Escape

Chapter 1

The Rescue and The Chase

It was dark in the room as only a slim stretch of moonlight illuminated the small nursery as a shadowy figure entered. Soft sounds from rag wrapped feet couldn't be heard over the elderly nurse snoring wetly in her cushioned rocker, ignoring the whimpering sounds coming weakly from the crib. The figure, small and thin, stepped closer to verify her slumber then quickly away holding hands over their mouth to quiet a surprised gasp; too loud of a noise might bring the outside guards. The intruder wasn't so young as to not recognize poison when they saw it. Those loud, wet snores were instead heavily labored breathing as the old woman sat limply, her unseeing eyes wide and cruel mouth bubbling over with dark froth. Sorrow was held in as the figure stepped away from her and over to the crib she barely guarded. Those sad feelings for the old woman's loss of life were quickly forgotten as the state of the child squirming under heavy blankets was seen.

He was small, still tiny even while nearing his first birthday. The blankets held the baby tight in his soiled and smelly crib and one of them placed over his face and tightly tucked looked purposefully evil. Quick hands that had been often praised on the training grounds now made fast work of cleaning and changing the child. It was precious time wasted for the refreshment, but it had to be done for the safety of the tiny babe. A small blanket was turned into a knapsack to fill with what few supplies could be found and easily tied around slim shoulders; the baby was wrapped in many new blankets found clean and hidden on a shelf unused and then placed in a stronger, leather harness around the figure's flat front, the small head of blond spikes finally cradled near a friendly heart.

Before the tiny child was covered fully against the chill outside a final look was taken in the moonlight exposing both precious faces; bright blue eyes stared back at strong brown eyes placed over a slim scar. The baby boy was solemn and trusting as his boy rescuer brought a tiny vial to the child's lips and made sure all of the liquid went in. It was only a small sleeping potion assured safe for use with this child, especially made for this child, but the boy still counted the breaths as the child began blinking his quickly heavy eyelids. Before they closed completely the one who held him so tight introduced himself with whispers against the baby's forehead as a careful lullaby.

"My name is Iruka, tiny baby boy, and I'm here to rescue you. It will be a dangerous night for us both, but I swear that I will die before I allow you to ever be killed. Before this begins, and maybe even ends I want you to know something; there are still people that love you and want you to live a happy life. You will be safe in their hands before another night has passed, I swear to you."

Sounds were heard breaking off his hasty yet quiet speech, the ominous echoes of boot heels at the bottom of the stairs. A pause in their stride gave him the time he needed to secure himself in preparation to scale down the slick side of the castle wall. The voices were heard coming closer but then again pausing as his lowered rope assisted him and his precious burden into the shadows that would hide him and the child as they escaped.

Once on the ground he moved quickly to a corner of the servant's courtyard he'd descended into. Earlier in preparation he had hidden his pack in some nauseous smelling straw that hid a basket full of rot reserved for the refuse boy only to touch, discards and dirt to remove. He now safely retrieved it and swung the oversized peasant's smock from the basket full of well overripe vegetables over him and his precious cargo. A few turns and slow, limping walks had him at the main thoroughfare out of the palace, the expected basket scraping behind him causing all eyes to veer away as they hid their noses from the noxious fumes. They climbed upon their ride, an old cart riddled with ingrained smells attached to a swaybacked nag well past being any good for glue. Voices raised in alarm were just reaching the gate as the nightly garbage wagon and its hunchbacked helper exited the gates freely.

The simple road that led away from the small side gate was straight and barren of trees for some time. The recent scars of furious battle were still evident on what had once been a verdant plain. Fond memories of watching maypole streamers dancing in the wind broke through the dead night as a lady and her maids danced in the spring breezes of the past. Now the deadened field was only another threat to their continued existence as awash in silver light as it was.

Iruka's first easy breath of the night arrived as the forest was finally above them, hiding them and the lonely cart path curving towards the south. His last view gained through the thickening trunks was of the small gate being opened and closed once more without a single person passing through to pursue them, but warning flames of bursting green stretched through the sky as the troops awoke to begin their hunt elsewhere.

He jumped off the cart at a preset spot, silently wishing the old man only a small bit of wellness before dashing into the dark forest unnoticed. There had been plenty of suffered beatings from the lowly garbage keeper upon his deformed and slow-minded helper, enough that there was truly no love between the two, but Iruka would never wish death upon him.

Sure and silent steps took him further into the depths of the familiar forest leading him straight to a familiar glade near a pond where eerie white flowers only blossomed at night to release their thick and memorable scent. The promised steed was waiting for him with a mouthful of the ghostly blooms between its teeth. Just as Iruka had requested it was smaller, strong and surefooted. A quick look had him thinking it was one of the rare mountain ponies from far north, hardy and brave and trusting to a rider who could hold their reins strongly; something he'd been trained in from early childhood.

A short jump, some soft sounds and shuffling and they were off, not too fast in the dark, but hidden on a deer trail until they reached the eastern edge of the thick trees. The mighty trunks that had surrounded them and kept them hidden began to thin farther and farther apart, giving way to bunches of scrub trees interspersed among a great and clear lit plain. Their muffled hoof beats picked up in speed as the moon offered clarity to their path, and the hardy mount's stride began to eat up the ground below them, bringing them all three closer and closer to freedom and safety.

Lungfuls of the chill air were taken and released with lowering caution as everything fell into place with what Iruka knew was bound to be curious ease. He'd followed the well planned instructions to the letter; trusted in the hooded knight who had met him only twice, and now truly knew he was right to have done so as an oddly crooked and lightning struck tree came into view. It stood atop a low hill, higher than the scrub around it but not by much; enough to be the landmark many made it, but it was not under the dead trunk that Iruka was heading. A lone tree grew nearby to the east but not atop the hill in plain sight; secure in its shadows stood the promised horse and rider. Behind the lone rider, hiding on the other side of the hill would be the soldiers also promised as his escort for a short time, decoys for a longer.

The hooded man, his trusted knight nodded and reined in beside him, his tall steed easily matching the slowing stride of the small pony. "Your new mount is waiting," he pointed to a slim legged mare tossing her head haughtily. "She has the speed you will need tonight. The mountain breed knows how to return home."

Iruka nodded silently and dismounted, taking a small second to check on the sleeping baby. Tiny eyes remained peacefully shut in slumber. He accepted a helping hand in mounting the much taller mare only after a fond pat on the sturdy pony's shoulder in thanks. He wished it a good journey back to its home, wherever that might be. As he settled himself into the padded saddle of his new mount he was aware of many eyes watching him, but was secure in knowing they were all wishing both him and themselves safe journey on this dangerous night. They were off as soon as he found a safe seat and took hold of his reins.

The plains to the east and south of the fortress were long and hilly, but they moon shed enough light to guide their way past well-known landmarks. Twisted trees, burned cottages, and ancient standing stones led them towards a treacherous stretch of hidden cliffs and chalky valleys that led to raucous rivers coming down from the northern mountains. This was dangerous territory that many a traveler had died in. Even though the rivers flowed through, water was scarce. A step taken in the wrong spot had a man falling where no hole had been before. Floods commonly raged through the thin crevasses bringing death to those unfortunate enough not to reach higher ground in time. It was dangerous and the perfect cover. Now they would head south.

Before the turn, a cry was heard and a flaming arrow lit the sky behind them. The hooded knight stayed close to him as the group separated into two in a well-practiced maneuver. Not a single word passed between the two groups before they were gone from each other's sight, hidden by a sudden spike of land. Iruka had no way of knowing if this was part of the original plan or if the pursuing soldiers had known to show up here, it being the best way to rid oneself of pursuers if you dared. Whatever the reason for the divide, the pace quickened as did his heartbeat.

The ride continued at its pace as he crouched low over the saddle and gave the mare as much rein as he could. She followed the swift horse in front of her bravely ignoring the flapping capes of the knights as they readied their swords. Whistling sounds were heard well remembered from the battle a year ago. Two distinct whines then a short pause preceded a third. The lead knight, Iruka's mysterious contact from the castle moved aside on the widening path and motioned for him to come forward.

"We have loyal men stationed to disrupt their codes," he explained hurriedly as a fourth and fifth arrow scream fell from the sky. "But you must go on alone from here. Take the red stone path to the top of the mountain and beyond. Another troop will meet you if they can. Head to the river if not, the mare can take you across if you jump where the old stone bridge was. Do you know the site I speak of?"

"I can get there," Iruka assured him.

The knight nodded and pushed his hood back revealing a young but already scarred face topped by silver hair. "So you'll know me when we meet up again," he explained with a smile. "Good luck." The hood went back up hiding that shining flag of silver once more, and the knight fell back as Iruka was allowed to lead the way.

It was a fast moment before the path opened and the cutoff for the mountain ridge was seen. A shadow began racing beside him, another slim figure on a long legged horse, a good decoy. A short wave of recognition and he was off to the side disappearing between the red boulders, dark black in the moonlight that gave the path its name.

The incline was steep at first but evened out to a challenging but stable grade able to carry him over the small mount. He could see them below, the escort soldiers running in the shadows, their horses taking them farther and farther away. As the path rose higher he could see more, including the soldiers pursuing them. They were not as far behind them as they could hope; mere ominous shadows on stone to him, but true threats to the ones who remained below. In the peace before the oncoming chaos erupted more arrows flew loosing screams and blinding flashes upon the stone valley. Iruka knew he'd been spotted when one was sent towards him only to hit the cliff face at his right. The mare continued on ignoring the swift and sharp sounds as more and more of them headed their way. One finally found him at the apex of their path screaming across his shoulder and causing pain, but it faded quickly as he recognized what plateau his horse had brought him to.

In his concentration he missed seeing the group of soldiers that separated from the main path to follow him up his; Iruka was more focused on the bushy expanse in front of him than the clomping beats bringing them closer. A smart rider tread carefully here if he wished to keep his horse; a hidden swamp began underneath those low and leafy plants, one that many had foundered in before this.

He had been forced down on the ground for some time to lead the mare when the first arrows hit. He winced at her shrill scream but immediately let go to run. As much as he hated leaving a good horse to die, the child next to his heart was more important.

On foot, his knowledge of the swamp's hidden paths was easy to take advantage of, and he found cover behind a grove of larger bushes that would hide his movements from anyone on the other side; and then he ran. The leafy cover kept the arrows away, but the mounted men were still following. As his stride carried him farther over wet and uneven ground he was glad to have found a good pair of boots before this mission that could put up with the abuse he was giving the thick leather soles. He dodged around closely spaced bushes taking care to not touch a branch; hopefully it would only seem that a night breeze had set their delicate leaves in motion and not his sudden passing.

The cover was suddenly gone and Iruka was running into a battle and then through it. Without taking the time to look back he knew someone would continue following, but not who. Too far ahead he could see the planted tree line that hid the last stretch before a steep ravine from sight. A rock tripped him up, but he was trained enough to curl and roll and come right back up. The mounted soldier behind him had almost caught up; he could hear him screaming furious words, definitely not one of his allies. A suspicious trip to the hoof beats and Iruka ducked as the soldier sped past with his sword swinging. He zigzagged around watching the man turn his mount to race at him again, but he was smart and quick, all of his trainers had said so.

The soldier swung again, and Iruka saw that he had more company even as he dodged. He could see another fleetly moving and hooded shadow emerging from the tree-line ahead of him. He was preparing to somehow avoid both of them when he saw the welcoming hand held out. Without a thought and still running he reached out hearing the enemy soldier yell his frustration aloud. A quick moment of wind and pressure passed before two hands grasped at offered arms to help each other in swinging him up behind the rider. Before he settled behind the rider, his hands holding on tightly wherever they could, he realized that he had seen a flash of silver beneath the hood. Iruka took a breath full of thankful night air.

The other soldier was upon them with his sword raised high, but a deft maneuver had his horse falling out from underneath him before he could complete the downward swing. A new soldier broken out from the close by and ongoing skirmish cried loudly watching his friend fall, a third right behind him. The hooded knight jerked his horse around and reached back to urge it forward as fast as it could go with a soft slap to its flank. It seemed they were instantly flying with how fast the wind was now pulling at Iruka's clothes. The two soldiers followed at a thunderous pace, their heavy chargers easily outpaced by the swiftness of the steed the trio rode on.

Iruka took the chance to look behind after checking on the sleeping baby now pressed tightly between two bodies. Not a peep had been heard form the sleeping child and his breath came soft and regular while tied so securely. The drug was truly doing a wondrous job of keeping him asleep in the midst of all the noise and motion that was the boy's rescue. Iruka knew no words could be traded between him and the knight during their furious ride, but a soft squeeze of the man's waist hopefully passed along the thankful and safe feelings that were keeping his heart beating so strongly right then.

The calm moment was soon passed and reality swept back into his ears as a sharp breeze of motion flung the knight's short cloak into Iruka's face and so he moved his head underneath it, breathing deeply of the protective scent of leather and the tang of fresh blood. He hoped none of it was the knight's.

A cry from close behind had him looking back again, the enemy soldiers had pushed their horses too hard and one had tripped. The other was gaining ground with his sword out. Iruka made himself as small as he could; a speck against the knight's back curled around the tiny child and wondering at a triumphant cry from behind even as the horse beneath them moved away at a wide angle. Straight ahead was the ravine, only that short and empty length of air left to cross over. They seemed to hang effortlessly for a second with the moon and stars shining down. They were free, and their steady hoof beats seemed triumphant as the horse took them further and further away.

To Be Continued in Ch.2 – The Morning After and The Naming

A/N: First, I congratulate you on finishing this. I know it was a long and involved read, but it's a specific style I'm going for with this story. So if you decide to continue, and I hope you do, there will be more like this.

This story is a long bit that needed to be written one night after one too many listens of the opening music from the Gladiator Soundtrack. If you're curious, take a listen to all three of the first tracks and then read this again. You should have a better understanding, or at least a better feel for the actiony parts. Please forgive me for any weakness of action, I'm still working on that and adventure writing.

Feel free to point out any mistakes you may have seen as even running eyes over this monstrosity three or four times probably didn't pick them all up. I want to give a humongous thank you to Saelani who was my beta for this story and also Darkauroran who read a bit and slavered for more.

For all those who wonder about the status of my other stories, please do not worry. They are all being worked on, if slowly. I can honestly say that every single posted story has been brought up and added to within the last month. Hopefully these little bits of add and add will add up and new chapters will be posted soon.

As for this one, it's already written so please expect it to be updated regularly as editing and my laziness is the only thing holding it back.

Thank you for reading and I wish you all the best in the fandom!