Escape from the castle

They quickly untied themselves and climbed up through the small opening into the courtyard. Luckily for Christine and Erik it was a moonless night. In the pitch black and ran across the courtyard towards the gate.

Hope began to build as they went unnoticed, but suddenly Christine felt her heart jump into her mouth.

Standing on the drawbridge of the main gate was a burly man with a mace. "Halt."

Christine spoke in an innocent, almost childish voice. "We're nothing but scared children."

Erik added. "Have mercy, sir. "

Standing out of the light cast from the flaming torch bolted to the wall, the darkness just about covered the man's features. "I'm under orders that no one crosses."

"But…"

"Can you swim?"

"Yes I…" Before she could finish her answer, the man grabbed her by her narrow waist and tossed her into the moat. A stunned Erik quickly followed her and was himself tossed into most.

They had **** but to swim through the putrid moat water, trying not to think what poisons they were swimming through.

Christine reached the muddy bank and pulled Erik from the water who wasn't as strong a swimmer. She felt furious with the stranger but realized he had just saved her life.

Luckily the evening was warm so the wet clothes we're not much of a worry as they ran, sopping wet towards the village.

Upon reaching the castle village they saw the streets we're alive with people caught in a panic and confusion. They both ran amongst the crowd who seemed to be one living mass that was making its way down the hill towards the relative safety of the woodland.

After a few hundred yards into the forest most villagers stopped, but spurred on by fear and want for escape, the siblings walked further and deeper. However, it was also the intense cold which gripped them both whenever they slowed the pace. Yet, eventually, their legs gave out and they say under a giant oak. Wrapped in their cloaks they embraced for warmth as they shivered through the night. As he used Christine's soft bosom as a pillow Erik felt his eyes drooping; he always felt safe in his sister's arms and soon fell asleep.

His sister was not so lucky. The uncomfortable lump where she had tucked her father's ring into her bodice reminded Christine of her responsibilities. The heavy ring was so large that two of her slender fingers could fit into it, the symbol of her father's inheritance it was at the same time both incredibly valuable and completely worthless. If found upon her person, it would identify her and Erik as surely as a town crier. Truely, at the moment the emerald ring was more of a burden than an asset - perhaps Merthin would have suggestions for keeping it safe. For now, Christine used the silk scarf to knot the ring tightly and then tied it tightly around her waist.

Full of worries Christine struggled to sleep. However, as the adrenaline wore off, she too drifted off into a restless sleep.