Thread: Freedom's Price [darkest_fate & Magi_Monk]

Eleanor spared a brief glance over her shoulder, a fully formed smirk of triumph flooding across her lips as she quickened her pace, placing as much distance between herself and the castle walls as possible. Only once she was a comfortable distance away did she brush back the hood that had concealed much of her face in shadow. It was late enough now that no one was likely to notice her, nor really be paying her any attention and she certainly wasn't heading into the city below. The castle was perched upon the top of a craggy mountainside, with only its eastern slope gradual enough to provide safe passage to and from the fortress. A wide, well trodden road wound its way down the rocky terrain and into the sprawling metropolis that had grown about the base of the mountain. In the late hours of the evening faint lights twinkled down below, a great hush having fallen over the land as most of its citizens lay tucked in their beds - just as the young Princess liked it. Drawing in a deep breath, the red head loosed the tie keeping the wild strands at bay and continued on down the slope, keen eyes searching for the small outcrop of rocks that signalled where she had to turn off the main thorough-fair. A quiet hum accompanied her steady footsteps, an air of confidence and purpose about her stride. This had to be at least the fifth time she had snuck out of the castle in this particular fashion and every night she spent her time at the same spot - her own private little paradise. If one followed the outcrop round far enough, out of sight of the road and the castle above, and climbed down a few well placed rocks one came across a small plateau. A surprisingly thick carpet of hardy grass blanketed the ground, while several gnarled and ancient trees grew out at odd angles, twisted roots having wound themselves around the stone in search of water and nutrients. The centrepiece of this little marvel was the natural spring that bubbled its way free of the harsh stone and twisted its way across the plateau before crashing onto the cliff side below. Eleanor could almost bring herself to believe that this little spot of tranquillity had been created specifically to provide her with a place to spend her nights in relative safety. Not that it mattered now, for her journey was halted abruptly by the sudden presence of a stranger, a stranger standing directly in her path. The girl pulled up short, slender brow furrowing slightly, at first in faint irritation upon being interrupted, then in uneasy curiosity. To say that the woman in front of her was unusual was an understatement, exotic perhaps, and certainly not native to the lands in which they currently stood. Eli's lips parted to utter a greeting in return, only to halt briefly as she reminded herself of the role that she was suppose to be playing. The curious, almost bold, stare swiftly shifted to the ground in a far more humble manner and the red-haired lass dipped her head respectfully, Ma'am. The Princess adjusted her footing a touch, careful to keep herself just out of arms reach of the stranger while the light pressure against her hip reminded her of the dagger that lay concealed beneath her cape. A multitude of long unruly strands had tumbled forward at the slight bow of her head, concealing much of the girl's face from view suddenly only to be tucked swiftly behind a small ear. At this point Eleanor chose silence as the appropriate behaviour, allowing the stranger to explain her presence or approach while the girl mentally cycled through the many possible outcomes and options that may or may not present themselves.