The Escape - Part 1

Footsteps echoed in the shadows as Leiyu and Prince Thallios ran down the corridor. The prince wiped at his eyes as new tears kept spilling over.

“Your Highness,” Leiyu murmured. He was unsure how to address the prince’s emotional state. If the invaders were truly on the horizon, then there was no time to waste. “How do we get to the stables? I still don’t know my way around the palace.”

“I-I can lead us there,” Prince Thallios said between breaths. “But first I need to stop by my mother’s chambers.”

“Why?”

“I need a disguise. Everyone will know I’m the prince if I wear this.”

“You’re going to wear another dress?!”

Prince Thallios exhaled. “No, just a riding cloak. I saw it hanging in my mother’s closet when I was there last time.”

“All right, Your Highness. But we cannot take too much time.”

They exited the corridor and into the blinding light. Prince Thallios led Leiyu across the courtyard and pulled open a door. They ran up a spiral stone staircase and bounded into another hallway. Prince Thallios ran down the hall and into a chamber. Leiyu followed closely after. When he followed the prince across the threshold, he stopped, eyes widening.

The late queen’s chamber was like a mausoleum. All the furniture was draped in ghostly white sheets and covered with a thick layer of dust. A large canopy bed with translucent silk curtains leaned against the far wall. The pillows were stacked neatly as if they were waiting for Her Majesty to rest upon them. Decade-old dried flowers rested on the nightstand and dressers. The lattice-screen windows let in beams of muted light. A thick dusty carpet depicting gliding birds and scenes from a garden caressed the stone floor tiles.

Prince Thallios ran into the cavernous closet. Leiyu heard a series of rumbles, of boxes falling over and fabric being pulled. A moment later, the prince emerged draped in a dark blue riding cloak. His auburn hair was completely covered by a large hood. The fabric was worn and had a patina of dust.

“Oh, that works, Your Highness,” Leiyu said. “I don’t think anyone would be able to tell it’s you.”

“No one from the outside has ever seen me anyway,” Prince Thallios said. He saw Leiyu give him a questioning look. “At least not as I truly am.” He pulled aside his cloak and pointed to a pouch tied to his belt. “I’m also bringing this to carry things. I stashed some gemstones into it. Maybe we can trade them for something. I couldn’t find any money though.”

“I have money,” Leiyu said. “We should go now.” Then his face suddenly fell. “Aiya, the merchants!”

“Do you want to get them?” Prince Thallios asked. “We might still have time.”

“They said they were going to the city today,” Leiyu said. “I don’t know if they came back yet. Do you know how to get to the guest quarters? I always get lost.”

“I can try,” the prince said. “We might have to rely on an attendant since I normally don’t go there.”

They ran out of the queen’s chambers, down the hall, down the spiral staircase, and into the courtyard. Prince Thallios saw an attendant traversing the outdoor corridor and approached him.

“Your Highness,” the attendant said in Heliglossan, bowing nervously.

“We need to retrieve something from the guest quarters immediately,” Prince Thallios said in Sargeshi so Leiyu could understand. “Please take us there right away. None of the usual meandering, please.”

“Of course, Your Highness,” the attendant replied, also in Sargeshi. He led them down the corridor to another building and opened a back door. They stepped into the guest quarters.

“You may be dismissed,” the prince said to the attendant. The attendant bowed and scurried away.

“Wait, it was that easy to find the guest quarters, Your Highness?” Leiyu asked. “The attendants always take me through a confusing route each time.”

“They do that on purpose so our guests cannot figure out the palace’s entire layout,” the prince replied. “It’s important since the palace is open to the public during this time of the year.”

Leiyu huffed. “Well, at least they were thinking ahead. I always thought the palace security seemed spotty.” He scanned the guest room. There were some messy bedrolls strewn about but no other people. He sighed. “They’re not here. Probably still in the city.”

“Do you want to look for them?”

Leiyu furrowed his brows and clenched his jaw. “The city is too big. I have no idea where they’d be. If the invaders are on their way, then it will be complete chaos.” He squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his fists. “We’ll have to leave them behind.”

“Oh no, Leiyu,” Prince Thallios said. Fresh tears filled his eyes. “I’m so sorry. This is my fault. If you didn’t have to protect me, then-”

Leiyu’s eyes shot open. He stared at the tearful prince. “You’re the only one I can protect right now.”