Chapter 29: Escape
Slowly the next day passed as they worked out their scene to get inside. That night lead into the second day and it was time to put their plan into motion. They left the inn early in the morning heading quietly to the castle, each remembering the plan and would need to do the best acting in their lives. Marenzo as they walked looked to Alura with a look to warn her to not mess this up for them, he didn’t trust her ability to act given her real age.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqcdE0GxTY
Alura glared slightly at the wizard frowning. Don’t worry about me screwing up, worry about your own acting skills. She mentally replied in a stern inner voice. As they got closer and had come into the market area, Alura and Marenzo went to looking at some of the goods being sold in the early morning. She turned her head listening to the hallow ‘clank’ of the wooden cane Nate had as he started to move away from them. “Grandfather, please stay here.” She instructed in her sweet voice, sounding exasperated with her outward sigh combined with the fall of her shoulders.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGR3yGdtwnn
Nate began to grumble stomping his cane down. “I thought you said we were gonna go visit Linda. We ain’t even going in the right way!” he complained with another annoyed noise from his throat.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLCehtdn6b
Marenzo sighed closing his eyes then opened them as he picked up a figurine. “I told you that we will be going there. We have to get her a gift.”1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVurnhkb7Io
“You young bucks don’t know how to plan anything.” Nate came back with and looked around as Alura took her eyes off him to see what Marenzo had picked up.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wL32dVHjH
“We will get there grandfather, just give us some time to get her a nice gift. It’s not fun being laid up in bed.” Alura answered kindly as she nodded. “I think she would like that. Lovely eye dear.” She responded to Marenzo who smiled and held the dancing figure out to the owner to bag.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvwtcyPUXO
“That will be 100 Relu.” The merchant stated as he held his other hand out for payment. Marenzo began to search for then pulled out a money purse, getting the coins and paid him. The merchant wrapped and bagged the item to return it to them with a friendly smile. “Have a wonderful day and please come again!”1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOywPAkfnz
“We shall, thank you very much sir.” Alura said with a pleased smile then turned with Marenzo to Nate. “Okay grandfather, let’s be…” she opened her eyes that had closed and her words trailed off upon seeing him go. “Oh great, not again.” She groaned and looked to the merchant who pointed and with a nod the pair was off, chasing after Nate who was storming angrily up to a guard that stood outside one doorway that led into the castle as a side entrance. “Grandfather!” she pleaded as they spotted him. “Please wait up!” she shouted while racing up behind Nate, coming to a stop and put a hand on his shoulder sighing. “What did I say? We would go see mother after we got her a gift.”1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzRqyh4eEY
Nate grunted and shook her hand off with a twist and swung the cane at her head which she promptly dodged. “Leave me alone! I want to see my daughter-in-law!” he snapped sharply in a tone that sounded just about what one might call senile.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgoq4pI2t8
Alura sighed in defeat as Nate began to search his pockets for something. She looked up at the curious guard with an apologetic expression. “I’m terribly sorry sir but we aren’t originally from here. We came from Lunar and well,” she lightly scratched her cheek with her index finger with a regretful smile. “My grandfather hasn’t been well and he insisted he wanted to see the world before he died. So we brought him with us on our anniversary vacation.” She looked down as Nate released a sound upon pulling out a wadded up flyer and began to straighten it while mumbling incoherent words to himself.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXwTH3YhNT
She rolled her eyes and looked back to the guard as she continued explaining. “We saw a notice outside the city and grandfather started yelling he is sure the woman is his daughter-in-law.” The guard listened and watched confusion as well as some doubt to her story.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY36R3sEV2v
She sighed and looked down thinking of how to convince him but instead of speaking she jumped, “found it!” Nate exclaimed loudly as he held the paper up which at the same time caused Alura to release a startled yelp. That hadn’t been originally in the plan for him to do that. She also wondered when he got that flyer since she didn’t recall seeing him grab any before the Inn or after they got there.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FBoHPsbls
“As you can see…” Alura began only to be interrupted with the flyer shoved to her face.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwe1QC4TI9D
“It says here my Linda is in there!” Nate barked at Alura, hitting her with some drops of spit which brought her to resist hitting her own kin for that disgusting addition to the scene.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9P2OwgoXuT
“As I was saying, you can see my grandfather is not fully right in the head and he gets worse little by little each day.” Her eyes were down and closed before she opened them and faced her sad expression to the guard. “It might calm him down if he sees the criminal isn’t my mother. Please?”1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3Ec1MOsjf
“Well…” the guard began, removing his helmet some to scratch his head of messy auburn hair, “we can’t allow anyone inside the castle without direct orders from Emperor Amoxious.” He explained sadly but his tone though stern gave hints to her ears and Marenzo’s that he might be considering breaking the rules.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57Mo1Cviuf
“It would mean the world to my wife’s grandfather and our marriage if we could let him see and speak the prisoner.” Marenzo stepped closer, whispering softly to the guard behind his raised hand by his face. “You know how the elderly get at that age, right? They start mistaking people for others and can be more stubborn than a golem stuck between two cliffs.”1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XHuxbIWTV
The guard ‘hmm’ed at this and did nod his head to indicate he did understand how the elderly tended to lose their barring’s the older they got. “I do understand all too well as my mother and grandmother was the same way.” He went quiet looking to the old man who was arguing with Alura over the name on the notice. After a few moments of thought he took a deep breath then released it with his words. “Alright, I’ll let you three in but be quick about it. Emperor Amoxious is resting so this is the only reason I’m bending this rule.” He warned sternly which drew the arguing duo to pay attention. “He will be quite pissed if he learns I allowed anyone into the castle without the proper authorization.”1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW3zNegMIC
Alura smiled happily as the guard turned to the door behind him, pulling off the key ring off his waist, and unlocked the door which he promptly pushed open. “Follow me then.” The guard barely got out as that was all Nate had to hear before he quickly pushed Marenzo out of the way to head into the back hall.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTghNBDDaM
“Thank you so much for your kindness. I am Lin, by the way.” Alura introduced for pleasantries as she touched her chest delicately before motioning towards Marenzo who was moving after Nate. “This is my husband Roy and you’ve met my very direct grandfather Cain.” She too began to head into the hall as the guard went came in behind the three, closing the door and let the torches lit themselves.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb7LirTutq
“My name is Trilo, Trilo Florence. Luckily I was left in charge of my position after the invasion.” The guard explained to return the formalities. “Others were not so lucky after Emperor Amoxious took control.” He explained with sadness in his tone.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIMTuPdWUC
She gave a soft nod, moving to walk beside the man as the hall opened up to a spacious circular room where they found Nate and Marenzo looking around debating the other on which of the four doorways was the right one. “I’m so very sorry to hear that. There had been word about an attack on one of the smaller isles some time past.” She looked up at the high ceiling in awe. “I hope your family is safe still.” Alura stated as she brought herself out of her amazement of the rich attire of the decently lit room.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHBn94OsPA
“They are, amazingly, Emperor Amoxious left them untouched.” Trilo said gratefully as he passed the two males and unlocked the third door of heavy wood before pulling it open. They passed through this hallway and into another room that was part of the main area of the castle before passing through another heavy wooden door. Once they stepped down the stone stairway a metal door was opened, and they were lead into the dungeons where both sides held metal bars like cages.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ663l1eALrR
As the heavy door was opened, this drew Sophia’s attention as the sun was starting to rise outside, showing the mist hovering above the ground by inches outside her tall bared window. It’s not noon yet. Guess he got impatient…oh well. Sophia thought with a tone to fit one resigned to their fate.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo61FFZiTMG
“Here we are.” He began before speaking right to Alura. “You have five minutes with her then you should leave. I don’t want your grandfather being hurt just because he’s a little loose in the head.” The guard whispered to which she nodded.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMv55yoKKOm
“Thank you again for your kindness and understanding.” She whispered gently with genuine sounding appreciation, a soft smile on her lips before she leaned in and gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek in thanks.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3196DrtIvQ
Nate rushed the bars, pressing his face against them as he took hold with his wrinkled hands. “That’s her! That’s my Linda!” he shouted in joy with an elderly laugh.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGLI4nfz8K
Sophia tilted her head looking dumbfounded at this. “Uh…sir?” she began in a calm voice, “I think you are mistaken. My name is Sophia, not Linda.”1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0d172sj0d
“Poppycock!” the demon spat back as he stepped back and whacked the cell door with his cane. “You are my Linda and nothing is wrong. You are her although you have gotten old and fat.” He scrutinized which brought Sophia to glare with a small eye twitch at the being called ‘old and fat’ by some stranger. “Oh well, it must be that crappy prison food. We have so much to catch up on Linda!” he laughed excitedly while continuing to deny any attempt Sophia made to convince him she wasn’t Linda.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnAL1dRvT2
The guard watched this concerned but looked over upon feeling a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll be out in five minutes, promise. Just give him some time.” Marenzo whispered and the guard nodded.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbe4uzxAIJS
“I wish you both luck and I hope he has nothing but good fortune during his remaining days.” Trilo wished them before turning and leaving to wait outside the metal door for them.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrafrnkX16
Once he was gone Alura smirked. “I can’t believe how well this is working.” She whispered under her breath to herself, nearly laughing.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77k8dYHlWm
“Who are you three?” Sophia questioned with irritation.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHadFyoyWn
“Wow…you do look much older.” Alura commented as she stepped closer to the bars to stare at her mother. She observed her mother still wearing the same dress from nine years ago. The woman’s eyes were tired and worn yet still held a piece of her strong stubborn spark. “To answer we…” she paused a moment then continued after nipping her lip, “are your daughter, husband, and a friend.”1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefFgE3en7b
Sophia blinked shaking her head in disbelief. “You are mistaken madam, my daughter would only be in her teens and my husband is dead. There is no way you could be her or the old man my husband.”1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBtP1aUurN
“Then look behind the outward appearance.” Alura said gently as she locked eyes with her mother for what felt like an eternity as the room fell into silence. There was nothing but after Sophia squinted her eyes and tried to look past as instructed, her face slowly began to fall as she thought she was seeing the two tones to her eyes. Her eyes widened in stunned awe, her mouth falling open before it was hidden behind the hand that cupped over the opening.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4WddPXEGz
Marenzo moved to look at Alura’s face, curious to what Sophia saw through and he jumped a little at what he saw as his hair began to prickle on the back of his neck. His spells were starting to fade. Damn it! Not good if that guy comes back! He thought in panic.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm34kalxrEx
“It…it can’t be. Alura?” the woman questioned with tears forming into the corners of her eyes. “Is it truly you?” she watched as Alura nodded to confirm this with a grateful smile they had gotten there in time. “But…how? I heard the men report that you and your brother were dead after you was seen jumping off a cliff.”1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjY6Dur2xq
Alura smirked with a suppressed laugh. “They aren’t too bright.” She snickered, “Talon and I both lived as you can see. Right now he’s hiding but I won’t say where while we’re in here.” Her face gained a serious expression as she looked around the room for a spare key or something. “Now we’ve got to get you out of here.”1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nJtumTd9C
“The guard has it, remember? Or did you miss all the keys he carries?” Sophia said with her head falling forwards, her shoulders slumping in a show of defeat.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TqLXYvGJp
Marenzo smirked seeing this and clicked his tongue softly with his eyes closed, whirling his hand at the wrist through the air as he bowed at the waist to Sophia. “Allow me, Madam Sophia.” He said with his cockiness showing as he stood upright, snapping his fingers once. In an instant the key was in Alura’s hand and he looked at Sophia’s shocked face, loving every moment of it. “I’m a wizard from Zento. Don’t worry though, I’m a good guy.” He assured her while Alura got the door unlocked to rush inside the cell. He snapped his fingers again to switch the keys fluidly, allowing her to swiftly unlock Sophia’s shackles.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtwpBQuoIv
“It’s time we got going.” Alura stated as she carefully helped Sophia to stand, draping one of the woman’s arms around behind her neck and over her shoulder as they both stood. Sophia had slower movements as she followed Alura outside her prison, stumbling some as her stiff legs felt as if they would collapse under her in protest.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUr4qnoZq8y
As they came out, Marenzo looked to them then sighed while closing his eyes with his hands held low out in front of him. This is going to suck later. He thought as he charged then used a warping spell, engulfing them in light which was similar to what he had done before. When they would appear again they would be an unknown distance from the castle, appearing in one of the forests of Flora.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5WgLtd58o
Alura helped Sophia sit down on a log before sitting beside her, the disguises falling as Marenzo collapsed to lie on the cold ground. “I was so worried you were dead mother. I’m glad you’re still alive.” The teen said with tears, hugging her mother close as her tears fell along with Sophia’s tears.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqlbOH93hD
“I am as well but…how did you elude Amoxious’s eyes for so long?” the woman inquired not letting her little girl go.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXmV6TK9Px
Alura shook her head with a sniff, backing up to wipe her eyes. “I can’t tell you right now but maybe later I can when things are back to normal.” She said with the joy reflecting in her tone.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjU8vFLZCAM
“Yup…just ignore the exhausted wizard.” Marenzo said wearily from his resting spot which finally gained Alura’s attention.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1E7ni31PTI
“Oh, right, sorry about not helping you.” Alura replied with a sweet giggle, slipping away from her mother to help Marenzo up. This allowed Nate to step closer and kneel down before sitting beside his wife, pulling her closer by her face as he wiped away her falling tears.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2WvcD4O3s
“Don’t cry, I’m no ghost and I can swear to that.” Nate whispered softly in his hot breath against her soft skin. Sophia didn’t reply, only reaching up to gently touch his cheek and cup it in her hand. She moved closer as did he and a kiss they did share while they wrapped the other up in their arms.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQmZcuqizU
“Awww aren’t they so sweet together? I’m so glad we did it.” Alura commented as she helped Marenzo stand, taking no notice of the small freshly moved dirt that had been by his head upon his standing.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6hxcP5oon
“Yea, I’m glad too.” The wizard said pleased before looking up at the brightening sky as time continued to tick by. “Come on, we’ve got to find a place to stay before they notice she’s gone. We’re sitting ducks out here in the open.”1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzPIrMiY4x
“Good point but can we interrupt them?” she asked curiously.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOL2cq6Hhw6
“We could let them catch up as we go look for shelter.” He replied.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfSNUO9OBL
Alura nodded softly then looked to her parents which had begun to deepen their kiss, resembling something of a make out session. “Marenzo and I will be back soon. We’re going to go look for a place to stay and hide until we can figure out how to free the throne.”1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbztQnPerQ
Nate and Sophia parted for air and looked to their daughter and her friend, both nodding then resumed their catching up. Alura groaned as Marenzo snickered while they walked off to begin their search, neither sure how long it would take.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtoaJC0VXb
They were roughly three or so miles away from where her parents were before Marenzo began to start relying on her less for support. Slowly he slipped his hand at his side over, tapping her hand for permission before she took his. Oddly she couldn’t figure how holding his hand was able to make her smile but it did, the happy expression pulling onto her lips. He adjusted his body some to come and rest his head on hers. This ended when she shook her head and rested her head on his arm for a change. “Hey, you think your mom will blow if she saw us this close?” he already knew her father would.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtkkvQGbCj
Alura giggled shaking her head. “I don’t think so. Weeeell, then again…” she trailed off for a brief moment then continued, “they might since you’re older than me. I could see them being afraid you’d try and force me into things.” She commented with a quiet, unplanned, teasing purr to her voice.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVaR8roZvn
Marenzo chuckled at this thought even though just the memory of Nate’s threat made a chill race down his spine. “You have nothing to worry about. I’m not some lowlife who attacks girls for sex.” He felt her nod in acceptance of his word. “Besides, I do have a code so I would never do anything to you or another without their approval.” He whispered quietly.1099Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ElgAwKeLr
“Um, thanks.” She blushed lightly red while shifting her eyes to the ground. She didn’t see his cheeks also flush a light red nor did she see his eyes look at the ground opposite of her. They continued to walk in silence, at times making small talk about the weather during their search.
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