Chapter 142: One last time
We arrive at Seraphina’s Heart under the cover of night, the great fortress standing tall and silent against the stars, a much-needed sanctuary in this frantic escape. As soon as we enter, Noelle wastes no time changing from his blood-stained clothes, swapping into something warm and comfortable, with sturdy shoes fit for swift movement. I barely have a moment to ensure he’s ready before the faint echo of shouts drifts up from outside the gates, warning us that the pursuit is close behind.
Noelle grabs his journal, the one he’s never without, the leather worn smooth from his constant use. I catch his eye, giving him a brief nod; there’s no time for hesitation now. With purpose in his stride, he rushes down the staircase, and I follow close behind.
We reach the lower hall, where young Mona and her towering older brother Ben are waiting for us, faces tense but determined. Mona clutches a small dagger, far too large for her slender hands but held with unwavering resolve. Ben, a man of few words but many talents, is already geared up, his hulking form a reassuring presence even in the tense quiet.
Just then, the thunder of fists against the main doors reverberates through the castle, the sound filling the cold stone halls. The gates won’t hold for long. I can feel the dread clawing at my chest, but I push it down, keeping my expression steady. There’s no room for fear right now; I have a duty to protect my lord and these loyal souls who’ve thrown their lot in with ours.
With a firm voice, I usher Noelle, Mona, and Ben toward the back hall, where a hidden passage lies concealed behind an old tapestry. As we move, the distant clang of metal on metal rings out—our first line of defense clashing with the intruders.
"This way, quickly," I whisper, pushing aside the heavy tapestry to reveal the narrow stone passage. The air is thick and stale here, but it’s safe, or as safe as anywhere can be with the prince’s men on our trail.
The footsteps echo louder, relentless, like the final toll of a bell. We reach the end of the passage, a doorway to safety just a few steps away. I give Mona a soft nod, ushering her forward. She slips past me and vanishes into the night, her eyes wide with unspoken fear, but she obeys, trusting me to see them all through.
Ben lingers, sensing my intention before I even voice it. The dawning realization in his eyes twists a knife in my chest, but I keep my face calm, even as I draw my daggers with steady hands. I’ve always known that if I was to go, it would be like this: quietly, courageously, holding my ground for something that matters.
"Doris. What are you doing? Come on, we have to go," Noelle says, urgency thickening his voice. His face is alight with worry, and it pains me to know that I am the cause of it.