| |
|
This time, Finn couldn't help but smile. This man was much too confident. Confidence like that could either get you a kingdom, or get you killed. One way or the other, Finn definitely did not want to get on Caelan's bad side. He held out two daggers to the prince, and kept the other two. "I've got four. But once you dispatch a few men you can get their daggers too. But be careful not to kill Henry Williamson, the head guard." Finn practically snarled as he said the next sentence, "I've got some questions for that man." Finn shook off the feeling of anger and saved it for the fighting. "You lead or me?" He asked the prince, ready to open the cell door. |
|  |
|
| |
|
"Move" Caelan said, pushing the door open and silently flicking both daggers into the nearest guards' throats. They went down silently as Caelan watched the other six turn around and begin drawing weapons. Caelan darted forward, grabbing the nearest dagger from the dead man's throat before slicing open two other in one sweep. He retrieved his other dagger, grappling one more man to the ground |
|  |
|
| |
|
This time Finn was annoyed at Caelan. Bursting ahead like that could have killed him. But, then again, he thought, Caelan was incredibly skilled at using weapons of any kind. Finn darted forward and brought down two guards with a skilled tackle, then silenced them with his daggers. In no time, the two men had made it from Caelan's cell to Adele's. They could see her through the metal bars, huddled in the corner, looking cold, frail, and hopeless. . At the sound of fighting, not outside this time, but from the hallway, Adele lifted her head. She crept closer to the edge of her cell to see what was going on. A dead guard fell to the ground from someone's slashing blade. Surprised, Adele stumbled back. Then she saw who had dealt the blow. Adele blinked. First, she thought she was dead. Then, she thought she was dreaming. Then she thought the man must be a hallucination. It was Caelan. Supposedly dead, he stood in the doorway, covered in someone else's blood, very much alive. Adele said nothing, did nothing, and thought nothing. She just stood there, dumbstruck, as Caelan and another man hurriedly unlocked the cell door and Caelan stepped inside. The other man hung back to guard the hallway. Adele didn't move. She didn't believe it. It was too good to be true. Caelan couldn't be alive. Adele stood there, motionless, thoughtless, and wordless, as Caelan, despite what everyone else in the day and night kingdoms thought, walked towards her, alive. |
| |
|
| |
|
"Hey, baby" He said softly, wrapping his arms around her. "Did they hurt you?" He asked, rubbing her back. "Yes, I'm here. Yes, I'm really alive and with you." |
| |
|
| |
|
Adele felt like she was about to cry, but the tears didn't come. She still didn't move, standing stock-still. She hardly believed it was true. But here he was, holding her, alive, and just the same Caelan as ever. Then a wave of relief washed over her, so strong that her legs collapsed underneath her. She knew Caelan would catch her, and she was so, so glad to feel his arms around her again that she nearly fainted with joy. Adele was happy to let Caelan have her in his arms, not even trying to hold up her own weight, because she knew she couldn't. |
| |
|
| |
|
Caelan caught her and held her, slowly lowering them both to the ground as he held her close and sat. He pulled her into his lap gently. "It's okay, darling, I've got you." He murmured softly, rubbing her back in a circular motion |
| |
|
| |
|
Adele was crying quietly now. "I can't believe..." she whispered hoarsely through her tears, "I can't believe you're alive." She reached up to touch Caelan's face, as if making sure he wasn't an illusion. When her fingers touched his warm skin, another wave of emotion washed over her, and her crying intensified. She hugged Caelan tightly, but full of love, wanting him to stay with her forever. |
| |
|
| |
|
"I know, darling, I know." He said, eyes watering now. He leaned into her touch, holding her close. "We need to leave. Get out of here." He said softly |
| |
|
| |
|
Adele's crying slowed, and she nodded. "Right, of course." She honestly wouldn't have minded staying in that cell forever, as long as Caelan was with her. But that wasn't an option, so she stood and wiped her eyes. Then she remembered something. "But wait, Caelan, everyone thinks you're dead. What are you going to do? And your mother..." Adele trailed off, not wanting to say the rest of the sentence. "The army could surge back into town any second, and there are still so many defenseless citizens out there." Adele's heart broke thinking of all her people, bleeding and dying on the ground. "We have to stop your mother." She declared, fists clenched. |
| |
|
| |
|
"Wait, Adele. Don't rush in, please." He said softly, cupping her face. "I will help direct every live citizen to the castle and settle them in the throne room, safe and sound." He explained softly. He turned to Finn. "You will make sure they have food and water--plenty of it to go around." He said before turning back to Adele. "And you will keep them calm. Check on your people. Tend to their wounds if needed. Protect yourself." He said softly. "Don't use your powers when I'm not there" He breathed in her ear, barely loud enough for her to hear |
| |
|
Snow and Sleet Mix, Clearing at Night
