Escape

Gia heard the King's scream before it was abruptly cut off, fear kicked in instantly and she turned to the queen who had a horrified look on her face.

"Gia, what's happening?" She squeaked while trying to keep her voice quiet.

"I do not know, Miss. But I think something bad is happening." Gia intended to do just as the king instructed, she was busying herself with grabbing things as quick as she could. She had grabbed two large bags from the queen's wardrobe. Since she was usually the queen's Lady Maid she knew where everything was. She grabbed several of the queen's garments, focusing on the ones that would be easy to put on and travel in. She grabbed everything they had for the babies in the room, swaddle clothes, diaper clothes, and the few jars of milk that had somehow been donated by nurse maids, to use in case the queen was unable nurse her babies, she had heard it was possible to put milk in a jar and attach a soft device to it for the baby to drink.

"Queen Vivianne, we need to hurry out of here." She said, rushing to the queen's side and helping her to her feet. "Let me take Braelyn, you need to get dressed quickly." She took the baby and handed the queen a simple dress, something like what you'd see on a farm girl rather than the queen, but the queen had grown fond of them in her pregnancy as they were comfortable and easy to move while wearing.

"Gia, do you think something has happened to Tobias?" The queen asked, her voice shook even though she was desperately trying to be strong.

"I hope not, Miss, it's possible. But he said to run, and that's what I intend for us to do. If something or someone bad is coming, I will not let them get you or your babies. But we need to hurry." Gia was once again her strong and confident self. She knew what she needed to do.

"Yes, you're right, we must hurry, and if all is well then we will come back and have a great laugh, but I don't want anyone hurting my baby girls." The queen gazed at the baby in Gia's arms with a fierce look of determination and strength.

Gia left the queen with both babies momentarily. She had not yet sensed anyone approaching and so she took the time to take the servants stairwell to the kitchen and grab some dried fruits and smoked meats they kept handy, and two empty water skins that hardly got any use. She took the food and clothing she had gathered through the servants hall at the back of the kitchen, it was how they usually brought deliveries in from the stables so as not to disturb the peace of the castle. Being a servant could have its benefits at times, like getting around so no one noticed you.

Once in the stables Gia saddled one of the horses and loaded the heavy bags she was carrying into a small covered cart, it wasn't elegant enough for a queen, but she thought it best not to attract attention when they left. She hooked the saddled horse and an unsaddled horse to the cart, she wasn't certain if she could control the wagon while riding in it so she thought she should have the option to ride the horse as well. Once everything was loaded and the horses secured, she returned as quickly as she could to the queen's chambers. Gia could feel the danger in the castle growing, even if she still could not sense anyone nearby.

"Queen Vivianne, miss, we are going through the servant's passages to the stables, I have readied a wagon and some food, we need to hurry as fast as we can." Gia said as she grabbed the blankets from the bed and handed one to the queen, as she did so she picked up Braelyn and wrapped the blanket around her. "We need to wrap them up, miss, so they don't get too cold."

"Yes," the queen said as she picked up Emerella and wrapped the blanket around her, "we should go, and quickly."

"Yes, miss." Gia said as she grabbed another blanket from the bed, she knew the queen would need one too, she would need her rest once they fled the city.

Gia led the way quickly and quietly down the halls, the queen several feet behind her but still moving determinedly. Gia had always liked the queen. She was kind and fair and always made everyone feel welcomed. She would do anything to protect the king, queen, and the new princesses. As Gia was finished descending the last flight of stairs and was turning a corner to the stables, she heard the queen cry out.

"No, go away! Leave us alone!" Gia gasped and she heard a thump and yelp come from the hallway above her. Silently as she could Gia moved quickly down the hall. They might not have seen me. They might not be coming after us. They must not touch this baby, I will protect the princess with my life, she thought to herself. She made it to the stables with no more incidents.

"Just a little further." She whispered to the baby. "I will protect you little one, I promise you, I will get us out of here." Gia was so focused on her task of silently climbing into the wagon that she did not notice the baby's eyes flash purple. She quickly placed the baby in a box that once held apples. She had gotten two boxes for this purpose but now only one held a baby securely nestled so she would be safe during the ride.

"Ok, baby, we are going now. I just hope our luck holds out a little longer." Gia guided the horses through the stable doors, glad that she had opened them when she was readying the horses before.

Gia moved the wagon through the back streets of the city as quickly as she thought was safe, she didn't want to make too much noise and alert someone to their presence. But the city was so quiet that every hoofbeat seemed as loud as a crash of thunder.

"Where is everyone?" Gia wondered quietly. She saw not a single person on her way to the eastern gate of the city, it was the closest to the castle. When she arrived, she saw that the entire gate had been torn away, someone or something had forced their way into the city.

"Why would someone attack the city, we are in times of peace." She whispered, the sight of the gate and the silence of the city scared Gia more than anything else had ever done before.

Somehow, they made it out of the city without being caught, Gia still couldn't let go of the fear that they were being followed even as the sense of danger she had felt in the castle slowly dissipated.

"We made it out baby girl, but we are not safe yet, we need to find somewhere safe to hide you until we know what has happened and what is going on." Gia looked at the baby as she spoke and this time, she caught the flash of purple in her eyes. "Wha-?" Gia gasped, not quite finishing her word. She looked at the baby for another few seconds before she turned her attention back to the road they were speeding down. She increased their speed shortly after leaving the city gates behind.