Page 51 of Crowned A Traitor
Klara watched them, happy to see Lottie at ease. She looked for exits and checked if anyone seemed out of place. However, the Giants were enjoying themselves too much to care about the newcomers, and there were no other outsiders that she could see. Giants shoved the tables aside as some grabbed instruments. The music started up, and the dancing began.Least some folks in the Forest seem to have a good life,Klara smiled as young Giants danced hand in hand among their elders.
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The Giants danced and sang until the food and drink ran out. Gratide rose from the high table. He looked to Klara, and she knew they should follow him out.
“Arthur,” she said as he placed a cushion under a young Giant’s head who had fallen asleep on the bench beside them. Wolfgang immediately rose with Lottie.
“I figured the little one should get some sleep before dawn breaks,” Gratide said looking at Lottie yawning in Wolfgang’s arms.
“Thank you,” Wolfgang said, and Klara noticed his shoulders relax slightly.
“Once dawn breaks, we will escort you out. The back passage will lead you to the other side of the territory.”
Gratide led them down a passage that a Giant could barely fit through and opened the door to a small room or a room as small as a Giants room can be.
A bunk bed sat in the corner with a desk, a wardrobe and a basin. “It isn’t much, but it will do for the night,” Gratide said, and it was more than Klara could have expected on this journey. “It’s more than enough.”
Gratide left them to settle, and Arthur sat at the desk, looking at Klara, “you should get some rest.”
Arthur raised a hand before she could argue, “I’ll keep watch just in case.”
“You should take the bottom bunk with Lottie,” Klara said. It would be easier to manage Lottie if they needed to escape quickly. “If you’re sure,” Wolfgang said, and she nodded as Lottie struggled to climb up onto the bottom bunk.
“This will cost us time,” Wolfgang whispered as Arthur helped Lottie onto the bed, keeping her shoes on. Getting too comfortable was a risk they couldn’t take.
“If the back passage leads us out, we should still be a day ahead. I understand the risk more than anyone,” Klara replied, and he looked unsure.
“I’m going to take a look around, make sure we are in the clear,” Arthur said as he walked through the wall. Klara placed her foot on the ladder to the top bunk. “I wanted to say…” Klara hesitated on the step as Wolfgang spoke, but all he did was pull at the back of his neck. Silence past between them as his eyes settled on hers.
“Get some rest, we will have to run before we know it,” Klara said, and he nodded. Wolfgang moved beside Lottie, the large bunk giving them both plenty of room to stretch out. Klara sighed in relief as the thick mattress cushioned her body. She had barely had time to think about all that had happened before sleep took her.
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“Wake up, we need to move.” Arthur shook Klara awake, and she jumped off the top bunk as Gratide stood at the door.
“Crimson Guards are searching the mine. I need to grant them access to the bridge in order for them to get through the glamour in the tree. I will buy you some time, but I have to let them in, or they will become suspicious.”
“How many?” Klara asked.
“Half a dozen, they are only patrolling, so it’s nothing to be alarmed about,” Gratide said.
Wolfgang got Lottie to her feet. “Do we have to run again?” Lottie asked as Wolfgang put her unicorn bag on her back. “Yes, but only for a short while.”
“Are they accompanied by Hounds?” Klara asked Gratide as they walked the passageway.
“I can’t be sure, but I thought it best you leave before we find out.”
The torches dimmed as Gratide pulled a torch from the wall.
“Arthur, scout ahead, make sure nothing is waiting for us,” Klara ordered. Arthur disappeared, and she glanced at Wolfgang, “stay behind me with Lottie just in case there are Guards waiting at the end of the tunnel.”
They ran to keep up with Gratide’s stride until they saw the light at the end of the tunnel and Arthur waiting for them. Gratide dropped his torch and scanned the trees his height giving them an advantage. “Head west about a hundred feet, and you’ll come to the path,” Gratide said.
“Thanks again. If I can return the favour in the future, I will,” Klara said and meant it. The Giant returned through the tunnel without a second glance. The Guard would want to question Gratide, and his prolonged absence would raise eyebrows.
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Klara crouched, touching the ground as small stones dug into her palm. “What are you doing?” Wolfgang asked as she delayed them.
