertainty and fear clouding her judgment.
- Let him go! - Shalyn screamed.
- You’ve got to be kidding. - The man sneered, dragging the blade lightly across Sylleth’s neck, drawing a few drops of blood.
- Shalyn... run... - Sylleth gasped, his voice trembling. - Please.
The man glanced over his shoulder, checking how close the other hunters were.
- Looks like your time’s running out. - He chuckled, mocking their desperate attempts to survive.
- Shalyn… - Sylleth pleaded again, trying to urge her to escape.
- ...Sylleth... - Shalyn’s voice trembled as she began to back away, tears streaming down her face. - ...I’ll come back with help... - She turned and ran, leaving Sylleth behind.
- So she left you after all... how interesting. - The man sneered, tossing Sylleth to the ground.
- Agh! - Sylleth cried out in pain, his eyes following Shalyn as she disappeared into the distance.
- You've caused us quite a bit of trouble. - The hunter glared down at him. - We'll have to come up with a fitting punishment. - He grinned wickedly, a dark gleam in his eyes.