Chapter Three
The female, Cara, had asked a hundred questions and apologized a hundred times. How long would the journey take? How would they obtain provisions? Where would they sleep on the journey, and how would they sneak past the guards? Would Levea welcome them in or turn them over to be tried as runaways?
Rion found himself impressed with her attention to details. Cara was a planner, able to think through serious situations carefully. She’d help the others adjust and steer them all toward a better life in Levea.
He understood her need for information. The slaves didn’t trust anyone, least of all the Fae. Their lives would be in his hands. He was a Lord. If he was caught stealing slaves, the punishment would be minimal. But runaways and their families would be put to death. Most were tortured in front of their peers, just to reiterate the consequences of trying to escape.
She needed time. Rion gave her a month. By then, the snow would have melted along the mountain pass and the journey wouldn’t be as treacherous.
It also afforded Cara enough time to convince her family of his sincerity. He could only imagine what her husband would think. He’d be the first to find out and would probably look at his wife as if she’d lost her mind.
Rion spent the time securing provisions. He ran small packs to the mountain’s edge one at a time, stashed water in various locations, and prepaid for a room in a village they’d eventually pass through.
He prayed everything would go according to plan.
The month came and went, then Rion stood before two dozen frightened half-breeds in a secluded garden room on the outskirts of the palace They watched him, eyes wide and uncertain. Five looked ready to outright sprint back to their rooms.
With the late hour, the children slept in their parent’s arms. None were older than five. If they woke before Rion got them out of Nàdair, he’d have a problem on his hands.
Rion pulled a pair of bolt cutters from his bag and offered them to Cara. She extended her wrists, body shaking, and Rion easily cut the chain from the shackle. He needed to keep those on for now, just in case they were stopped by any guards along the way.
Rion went down the line and iron chains hit the ground one after another.
“Is everyone ready?” Most didn’t respond, but Cara nodded. Rion gestured to the packs lining the walls. “There’s enough food to get us to Levea. Grab one and keep quiet until we clear the forest. We won’t stop until dawn.”
Three picked up their packs and slung them across their backs. Rion listened to their rapid heartbeats as they readied themselves for the long journey.
The others merely stared, still weighing their options.
“Stay if you want,” Rion said. “No one is forcing you.”
“This is madness,” a male whispered and backed away. His gaze flickered to Rion, then to Cara. “Don’t you see? He’s going to take us out there and get us all killed.”
“And what possible motivation would I have?”
“What motivation do you have for setting us free? What do you get out of this?”
Rion clenched his jaw. He could have told the male any number of things, but those truths were too close to his heart. Too deep to explain to a stranger. Instead he said, “Nothing.” The others still hadn’t moved. “Again, the choice is yours.”
The male backed away, but Cara stepped toward him. “It’ll be okay. We’ll all be together.”
He shook his head. “I can’t—I saw what happened to—” he cut himself off. His throat bobbed. “I can’t go through that.”
“You won’t,” she tried again, but the male was still backing away.
“Are you going to sell them out?” Rion asked, his voice harsh.
“Never. I won’t say a word, but I can’t—” He choked and tears fell. “I’m sorry.”
The male turned and darted down the hall, his footsteps too loud for Rion’s liking. Rion waited for others to follow, but they all turned to Cara, as if waiting for her response.
“Can you trust him?” Rion asked. He hadn’t scented a lie, but one could always change their mind.
“Yes.” Cara’s voice was full of sadness and longing. “If I could just have a minute—”
“There’s no time,” Rion interrupted. He peered through the glass. “We move in three minutes.”
A tear escaped down her cheek, then the half-breed steeled herself and grabbed a pack. The others did the same.
“We’re ready.”
Rion peered outside again. The guard stood. “Move fast and silent.” He opened the side door and a crisp breeze flew in, carrying with it the scents of the night. Rion’s eyes adjusted to the darkness quickly. He prayed the half-breeds would as well.
Rion crept through the rose garden with hurried steps. The half-breeds followed, Cara leading the way.
Her resolve settled the others. Rion only wished it had done the same for that other male.
He had a right to be afraid. He wondered what Rion stood to gain by setting them free. He was worried Rion had some sinister ulterior motive behind his kindness. Rion would have likely thought the same if he were in the male’s position. But the prospect of freedom seemed to outweigh the fear for the others.
Freedom for themselves. For their children and future generations. Freedom from a lifetime of beatings and fear and being told they were worthless.
A small chance was better than no chance at all.
Rion surveyed the area outside the gardens, then gestured Cara to run across the street. He stood in the middle, watching and listening in case the guards came back early. One of the children whined, but the male holding them quickly put a hand over their mouth and shushed them back to sleep.
Their hearts raced, Rion’s right along with them. He didn’t know what he’d do if someone found them. Would he kill the individual just so they wouldn’t sound the alarm? Would he blatantly tell the Fae he was taking the slaves for his own use? They’d scent a lie, sure, but they’d likely just assume Rion was going to kill them anyway.
Rion remained alert and prayed he wouldn’t have to make a decision.
They were panting before they reached the small hole in the trees. Each walked through one at a time, almost holding their breath, as if waiting for something to yank them back. For the guards to show up on the other side.
Rion was the last out. He nodded to Cara and pressed a finger to his lips. There were still patrols out here, but with their hoods up, the slaves looked like any other group headed out on an assignment. So long as the guards didn’t venture too close, they wouldn’t know the difference.
Less than an hour later, they broke from the forest surrounding Nàdair. Rion didn’t let them stop, but the half-breeds didn’t complain about his fast pace.
Their hearts had been racing the whole time, but out here in the open plains beneath the light of the full moon, he caught a few smiling faces. One paused to glance back, likely bidding farewell to the only life she’d ever known.
Rion locked his gaze on the mountains in the distance. If they maintained a decent pace, they’d arrive in the village before tomorrow afternoon.
Freedom. He wondered if this was as close as he’d ever come to tasting it. He glanced at the younglings, all still nestled in their parents’ arms, and decided that any consequences he might face for his actions would be worth it. They were worth it, and if he could spare even one from a life lived in chains, then perhaps his life wasn’t so damned after all.