Chapter CIII: Woods
Isabella's heart pounded as she moved swiftly through the darkened woods, Ikkar bundled tightly in her arms. The palace above her was eerily quiet, the weight of her decision pressing down on her with every step she took. Clara and Alicent were by her side, their faces set with determination, though the tension was palpable.
Isabella had never intended to involve Alicent in this. It was too risky; she wasn’t sure if Alicent would stay loyal to the Dragon King or betray her to him. But just as she was about to leave with Ikkar, Alicent had appeared, resolute in her decision to accompany them.
"I’m coming with you," Alicent had said, her voice firm. "No matter what."
Isabella had hesitated, her mind racing with the potential consequences. Could she trust her? But there was something in Alicent’s eyes—a quiet desperation, a fierce loyalty—that made Isabella nod in agreement. She couldn’t do this alone, and perhaps, deep down, she knew she needed Alicent by her side.
Isabella quickly devised a plan to buy them some time. Clara would leave through the secret passage in the stables, creating a false trail to mislead anyone who might pursue them. Meanwhile, Isabella, Ikkar, and Alicent would take the secret passage hidden in the harem’s gardens. It was a dangerous gamble—Dara or one of the servants could easily spot them—but it was the best option they had.
The three women worked quickly, using a rope made out of bed sheets to lower themselves from the balcony of the king’s chambers, which was closer to the secret gate. The night was dark, the stars hidden behind thick clouds, granting them some cover. They had only an hour to gather everything they needed and flee.
Isabella had considered waiting a few more days to come up with a more sophisticated plan, but something deep within her urged her to act now. It was as if an unseen force was pushing her forward, telling her that this was her only chance.
As they made their way through the gardens, Isabella’s mind was a whirlwind of emotions. The path was familiar, yet now it felt foreign, like the shadows of a life that no longer belonged to her. They passed by the stream where the king had deflowered her almost two years ago, and the memory hit her like a dagger to the heart. She had been so young, so innocent, she ended up believing that her love for him would be enough to protect her, to save her from the harsh realities of this life.
Her heart ached with the weight of everything she was leaving behind—the love she had once felt for the king, the dreams she had nurtured, the life she had thought she would lead. But now, all of that was shattered. Her pride and her feelings felt like curses, tying her to a man who had betrayed her in the most profound way.
Isabella cursed the king for breaking her heart, for forcing her to make this choice. She wished she had something inside of her that could make her stay, that could forgive him, but she knew that was impossible. There was no going back.
She had to protect her son, and she had to protect herself. The life she had known was over, and now, all that mattered was the future—her future, her son’s future—beyond these palace walls.
With one final, deep breath, Isabella steeled herself and continued forward, each step taking her further from the man she had once loved, and closer to the uncertain freedom that awaited them beyond the castle’s gates.
Isabella and Alicent crouched in the shadows near the harem's secret gate, the statue of the Goddess Kilio looming above them. The stone figure of the fire deity seemed almost alive in the moonlight, her fierce expression reflecting the intensity of the moment. The air was thick with tension, every rustle of the leaves or distant creak of the palace making Isabella's heart race. Ikkar slept in her arms, blissfully unaware of the danger that surrounded them.
To the people of this land, Kilio was a force of nature, a protector and a destroyer. Isabella couldn’t help but feel a twisted sense of irony in the fact that it was this very symbol of the dragons’ might that now marked her path to escape.
The minutes dragged on, each one feeling like an eternity. Alicent kept a watchful eye on the path, while Isabella did her best to stay calm, though every nerve in her body was on edge. She glanced down at Ikkar, his small face serene in sleep, and the weight of what she was doing settled even heavier on her chest. She was taking a risk, not just for herself, but for him. If they were caught…
Finally, after what felt like an endless wait, they heard the soft clatter of hooves against the ground. Isabella and Alicent exchanged a tense glance, then turned toward the sound. Emerging from the shadows of the trees was Clara, mounted on a horse with another one tied beside her. Both horses looked strong and restless, their breaths visible in the cool night air.
“I stole them from the stables,” Clara whispered as she approached, her voice laced with urgency. “It wasn’t easy, but I didn’t leave a trace. I released another two horses and got the running on a trail heading south. It will be good for us if the guards end up following a false trail.”
Isabella exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Clara’s arrival brought a wave of relief, but it also meant there was no turning back now. She tightened her grip on Ikkar, the resolve in her heart hardening like steel.
“We need to move quickly,” Clara continued, glancing around nervously. “The guards will notice you’re missing soon.”
Alicent helped Isabella onto one of the horses, securing Ikkar in her arms with the utmost care. Isabella felt the leather sable beneath her, and for a moment, a pang of doubt flashed through her mind. But she pushed it aside. There was no room for fear now.
Clara mounted the other horse, Alicent behind her, her eyes scanning the area one last time. “We’ll head west, through the dense part of the forest. It’ll be harder for anyone to track us there.”
Isabella nodded, her throat too tight to speak. The significance of the moment hung heavily in the air. She was leaving behind everything she knew, venturing into an unknown future with only the hope that she could keep her son safe.
As they began to move, Isabella cast one final glance at the statue of Kilio, her stony gaze unwavering and eternal. The goddess had once been a symbol of power and protection, a figure to be revered. Now, she was merely a silent witness to Isabella's escape, her departure from the life she had once thought was her destiny.
With a soft nudge, Isabella urged her horse forward, following Clara and Alicent into the darkness of the woods.
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