Chapter 53 - "Except I'm not human. Am I Archer?"
Slipping out of the house was a challenge today.
Not only are there an excessive amount of guards outside the house, but inside too. It was by chance I noticed the ones below my window, thankfully I didn't just jump! Probably would have given them a fright to say the least, plus I wouldn't want to try and explain to Jeffrey why I flattened one of his guards jumping out my window!
Obviously, Jeffery isn't taking any chances of me sneaking out again, so I ended up slipping out of my room and climbing out one of the spare room windows; not after almost bumping headfirst into a couple of surprise Guards that were milling around the hallways. It seems Nan isn't taking any chances either and neither is the Blackthorn Pack. I'm starting to suspect that my conclusion to all this, that thought I assumed silly, impossible and embarrassing is correct. My stomach rolls just at the idea of it and I shake my head; no. It can't be. I would know.
I would know.
A long howl shudders through the forest, followed quickly by another and I know just from the sound of it that one of the Blackthorn warriors probably found a straggler. From the unhurried or lack of viciousness in the sound I know that whoever they've stumbled upon obviously isn't a high risk or threat; probably just some wolves or humans breaking curfew. My shoulders relax and my fingers drop from my bow as I release a slow sigh. I don't think I have the strength to fight any more Rogues, Hunters or whatever Balewood and Uriah have up their sleeve let alone Archers own wolves.
I don't think he'll forgive me if I injure anymore of his men and women.
I grimace as a sharp ring rushes through my mind and I have to try my hardest to block out the Pack Link that seems to keep flaring into existence when my guard drops. Since the whole mansion disaster last night the Links been constantly active and from the few staggered times my concentration has slipped, I know the border is heavily guarded and deep sweeps are being made across the land. An ache burns in my throat, the skin frustratedly healing slowly under the high necked black jumper I'd thrown on under my cloak. I pull uncomfortably at the neck of the jumper hating the constriction I feel around my bruised throat. A bruised throat that still hasn't healed properly after the attack in my room.
I mutter a curse and resist the urge to just rip the material.
The leaves beneath my feet crunch softly as I steadily walk through the forest, moving far enough from the house that I won't be found by the guards Nan has roaming the place but close enough so if I do get into trouble, I can get out of there quickly.
My eyes scan the forest obsessively, fingers gliding softly over my bow as I decide this will have to do, I'm assuming, as Archer didn't specify a meeting place, he'll find me.
I lean casually against the rough tree trunk behind me, the soft, chilling caress of the wind moving along my legs and stirring up the bottom of my cloak. I remain submerged in the darkness cast by the trees surrounding me, acutely aware of the soft howls cutting through the woods now and then. Archers wolves have upped their patrol and there making it known.
Good. His mother must have seen the memory stick. It'll make everything ten times harder for Uriah... my stomach churns and I feel my nails unconsciously dig into my arms wrapped tightly in my dark cloak... and Balewood.
My breath puffs out in front of me as the moon shifts its light through the trees, catching the tips of my boots in its white light. I study my mud caked boots, feeling a slight chill pass through the worn leather. A sigh builds in my throat. I really don't want to be getting a new pair, these are my favourite.
