Chapter VII:
A Shocking Escape
Mihanna was ushered into the room, where they saw Ragar, with a book in his hands. “Come, come.” he said, motioning to them. Telibraun took her, and told the guard, he would take it from here, and to return to his post. Ragar looked up, and was shocked to see Mihanna, just yet. He hadn't expected her to sign, so easily, and quickly. “I wasn't expecting you, so soon.” he said, standing. Telibraun handed him the paper, that the guard had given him. “Excellent.” he said, setting it down. He looked at the two of them, then said: “Alright. Why don't we take her to the dining quarters, so she can learn of her jobs.” Telibraun then took her, roughly, out, and followed his “Boss”, as he called him. They walked down the hall, and then Ragar turned suddenly, tripping Mihanna, and knocking her to the floor. As she fell, Ragar, and Telibraun watched, as a shiny object, went from her hand, and rolled to a corner. She scrambled, trying to get to it first. But Ragar was first to get it. He picked it up, and looked at it in the light, of the many windowed hall. Telibraun glanced at him, then went to Mihanna. He knelt down to her, and extended his hand. She looked at him too surprised to say anything. She took his hand, and he pulled her, to her feet. Telibraun then looked at Ragar, who was lost in thought. He walked over, and looked at the shiny article he held in his hand. They both looked at her, and asked a question; that at that moment, Mihanna absolutely despised; “What is it?” She didn't answer, and tried to think of a way to tell him, without completely giving it away. It was, in fact, a ring. It shone like the stars, and had small Teurguein Elvish, ruins inside it. It read
“**Covur Mihornna - Mihanna - coversai Mihunna**”
Mihanna had not replied yet. Ragar stomped towards her, pinning her to the wall. Ragar got in her face, and whispered, in an almost mean tone: “If you want it back, tell me what it is.” She still said nothing. Telibraun walked up behind Ragar. “If you want her to tell you anything, you MUST be kinder, or at least, talk to her in a tone not so upsetting.” he said, taking the ring. “If I give it back to you, will you tell us what it is?” he asked, now talking to Mihanna. “Yes.” She answered, reluctantly. He held it in front of her face. She looked at them, then from side to side. “It's a ring.” she said, then took it, and ran as fast as she could, down the hall, before any one could stop her! Ragar and Telibraun followed her, as fast as they could, for they were not a agile as an elf, and certainly not as nimble as a she elf would be, for so they called them. Mihanna ran up the staircase, leading to the tower room. She saw a troop of men in front of her, and ran through the middle of them, not thinking twice. They divided, and then saw their Boss, and chief running up toward them. They passed, and Ragar called back to them: “Get the guards, and head to the court yard!” he called, as he ran, out of breath. Jaramiah was sitting on the bed, listening, then, as foot steps, came closer to the door, he stood up. Mihanna burst into the room. “He comes. And quickly.” she said, looking around. “Well,” He said, also looking for an escape. “What did I come up here for?” she asked, resolving that there was no way out. “The window!” he shouted, running to it. He looked down, four stories, to the ground. “We're up, four stories in the air, with the enemy, right behind, and you want us to climb out a window, with a two hundred foot drop bellow us?” She asked, not believing, that was his plan. “Do you have a better idea?” he asked sarcastically. Mihanna heard shouting, and running, from behind. She ran to the window, and looked down. “Good plan.” she said, in sarcastic response. “You first.” He said, holding her arms, as she went down. There were stones, that were not quite even with the rest of the wall, and these she used to step on. “I'm not trying to get down; just out of site.” The Captain called down to her, as he, himself stepped out the window. Just as his head, went bellow the window sill, Telibraun and Ragar ran in, and looked around. Jaramiah, strong though he was, found it hard to hold on, for very long. Mihanna had only one good arm, but finally; not being able to stand the strain, on one arm; decided to use her bad arm. He looked down at her, while he listened to what was happening, in the room. Under the pressure of falling, the elf's hands had become damp, with sweat. She struggled to hang on. Ragar walked over to the window, and looked down. Jaramiah looked up at just the same time, and their eyes met. Jaramiah was startled at first, but after taking a few more steps down, was able to think straight again. Mihanna could hold on no longer, and fell a few feet, screaming. She landed on the over hang, of a balcony. Jaramiah, didn't see it, and thought she was now free falling to her death. He shouted to her. Ragar saw where she landed, then he and Telibraun ran down the stairs, calling his men. Mihanna landed on her side, not her feet, which was an advantage to her. If she had landed on her feet, she would be in severe pain, and probably, her ankles would be broken. Jaramiah looked down at her, then seeing that she was able to move, and that it was not such a far drop, he let go, and fell down to her. She looked over at him, admiration in her eyes. “Brilliant plan!” she said, standing, and looking down. Ragar left the room, calling more men to him. They burst through the palace doors, and circled the building. When they had gotten to the place where they last saw the prisoners, they saw, that they had now begun to descend the wall. They stood below them, watching, and waiting. This time, Jaramiah was the first down, and he knocked off, those who were nearest. Mihanna came down, and waited behind him. Ragar just waited in the shadows, slowly drawing a long dagger, from it's sheathe. He raised it, then waited for the right moment. He was unsure which to aim it at, so he went for the one in front, who just happened to be Jaramiah. Just then Mihanna saw him, and then the knife. She pushed Jaramiah down to the ground, just as the dagger flew over their heads. The captain looked up, and saw now, what she had done. He rolled over, onto his back, and sat up. Mihanna suddenly looked at him. “You saved my life.” he said, taking her hand. “Not yet I haven't.” she said, pulling him up, and running toward a hill. Telibraun didn't bother in trying to fight the Captain, for he knew he was strong. And the fight wasn't fair. The elf, and captain ran, and ran, to the hill, which suddenly turned into a cliff, but they didn't see that yet. Jaramiah heard steps from behind, and whirled around, to see Telibraun, with two swords in his hands. Jaramiah turned to Mihanna. “Go, go on ahead!” he said, pushing her forward. “I'll be behind you if I can!” Mihanna speedily ran up the hill, where the wind had a violent hold. Telibraun threw a sword to Jaramiah, and he caught it. “I figured,” he began. “since I do have to fight you; make it a fair fight.” he said, positioning himself, for fighting. “Alright.” Jaramiah replied, after thinking. So they started, and they fought. Ragar; creeping along the forest line, in the for ground of the two fighters; was gaining up on Mihanna. The wind twisted, and pulled her hair, in all different directions. Sight was limited, and this was what made her foot; swift and nimble though she was; get stuck between two rocks! Yes, our hero is stuck tight, pushing and shoving, digging at the rocks, that held her foot. I'm sure you can think of a way to get free, because you are most likely, perfectly comfortable, in your bed, or in you favorite seat, reading this, and don't have to worry about some one coming up behind, and taking your head off (without even knowing it). But, you do know how, I suppose. “Simply push one rock aside, and then pull your foot out.” Easy, right? WRONG! Because, if you had long, flowing hair like she did, being swept about you, you'd find it pretty hard, yourself. Meanwhile, Jaramiah and Telibraun fought, until Jaramiah hit him in the face with the hilt of his sword, knocking him to the ground. He fell, his nose bloody, and in pain. Jaramiah ran in the elf's direction. Ragar loomed up behind Mihanna. She heard the “cling” of his sword, being unsheathed, and turned around. “I asked you a simple question.” he said, coming closer. Mihanna finally pulled away a rock, and suddenly pulled her foot out. “But chose to do all this, instead.” He came closer now, and closer still. She ran, and kept running, looking back occasionally, as she did. She saw Ragar close behind, then continued. “Oh, now you've gone and done it.” she said to herself, seeing no where left to run. “You'll really be lucky to escape this one alive.” she finished, reaching the over hang, in the cliff, and turning around, to Ragar. He pointed his sword at her, and came closer. Mihanna slowly walked backwards. She stretched out her foot to take another step, but, no more steps could be taken, she was at the edge. There was about a five thousand foot drop, off the cliff. Far, far down bellow, she could see a river. Her enemy looked happy, with her predicament. “Now!” he said, pointing his blade at her neck. “I've got you, where I want you. I will kill him, and you, and be ruler of your people, and then slowly, the rest of this world!” he ended, rather satisfied with himself. “Any last words?” he asked, coming so close, that Mihanna had to tilt her head up, so the sharp point of the sword didn't touch her. “Guess not.” he ended, pulling it back, to make his blow. Well, I suppose now, you think it's all over for our elf. That she's come to the end of the line, but just watch. Mihanna didn't look in fear, but just cracked a semi-smile, and cocked her head. Right at the moment, Jaramiah ran up, and knocked Ragar to the ground before her feet. He tossed Ragar's sword to her, and she prepared to fight. Ragar stood, and realizing, what had happened, turned to Mihanna. “I have a good mind to kill you know.” She said, pointing at his throat, with a look of hatred in her eyes. Men surrounded the Captain, and made him drop his sword. Telibraun, however, did not come, he was too hurt, and went back inside, barely able to see. Ragar turned to them, then Mihanna. “Go ahead.” he said, knowing she could not. “I will!” she said, thrusting it suddenly, under his chin. She wanted to, but doubted herself. “Do it if you can!” Ragar yelled, growing impatient, and knowing he had called her bluffs. She looked bent on killing, but then went limp. The sword dropped from her hands, and fell to the ground. “No.” she said, gently. “If I did, I would be no better than you. And I don't want to put that image on my people.” She just looked at him, sternly, but softly, hoping to hit, some sort of nerve, in that old, twisted heart; full of weeds, and thorns; of his. The troops were in shock. They couldn't believe their eyes. Jaramiah was the pleased, and happy, with the choice his lo- I mean, his “friend” had made. But this was just what Ragar had expected, maybe not so justly, but still. He was unchanged. “I knew it!” he yelled, while signaling his troops to take the captives. Mihanna was grabbed first, but did not struggle; she knew what was coming, and accepted it like the elf she really was. They put her arms behind her back, and pushed her towards the castle gates. Now, I know what your thinking. “This book is way to predictable. Bad guy wants something, she says no. Princess runs away, Princess gets captured, she does what the bad guy wants.” But, just wait, and see. Ragar turned, and looked into Mihanna's eyes, then looked at those, holding the captain back. “Why don't we just cut you out of the picture?” he said, walking over to him, and resting a hand on his shoulder, in jest. Jaramiah glared at him, but he didn't move. Mihanna was stunned, with this remark, and was not quite sure what he ment by it. “Gentlemen.” He continued. “How long has this captain been a bother to you?” he asked. The men shouted different things, but all meaning, a long time. “And, if this man were removed, do you think our elf prisoner would be more co-operative, to us, or just as ignorant?” he asked, pointing to Mihanna, and trying to get the answer he wanted. The men, at first, said nothing. Then they looked at the captain cunningly. He knew his end was coming. “Then, let the trouble be over, and let us be rid of him!” Ragar said. Then, men took him to the over hang, and held his arms, three to each arm, for he was tough. Mihanna's captors, took her a few feet away from him, so she could still see, her beloved captain's death. She had two men for each arm, and one had her mouth. A single man readied a bow and arrow, in front of the captain. “You won't gain anything by this.” Mihanna said, tearing away from the hand on her mouth, and looking at Ragar, as He passed her. “You go against your word!” she yelled, tears welling in her eyes. He suddenly turned and looked at her. “Against my word?” he asked, walking back toward her, and looking in her eyes. “I said; 'I won't harm him'.” he said cunningly. “I never said any thing about any one else doing it.” he ended, walking away, with a sinister smile on his face. Mihanna couldn't believe how much she had trusted his word. Jaramiah's face was stern, and he didn't flinch. Mihanna, how ever, was in mortal pain, she already felt, as cold as death. She cried immensely, as the arrow was fitted, and pointed at Jaramiah's chest. Mihanna lowered her head, because she didn't want to see it. She slowly looked up, a fire lit in her eyes. “I won't let him go, so easily.” she thought to herself. She threw herself down to the ground, knocking three of the men off of her. The two on her good arm, held her tightly, and didn't let go. The arrow was pulled back. No one saw or heard, Mihanna and the men struggling, for they were farther back. She then tripped the one closest to her, and the last, let go. He was Grendo. She waited, for the right moment. Then she ran, to Jaramiah, and pushed him down, so that she took the shot. The arrow went across her left side, and she fell to the ground. They rolled to the edge. At the moment, she felt no pain, but she knew she was hurt. Jaramiah looked down, then at her. She nodded. Then, he took her hand, pulled her up, and jumped off, all the way, down to the bottom. “NO!” Ragar yelled, as he ran toward them. Fall, and fall, they did. At about two hundred feet from the ground, Mihanna, had enough courage to open her eyes. “We fall above a river!” she yelled, as they fell. Jaramiah still had her hand. There was a loud, horrendous splash, then they felt the water, cold, and fresh. Mihanna was almost completely out, by this time. When they were rushing down a more gentle river, Jaramiah looked for her. He saw her, sinking a few feet away from him. Her hand went under, just as he swam to her. He swam under the water, and saw her. He grabbed her waist, and swam up. Jaramiah spluttered and splashed, like a fish out of water. Mihanna was quite water logged, and drifted with him. He still held her, keeping her head above the water. The river went down again, and again, until it speed up, to a frightening speed. All the sudden Jaramiah's arm slammed into a rock, in the middle of the river, and he let go of Mihanna. She woke up, and held onto the rock, watching Jaramiah float away. Finally, the current was so strong, she was swept away too. She saw Jaramiah, far in front of her. At one point, she lost all sight of him, then saw him, grabbing a tree branch, hanging over the water. She used her arms to guide her, over to the left side of the river. She held her hands above her head, and paced herself. Just as she was going under it, Jaramiah reached his hand down to her, and grabbed her good arm. She held on to his hand, as held on to the branch. There was a snap, and a crackle. The branch lowered, putting Mihanna waist high, in the water, and just getting Jaramiah's feet wet. He looked down at her, in pain, for all the stress was on his right arm, his wounded arm. “On the count of three, get ready to jump!” he yelled, over the loud sound, of rushing water. Mihanna nodded, then mustered up, the last bit of her energy. “One, Two, Three!” he said, and pulled Mihanna up, as best he could. She scampered up the tree, and outstretched her arm to him. Just as he was about to reach it, the branch snapped, and he fell into the water, Mihanna screaming his name. Jaramiah bobbed up and down like a cork, calling her name, now and again, until finally, he dwindled out of sight. Mihanna jumped out of the tree, but when she did, her side pounded, and she now felt the immense pain. She fell to her knees, holding her side. She tried to stand, but fell again. She got through past the pain, and ran along the shore line, looking around, at any clearing. By this time, the sun had started to set, and Mihanna's silhouette could be seen, as she ran. Later, after about thirty minutes, the sun had gone down completely. Mihanna, ignored it, and ran still, falling, over, and over. One time, she fell, and her mouth was filled with the “sweet” taste of dirt. Okay. I'm just kidding! Back to the story. She grabbed a stick, and two rocks, then sat down, on a beach place, and went to work. She took some moss, from a tree nearby, and a small bamboo strip, and tied the moss, to the end, and around, her stick. Then she took up the rocks, scraped them across each other a few times, and a spark flew out. She looked around. She hit them a few more times, and more sparks followed. One finally hit the moss flint, and it went up in flames. Then, Mihanna walked more carefully now, as she didn't know what might be in these woods, or if they were friendly. She went on, through the night, and into the dawn.