Cassian ran as fast as he could, through alleys, around buildings and over holes in his way. He still ached all over, and there was a sting on his palms every time he swung his hands.
"You ought to patch that up."
"In case you can't see, Dea, we don't have time for that."
"Oh. I see that."
"Then maybe let me be."
She went quiet, like she always did when things were important, as if she could only ever speak when she needed to give him parables or useless advice, and then leave immediately after.
Never during anything important, only after.
He thought back to the fight with the northman. It was a good thing he didn't need her around then — she wouldn't have been any help anyway.
Only a nagging voice in his head that would've gotten him killed, and then probably laughed.
He raised his head upwards, looking to the sun. It was almost completely down. He didn't have time to be arguing with her.
Amy's farmhouse was already on the horizon. He expected to see her outside waiting, but when was anything ever that simple. It was just another minor setback. Nothing to be worried about.
He was close enough to the window now that he could see inside. There was someone there, so he stopped where he was and watched.
He didn't need any more problems. After a while, the woman kept pacing around, then she left.
He still waited, and when he saw the door finally close, he ran and knocked on the window. Amy looked at him.
Where are her bags?
She just stared at him and then looked back at the door. What was this? What was happening. Why was she not moving.
He gave it more time, waited so his doubts could be proved wrong, but she still didn't move — she just kept looking from the window to the door.
He knocked on the window again and this time gestured for her to come, but she still didn't make a move.
He knew what it was now: she was hesitating.
Panicking, rethinking her choice.
She was becoming a problem with every passing second.
He took a long breath, knocked on the window again, and when she looked this time, he held her eyes.
She stood up from her bed and opened the window.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing." She replied.
"Lovely, now let's go."
He started walking, but after walking a distance, he looked back and saw that she still hadn't followed.
"Listen, if you don't want to go anymore, I can just leave right now."
"No. I do want to come."
"Then let's go."
She looked at the door again. Then back at him with a look on her face. She squeezed the hem of her red gown.
"Maybe I should just say goodbye to them."
She couldn't be serious. Yet as he looked at her face, he knew she meant every word.
"And how will you do that? Hmm? Oh hello, I just want to tell you guys that I'm running away."
She was still looking at the door, and this girl was starting to be more trouble than she was worth.
"You have two choices. You tell them and you stay. Or you don't, and we both leave. You can do whatever. Like I said before, I'm not here to make you do anything."
She hesitated a bit again before she reached under the bed and pulled out a brown bag, and climbed out the window.
Cassian glanced back at her, then looked at the sun. He'd wasted too much time here.
He started running. She looked confused but followed, her bag swinging in an awkward position.
"Why are we running," she said.
He looked back at her and saw she wasn't really struggling. That was a good thing.
Now if she just didn't ask too many questions…
"Just try to keep up."
Cassian made it to the gate and waited behind a building. He raised his hand and Amy appeared behind him.
"What are you doing?"
"Looking out."
"For what?" she asked.
Cassian didn't even respond. He didn't have the time.
He looked at the guards and saw they still looked the same as before — unguarded and uncaring.
"Maybe you could just walk up to them," Dea suggested in his head.
Another horrible idea, but they were short on time, so he had no other choice.
"Stay here and don't come out until I say to," he whispered to Amy as he walked up to the guards.
There were two of them, both with their backs to the city.
Cassian let his hand hover naturally over his sword. His palms were sticky, and what was the plan here? It was too late to turn back now. He was behind them — they must've heard him. He was a few steps past them now, almost through the gates. Maybe he would make it.
"Oi." One of them called out.
"Yes, good sir." He turned around to face the questioning guard.
"Where you headed this late?"
"A walk to clear my head."
"There's plenty of land behind the walls, boy."
Cassian chuckled.
"Well, I like to see the forest when I'm on these
walks. I find that greenery helps calm me quicker."
"Right. And you always go with a satchel." The second guard chimed in. He had a helm on and a spear in his hand that he rested on like a cane.
There was a quiet between all three of them before the first guard spoke.
"What did you say your name was again."
"I didn't."
"Well, you don't look too familiar. Maybe your name can help with that."
"It's a large city. I doubt you know everyone."
"No. But I know every face in this quarter. There's the Achers — nice family. They live not too far from here. And the Caprons. They gave me a cake last week. It was delicious, wasn't it?"
He turned to face the other guard.
"Indeed it was," he responded.
"So, boy, unless you're a cousin of the Achers or the Caprons that I don't know about, I'm going to need you to step back."
Cassian sighed.
"Listen, sirs, can't you just let me through, pretend like you didn't see me?"
"He said step back."
The guard with the helm moved closer and grabbed Cassian's arm. Cassian kicked the man's shin and he fell on one knee. The other guard was charging at him now.
He kicked the one in front of him in the chest and took his helm off, then threw it at the other guard.
"Now," Cassian called out to Amy, and she ran out from the corner. She stopped for a second, looking at the men on the floor.
"Well? Go." He said, pointing out the gate.
She stared at them a bit longer and then at Cassian before she ran out.
He followed after, kicking one of the guards as he got up.
"Why did you attack those guards," Amy screamed as she ran.
"He touched me," Cassian responded, looking back. "I don't like it when people touch me."