Can't Escape Your Destiny (Closed)

[Loki Odinson]

Evening fell once more over the land of Acrelone, the sky above now a dusty purple hue as the sun disappeared beneath the horizon. The crescent moon hung low, illuminating as much of the earth below with silvery light as it possibly could in its current state. The plants and trees swayed gently in the soft breeze, leaves whispering in the tranquil silence. From her usual seat on the window sill, Hilda observed it all, the book she had been so absorbed in reading now lying half-forgotten upon her lap. Eighteen years of life, yet every rising and setting of the sun never failed to capture her attention. Maybe it was because this was but one of the few events of the natural world she had the luxury of observing. Maybe it was because the subtle differences of each dawn and dusk never ceased to fascinate her. Whatever the reason, she hasn't really given it much thought. Her life had never been interesting. It was always the same old thing, day in, day out. Not that Hilda was complaining, but for once, she would love to see something beyond the castle walls.


There was the rustling of sheets behind her which snapped Hilda out of her thoughts immediately. Slipping quietly from the sill, she tucked a thin piece of parchment in between the pages before setting the book down. Her mother shifted uneasily again, eyes screwed shut but breathing still deep. She was fast asleep, unable to awaken from the grips of her darkest memories. It pained Hilda to witness her mother in this state, but over the past month, the frequency of this happening increased, slowly but steadily. She couldn't find help and had no idea what to do to make things better. The only way she knew of was to brew soup with herbs, as instructed in one of the many cookbooks littering the kitchen shelves. It didn't help one bit, and Hilda was at her wits end. If this continued for another week, she would risk her life to venture out of this Wing to search for a willing doctor or a better medical text. Anything to ensure her mother's continued health.


Leaning over the bed, Hilda gently dabbed away the sweat, tucking the blanket tighter around her mother while tentatively smoothing the damp and tangled hazel locks that were strewn across the beige sheets. With a soft sigh, her mother's brows unknotted, and her entire body relaxed. Almost in unison, Hilda's tensed shoulders loosened. Now that her mother was resting peacefully, it will be another good few hours before she got restless again. Replacing the handtowel on the bedside table, Hilda returned to the window with the intention to finish reading the book, but a long line of orange flames lighting the night sky made her freeze for a split-second. From her position, one could clearly see the main courtyard and a good portion of the main Wing of the castle, and the sight of the entire King's Royal Guards stomping out the castle doors and into the courtyard in full armour and weapons drawn was quite the scene. Shocked did not adequately describe her current feelings.


With wide eyes, she watched a pair of bound and gagged men being dragged to the front of the group roughly. A few legs shot out to kick and stomp on them even as two guards pulled the struggling captives up to a kneeling position. Another amoured figure stepped up behind the two, broadsword raised above his head and angled at the captives' necks. Hilda squeezed her eyes shut as the blade glinted under the firelight. She didn't need to see it play out in order to know what happened next. Mentally counting to ten, she peeled her eyes open slowly. The decapitated bodies were left on the grass, a long spear stuck fast in the ground beside them. The King's banner fluttered in the breeze and Hilda felt the air rushed out of her lungs.


This...this wasn't a hallucination, was it? Hilda knew that significance of this scene, having read the exact same thing from Acrelone's history text a couple of years ago. The bound captives, the King's entire Royal Guard, the spear and banner over the corpses...


The King was dead. Assassinated. His killers captured by the guards who then proceeded to carry out swift justice and revenge.

 

[Doppelganger2]

Bastion watched from the side lines, with vacant eyes, as the royal guard dragged out and kill the king's killers. Bastion knew that they were the knife, but not the hand that wielded it. No, they are all but untouchable.. for now. Bastion looked up to the Princess's window. Only long enough to see the girl's small frame, then leaned back onto the wall. A Knight dressed in full plated armor walked up behind him, stopping only for a moment, to say "A princess should be trusted with a crown." Then continued to walk forward. A password that meant that the time had come for him to get the princess, and bring her to the resistance's base at the duke's estate had come. Bastion scowled slightly looking to the courtyard, the light of the day had nearly vanished along with the time he had left to prepare himself. He took a last look up to the girl's window before letting out a sigh, and placing his helmet back onto his head.


Bastion climbed up to the top floor of the palace, making his way to the princess's cage. He had been informed that she might need to be forced into leaving, the thought was not a comfortable one in his head, but it was that or letting their best hope at a peaceful kingdom die along with her, when the assassin's reached her mother's bed chambers. It was to be a quick death, and one that no one would question, since none but him, and the resistance knew she even existed, and of course the assassins. Bastion expected company on his way over, since the plan was to kill her while the execution was going on. Two soldiers were walking towards the Princess's wing of the palace. "Hey!" He shouted to them. The two panicked, they were not real guards, he could tell by their general appearance, they looked to be prisoner scum in a suit that meant nothing to them. As Bastion approached, the two drew their swords. "Of course they would hire scum to do their dirty work, as they didn't expect a fight from the princess.. cowards." He scowled from under his helmet, taking his own sword out, swinging it around in a circle before reaching the guards. One went to swing into him, but Bastion swung left, into the man's arm, disarming him, then bringing his own into his stomach. Turning to the next one, he lunged into the armored man's sword, pushing him over, then grabbing his shoulder, plunging his blade into his throat. Bastion retrieved his blade, sheathing it once more.


Bastion made his way into Hildaliya's wing.. He opened the door to the room, he knew she was in, locking in on her, then knelt down before her, removing his helmet. "My Princess. My name is Bastion, and I vow to be your sword and shield, from this day until my last."

 

[Loki Odinson]

As soon as she turned away from the spectacle, Hilda's shoulders slumped. It was upon the old king's order and her mother and herself were kept here, and isolated as she was, she knew the man only had a son, one crown prince as heir to the throne. Prince Elnoir...she had only ever heard what the servants said about him during her past sneak visits onto the other areas of the castle. She knew he was a gifted tactician and was rather good-looking. Just like his father, was the general sentiment. But other than that, the Prince could very well be just another faceless man in her list of names. Hilda only hoped the new ruler would not chase them both out of this Wing. Mundane and dull as it was, it had been her home for eighteen years. If they were thrown out, whereever could they go?


A yell and several sharp bangs erupted suddenly from the corridor, making her jump and clutch the book to her chest. Skirting around the bed, Hilda's curious nature made her inch close to the closed door despite her pounding heart. Those sounded like blades being drawn, and shouts of...hostile nature? Oh no, these guards weren't already here to kick them out, were they? But why would they be fighting amongst themselves? They would have already kicked this door down and be done with it.


As abruptly as the noises started, a harsh silence fell. Hilda placed herself a few paces between the door and the foot of the bed, book clutched tightly and raised before her as if it was a shield. Not that it would be much help, but the pretense of having a makeshift armour calmed her slightly. Footsteps drew steadily closer and Hilda gulped silently, eye glued to the door as it pushed open. A knight stepped through and Hilda's gut twisted in dread. They really are going to throw us out. Why? Does the Prince want this Wing for further development or structure expansion?





But before she could open her mouth and protest, he knelt, removed his helmet and swore fealty. Hilda glanced over her shoulder even as he said "Princess", just to check that a member of the royal family did not suddenly materialise behind her. Her incredulous gaze returned to the still-kneeling knight before her, and her hands lowered.


"Um...pardon my rudeness, Sir Knight, but I think you took the wrong turn." Hilda said hesitantly. "Of course, it's common occurrence, especially for newly arrived Knights. This castle is rather large. Also, I don't think this kingdom has a princess. Although I am told Prince Elnoir does look rather feminine, I doubt he would appreciate being addressed as such."


She blinked once as the young man did not move and cleared her throat, adding with a slight hint of resignation. "I would gladly show you the way, however, I am not premitted to leave these premises. And please, would you stand?"

 

[Doppelganger2]

As soon as Hilda had told him to, as if on cue, Bastion stood, with a knight's firm posture. "My lady, Hildaliya." He spoke, as he bowed slightly. "My name is Sir.Bastion of WhiteWall, and I have come to take you to your Uncle, the Duke of Sentinel's estate, where you will be safe." Bastion's heart was heavy knowing that if she didn't come willingly, she would have to take her by any means necessary, a thought that he quickly pushed away, in hopes that he could make her see reason.


Bastion took a quick look around, and he noticed the feeble woman behind her, he knew this to be the princess's mother, hers was a tale he had heard while with the resistance, about how she was locked away, and forced into solitude with her infant daughter. Bastion bowed to her, with a pained expression, as he looked to her. "My lady Sienna. It is a great honor." Bastion had been notified that Hilda would probably not know of her title or status as the princess, or of her recently departed, father. He was also told that her mother was ill, and wouldn't be able to travel well, so they made arrangements for her to be looked after, knowing that she would try to stay with her mother. "Preparations for your mother to be taken to a well renowned healers have been put into place, but, you must come with me, my Lady, or you will be in great danger of being killed next." Bastion was getting a little bit loose with his normal manners, afraid that the longer they stayed, the more danger she would be in.

 

[Loki Odinson]

The first thing that struck her was that this young knight knew her name. Not the shortened version of it either, but her birth name. But why did he insisted so strongly on sticking a noble's title to her? She was no highborn lady, being the bastard daughter of a lord, and so had no need for a knight. Logic called her to dismiss this all as some sort of prank pulled on Bastion by his fellow knights - because wasn't that what bored young males do? Making a new member of their group do something stupid or other things like that. The words died in her throat as he addressed her mother next and forthrightly announcing his intentions for both her and her mother.


A part of her bristled in indignation. For months she had gone through countless of sleepless nights trying to cure her mother of this mysterious illness and all of a sudden, this man had preparations in place to help her out? It sounded rightfully ridiculous. Whatever kind of game this was, Hilda wanted no part in it. So she retreated back a few paces from the knight, closing the distance between her awakened and slightly dazed mother and herself.


"I will not leave my mother behind and follow you blindly, Sir Knight. And I am not so foolish as to entrust the well-being of my mother to unknown men." Hilda replied with a light frown. "You say I endanger my life by remaining here, but I still sincerely think you have the wrong person. I do not have royal blood flowing through my veins, and even if what you say happen to be true, you have yet to give me reason to trust you."

 

[Doppelganger2]

Bastion looked down at Hilda, and back at her mother. "Your daughter deserves the truth. And the chance for a true future, for even if she wasn't being targeted, she could never have a real life here." Bastion sighed. "Your mother has been poisoned, and has a very small chance to make it. There is nothing you can do for her here, whether or not you trust me is up to you, but at least understand that this is yours, and your mother's only chance at survival. So please come with me." Bastion kept on a genuinely concerned face, as he spoke to them, hoping that he would not have to resort to plan b.

 

[Loki Odinson]

Her teeth clenched as the knight's words spelled her deepest fears. Despite her best efforts, her mother's life was slipping through her fingers. Hilda studied the young man's face with frantic intensity. Dozens of questions arose within her mind - one being this...truth that was known to Sienna and the knight - but each one of them pushed aside coldly in the face of her current situation. Between a knowledge that might not even affect her and the possibility of her mother's survival, it was logical to pick the second as top priority.


"Very well, Sir Knight. I shall allow my mother to go with your chosen men." Hilda replied heavily, hoping to the Heavens that she was not making a terrible mistake. "However, I would like your word that you will answer all my questions and will not hold either my mother or me hostage should I refuse to follow through with anything you might have planned for my future. Do I have that?"


Better to have an escape route should it be a farce. Whatever she might have to do next, well...one would simply have to see then.

 

[Doppelganger2]

Bastion was grateful to have Hilda's compliance, even with its exceptions. He knew that his word is that of law and oath, as soon as they escaped his lips, so he worded his response carefully, and without impatience. "My Lady, Hilda, I will answer any and all questions you may have once we've left the castle, as for your mother and your freedom, I can only say that it is not my intention to hold either of you against your will, nor is it of anyone who I work with." His words were true and stern, Bastion hoped that that would be enough for her, but he had no more time to spend on negotiating with her, any longer and he'd need to take her by force.


"Now, my lady, do I have your word that you will follow me out of the castle?" He said with a stoic, serious face, and tone. He desperately wanted to get going, he knew every moment lost, was bringing more danger unto them.

 

[Loki Odinson]

Hilda chanced one more uncertain glance towards her mother, who gave no indication of her thoughts. A small frown surfaced before she nodded once, curtly, as acknowledgement of his promise. The Knight seemed true to his words, however, by the stubborn set of his jaw, she was not going to get anything else out or him, information, or a more detailed vow. In addition, the verbal agreement he gave was probably the best she was going to get during these circumstances. It wasn't as if she was in any position to argue. Hilda had no upper hand either in knowledge or physically.


Raising her chin and tilting her head up to meet his serious gaze fully, she swallowed and spoke. "You have my word, Sir Knight. I shall not fight you on this so long as the pact between us is upheld." Sweeping a gaze over the room, she placed one hand over her skirt's pocket, checking for every trinklet she held dear. Satisfied that everything she needed was on her person, Hilda sighed, gesturing with her chin towards the door. "Well then, shall we?"

 

[Doppelganger2]

Bastion nodded, satisfied by the 'deal' they had struck. They needed to be on their way, he would not like them to be here when the group came to get her mother, as it would probably not be pretty after laying there so long.


"Let's." He agreed, with little emotion in his voice, trying to stay vigilant and stoic, as to not upset her. Bastion walked, slightly, in front of Hilda, making sure to keep his eyes sharply aware of his surroundings as they walked. Bastion held his hand casually over his sword as he walked, looking back to Hilda every few steps, to make sure she was alone, and still there.


Once the guard that was in the hall started to walk away, Bastion quietly opened the door, leading Hilda away, and into the basement entrance that would be their escape.

 

[Loki Odinson]

Hilda followed quietly but couldn't help the glances she cast over her shoulder, up until the right turn robbed her of the view to the only place she had ever called home but will most probably never see again. No one had came up to the door to collect her mother, but she had chosen to trust the Knight's words. No point in double-guessing herself now. The pair walked through eerily silent and deserted hallways, occasionally glimpsing the odd pair of guards that patrolled the castle from afar. They snuck past easily, path made easier by the shadows cast by firelight from torches along the walls.


Hilda lagged two paces behind the male, unsure of the direction he was taking her to. Her splotchy mental sketch of the castle's layouts told her this was the path to the basement and cellars below. But why were they heading there? Was there a tunnel leading out of the castle grounds or something? In spite of herself, she could quite quell the little flame of anticipation and excitement igniting within her. She was finally going to see the outside! Experience it personally and not as a mental image constructed from words on pieces of parchment.


The basement door was thrown open, and down a small, winding flight of stairs that was tucked into the back corner, they descended into darkness, the only light coming from a torch Hilda took from the wall.