ESCAPE

The first man's head hit the table and everyone froze. The sleeping sand had worked faster than anticipated. Several men stood up and went to check on their fallen companion. The women looked around nervously and Asteria undid the pins in her hair. The women. Had hidden the key to her collar inside her bun and she quietly caught it in her hand. Aegeus played the part of the alert guard, but silently removed fallen guards from the room so no one would realize what was happening. Andy stood quickly and ran to Darian who was using the table as support as he swayed. Sorin could barely stand and other men slumped against their dinner.

"SHE DID THIS. SHE PLANNED EVERYTHING!! THEY'RE TRYING TO ESCAPE!!!" Andy screamed

Sorin's droopy gaze followed her accusing finger to Asteria. The Amazon stood up and the collar fell to the floor with a loud crash. The few semi lucid men turned and looked at her. She smiled at Sorin who fell to his knees. All eyes were on her and the room seemed suspended in time. Meanwhile Aegeus was busy passing keys along to the women who unlocked themselves and the others. One by one the women had their freedom and surrounded the men. Once the last women was free they turned and ran toward the exit of the castle. Sorin turned to Aegeus who now stood next to Asteria.

"You will die for this." Sorin growled

Ages smirked and Sorin's eyes closed. The crack from his head hitting the floor echoed through the room. The last of the women ran out into the hallway to the exit toward the village. Once they stepped outside they froze in confusiom. What now? Asteria ran up behind them and then walked to the front.

"Go in small groups and get the women and girls in the village. Meet me at the docks in 1 hour. The sand will only work for one hour after that so we have to move. Leave no one behind." She said

Several women took off. Others moved out of the way as Andy walked towards Asteria.

"Even me?" She taunted

Asteria walked up to her and smiled. Andy frowned and opened her mouth to speak but before she could get a sound out she was on the floor. Asteria cracked her knuckles which had turned pink from the impact. Andy had nothing else to say.

"Take her to the docks she's coming with us. Well figure out what to do with her later." Asteria ordered

Two women picked Andy up and took off. Asteria turned to look at Aegeus.

"How long until the alarms sound?" She asked

"At most thirty minutes. We might have a fight on our hands." He said

"Good." Asteria rellied, "This would be too easy without one."

The spirit of her people burst inside her and she was one with them. The sound of Asteria's battle cry echoed across the land.

"Now they know we are coming." She said