Chapter 7 - Escape Part 1

Naemon's sleep was disturbed. One moment he was dreaming, the next he was startled awake by a hand on his shoulder. Disoriented, he blinked into the darkness and tried to make out the blurry figure next to his bed.

"Naemon" whispered a muffled voice. It was Manfred, the family's old butler. His face, usually marked by a warm smile, was lined with worry.

Before Naemon could ask what was wrong, Manfred put a finger to his lips and signaled him to be quiet. A strange shiver ran down Naemon's spine. Something was wrong.

Naemon threw back the covers and climbed out of bed. His bare feet trotted silently across the wooden floor. Manfred motioned for him to follow, and together they left the bedroom with quiet steps.

The house was shrouded in darkness. Moonlight shone through the small windows, casting long, inky shadows on the old wooden walls. The familiar creaks and groans of the old house seemed to be amplified in the silence, sending a shiver down Naemon's spine. Although he was still sleepy, he concentrated on Manfred as best he could.

They walked through the empty corridors, Manfred leading them like a silent ghost. 'Where are we going? What's going on?' Naemon's heart pounded against his ribs in a wild rhythm.

Finally, they reached their destination and entered the large living room.

A single flickering candle bathed the living room in warm, dim light. Naemon saw two figures. One was his mother, Anne. She was dressed in traveling clothes, and her face was lined with a desperate fear he had never seen before. Beside her stood his father, Gunther, who contrasted sharply with his worn leather armor and the heavy spear he held tightly in his hand. He had a stoic expression, as if he was ready for anything.

Thoughts raced through Naemon's sleep-drunk head. He tried to make sense of the scene before him. Fear and confusion fought within him.

"Sir, madam" Manfred spoke with a hint of relief in his voice. "I brought Naemon with me. No one noticed."

Anne rushed to him and hugged him tightly. Relief and worry choked her voice as she spoke. "Naemon" she began, "the Temple of Mebus has closed all roads leading in and out of Keld. We don't know why, but it doesn't feel good. We must leave, and we must leave immediately."

Before Naemon could ask a single question, Anne was already explaining the plan. As she spoke, Gunther and Manfred disappeared into the night. The haste in their movements left no room for questions. Naemon learned that they were going to the stables to prepare the horses.

His mind was whirling. Escape? Why? Where were they going? What about the other villagers, the servants?

As if she could read his mind, Anne replied, "We can't risk causing a commotion, darling. It's too dangerous. We're going with Manfred, that's all we can do right now."

"Do you think... something could happen to them?" Naemon asked hesitantly.

"I don't know, but the odds don't look good" Anne revealed.

Naemon clenched his shaking fists. He was ashamed to just run away and leave everyone behind.

Anne took one of the two travel bags that were lying next to her feet and slung it over her back. "Take the other bag, darling. We wanted to be on the safe side and packed emergency bags. This is yours" she said, handing him the second bag.

Naemon threw his bag over his back and tightened the straps. 'They have taken everything into account...'

Muffled footsteps sounded from the front door. Naemon and Anne jumped, but luckily it was only Manfred. "The horses are ready" he announced in a low but firm voice.

Manfred led Naemon and Anne outside. The cool night air enveloped Naemon, who was still barefoot in his pajamas. He looked back at their house, a strange feeling of finality spreading in his stomach.

"But how are we supposed to leave?" he whispered, his voice tense with worry. They lived in the farthest corner of Keld. They would have to go through the whole village. How could they escape without waking up the entire village?

Gunther, who had now joined them outside, smiled grimly. "We have a little secret" he said in a rough but reassuring voice. "A hidden exit in the back wall, built for emergencies like this."

Relief washed over Naemon. There was a plan. With renewed determination, they followed Gunther, who led the way with two horses beside him. Manfred, who also led two horses, covered the rear.

The sound of their footsteps echoed faintly, mixing with the occasional rustle of leaves and distant night noises.

Gunther led them through the narrow gates hidden behind the bushes.

As they emerged through the gates, the cool night air rippled through Naemon's hair. The moon cast a silvery glow over the forest, creating an unearthly atmosphere. The horses stood ready, their warm breath visible in the cool air.

Gunther mounted his horse and motioned for Naemon and Anne to do the same. Manfred, ever alert despite his advanced age, brought up the rear. They set off at a steady but urgent pace toward an old forest path that Anne had mentioned.

The ride through the forest felt like an eternity. The shadows of the trees loomed over them, and only the sound of hooves pounding the earth broke the silence. Naemon's heart raced with nervousness.

Suddenly, a distant sound shattered the silence of the night. The unmistakable rhythm of hooves grew louder, signaling that they were being pursued. Gunther's face hardened with determination as he looked back at his family.

"They're coming closer" Anne whispered, her voice filled with concern.

"Keep riding!" Gunther ordered. "We can't let them catch us."

The Templars' voices echoed through the trees, ordering them to stop. Naemon's pulse quickened and he gripped the reins tighter. Then, without warning, arrows whistled past them, striking the ground and the trees nearby.

Gunther looked back once more, his expression stoic. "We must split up. Manfred, take Anne and Naemon and keep running. I will stop them" he said, taking his spear from the holder on the horse.

"No, Gunther!" Anne cried, her voice breaking. "We can't leave you behind!"

"We have no choice" Gunther said, leaving no room for argument. "Naemon, you have to protect your mother, do you understand?"

Naemon nodded hesitantly. "I will."

"Good son" Gunther said, smiling.

"No, please don't!" Anne screamed.

"Mom, we have to go on... otherwise we'll taint father's decision."

Anne trembled.

With tears in their eyes, Anne and Naemon watched as Gunther turned his horse and faced the approaching Templars with his spear. "Go!" he shouted, and his voice was a mixture of authority and desperation.

Reluctantly, Anne and Naemon urged their horses forward and followed Manfred, who led them deeper into the forest. Soon, sounds of battle rang out behind them, the clash of steel and battle cries filling the air.

Naemon couldn't hold back his tears anymore as he rode, the image of his father fighting bravely against the Templars burned into his memory. Anne's sobs mingled with the noise, her grief palpable.