There are no shouts of alarm as we scurry down the dusty road to the castle town. There are no arrows fired, and no guards give chase. We are left to run, kicking up clouds behind us, the horizon jerking before our eyes. The sun finished rising above the path as we run, and we have to squint to avoid being totally blinded by its light.

I feel clean, reborn, free. Lilac begins to laugh as we continue moving, our pace slowing the slightest amount. The town spreads out below us, and the path leads down. I remember it from those months ago, when we came to the castle. Lilac turns and looks over her shoulder, the breeze catching her long, black hair. It billows behind her, catching the sun’s rays and pulling them in. I don’t look back. I don’t want to see the palace ever again.

We move hurriedly down the road, but no guards are following, and we are no longer running. Once we reach the archway, three wooden beams symbolizing civilization, we know we are safe, at least for now. We both know it will not last.