? Kaelira ?


    <hr>


    Kaelira moved silently through the mansion’s halls, her steps light and deliberate as she kept a sharp eye on their surroundings. Every shadow, every creak in the floorboards, had her on edge. This wasn’t the first time she had navigated a dangerous space, but it had been a while since she had done so with someone like Vess at her side.


    Kaelira glanced back, assessing Vess’s grip on the dagger. Tense fingers, uncertain stance—too tight, too stiff. It was the way people held weapons when they weren’t used to them, gripping for dear life rather than with intent to strike.


    “You’re holding it too high,” Kaelira whispered, keeping her voice low. “Relax your wrist—if you have to use it, a stiff grip will slow you down.”


    Vess exhaled shakily and adjusted, but Kaelira could see the strain in her shoulders. She’s trying. The girl wasn’t warrior material—not yet. But the way she kept moving, kept trying, made Kaelira reconsider her first impression.


    “This is insane,” Vess murmured under her breath.


    Kaelira allowed the smallest smirk. “Welcome to my life.”


    Still, she wasn’t quite warrior material. Her movements were too hesitant, too untrained. She wasn’t used to the weight of weapons in her hands or the thrill of battle. Kaelira knew that if things went south, she’d have to be the one to handle the worst of it. Vess could hold her own if it came to that, but Kaelira couldn’t help but feel a sense of responsibility.


    Yet, the more Kaelira observed her, the more she admitted that Vess was adapting quickly. That steel in her eyes—it was the mark of someone who had faced something terrifying and come out the other side stronger. Kaelira had seen that look before, in the eyes of survivors. Perhaps, with time, Vess would grow into a capable fighter. But for now, Kaelira had to guide her.


    Kaelira motioned for Vess to stay close as they continued down the dimly lit corridor. They had managed to avoid most of the guards so far, moving with care and precision through the winding halls of the mansion. The place was a maze of opulence and danger, every corner a potential trap.


    Kaelira froze mid-step, her ears sharpening at the faint but deliberate clink of armored boots. A squad—close, moving fast. No time to think. She seized Vess’s wrist and yanked her into a narrow alcove, pressing them both flush against the cool stone wall.


    The footsteps grew louder, echoing off the polished floors. Kaelira tightened her grip on Vess, her other hand hovering near her blade. If they were spotted, she’d have to take them down fast.


    The guards passed within arm’s reach, their helmets gleaming in the dim light. One hesitated—his head tilting slightly as if sensing something off. Go. Move on. Kaelira willed him away, barely breathing.


    After an agonizing beat, the soldier exhaled and marched on. Kaelira didn’t relax until the sound of boots faded into the depths of the manor.


    “Stay still,” Kaelira whispered, her voice barely audible.


    The footsteps grew louder, and Kaelira’s muscles tensed, ready to act if necessary. A group of guards jogged past, their armor clinking, their expressions alert. They were clearly looking for something—or someone. Her eyes tracked them as they disappeared down the hall, and only then did she relax, releasing her grip on Vess’s arm.


    Vess exhaled shakily, her fingers still clutching the dagger tightly. Kaelira gave her a nod, silently acknowledging her composure in the face of danger. They weren’t out of the woods yet, but they were getting closer. Kaelira would make sure they both walked out of this mansion alive.


    Kaelira moved with purpose, keeping Vess close behind her as they navigated the twisting halls. She knew better than to head toward the main exits—those would be heavily guarded, and with the alarm likely raised, their chances of getting out that way were slim.


    Instead, Kaelira kept to the servant passages, the areas where the lesser members of the household traveled. These corridors were quieter, often overlooked, and the people they might encounter here were less likely to report their presence.


    The mansion was a maze, but she had a keen sense of direction. As they moved deeper into the servants'' quarters, she kept her eyes peeled for a back exit—something used by the staff to come and go unnoticed. The fewer people who saw them, the better.


    As they turned another corner, she caught movement ahead. Two maids were standing near a door, their eyes widening in surprise as they spotted the pair of them. Vess tensed immediately, her hand going to the dagger at her side, but Kaelira raised a hand, signaling for her to wait.


    Kaelira met the gaze of one of the maids, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn’t want a confrontation, not with innocents. She made a silent plea, her golden eyes locking onto theirs, willing them to understand. Don’t cry out. Don’t alert the guards.


    For a tense moment, it seemed like everything was hanging by a thread. The maids looked at each other, fear in their eyes, but they didn’t move. They didn’t scream.


    Kaelira gave them a small nod of gratitude and quickly moved past them, motioning for Vess to follow. As they reached the door, Kaelira glanced back one last time. The maids remained silent, their hands clutching their aprons nervously, but they didn’t say a word.


    Kaelira pushed open the servant''s door, leading Vess out onto a dirt path that wound around the front of the mansion. The air outside felt crisp compared to the stifling tension inside, but their relief was short-lived. The mansion was on high alert—guards were moving quickly, their sharp voices and hurried footsteps echoing in the night.


    Kaelira scanned the area, assessing the situation. They couldn''t just run. The front garden stretched out before them, beautifully maintained but offering little cover. The only option was to stay low and blend into the shadows, moving carefully to avoid drawing attention.


    She was about to signal to Vess to stay close when she heard voices. Loud, angry voices. Kaelira''s ears twitched, her body freezing in place as she recognized the cold, clipped tone of Lord Therin.


    She dropped into a crouch, motioning for Vess to do the same, and they both went low behind the garden’s carefully trimmed bushes. From their hidden position, they could see two figures storming down the path—Therin, his pale hair catching in the moonlight, and Kellen, trailing behind him with an expression of barely concealed frustration.


    "You assured me everything was under control," Therin said, his voice smooth but seething beneath the surface.


    Kellen flinched at the calmness of it. Anger was expected. Rage, even. But Therin''s quiet disappointment sent a cold spike through his gut.


    "They won’t get far," Kellen said, forcing confidence into his voice. "My men—"


    "Your men have already failed me once tonight," Therin interrupted, turning his head just enough for the moonlight to catch the sharp line of his cheekbones. "And I do not tolerate failure."


    Kellen stiffened. "I—"


    Therin lifted a single gloved hand. Kellen shut his mouth.


    Kaelira could almost hear his teeth grinding from where she crouched behind the hedge. This is interesting. Kellen had always projected an air of smug authority, but here? Standing beside Therin? He looked like a man barely clinging to his pride.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    "If they aren’t found soon," Therin continued, voice cool as ice, "I’ll have to start making examples." His gaze flicked toward Kellen. "I trust you understand."


    Kaelira didn’t need to see Kellen’s face to know exactly what that meant.


    They needed to move—now.


    Kellen’s jaw clenched, his usual smug demeanor replaced with simmering anger. "We''ll find them," he growled, though there was a hint of desperation in his voice. "The guards are searching everywhere. They won''t get far."


    “They better not,” Therin hissed. “Or it won’t be just your incompetence on the line—it’ll be your life.”


    Once Kellen and Therin disappeared from view, Kaelira wasted no time, urging Vess to follow her as they moved swiftly and quietly toward the wall that surrounded the mansion. The sound of guards barking orders filled the air, the entire estate now buzzing with the urgency of a manhunt.


    Kaelira kept her eyes sharp, scanning for any sign of an opening as they approached the high stone wall. A quick glance toward the mansion’s main entrance revealed a swarming mass of guards—far too many to even consider making a run for it. The front gates were out of the question. Their best bet was going over the wall.


    She knelt, interlocking her fingers to form a boost. "Come on," she whispered, keeping her voice steady. "I’ll get you up."


    Vess hesitated, casting a glance at the high wall, her torn dress clearly unsuitable for the task at hand. Kaelira noted the doubt in Vess’s eyes, but there was no time to dwell on it. Vess stepped into Kaelira’s hands, and with a sharp breath, Kaelira hoisted her upward.


    Kaelira laced her fingers together. "Step up," she murmured.


    Vess hesitated. The wall loomed above them, impossibly high in the dim light.


    "Vess," Kaelira pressed. "Now."


    Vess stepped into Kaelira’s grip, and with a heave, Kaelira launched her upward. Vess scrabbled against the stone, her fingers scraping at the rough surface. Her torn dress snagged, tangling her movements, and her breath hitched as she struggled for a foothold.


    Kaelira felt the hesitation—the second of uncertainty that could mean a fall.


    "Keep moving," she hissed.


    Vess gritted her teeth and forced herself up, her movements awkward but determined. She barely made it, hooking a leg over the top before collapsing onto the stone ledge, gasping for breath.


    Kaelira crouched below, watching. Not strong enough, not fast enough.


    Vess lowered a trembling hand to help her up.


    Kaelira took it, but she did the pulling.


    With a firm grip, Kaelira grabbed Vess’s outstretched hands. As she began to pull herself up, she felt the weakness in Vess’s grasp. The girl was trying, but it was clear to Kaelira that she was doing most of the work herself. Kaelira grunted, muscles tightening as she scaled the wall, pulling her body up with minimal assistance.


    When Kaelira reached the top, she cast a quick glance at Vess. Her thin frame and trembling arms made it clear just how little strength the woman possessed. Kaelira had known Vess wasn’t physically strong, but seeing it up close like this was a stark reminder of the difference between them.


    Kaelira perched at the top of the wall for a moment, scanning the other side. The cobblestone street below was empty, the night still and quiet in stark contrast to the mansion''s chaos. It was clear. They had a chance.


    Without hesitation, Kaelira dropped down from the wall, her body moving fluidly as she softened her fall into a crouch, landing lightly on her feet. She immediately turned, looking back up to Vess, who was still perched at the top, her expression tense.


    Vess’s hesitation was obvious. Kaelira could see it in the way she gripped the edge of the wall, her eyes flicking nervously between the street below and the distance she had to drop. Kaelira knew that Vess wasn’t as agile as she was, and the fall, though manageable, probably seemed more intimidating to someone not used to this kind of physical exertion.


    “Come on,” Kaelira whispered, her voice firm but calm. She held her hands out slightly, ready to assist if needed. “You’ll be fine.”


    Kaelira watched as Vess cautiously began lowering herself down from the wall. It was slow, careful, and Kaelira could see the tension in her every movement. Vess’s grip slipped a couple of times, and when she finally dropped the rest of the way, she hit the cobblestones with a soft thud, wincing in pain.


    The scrapes and bruises from their escape were starting to show on Vess, and Kaelira could see how much the ordeal had taken out of her. Still, despite the obvious discomfort, Vess immediately looked to her, her expression a mixture of exhaustion and expectation. She was waiting for their next move.


    Kaelira gave a small nod, acknowledging Vess’s resilience, even if she wasn’t in prime condition. “We need to keep moving,” she said quietly, glancing up and down the deserted street. “We’ll head for the outskirts, find cover. Stay quiet and stay close.”


    Vess hesitated for a moment before speaking up, her voice quiet but filled with concern. “Wait… I have a friend. Near the docks. Kellen saw us together earlier, and… I’m worried.”


    Kaelira stopped in her tracks, turning to look at Vess. She grimaced as she considered the situation. The docks were in the opposite direction of where they were headed, and going back meant risking their hard-earned escape. But Vess’s tone carried the weight of genuine fear.


    “You think Kellen would target them?” Kaelira asked, her voice calm but probing.


    Vess nodded, her expression tightening with anxiety. “I don’t know for sure, but Kellen… he’s not the type to let things slide. If he thinks they’re involved, he might… do something.”


    Kaelira took a deep breath, weighing the options. Going to the docks meant delaying their escape, potentially putting themselves in more danger. But she understood the kind of person Kellen was—vindictive, cruel, and willing to use anyone as leverage. If he thought Vess’s friend was connected to their escape, it wasn’t unreasonable to believe he might seek revenge.


    “We don’t have much time,” Kaelira said slowly, her mind racing. “Checking on them could be risky. But if you think they’re in real danger, we need to act fast.”


    Vess bit her lip, clearly torn between her fear for her friend and the need to keep moving. Kaelira watched her for a moment before speaking again.


    Kaelira stared at Vess, heart still pounding from the escape. "Are you sure?" she asked, her voice softer now. "Going back is a risk. We move fast, or we don’t move at all."


    Vess hesitated, her fingers curling into fists at her sides.


    "I have to make sure they''re okay," she said, voice barely above a whisper.


    Kaelira studied her. Vess had been hesitant before, but not now. This wasn’t just fear—this was conviction.


    She exhaled, rubbing a hand down her face. "Then we check quickly. If Kellen has men at the docks, we can’t afford a fight."


    Vess nodded, relief clear in her expression. Kaelira didn’t miss the way she swallowed hard before turning toward the shadows.


    She wasn’t built for this. But maybe—just maybe—she would learn.


    ?


    Kaelira led them deeper into the city, keeping to the narrow backstreets. The cold air bit at her skin, a sharp contrast to the heat of exertion still thrumming through her limbs. Even in the dim streets, she felt exposed. Too open. Too many eyes.


    Vess pulled her arms close to her body, trying to preserve warmth. “People are going to notice us,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.


    “Not if we move fast,” Kaelira replied. She kept her strides purposeful, scanning the city’s layout as they moved. It wasn’t just about getting away—it was about getting ahead. But as they pressed forward, another concern itched at the back of her mind. Neither of them looked like they belonged here.


    Vess still wore the torn, ragged dress from the ball, its once-elegant fabric now a ruined mess of stains and frayed edges. The sight of it screamed noblewoman in distress, which was the last impression they could afford to give. And Kaelira, having been imprisoned, was still clad only in her undergarments—a far cry from anything that would let her blend into the streets unnoticed.


    She grimaced, glancing down at herself. Not ideal.


    “We’re too exposed like this,” she muttered, guiding them into the cover of a narrow alleyway. She kept her voice low, her tone clipped. “That dress is going to get us noticed, and I’m not exactly inconspicuous myself.”


    Vess glanced down at her ruined dress, then at Kaelira, realization dawning. “I didn’t think about that… What should we do?”


    Kaelira didn’t answer immediately. Her eyes flicked across their surroundings, searching for a solution. The buildings here were small, clustered, the homes of dockworkers and laborers. Her gaze settled on a simple house with a clothing line strung outside, the garments swaying faintly in the night breeze.


    That’ll do.


    She didn’t hesitate. Moving swiftly and silently, she slipped up to the line, her fingers working quickly as she pulled down a few unremarkable pieces—plain tunics, loose trousers, nothing that would draw attention. She handed a bundle to Vess without a word.


    Vess accepted the clothing, but Kaelira didn’t miss the flicker of hesitation in her expression. It was subtle, but there—the quiet unease of someone who still cared about right and wrong, even in a moment like this.


    “What if they wake up?” Vess whispered, casting a glance toward the darkened window of the house.


    Kaelira didn’t stop. “Then we run,” she replied simply. Another tunic, a set of pants—enough to cover her own exposed form. She barely even looked at them before pulling them on over her undergarments. Warmth, coverage, anonymity—nothing else mattered.


    Vess’s fingers brushed over the fabric in her hands, her lips pressing into a thin line. She clearly wasn’t used to this—taking what she needed to survive, no matter who it belonged to.


    Still, she didn’t argue.


    Instead, she swallowed hard and pulled the dress over her head, replacing it with a tunic that was slightly too big and a pair of trousers that bunched awkwardly at the ankles. Kaelira watched, assessing. Vess had hesitated, but she had acted.


    Good. She’s learning.


    Once they were dressed, Kaelira gave a curt nod. “We need to move.”


    Vess still looked uneasy, but she didn’t protest. They slipped back into the alley’s shadows, the city stretching before them—unfamiliar, dangerous, waiting.


    With their stolen disguises in place, Kaelira motioned forward, gaze sharp. They had bought themselves time, but the real danger was only just beginning.


    In the distance, a dog barked. A door creaked open. Someone muttered in a half-sleeping voice from an unseen window.


    Kaelira didn’t stop moving.


    They were running out of time.