Only two creatures know the real value of freedom. The prisoner who leaves his prison and the soldier who returns from the war.

Hector Vladslaw – Vampire of the Royal Guard of Vivre

*

Arthur jumped. And the fall should have killed him, but it did not. On the way down, he felt as if his body was sliding down a toboggan towards the ground, diagonally and lighter, as if losing its weight.

The impact with the ground, however, was strong and the “lightness” of his body did not eliminate the risk of such endeavor. He was unable to get up immediately, feeling his entire body burn after the impact with the rocks.

After the fall, while getting up (slowly), for a second, he thought that a guard was waiting for him. However, the guard did not move. After a second look, he sees the dwarf’s corpse that had fallen moments before him.

Arthur bleeds from several wounds caused by various cuts – some superficial, others very deep – and adrenaline is the only thing that keeps him from passing out. The adrenaline, however, decreases by the second. Aware of this, he tries to go faster, lifting his body with some effort and leaning with his right arm against the wall after realizing that his left arm refuses to move.

In front of him, some smoke seems to dissipate.

“It was her.”

His only help disappears before his eyes. Without a warning or explanation. Now, there is only a dark, moonlit street ahead.

The pain in his leg returns with full force. It is so intense that he almost can’t muffle the scream. The boy needs to rest his elbow against the wall to be able to bite the metacarpal region on his thumb.

Blood runs between his lips. The adrenaline did no rise and now he knows that his strength will soon disappear. He would probably faint. Again.

The brain seems to get used to pain to the point where he does not feel the need to scream, but it is still necessary to suppress the urge to grunt with each new movement, while trying to repress the involuntary spasms caused by every step. At this point, only the fear of getting caught keeps his body moving forward. Although the diagonal fall allowed Arthur to distance himself from the tower, the fact is that he is still inside the city and that means that he could be found at any time.

Still leaning on the wall, he walks like someone intoxicated by booze. Aware that his clothes are nothing more than rags to avoid complete nudity, he does not make eye contact nor get close to other people that walk in the proximities. His slowness makes him the target of glances; however, he is in the noble areas of the kingdom – too close to the castle and the market. In those clothes, he looks like a tramp in the eyes of the residents. Some even take him as a potential thug, going out of his way and avoiding eye contact.

Arthur gets used to walking while leaning on the walls and dragging his left leg. This is when he hears the sound of chimes. It is not the usual sound, signaling midnight or noon. It is the signal for guards to watch out for patrols and commanders to withdraw to receive orders. It is the signal for nobles to wake up and take shelter in the castle. For the elite forces to return to citadel.

It is the emergency signal.

Even without knowing all the consequences of the signal, Arthur is aware that he is the reason for it. His mind, however, has a hard time focusing on that fact as his consciousness seems to disperse by the second. His eyes, little by little, no longer see the stone floor. What he sees is the carpet from the room he had on Earth. He no longer sees the rustic walls around. What he sees is the wall in pale blue, on which is a television; in another wall is his wardrobe; in another is a small bookcase full of books and comics.

In front of the last wall is the bed. With the comfortable and cozy mattress. With a pillow full of memories of peaceful nights. Cozy and warm.

Maybe it is time to sleep in his old room.

-Well, look at what we found. – A female voice sounds nearby. – And some people still doubt that the entities keep interfering in our lives.

-What would be the entity responsible for bringing us here?

“What are you talking about?” Arthur thinks after hearing some familiar voices. “Get out of my room.”

-Don’t play dumb. You here the one who brought me here because you “heard something”. – She emphasizes the last words. – This is the second time you’ve found him. It is obvious that this is the work of Destiny.

-Vice-commander-

-I told you to talk without formalities and we are still alone. He doesn’t count.

“Shh. Keep quiet. I want to sleep.”

-Yvanna, what are going to do with him?

*

Rinlia watches the last wounded soldier being placed on the wagon. She checks one more time the letter that was delivered by a messenger from the queen. It is an envelope sealed with the royal coat of arms, in a format that emulates the figure of a tree – similar to the flamboyant.

The same messenger handed her an order to be present at the city gates. It gave her the authority to request 30 soldiers (they would be waiting for her).

With that, the preparations are in order, except for the horses – and that is being arranged by the soldiers. The commander, however, was not relieved by the smooth progress of the preparations. On the contrary: The lack of a bigger commotion indicated that Arthur had not managed to escape the prison. She ordered some spies to shelter any eventual fugitives, without specifying who it was. Now the order seemed unnecessary. The only abnormal sign was the castle bells, which could indicate an infinite number of things.

Accompanied by Barsen and Gasser, she eagerly waits for the soldiers with the horses and the arrival of the last two members of her entourage.

-Yvanna. – Rinlia addresses the figure that approaches them.

-Commander, we found him just now. We are late because we had to avoid the guards on the way.

Only then Rinlia pays attention to Thiago. Only then she sees what rests on his shoulders. At first, she did not believe her eyes, but there was no doubt.

It was Arthur’s body, unconscious and badly injured.

-The bells were ringing because of him. – Gasser whispered. Barsen moved quickly to make sure no one was around.

Rinlia noticed the ogre’s movement and decided they had no time to be shocked.

-Put him in the wagon, with the others. Go! They won’t notice, they are all unconscious because of the potions. Go!

Thiago hesitated, but obeyed the order.

-Commander, you are not thinking about…

-Yes, Gasser. I am. – She waves to Yvanna. – You did well. Where did you find him?

-He was on the streets on the north of the Central Square. This one said he heard something. – She points to Thiago.

-You… - She looks to Thiago, and, then, to Yvanna. The vampire makes a signal behind Thiago’s back, pointing to her ears and making a negative sign.

Rinlia thinks about her situation for a few moments. Little by little the time passes and soon they hear soldiers approaching with the horses.

-Yvanna, you need to tie his hands. Be discreet and hide him among the wounded. You. – She points to Thiago. – For now, stay in the wagon with him. If someone asks, you are one of the wounded. Keep an eye on Arthur and if there is any sign that he is waking up, you need to call one of us. This last part is for all of you: Nobody can know about this. Only the five of us can know about him.

-Commander. – Gasser chooses his words carefully. – I must point out the fact that the transport of this individual can compromise our mission. If one of Vivre’s guards find out that we are helping him… - He does not finish his sentence.

-In other circumstances, I would agree with you. – She indicates where Thiago must place Arthur in the wagon. – However, I would be a fool to not take this chance. The boy escaped without help. That means that nobody expects him to be among us. Besides, we handed him without a fight, remember? They would kill him. If Vivre don’t want his magic, Fiandel will make good use of it. That is why we will help him this time.

Thiago gets inside the carriage. Barsen organizes the horses, assigning wagons to himself and Gasser, who is still trying to talk to Rinlia.

-He could compromise our mission.

-It is worth the risk.

-I agree that the reward is good, but it is too much of a risk. – He hesitates, looking at his long hobgoblin fingers, as if making a mental calculation. – Madam, are you sure you are not doing this because of some other reason?

-And what other reason would that be?

-Maybe you don’t want to be blamed for the boy’s death, since-

-Gasser, you have my orders. If you don’t trust me, feel free to file a complaint back in Fiandel, or hand me over to the guards in this city.

-I would never do that. – Gasser looks offended. Rinlia sighs.

-You wouldn’t. That is why I don’t want to keep arguing. It is a waste of time. We both know that I will not change my mind and you will not stop me. Can we go now?

*

They passed through the wide and charming streets, through the narrow, smelly alleys and, finally, through the streets with tall buildings and the smell of fish before reaching the city gates. Only two carts, guided by Barsen and Gasser, escorted by a handful of soldiers, with Yvanna always a little behind everyone, ready to listen to some emergency call from Thiago.

-I’m sorry, but the emergency sign just rang. – Says the soldier positioned in front of the city gates.

-I am Rinlia, soldier from the Kingdom of Fiandel. I have an order from your Queen that gives me power to request a detachment of 30 soldiers to accompany me on my trip.

-I’m sorry, but this must be done by the morning, after we receive orders from the castle to reopen the gates.

These moments are the reason why Rinlia endured the existence of things that she despised. Her pompous horse, the saddle and the flashy clothes maintained only one purpose for the whole trip. The reason why Njalmar had given her the most beautiful sword and the most brilliant armor amongst the soldiers.

With such weapons in her arsenal, all she had to do was look up and speak with the dignity those symbols required, in the only situations where a battle would not solve her problems.

-The order in my hand was issued from Queen Aetna herself, your sovereign. I am offering you the chance to read the letter that she delivered to me and whose content the head of the detachment inside the building can confirm, if only you ask him about it. Are you telling me that a letter from your queen isn’t reason enough to ask a simple question? Or do you prefer that I go to the castle right now, to get back here with some member of the nobility? Because, if you make me do that, I will not be satisfied with an apology.

-I…

-Barsen, how much time has been since I dueled with a soldier that disrespected me?

-My lady, I would not allow such duel. A mere soldier does not deserve this honor. I would challenge the soldier in your behalf.

-Oh, thank you. I would allow it. – She says, with a cruel smile. Deep in the retinue, Yvanna hides her face and her laughter. Rinlia continues. – Tell me, soldier: The last time I checked, Vivre obeys the military code. And, if the honor of a foreign officer with a patent granted by a member of the royal family challenges you, there is no other choice than accept the challenge, isn’t it? What do you think? Do you want the opportunity to have a duel with an ogre? I heard that very few survive after crossing swords with one.

By the time she stops talking, the soldier was almost crying. His role at the gate was to pursue a few thieves and intimidate merchants who tried to get rid of taxes. Barsen, with his terrible smile and yellow eyes shining with bloodlust is enough of a threat to make his legs tremble. More than that, the fear of disobeying Queen Aetna is something present in the hearts of all inhabitants of Vivre. Although she did not resort to death frequently because of the kingdom’s policies, the queen was famous for finding other punishments as painful as death.

That is the reason why, shortly afterwards, Rinlia is talking to the responsible for the 30 soldiers that would accompany her on the journey back home.

-I still think is not wise to go out right after they rang the bells. Something must have happened.

These are the words said by a soldier just over a meter tall. His hands are large and his face is adorned with a long brown beard. His almond-shaped eyes do not shine. Instead, they absorb light, as if he were able to see through the soul of his interlocutor. His broad features and deep voice indicate an age close to Barsen’s.

-If my soldiers were in good shape, I wouldn’t argue. – Given the soldier’s rational tone, Rinlia decided to keep calm. – However, we have several injured personnel. We had to move them in order for us to leave and postponing our return now can be dangerous to their health. – She whispers to him. – Many of them just want to go home and say their goodbyes to their families. Who knows how many will survive the trip, even if we go now?

-I can understand. But still… - The dwarf scratches his beard. Despite his words, his soldiers were positioned to leave as soon as the order was given.

-Now, I would be glad to stay if we could leave our wounded in the good care of Vivre. It would be a big demonstration of kindness and we could continue our journey in the morning, while the wounded stay here for a while.

His eyes suddenly open. Taking care of soldiers from another kingdom would bring unnecessary expenses and responsibilities to Vivre’s army. They would become responsible for the lives of these people and losing one soldier could even be used as an excuse for Fiandel to declare war. In addition, the expenses on food, accommodation and everything else would be paid with the military budget – and his colleagues would not forget who made the decision to put this burden on their back.

If only he knew about Arthur, his decision would be different. But just a few people knew about the prisoner. Everybody else would know about him in the day of the execution.

-Open the gates. – The dwarf says to the soldier. – Let’s get going! – He turns to Rinlia. – With the bells ringing, we thought you wouldn’t come to the gates. Where are my manners. My name is Valdéz.

-Rinlia. We were on our way here when we heard the bells. – She lies without hesitation. – Otherwise, we would have postponed the trip by, at least, a few hours.

He nods.

-I can understand that. Just to validate our departure, my men will have to take a look inside your wagons. In this situation, usually we would do a thorough search using the guards of the castle, but I believe it is possible to make an exception for such a renowned commander.

-Is that really necessary? – Barsen grunted.

-Shut up. – Rinlia’s voice was harsh. – We will obey all procedures. – She turns to Valdéz. – Please, continue.

-Thank you.

He gestures to the soldiers and, immediately, a half-elf and a dwarf start to investigate the carriages. Starting from the front, they analyzed soldiers’ food packages and spare equipment. They analyzed the arrows and some magic items the company had bought in the city.

While they were analyzing the first carriage, Thiago adjusted the splint on his arm. It was fake, but no one would check that. He was the only one awake among the wounded, sitting in the back of the carriage, supporting his arm with the free hand.

When the two soldiers approached, they greeted Thiago. They began to investigate the bodies, looking carefully, but without approaching the back of the wagon because they would have to step on some of those who were lying on the way.

-Come on, it is all right in here. – The half-elf muttered to the dwarf, who was about to jump a body to get closer to Thiago. Besides the soldier, there were two other wounded: Arthur on his left and Miocar, a veteran, on his right.

The dwarf looks at the two passengers and, then, at Thiago.

-What happened to them?

-This one was bitten several times. – He points to Miocar, buying time before pointing to Arthur. – And this one was trampled.

-Trampled?

Only then Thiago realizes that they certainly would not know about the attack of the beasts in the forest. An excuse that might seem plausible for him would not have the same effect among the people of Vivre.

-Yes, it was a large animal that jumped on him and-

-We don’t have time to hear stories! – The elf got angry with the dwarf. – Let’s go!

Thiago sighed when the two figures disappeared from his view. Shortly afterwards, the carriage began to move and the figure of Yvanna appeared.

-He was trampled? Was that the best you could think of?

-Whatever. Let’s just get out of here.

-Don’t get comfortable yet. – Yvanna murmured. – We are far from safe.

The gates of Vivre open.

And the Fiandel soldiers leave the city.

*

*