Escape from Cirices Part 1

Chapter 10

After lunch, they began moving onwards. The woods seemed to stretch endlessly, and Abigail was getting out of her comfort zone. Not like she was in her comfort zone when the Meropians arrived. Abigail felt tired, because this whole day has tired and scared her out. But not a complaint passed her lips. Abigail was too worried. About her family and friends. Of course her parents would suffer, they would fight.

"Cirices might still win" said Abigail absent mindedly.

"No, Gail. It's impossible." said Lokeyia flatly.

Abigail felt hopelessness invade her feelings of Cirician luck, even victory. If Merope took over Cirices, they would automatically get rule over Ricaus, as well. It might be hundreds of years before Cirices and Ricaus even think about taking back the land they rightfully own. By that time, Abigail would be long dead.

It was late afternoon when the four friends finally stopped for the night. Lokeyia and Magda were debating whether to sleep in a tree or not. Lokeyia said it would be safer to sleep in a tree, Magda said Sara might have trouble climbing because she was still sick from dehydration. Finally it was agreed that they would sleep on the ground, but have a guard awake at all times if there was a problem. Magda was on first watch from 9 to 12 pm. Lokeyia was on second watch from 12 to 3 am. Abigail had the third watch from 3 to 6 am.

Magda wrapped her grey cloak around her shoulders more tightly. Lokeyia offered her cloak to Magda along with her watch. Abigail, Sara and Lokeyia unrolled their sleeping bags and settled down for the night. As Sara didn't bring a sleeping bag, she shared with Lokeyia. Abigail let her eyes close.

Abigail was in the familiar forest back at home. She felt the weight of her sheath on her shoulder and saw her bow gripped tightly in her hand. Already night was falling and she saw rosy purple streaks in the sky. She put her hand on her hair and brought forward the plait that was made of auburn hair. As Abigail hurried towards home she suddenly stopped. Abigail tried to move her legs but they wouldn't cooperate. She tried to scale a tree but she would simply slip down to the ground. She tried another tree but the same happened. She tried to walk back towards Cirices but her legs simply stopped functioning when she touched the same line of earth. Abigail was panicking and began screaming at the top of her lungs, oblivious that any other animals or people were around her.

"Abigail!" Lokeyia was leaning over her.

"What's going on? You're screaming like mad. At this rate, we'll be discovered by someone. If it isn't a Meropian troop, it'll be a wild animal or a wood inhab."

Abigail slipped out of the sleeping bag she was literally cooking in. The cool night air calmed her senses. Abigail reached a hand to her forehead and found it sweaty and coal hot.

"It's my turn?"

"Not yet. I first pulled your sleeping bag over your mouth to muffle the sound. That didn't work so I had to wake you up. It's only two o'clock. You better get some rest."

"No, go to sleep Lokey, I will guard. I won't be able to sleep anyway."

Lokeyia objected but eventually went to sleep because she was tired, having the hardest guard shift.