The Inheritor of Light

In short order, Johnathan and Sãra had made it back to the safe-house without incident. Both of them were, however, winded from the swift journey back. This was perhaps for the best, for Sãra was too busy catching her breath to cry.

It was all beginning to dawn on her. Talia, her father, the kingdom—all of it was lost to her. She knew of no way to get it back. All her pampered upbringing, high class tutelage, and etiquette training were for not. All she had to her name were the clothes on her back, and her only protector was an uncouth brute of a man. She had fallen low indeed.

On the other hand, Johnathan was busy at work. He had already promised two people to take care of Sãra, and he didn't want to wait around for another request. The room's chest contained food, medical supplies, a pack, and the blankets they had already used. Johnathan decided that they'd need all of it for their journey. The next resident would have to manage on his own.

After the preparations to leave were made, they waited in silence. Johnathan planned how they were going to manage to escape the guards and Sãra contemplated her diminution. In between the planning and contemplation, they found time to close their eyes so that they would be fully awake when the appointed hour arrived.

Finally, after night had well set in, it was time for them to leave. Johnathan opened the door a crack; after verifying the coast was clear, they made their escape. The streets were empty, save for the patrols, due to the curfew. This made their journey both easier and more dangerous. Easier, due to the lack of eyes and easy spotting of the guards; more dangerous, because should they be spotted the jig would be up.

Still, patrolling an entire city whilst maintaining a tight net around it had the guards' ranks stretched thin. Johnathan and Sãra managed to pass through the residential district and most of the merchant district having only seen four patrols. Things were finally beginning to look up for them, it seemed.

After reaching the outer edge of the merchant district, the wall came into sight. They didn't have much farther to go before they'd be able to jump the wall and leave the city behind. However, as things would have it, their escape would not be as easy as they had hoped.

The disruption came when they made it to a crossroad not a stone's throw away from the wall. They were crossing when Johnathan stopped and turned towards the southern road. Sãra pulled up beside him and followed his gaze up the street until she saw a person. Johnathan immediately reached for his daggers, assuming that the person before them was one of the garrison.

"Oh my, you do seem to be rather rash now, don't you?" A haunting voice seemed to flow from the stranger.

"Who are you and what do you want?" Johnathan growled.

The stranger walked slowly towards them until she was out of the shadows. She was a tall, thin woman with straight black hair. She looked like some sort of apparition or specter as she stood before them in long, flowing black robes. Her eyes were a dark gray. The sight of them caused a knot in Sãra's throat.

"What do I want?" she echoed. "Why, I want you. Both of you. Though, I admit, each for different reasons."

Johnathan pulled out his left blade in preparation for an attack. Even if the woman before them was not going to attempt an assault, there were still the patrols who might make an appearance.

"You'll hardly need those things," the woman responded in between a high-pitched chortle. "For someone who is so gifted in shadowmancy, it's surprising that you're so quick to the blade."

Johnathan put an arm out and used it to guide Sãra behind him. "Whatever happens next, stay behind me. No matter what," he whispered to her.

"Tsk, tsk. Excluding people from conversations is rude. Perhaps I'll show you some manners, boy."