Pines by Roses and Revolutions
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311Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkSRHKLw6M
[0:00]
I attached the right earring to my ear overviewing my outfit in the mirror.
My eyes caught the white paper on the desk.
I read it again for what had to be the millionth time.
Hildera, I have to be vague because of the chance of this message falling into the wrong hands. But you are in danger. I intercepted a message from Gidgerest to your father with a threat. Be watchful at the party tonight. Just follow my lead and you'll be fine.
- Hadine
PS. Bring a change of clothes.
I was scared. A lot. But I had to be strong.
For Hilderest.
I walked over to the door.
Taking a deep breath, I opened it and raised my chin.
[0:35]
Smile calmly and small. Confident steps. Brief nods.
All my lessons flooded my mind as I walked down the stair steps that led to the party floor.
All heads turned toward me and applauded the entrance of Hildera, daughter of the king. Daughter of Hilderest, the most envious country in the Indianas.
Hadine calmly pushed through the crowds, offering his hand as I took the last steps off the stairs and onto the ballroom floor.
Keeping his act of betrothed, he led me out onto the dance floor, resting his hands on my waist as we were enveloped in a circle of dancers.
The women's dresses formed a kaleidoscope in my vision as a looked into Hadine's eyes, waiting for a signal of what he was concerned about.
After a moment of dancing, Hadine led me to the buffet table that was elegantly dressed with all types of extravagant food from all over the country.
Only the best for my father.
[1:17]
My heart beated so loud in my chest that I was sure everyone in Hilderest could hear it.
Hadine handed me a cup of the well-known juice from south Hilderest, but distracted from commotion outside, he fumbled handing it to me, spilling some on my pastel colored dress.
A few onlookers gasped in horror at Hadine's clumsiness, but he only looked at me with pleading in his eyes.
Suddenly, I knew.
Without a second thought, I immediately turned and grabbed a knife, designated for the turkey, but instead attached in to my dress inside a hidden pocket.
[1:35]
People started to scream as an army jumped inside the castle through the windows, corralling the citizens using long sticks with flaming arrows attached to the end.
Hadine quickly grabbed my hand and led me into one of the secret tunnels only the royal family and close friends knew about.
"Run!" he pushed me in front of him and we ran down the dark tunnel.
-------
[2:06]
After what seemed liked years, the tunnel started to glow as we reached the end.
A pile of rocks blocked the exit and shielded us from the wild howling on the other side.
Hadine used his fingers to pry away the rocks, opening an exit as sunlight flooded the tunnel.
Hadine turned toward me. "You change into something more appropriate for running, and I'll scout out the area and make sure we are safe."
I nod my understanding, but was still too shocked to say anything.
Hadine disappeared through the hole as I reached under my dress to the pouch I had hidden my clothes in.
Pulling out the trousers and leather top, I quickly changed then fastened a belt around my waist and attached the stolen knife where my left hand could easily grab it.
"Hildera! You have to see this!" Hadine's voice echoed into the tunnel.
Pulling myself out of the tunnel, I took a deep breath of the fresh air.
I gasped as I saw where the tunnel exited.
We stood on the side of a cliff, overlooking a valley with a river tracing the bottom.
Hadine grabbed my hand to make sure I would not fall off the narrow ledge.
"Look," he pointed up at the top of the cliff. "It has a lot of jagged edges, so it should be easy to climb."
Hadine started scanning the cliff, looking for the best route that would be easiest for me.
"Hadine?"
He turned and gave me his full attention.
"Why did you choose to save me when you learned Gidgerest was going to attack tonight?"
He took a deep breath.
"Hilderest has always been in danger from an attack on Gidgerest. Your father was weak and too cowardly to attack first, so Gidgerest knew they had the upper hand. I found that note of their plan of attack and knew that I could only save one person. It had to be you. You are the hope for Hilderest." He looked straight at me. "You always have been."
I felt as if the whole country was suddenly placed on my shoulders.
I guess, in a way, it was.
Hadine placed his hands on my shoulders. "But you don't have to do it alone. I will be right by your side. We will save Hilderest. Together."
Hadine turned to the cliff face and began climbing with me right behind him.
Once we reached the top, Hadine used the sun to decipher which direction was north.
"We will go north and try to seek help from the Datherests. I am sure they will help us." Hadine pointed north then grabbed my hand again and started leading me toward Datherest.
I glanced back at the beautiful valley one last time.
I will not fail Hilderest.
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