Page 38 of Isle of Beasts and Shadows

“Let’s go,” Sirius urged, his eyes focused ahead as he started a brisk jog towards the nearest exit.

Airella hesitated for a moment, stealing a final glance back at Jonathan’s lifeless body, his scarlet red hair a stark contrast against the dim surroundings. Reaching up to clutch the pendant tightly in her hand, she sprinted to catch up with Sirius, her heart racing with a mix of adrenaline and sorrow.

Together, they navigated through the castle corridors, their footsteps muffled against the stone floors. Pausing behinda towering stone statue, they observed Princess Thea’s regal procession pass by, flanked by vigilant palace guards. Airella’s breath caught in her throat as she watched the entourage disappear from view, her pulse echoing loudly in her ears.

As they finally escaped the heavily guarded palace grounds, a sense of relief washed over Airella, the burden on her chest lifting as they crossed the threshold. Gasping for air, she leaned over, hands on her knees, marveling at the speed at which they had fled.

“We need a horse,” she said between breaths, her eyes scanning the nearby horse stalls reserved for palace steeds. Seeing agreement in Sirius’s gaze, Airella swiftly led them to a sleek black horse, their only option amidst the vigilant soldiers patrolling the area.

With Sirius holding onto her waist, Airella seized the reins, her childhood memories of horseback riding flooding back. Instinctively, she guided the horse as they galloped towards an uncertain destination, the looming threat of King William’s pursuit urging them forward.

“Where are we headed?” Sirius’s voice broke through the rush of wind, uncertainty lacing his words.

Home, Airella’s mind whispered, the distant memory of her family tugging at her heart. It had been nearly three months since she last saw her mother and Arii, the ache of separation still raw.

Racing into the unknown, Airella clung to hope that their escape would remain undetected, the vast expanse of the kingdom unfolding before them.

“I’m taking you to my home in Alverstone. It’s not terribly far from here,” she told him. Despite her reassuring tone, doubtgnawed at her. They had found her once before; what would stop them from finding her again? However, they had no money and nowhere to go. She also knew that King William would find Arii and her mother and make them pay for her betrayal. She had to be there to warn and protect them.

“Airella, there’s something I need to tell you. It’s about Father. And Duran,” Sirius said, each word dripping with urgency. Airella met his gaze, her expression resolute.

Airella’s hands gripped tighter to the reins. “What about them?”

“Father’s possessed Duran and others. He plans to convince the King to send the humans to the isle. If that happens,” Sirius trailed off, the severity of his unspoken words hanging heavily in the air.

Airella’s eyes widened, the weight of the revelation making her momentarily forget her surroundings. Duran’s strange behavior on the ship now made sense. She should have known.

“We need to stop him,” she finally said, determination hardening her voice.

“We will. But first, we need to get out of Aramore,” Sirius said, holding tighter to Airella’s waist.

As hours slipped away, dusk descended upon the land. Airella guided the black stallion to a stop, securing its reins to a sturdy tree branch. They had reached a desolate path, winding deep into the heart of the eerie wilderness.

With a weary sigh, Airella sank against the tree trunk, her energy waning from the day’s events. Exhaustion seeped into her bones, but the adrenaline coursing through her veinskept her alert. She fought the urge to succumb to sleep, her determination unwavering.

“I’ll take the first watch. As soon as daylight breaks, we’ll continue making our way around the lake,” she declared, fully aware of their need for rest. Sirius settled across from her, seeking solace against a neighboring tree trunk.

A raindrop landed on her cheek, the weather mirroring the turmoil within her. Airella couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly, the situation growing more dire with each passing moment.

She watched as Sirius closed his eyes. Unsure if he truly slept, she observed the peaceful expression that enveloped his features. It was a moment of quiet vulnerability that she rarely witnessed in him. Despite their shared experiences, she still sensed a veil of mystery surrounding him, as if he held hidden depths waiting to be discovered.

Airella’s thoughts drifted to her own expectations versus the reality of her current situation. A life once envisioned as a predictable path of tradition and duty now unfolded before her in unexpected ways. The rain intensified, its rhythmic patter a backdrop to the profound questions swirling in her mind. The trees they took cover under offered some protection from the downpour, but not all.

As she clasped the glass necklace around her neck, a sense of unease crept over her. “Oh, Jonathan…” his name escaped her lips in a whispered breath. What was the true nature of his existence now, trapped within an inanimate object?

With a heavy heart, she gazed at Sirius, his scythe a constant reminder of his identity as a reaper. Despite the ominous title, he carried himself with a human-like gracethat defied conventional expectations. The downpour continued unabated, a metaphor for the turbulent uncertainties that plagued her thoughts.

Lost in contemplation, Airella pondered her own identity and the legacy of her father’s enigmatic past. Was she truly just a mere mortal, or was there more to her lineage than she dared to imagine? The chill of the rain seeped into her bones, a stark contrast to the warmth of her introspection.

Suddenly, a jolt of fear pierced the tranquility as an unexpected presence disrupted the fragile peace. A cloth descended upon her, stifling her protests and plunging her into a moment of peril.

Before her senses could fully grasp the danger, Sirius sprang into action, his scythe a glinting arc of protection against the looming threat. The shadows of the thieves from the ambush dissipated in the wake of his swift defense, leaving a tense silence in their wake.

“I didn’t see them coming,” Airella coughed, her voice strained with a mix of surprise and concern.

She knew there was something more than just the cloth that she had inhaled from. The thieves were trying to drug them, she was sure of it. Though she inhaled little, the effects certainly didn’t feel great.

Sirius, ever vigilant, stood there in the rain, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of further danger. Airella, feeling her strength wane, helplessly fell over onto the muddy ground, the cool earth a stark contrast to the chaos unfolding around them.

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