Nearly thrown into a living room inside the house, Isla, Liam, and Taylor looked around at their "captors". They were both humans and Silvestrians congregated. They looked as if they'd been fighting an eternal war. Their clothes were torn and tattered. Bows and arrows, knives, swords, brooms: a variety of weapons were in the hands of even the smallest and youngest of Silvestrians and Humans alike. Neither citizen argued or gave anyone any dirty looks or whispered about one another.
They acted as if everyone was equally fighting for everyone's survival, not only their own, which they seemed as if they did. Each and everyone of them looked bruised and beaten as few of them bandaged each other up.
Liam stood and looked around at their small fortified sanctuary. It wasn't much, but everyone seemed to use every inch of room they could find. He inhaled, ready to speak up when Isla stood quickly and clasped a hand on Liam's mouth.
She put a finger to her lips, as she heard Scaths making their way. The lights were immediately cut, and silence befell the entire household. Even the toddlers fell silent.
When human guards at the sealed door stood from leaning against the door and nodded, everyone sighed in relief and lowered their weapons. A tall man carrying a bow and arrows stepped forward.
He seemed elven, his skin was lightly tanned, his hair clearly hadn't been cut for quite some time. It was black, long, and ratty as if he hadn't the chance to wash it in months at the very least, and it was held up not very securely in a top bun. His eyes were dark and pained, as if war was all he'd seen.
He looked at them as if he knew they were temporarily here. As if they wouldn't make it long enough to return to wherever they came from.
The three felt as though they really couldn't blame him for looking at them the way he was. Outwardly they looked like "uppity" travelers lost in something they didn't understand. On the outside they wouldn't have been assumed to know of anything that was going on.
He had markings on his face, shoulders, arms and what they could see of his neck. The markings shown light blue resembling ocean waves. Yep! He was an Elfos del Agua, an Aqua Elf.
Taylor was the first to stand again. "Excuse us, but we really should return to our Phoenix. Ash might get worried for us---"
"--- Sorry but what's been happenin'? How long have you been here? Hong long have they been tormentin' you?"
The citizens looked at each other with worry, concern, and an answer they knew would be incredible. The tall man looked around then dead in Isla's eyes. "Young Miss , Perhaps it has not occurred to you, but this? This is all some of us have ever known. Charlie, over there." He pointed to a human man, dark brown skin complementing his lightish gray eyes. "He and his family lived peacefully in the presence of Silvestrians here. All until 13 years ago, when Scaths raided and corrupted our homes. He was a teenager then. Now, he is a grown man with a growing family that have never seen anything but this never-ending battle. Many of us, never managed to survive. His parents died when the Scaths came and his first wife died through the infection. Similar things occurred to most of us but we've managed to get this far. We can only hope and pray to the Source that we make it through to the next day. The Scaths keep a constant vigil of the towns and villages. No one has ever made it out, only dying trying. Everyone they find they infect, and we are forced to watch as one of us is slowly infected."
Isla looked back at Liam and Taylor and both boys stood behind her. She looked back to him, "This is Prince Liam and Baron-to-be Taylor, I'm Lady Isla. We have a Phoenix outside in the outskirts of Littus. We know you guys have been struggling, but we can map out a path to help everyone escape. Are there any points to which we can use as vantage points?"
The elven man replied, "I am Bråulio, Elfos del Agua. The Scaths guard the night most diligently, your only points for advantage would be just after they pass by over here. But I will have you know that, we have tried to escape many times, every attempt is in vain as another 20 of us die in our attempts. It's not worth it."
Liam knit his eyebrows, "There's got to be something we can do to help you guys."
"We have tried every way known and every time we only thin our men. We have accepted the terms of staying here. If I were you, I would escape the same way you came. Your Phoenix is not free from the infection. Escape now while you have a chance to leave. As royalty, your kingdom will need you. The world has long forgotten us."
Taylor spoke up in excitement, "Bråulio?! Brooklynn's dad mentioned a Bråulio! Baron Julius."
Bråulio's eyebrows shot up, "Julius? He remembers my service?" His gruff raspy voice just barely broke from its traumatic prison. His demeanor became hopeful.
Liam nodded, "He did. Whenever asked about his views on Silvestria, he always mentioned the Aqua Elf that helped him escape the Fire Trolls just past the Borealis Ocean. He mentioned to us how you helped him sneak past the border of Silvestria so that no one suspected his trespassing. He'd told us when we were kids." He smiled to him. It actually brought back pleasant memories.
Bråulio smiled warmly at this new information. "How is he? His acquaintanceship meant much to me. He is a good man."
Taylor, Liam, and Isla hung their heads.
Taylor looked at him and immediately he knew. Bråulio hung his head for a moment and nodded. "Very well, we shall see if - whatever your plan is - is sufficient."
Liam's head shot up, "You mean you're going to let us help you?"
Bråulio nodded once again. "If Julius was half as ministering to you as he was to me, then it will be in you I believe. May the Source bless his soul." Several others surrounding him agreed with his statement and stood with excitement. Perhaps today would be their day of freedom.
Isla stood silently, her mind running faster than the fastest Sahran cheetah. "It will be tricky, but with enough of the right choices and calculations we just might have a good plan."
Bråulio smiled, "Whatever it is, we will follow it."
Isla grinned wide at the chance to help them, "We take the vantage point you mentioned. But they'll need a good reason to not notice someone escapin'. So I'll create a distraction. I'll need help so, Taylor, you will help me. Bråulio, you'll help get everyone through the town."
Liam stepped forward, "What'll I do? I can help you."
Isla grinned wide, "Thanks, Liam, but Bråulio will need someone with knowledge of Ash's location. We hid her, remember? You'll help lead everyone to Ash and into the Evergreen Forest. Taylor and I will lead Scaths into the castle. We'll need to look like we're not expectin' them to find us, otherwise it looks like we want their attention for other purposes." She gave Liam a requesting look. It was up to him to agree, if not they could piece together a new idea.
Liam knew the silent conversation was for the center of attention to not be on him. He could make a decision whether or not he was comfortable with the plan. She trusted his judgement as her partner in leadership. He nodded. "Yeah. I agree. Bråulio and I will lead everyone to safety. The children will ride on Ash. The adults and teenagers will surround Ash's back, so that the kids will remain safe. Isla, what's your plan for distracting the Scaths?"
Isla tilted her shoulder upwards, "Simple, I'll do what do best."
Liam chuckled, "Should I wonder what you think that is?"
"Nah! I'll be an annoying diversion. I'll "happen" to show up on my own. Run from them, then lead them into a trap. Taylor will lock them inside the abandoned castle dungeons, and we'll set fire to the surroundin' grounds of the palace, trappin' them inside. We'll join you guys once we're done." Isla smirked.
Liam agreed, "I guess we have it set, then. We'll put it into action tomorrow morning. Tonight we rest up. We'll need it."
Isla gave him a grateful glance.
Taylor saw it and playfully rolled his eyes. "May we stay here for tonight, Bråulio? Do you have the room?"
Bråulio scoffed dryly. "No. We never do. We haven't any for quite some time. However, we can fit you. Come. All three of you." He walked forward, not waiting for them to follow. He brought them to an attic, that had several people staying in, sleeping on the floor with blankets. Bråulio spoke aloud, "Everyone, this is Prince Liam, Lady Isla, and future Baron Taylor. We are escaping tomorrow with their aid. I have confidence that we will be free soon. Meanwhile, they will be resting here tonight. Treat them fondly. They're helping us, and they're royalty."
A human woman stood from her sitting position, and walked up to them. She knelt, "A pleasure, your Highness's. Welcome, and thank you for your pardoning." She seemed genuinely kind, and from the stance she'd been in, she was a mother. A nanny at the very least. But with the looks the children were giving her, she was their mother.
Liam extended his hand to her, "You can call us by our names. We're not your 'higher-ups' so you don't owe us any unnecessary respect. Call me Liam, Lady Isla, Isla, and Taylor by his name. It's more than acceptable." He shook her hand, and the woman seemed more at ease with the idea of spending the night with such royalty.
She curtsied, "My name is Dorka. Those seven children around that black blanket are my children: Forte, Aina, Rosa, Maria, Luna, Alejo, and Bruno. We came here from Demergo when the invasion hit. My husband was fighting in a war between Demergo and Coryza, in the Demyzan War, which is.. probably over by now."
Liam bowed in response, "Well, tomorrow you'll be on your way home, I promise."
"Forgive me, Your-- um, Liam. We are not exactly leaping for joy at the anouncement. We have attempted so often and lost so many people our hope has faded. It is difficult to be excited for something, you are used to failing." Dorka begged.
Liam shook his head, "Worry not. Pardon isn't even necessary. I understand. However luck favors the prepared, we'll be successful. We'll show you tomorrow. Until then, would it be prudish to ask of where we are allowed to rest?"
Dorka grinned. "Not at all, Liam. You three may follow me, and please excuse the mess of sleeping people. There are more of us than rooms here."
Isla shook her head. "It's completely fine, Ma'am."
Taylor nodded, "It's much neater than my family's household. That's partially why I left on my own. And there I create my Hideout. All pardons approved, you're much more organized than my family."
Dorka giggled silently. She walked to a small closet and grabbed one blanket from inside. She turned around and handed the folded beige blanket to Taylor. "I trust you can divvy this up among the three of you."
All three nodded and Dorka gave an apologetic smile in advance before whispering fiercely to her 7 children. "Maria! Alejo! No mas! Luna! Rosa! Forte! No!" The apologetic look returned. "Apologies. MI familia está loca. They are.. Crazy."
"It's no issue, we promise you." Isla declared.
Dorka kept her "sorry" smile, "Your space to sleep is near that corner. It is spacious enough for you three." She fixed her eyes of Isla. "Gratias ago tibi quod agas. Spero huius consilii opera."
Isla nodded. "Nolite ergo solliciti esse. Operabitur Crede nobis, nullo domi eris tempore."
"Good night."
"You as well."
Liam stood beside Isla. "What was that she was saying?"
Isla responded. "She was basically thankin' us. Ever since elves were practically banished, we developed a language that only a Silvestrian will be familiar with. It's called Latin. She was just speaking to me in that language."
"Oh."
The trio settled into position to ready to sleep. Taylor lay A little ways from the corner, giving Isla and Liam the space to both rest either separately or together. To be honest Taylor didn't care what they did, just that they got some sleep.
The moment Taylor lay his head on the floor, sleep washed over him like a tidal wave of exhaustion.
Liam looked over to Taylor then around them, before speaking. "You think this'll work?"
Sitting beside him, Isla glanced at him. "Truthfully or hopefully?" She offered him a smile, scooting closer next to him.
Liam chuckled, "Do I want to know the truthful response?" He smirked back at her.
Isla's grin grew, "I don't know, do you?"
Both broke into a light fit of laughter.
Allowing her laughter to fade, Isla released her shoulders from a tense position. "Honestly? I really hope it does."
Liam put his arm to her far shoulder, "Me neither. Are you gonna be okay?"
Isla rested her head on Liam's shoulder. "Yeah. I'll be just fine." She closed her eyes.
"I'm glad." He mumbled, then noticed Isla had fallen asleep on his shoulder. "Sleep well, Isla." He whispered in her ear, and drifted to sleep.
Morning came and the sun rose, marking the next day. Everyone was awakened and quietly buzzled around to gather their few belongings and prepare for leaving.
Bråulio patrolled the area right after the first scratch sighting less than a mile from their sanctuary. He reported his findings to Taylor and Taylor brought the report to Liam and Isla.
Liam nodded once. “Alright, this is our opening. We need to get moving.” He fixed his gaze on Isla. “You sure you won’t need any more help, Isl?”
Isla replied. “Yes, I’m positive. Taylor will be all I need. Trust me, L, if you spend all your time worryin’ about me, what will you be able to think straight on? I’ll be fine, Scarf Boy.”
Liam sighed. “I’m not worrying, I’m making sure you’re sure about this. I trust you. Be careful, okay?”
Isla embraced him tightly. “I will.”
Liam wrapped his arms around, breathing her in. “Good.”
Isla released him, before Liam wished to let her go. “Now, come on, Green Eyes, get goin’.”
Liam bopped his head, “See you. Be careful!” He backed up and struggled to turn around.
Taylor left for the castle. Isla walked around the bends and past the broken monument, destroyed statues of the founders of the first settlement of Littus. She briefly scanned the remains of the statue. The statue had been of a human and a Sun Elf, shaking hands. Now, the statues were missing either a head, a leg, or a hand. The shaking hands remained intact, but the limbs certainly needed some fixing.
Whispers began to echo once again, and Isla was pried out of her thoughts. Well, that was easier than she thought. She exhaled exasperatedly, “You guys. Don’t you ever give up? I’m sure it gets old searchin’ for the same person over and over again. And I get tired of bein’ hunted, so maybe we can come to a compromise.” She suggested not expectant of agreements.
She let silence follow as the Scaths denied her request. She stood silently and as did they. In a split second, Isla bolted. She ran as fast as her legs could take her.