After that, we strategized on how and where to detain Andrew which was actually the easy part. The plan was keeping him inside my office, luring him under some false pretense and contained him there until he signs the document relinquishing his title to me but the hardest part was how to keep his loyal people from looking for him or question his absence.
Those were the obstacles constantly occupying my mind at night. I was sitting alone on my couch still wearing my Lord’s clothes in my chambers pondering on the issue. It was passed ten in the evening when the doors to my room suddenly burst open and came in Katherine pale as if she was going to collapse that very instant, she had an extremely urgent expression and was alarming to see. Her face was flushed and out of breath, I realized she ran all the way here.
“Curtis you must leave the manor now,” she blurted in panic.
I stood up, confused by her presence and her tone. “Why? What’s wrong?”
“Andrew knows about you and Ellie. He knows you are a Defier,” she warned without hesitation.
So many questions raced through my head, I couldn’t move or utter a single word.
“We need to get Ellie. They are coming for both of you,” she said loudly.
The tone of her voice woke me from the stupor trance. Without questioning further, I bounded hastily to Ellie’s room with Katherine right behind me. Her chamber was not far, I opened the door and I barged in not waiting to be permitted inside. Ellie gasped while lying on her bed, startled I entered so abruptly.
“We need to go now,” I commanded.
“What’s going on Curtis?” Ellie asked with extreme worry, got out of her bed and walked towards me.
She grabbed her robe that was on the couch and wore it over her sleeping clothes, still confused.
“Andrew knows we’re Defiers, we must leave quickly,” I said.
My alarmed expression made her react immediately without delay. “Let me grab my clothes.”
“Hurry!” I pleaded.
She returned without a minute to spare holding her clothes.
“We need to go to the garage right away,” I declared.
We ran through the dimly lighted hallways with just us three making a commotion amidst the silence of the night. I could hear our heavy breathing as we passed the familiar hallway of what I called home. It dawned on me this could be my last time here. The place I grew up where the corners, corridors and the rooms I found my fondest memories of my childhood. Even the sorrow still echoes here and I remembered it all too well along with the joy but it was time to move forward and say good bye to the child and the Lord I once was.
All our planning and scheming were useless now and Andrew won. We had our chance to free Pinewood from him but the people would have to endure longer. Andrew and I both knew there would come a time when I’d have to leave him but I never imagined it’d be like this. Finally I was running away from my fate towards fulfilling my destiny.
We reached the exit doors at the back of the manor, I opened it and as I was about to go out, I stopped at the doorway and turned to Katherine before I proceeded.
“Tell me how he knew?” I asked and I knew this wasn’t the time for it but this was my only chance.
The panic on her eyes never left her, she answered in a whisper, “It was Peter. I overheard Mr. Logan telling Andrew the Protectors came upon Peter as a suspected sympathizer and interrogated him, tortured him. He refused to say anything but when they threatened to harm his family if he did not cooperate and tell them who was behind the explosion, he finally gave your name and everything you did.”
I found it hard to be true Peter would do this, he was my errand boy whom I also considered a friend, after all we’ve been through, I trusted him completely, and he was a Defier but when someone was willing to do anything for the safety of his family, it wasn’t a fault but a trait anyone should be forgiven for.
“Thank you for doing this,” I said sincerely to Katherine.
She nodded and tears started to form in her eyes. “Take care of each other.”
Ellie hugged her tight and said when she released her, “Come with us.”
“No I cannot. My children need me. Now go, hurry!” she said.
With that we left her at the door, Ellie and I ran outside the cold wind and wet floor making our way to the open garage. I chose the blue sports car and opened the driver’s side while Ellie on the other. I started the engine and turned on the headlights then shifted it to gear, step on the gas and the wheels screeched on the shiny floors as we left in speed.
We were nearing the gate and the guard didn’t open for us. I halted in front of it and all I could do was hope Andrew didn’t know we were escaping. The guard on duty was surprised we were leaving this late but when he saw me and I gave a command, “Open the gates.” He obeyed immediately without question and opened the gate. Andrew wasn’t aware yet that we were missing. I floored the gas pedal when the gate was fully open and sped off through the night hoping no one was chasing us.
“Where are we going?” Ellie asked and I could see from the corner of my eye she hurriedly changed into her black riding pants wearing it under the skirt of her sleeping clothes first.
I kept my eyes on the dark road, not minding what she was doing. “To the nearest city, we need to leave Pinewood then go somewhere far and safe.”
She took off her sleeping clothes, pulling it from the top and covered her chest with the robe and struggled to wear her shirt over it.
“Blackard?” She suggested. She eventually with success wore her shirt and started buttoning it.
“No, it’s too obvious. Andrew would know that’s the first place I’d go to.”
“Where then?” She finally settled on her seat after she was done changing.
A place where Andrew wouldn’t find us, preferably somewhere remote and he wouldn’t even think of looking there. Somewhere that was out of his radar, then it dawned on me, of course I knew the perfect place.
“Vienos,” I declared.
“Do we know anyone from there?” Ellie asked.
I grinned. “An old friend of ours… Nigel,” I replied.
The nearest city in Pinewood was Belforg and was along the borders, it was small and nothing extraordinary. It had no skyscrapers or tall buildings that stood out. We were entering the city when I saw ahead a check point with two Corps manning their post searching and inspecting those who passed through.
“What are we going to do Curtis?” Ellie asked almost in a panic tone.
“Just relax, let’s hope they’re not looking for us,” I calmly assured.
One of the Corps raised his hand signaling us to stop. I obliged and he went over to my side while his companion inspected inside the car through the windows.
“Name and purpose?” The Corps who stood by the door asked through his full helmet.
“Lord Briton and Lady Gianna, we’re spending the night here,” I lied coolly.
The Corps glanced at Ellie looking calm as possible. With our expensive car, he had no reason to doubt we were Elites.
“Open the trunk my Lord,” he ordered and I obeyed.
His companion took a brief look inside our trunk, closed it and said to his partner, “All clear.”
“You may go,” the Corps waved us to enter.
I drove slowly through the dark streets of Belforg, everything was quiet, and for this city the hour pass ten was considered late unlike the other cities. All shops and commercial structures were closed except for only a few entertainment establishments that opened at night like the bars, late night restaurants and small clubs. I parked the car beside a vacant sidewalk away from the main street and I saw Ellie’s bewildered face when I turned to her.
“We’ll be going on foot to the public shuttle docks, we can’t take any chances they’ll trace us there so we’re leaving the car here,” I explained while I hurriedly took off my Lord’s coat and vest and threw it to the back seat, pulled out my shirt that was tuck in my pants and rolled the sl
eeves so I wouldn’t catch attention for being a Lord.
We got off the car and left, making our way to the docks. We walked hand in hand at a fast pace and I felt the cold of the night without my coat on but my apprehension eventually distracted me from it. Ellie’s hand was cold and I pulled her closer to me and wrapped my arm around her to keep us warm.
We walked for five blocks until we reached the public docks. It was a large three floor building with high ceiling, in the daytime this place was probably full of travelers. Once we were inside, it was just us and a few people hoping to catch the last trips.
Leaving Pinewood for Vienos was our priority, but soon Andrew would report us to the Emperor and we’d be hunted by the Corps and Protectors so we needed to be careful and outsmart them, staying one step ahead. When we approached the ticket booth, instead of inquiring for a shuttle for Vienos, I asked the ticket master if there were any shuttle about to leave this very moment. It was the practical thing to do in case he was interrogated for our whereabouts and keep the pursuers off our track.
The ticket master scanned his computer and replied, “Yes, there’s one about to leave for Perruse.”
“Two tickets then to Perruse,” I said without asking further.
Ellie had a confused expression but said nothing.
I gave him a couple of silver coins I took out from my pocket then he printed and gave me the two tickets.
“Gate seven, first floor,” he informed.
We almost ran towards the long straight hallway passing through the first couple of gates. A woman’s voice announced over the building’s public communication service that midnight was the last trip for all shuttles. We finally arrived at gate seven, I inserted our tickets in a slot beside the gate and when it was accepted, the light on top of the slot turned from red to green, the gate opened and allowed us to enter where it led outside to the open docks where the air shuttle was waiting.
Public air shuttles were bigger and had a rugged exterior compared to our own shuttles back at the manor, this shuttles were meant for accommodating many passengers and not built for comfort. We climbed up a couple of steps and boarded. Inside there were no chambers or areas with furniture for luxury, just four long aisle of leather seats, two on each aisle. The shuttle was barely full so we had plenty of seat choices to take. We settled ourselves near the window, Ellie sat first and I on the aisle side.
After a few minutes, a male voice announced they were closing the doors and was ready for takeoff. Once the doors were closed, the loud sound of the engine was heard, it rattled when we started to slowly ascend and when we reached the ideal altitude, the shuttle slowly moved forward and shook less.
A man’s voice announced again that we’d arrive in Perruse in three hours. Public shuttles were slower so it was expected arriving at a destination would take longer compared to the expensive shuttles but it didn’t matter, as long as we arrive without being caught.
I started to relax on my seat knowing we finally left without encountering any trouble. Ellie seem to be relieved as well, she stared out the window, there was nothing but darkness, by now we’d have flew over Pinewood.
She gazed at me with softness and pity and said, “I’m sorry.”
“What for?” I asked puzzled.
“That you have to leave your home,” she explained.
I sighed and I put my arm around her and she snuggled closer, placing her head on my shoulder. “Don’t be… you’re my home now.”
We arrived in Perruse pass midnight and stayed in a small and clean hotel. Ellie slept on the bed after we were settled in. I went back down to the lobby and asked the male receptionist if there were any open stores selling clothes. He suggested a small convenient store that never closes and was only a block away from here. I said my thanks and left for the store, it was still dark outside and the city was completely empty which was to my advantage. Although I removed the garments that’d catch someone’s eye, regular folks never wore this expensive shirt, trouser and boots, and being less conspicuous was the plan.
In the early morning, with barely enough sleep, we changed to our new clothes. I was fortunate the store sold T-shirts, jeans and sneakers and I bought Ellie a change of clothes as well, a black sweater that thankfully was her size but the shoes I bought her was a bit larger for her feet but she claimed it was fine, all she had to do was tightened the laces so it wouldn’t slip off, but the jeans were too big so she had to contend on wearing the trousers she wore when we left the manor.
In Perruse, the city was noisy and full of busy people. Like Belforg, it didn’t have any tall buildings overshadowing the city but it was larger and had a lot of small shops, I mean a lot of them crowded side by side. This place was crawling with Betas and their small enterprises. Aside from the Alphas who were the owners of large corporations, Betas were allowed to own small businesses especially those who chose a profession related to it or to their trade, but the taxes made sure most of the profit return would go to the Empire, making their business impossible to grow.
There were little shops catering to every need, like small time lawyers offering their services no matter how odd the problem was were clump together in one area. Then in another were bakeshops, each trying to outdo their competitors beside them by selling pretty shapes and bright colored bread and pies. Shops selling the finest fabrics in a wide variety of colors, and trinkets and jewelries of all sizes and shapes sold at the cheapest price, half the price than the ones in the higher class stores. As much as I wanted to explore this new city, I wouldn’t enjoy myself while I kept looking behind us searching if we were followed.
Satisfied we’d blend with the crowd, we then went to the public docks. As we neared the entrance, the horror swept through me when I saw our faces on the moving holograms on the sidewalk. A small crowd gathered watching it while our identity was broadcast and below it our names and the word ‘Defiers’ in bold red letters. The entire Empire knew about us now and what we did, Elites turned Defiers and were accused of aiding in the Prince’s abduction, the missing piece in their investigation.
I stopped, not knowing what to do and Ellie did the same, her expression apprehensive. I had to think fast. There was a small souvenir stall not far outside the building. We went over there and I took two of the caps and paid the seller. I wore it and gave the other one to Ellie and asked her to hide all of her hair inside the cap, she obliged quickly fearing someone might notice her long auburn hair. The cap could barely contain all her hair but it was better than nothing at all.
We entered the building and inside it was pack with people trying to catch their shuttles. We kept our heads down and as we walked towards the ticket booth, two Corps was approaching our direction, searching and checking. I immediately grabbed Ellie’s hand and pulled her inside the nearest shop selling newspapers. We pretended to be looking around until the Corps would pass but the seller of the shop, a young woman, standing behind the counter, caught a glimpse of our faces and stared intently stunned, it was then I realized she recognized us. I froze, terrified she might report, I gazed at her silently pleading she wouldn’t, but to my surprise, she gestured quickly at us to enter the counter. We hurriedly did without hesitation and stayed down away from sight while she remained standing as if nothing happened.
After a few minutes, she signaled us to come out and informed us the Corps had left. I expressed my gratitude and she responded with a smile. It was rewarding to know some believed in our cause and what we were trying to do for the Empire and we weren’t alone in this fight.
After we fell in line for, it was finally our turn in the ticket booth.
“Two tickets for Vienos,” I said to the ticket master.
There were no direct shuttles going there, the ticket master suggested we go to Lespin first, a city not far from there, then take the bus to a town in Vienos. I accepted his suggestion and bought two tickets to Lespin instead.
From Lespin we took the bus and around thirty minutes on our way to Vienos, the
road became winding passing between gigantic mountains covered in rocks surrounding the area. It was so high the top couldn’t be seen extending through the clouds. It was probably why no air shuttle could travel here, the mountains made it hard to navigate.
The weather was cool, the air was fresh and the sun barely shone with the clouds constantly refusing to give way. Nigel mentioned to me once before, it never snows here but during the cold season, they had to wear something warm from the freezing mountain wind at night. Vienos was a very small dukedom covered in mountains ruled by the minor House of Hebber, and their main source of income was wine which was common among minor houses.
The bus arrived at the only town and it was early in the afternoon when we got off the bus stop. The town was located at the base of a great mountain encircling it and wasn’t as populated like the towns back at Pinewood. The simple residents were friendly and wore clothes made out of wool fabrics and seem to be used to the cool climate.
I was cautious watching around with a vigilant eye if there were Corps or Protectors or anyone who recognized our faces but the people continued to go about their daily tasks, not appearing to be curious to any new visitors. There were no moving holograms or newspapers or even Corps or Protectors patrolling. It could be because Vienos was so far and isolated no one would think anything ever happens around here.
The town had little houses and shops made of light colored woods, and I could tell each had a fireplace by the sight of white smokes escaping from the chimneys on top of the wooden roofs. A market occupied by wooden stalls under white tents selling different kind of meats, vegetables and fruits mostly goperberries, a maroon colored berries use to make wine.
The town had plenty of small bars serving the local liquor, some even served food, and some houses were built on top of bars while others had a bar in one area and a shop on the other. We saw an inn on top of a bar and we made our way there. I rented a room for us and when we went inside the cramped space, we tried to make ourselves comfortable after the exhausting trip.
The Prevalence: Sequel and Final Book of The Premortals (The Premortals Series 2) Page 14