Aria's POV
A curse slipped through my lips as I ducked behind a piller, barely avoiding being seen by the approaching guards. Sneaking out of the castle was harder than I thought.
I waited until their footsteps faded before slipping out of my hiding place. Making sure to stick to the poorly lit corridors and unfrequented passageways as I made my way towards the kitchen.
The only advantage I had was that I knew this castle like the back of my hands. It was the only home I knew after all. My childhood was spent roaming through these walls, finding hiding spots and hidden chambers. I would hide for hours or days at times, before finally returning back to face the punishments I had gathered during my little escapades. My father called it discipline though, the real word for it was torture.
I shook my head, burying the memories of my childhood in the deepest part of my mind where they could rot and never see the light of the day again for all I cared.
I pressed myself further into the wall as I stared at the open doorway filled with bustling noise and clanks of pots and pans that were almost submerged by the loud grating voice of the head cook as she yelled ot her poor victim.
I stood silently contemplating my next move.This was the hardest part of my hastely put together escape plan. I had to get through the kitchen, to access the servants' door that lead out the castle. It was the least guarded entry to the castle but it was also the most occupied. I had no idea how I was going to get through without anyone noticing me. Getting caught was not an option, this was the only chance I had to escape.
I clutched the hem of the dress I had stolen from a maid's room in the servant's quarters and schooled my face, burying any nervousness I felt. I waited a few minutes bidding my time, when a group of maidservants hastely walked in with piles of dishes and trays I slipped into their midst.
Keeping my head down, I prayed no one would recognize me.
I took hold of a basket filled with dirty dishes and pretended to be busy when anyone looked my way, while inching towards the open back door as subtly as I could.
I was close to the door now, I could feel the cool night breeze that did nothing against the stifling heat of the kitchen. I could almost taste freedom at last.
"What do you think you're doing!" I halted my stride, my blood running cold.
I turned slowly, coming face to face with a stern faced woman. Her face was lined deeply with a scowl as she rubbed her hands on her apron.
"Are you daft or what girl! What are you doing lazying around, those dishes won't scrub themselves." She glared at me before being distracted by a crash of dishes.
Her face turned a dark shade of red as she turned towards the girl who sat in the midst of the broken dishes. She let out a loud screech before beginning another bout of yelling.
Admist the chaos, I managed to slip out without being noticed. I let out a sigh of relief and increased my pace before slipping into the night.
Taking a deep breath of the cool night air, I tried calming my racing heart. That was a very close call, if I had been found out....I couldn't bare to think what my father would've done to me. One thing was for sure, I wouldn't have survived it.
I sighed taking in the two paths in front of me. The one that led to the capital was well worn and paved while a small, barely visible path led to the woods. I was tempted to take the easiest option but I knew it was the first place they were going to search and in no time I'd get caught. Furthermore, the city was crawling with knights and nobility, knowing my luck, one of them was bound to notice or recognize me. I was not willing to take the chance.
So I made my way into the small forest instead. According to the research I had made, forest was called The Whispering Woods. It cut across the capital and a few small towns that led to Daxus, the merchant city. It was the most populated city in the whole Everia. Even more populated than the Capital, Phalyn.
Traders from all around Everia came to sell their wares at the Daxus market. There's a popular saying that if it can't be found in Daxus, then it doesn't exist. It was the perfect place to escape to.
I pat the hidden pocket I had sewn into the dress, making sure the jewels I had hidden were still there. I had planned on selling some when I reached the Capital and using the money to purchase a ticket on the night carriage to Daxus. But I couldn't go ahead with that plan anymore, the chances of getting caught was too high.
I decided to use the woods to get to one of the smaller towns, there was supposed to be a small paved road that led to Riverside town. I just had to find it, follow the path and I should be there by sunrise.
It wasn't until after I had gotten deep into the woods that I realized the flaw in my plan. The forest was dark, the full moon hardly making any difference as it's light was blocked by the tall trees. I soon realized why it was called the Whispering woods.
It was as if the forest was alive. The wind gave the trees voices as they whispered secrets at each other. The crickets' chirps could hardly be heard over the sounds of the wind. I suppressed a shiver at the eerie sound.
Straining my eyes, I tried to find the path I was supposed to follow. The harder I looked, the darker it got, making almost impossible to find my way.
I let out a defeated cry, deciding to turn around and take the path leading to the Capital instead. I just had to pray and hope that I don't get caught.
Turning around, I tried going the way I had come, only to realize that I couldn't find it.
The small track trails I had followed to enter into the forest had all but disappeared.
I fought the urge to scream in frustration, it was getting darker and colder, I could hardly see.
And I was...Lost.