Chapter Text
The magic lifted. I couldn’t explain why or how but I suddenly felt myself again. There was an awareness of who I was. Suddenly, I knew I was in danger. Hidden beneath a glamour of magic, I was fine. Without that glamour, I was going to be in trouble. I ran to the back of the library, hiding behind the backmost row of books and looked for a reflective surface. The night creeping at the window made it reflective enough and I stared back at a face I hadn’t seen for 300 years. My own green eyes and black hair reflected back at me. Worse, my wings were obvious.
“Lorra?”
The voice echoing through the room was the last person I wanted to see. He would turn me in without second thought. I did the only thing I knew how and begged for the shadows to hide me. It was harder than I would have thought but still possible. I felt myself surrounded by the darkness that I was praying for. The footsteps came closer and the face of Belsan came around the corner. I held my breath.
“I was sure she was here. Where in the Cauldron is she?”
His voice was angry. He turned and walked out and I waited until after the door closed, until after the candles had gone out on their own before I dared come out. In the time I spent waiting, I had time to think. Why had the glamour suddenly lifted? The only explanation I had was that the caster must have died. The longer the glamour was gone, the more I felt myself again. In my mind, I searched, trying to find the two people who could possibly help.
“Help me, please.”
I waited, hoping for a reply but none came. I had no choice. I needed to get back to Prythian. The problem was, I didn’t really know where I was. If I was going to run, I needed to get my bearings. Quietly, I crept to the door, keeping the shadows close in the darkness. The hall was empty. Slowly, I traced the familiar path back to my room through the huge house. I listened before opening the door. Hopefully Belsan hadn’t come looking for me here. The room appeared empty. Still keeping my shadows, I crept in and looked around. The room was empty. Quickly, I found a cloak and a small satchel. I had no weapons, so I’d have to find one as I went. I pulled the cloak around me, tucking my wings in tightly.
After deciding there was nothing else in the room that could help me, I left, quietly closing the door behind me. I crept along the wall, heading toward the kitchen. If I was right about the time, there would be nobody left. Darkness followed me and I moved as quickly as I dared to. In the kitchen, I looked for what little bits of food I might take with me. I found some bread and a few apples. There was some meat out on the board but I decided not to take it. Then I slipped out the kitchen door, keeping the shadows close. The ease with which I could wrap myself in darkness was calming me. At least I still had that protection. With my shadows and the knowledge I had learned so many years ago, I could do this.
I spotted the guards and watched for several minutes, trying to decide what course to take. A horse would be the best option. No, flying would be the best option but I wasn’t sure that I could. It would have to be a horse. That meant making it to the stables. The guards had weapons though and I was going to need one, if I was going to get all the way back to Prythian and home. I considered my options. There was one guard, alone with his back to the wall here. If I could use the shadows, I might be able to get what I needed and get out without alerting anyone. Quietly, I crept closer, hoping that the guard would be confused at seeing an Illyrian here.
“Good evening,” I purred seductively.
Sure enough, the guard jumped, pulling his short sword. It was perfectly sized.
“Who are you?”
“I’ve gotten a bit lost. I was hoping you could help me find my way.”
The guard looked me up and down, trying to determine if I was a threat. He must have decided I wasn’t because he let his sword drop. Good.
“Lost? You’re miles from where you’re from.”
“I know. Like I said, I got a little lost. Can you point me back toward Illyria?”
“East and north,” he replied quickly. “But maybe you’d like to spend the night with me instead.”
It was working. He was charmed by me.
“That sounds lovely.” I stepped closer to him, lowering my voice, so he would lean in.
The leer on his face was disgusting. I’m sure he had all sorts of ideas about what he wanted to do with me. He didn’t know who he was dealing with though. Rapidly, I forced the shadows around him, suffocating him. He didn’t make a sound, probably petrified. I grabbed the sword and ran for the stables, knowing that he would be confused for awhile.
East and north was my direction. I would likely need passage on a ship but right now, I needed to get as far away as possible. I tried to remember which way the closest port was and decided to go directly east. I saddled the horse quickly and took off.