Lone Blind Star - Chapter 3: Runnaways in Red Roses

Red.

Photo by Alexandre Boucey on Unsplash.

The knight captain stood, his height quite impressive. He grabbed his cane and strode towards the infirmary doors. "Send a unit to the crown princess' chambers immediately." Their voices faded into the corridor as they left but Cecilia could still make out the rest of what Knight Captain Ezra said: "Let the other knights know deadly force is permitted."

Cecilia felt her gut drop and it was like the world spun around her for a moment. As soon as she was sure the knights were gone, she sprinted out the infirmary and back towards her chambers. She knew she wasn't very fast but hoped her use of the servant corridors would let her reach her thief first.

She burst into the parlour room, her lungs burning from the run. "Ingram!" she called, a touch of fear in her voice. "Ingram, are you still here?"

Her thief stepped out from the bedroom. "I’m right here, Sunshine."

"Oh thank fuck. The knights are coming. We have to go." She reached for her favorite jewellery box and dumped its entire contents into her satchel.

"They're on their way now?"

"Yes! Get your things! We can't be here when they arrive."

Ingram immediately started gathering his clothes, fingers trembling as he buttoned his shirt and tightened his belt. He grabbed his gun and holster from the nightstand drawer, the silver gleam reminding him that the knights could arrive any second. He thought only of escape until the second he realised what the princess had said. "No way," he said, his tone serious."You're staying. There's a life for you here, Sunshine—a pretty damn good one."

"You can't make decisions for me," she said, looking straight at him. "I’m coming with you."

Ingram brushed his hair back, his scowling face clearly visible. Now wasn't the time to debate life values. "You can stand there and puff your cheeks out all you want, you ain't convincin' me of anythin' 'cept how cute you look doin' it."

Cecilia opened her mouth to retaliate but was cut short by the violent swing of the chamber door. King Titan, his face red and contorted with anger, stormed through the parlour. The energy radiating off him was palpable as a heavy atmosphere filled the room.

"Crown Princess Stella-Cecilia Astrid," the king bellowed, using her full address in an attempt to intimidate her. "What is the meaning of this?"

Cecilia's face paled under her father's maddened gaze, which flitted back and forth between her and her thief. "Father, I—"

"I won’t have any excuses from you. I've heard them all before. I want reasons."

Cecilia froze, her eyes wide. She didn't know what to say. Her mouth opened and closed as thoughts whizzed past her mind but nothing took. There wasn’t anything she could say that would get her out of this, she knew, and started to fiddle with her sleeve.

"Your high-ness," Ingram interjected, stepping forward between Cecilia and the king. He gave her a little wink before continuing, "Deeply sorry for what’s become of this situation but I wanna letcha know that none of this was the little lady’s fault. I held a gun to her head to let me in and patch me up. So, go easy on her, will ya?" Ingram gave a deep bow and immediately lunged towards the window, hurling himself out into the night.

Cecilia rushed to the ledge, looking into the darkness for her thief, but could only see the top of the rose bushes. She pursed her lips in thought. Should she go after him? She looked back at her father as he berated Knight Captain Ezra and his team for their negligence. In that moment, she thought he was the one who wasn't doing his duty. She closed her eyes, said goodbye to him in her heart, and tumbled over the edge.

The impact as she crashed into the thicket of thorny roses below jarred her. She felt the thorns nick her exposed skin as she wove through the undergrowth in search of her thief. "Ingram!" she called into the darkness, but all she heard was the clamor of her father and the knights above.

Ignoring her father's calls, she marched defiantly through the rose garden. The only way out that wasn't towards the palace was through the hedge maze so that was where she headed.

She traversed the maze with ease, thoroughly checking each dead end until finally colliding with her thief. He was out of breath, sweating, and clutched his side in a way that told the princess he was in a lot of pain. "I found you!" she said.

"What're you doin' here? You should be back—"

"I came to help you," she said and promptly grabbed his free hand and led him towards the exit.

"You shouldn’ have come," he mumbled. He pretended to be indifferent but truthfully, he was glad she came for him. He was having trouble navigating the maze and the thought of getting caught by the king's men terrified him.

Cecilia quickened her pace as she soon heard the clink of armor behind her. The knights knew the maze as well as she did and would practically pass right through it. Too much time was wasted already.

"Right up here," she said as they rounded a corner, revealing the exit. Just beyond was the queen's garden, reduced to brambles since the time of her passing. "Through the bushes is a shortcut to the servant’s gate. If we follow the path, it should lead straight to—" Ingram let go her hand and took off into the bushes.

"W-wait for me!" she said and went after him.

"Don't follow me."

"Why can't I?"

"None of your business."

"I'm making it my business!"

"Keep your voice down," he hissed but it was too late.

"There! In the bushes!" one of the knights shouted, immediately followed by a flurry of gunfire.

Cecilia staggered back as bullets flew past, twigs snapping all around. She felt her heart drum ferociously in her chest. She couldn't understand why the knights were shooting at them. Didn't they know she was there? She tried to stand but the branches clung to her. She looked down and saw her satchel strap caught on a stubborn branch, holding her back. Each rustle of leaves and crackle of gunfire reverberated through her and filled her with dread. She turned to where she last saw her thief and cried out for him to come back but she couldn't see him. She wasn't sure he even heard her. But he had.

He was already on the other side when he heard her cry of distress, the fear in her voice making him freeze. He was so close now. He didn’t need to go back for her, did he? There was no way the knights would kill their own crown princess, he thought. But as the knights kept shooting, he couldn’t help but turn around.

"Stay down!" he shouted, kneeling next to her. He saw the tangled strap and quickly drew his gun. "Cover your ears," he said and shot at the branch. He yanked at the strap and then dragged her through the bushes. He winced as he felt a sharp pain shoot up his side but grit through it. "Which way?" he panted, looking around.

"Follow me," Cecilia said, her voice regaining its strength. She led him down a narrow cobblestone walkway to the edge of the royal grounds, where the capital city gleamed below. They burst through the servant’s gate, the sounds of shouting, armor, and gunfire trailing behind them. The dark staircase before them was illuminated by the warm lights of the city and the pale moonlight filtering through the trees on the cliffs above. "This is the servant’s staircase," Cecilia explained. "It leads to—"

Ingram staggered a few steps down, his hand pressed against his side and a grimace etched across his face. He leaned his back against the cliffside and took deep, soothing breaths.

Cecilia cast him a worried glance. "You're not okay, are you?"

"M'fine. Just gotta go down these here steps and I'll be free, right?"

She nodded.

"Go back, then. Ya done it. I'm safe."

The princess pursed her lips. "I told you I'm going with you."

"Got no reason to."

"I like you."

He couldn't help but laugh out loud. This girl doesn’t know anything, he thought, and he said as much: "Got no idea what you're dealin' with, Sunshine."

"Then tell me."

They heard the knights closing in, relentless in their pursuit. "Go on," Ingram said again, shooing her away.

Ignoring him, she said, "We need to keep moving," and took his arm over her shoulder, supporting him as they descended.

They had gone down no more than a handful of steps when the palace knights reached the top of the stairs. "Down here!" a knight shouted.

Ingram heard rifles being readied and pushed the princess to safety. He hadn't counted on her holding onto him, though, and they both went over the railing, somersaulting down the side of the steep hill. He held her tight to shield her face from the rough tumble down, even as she tried to push him away.

The fall was quick. They landed in a heap of garbage set out for Saturday morning pickup, causing it to practically explode beneath them. "Why didn't you let me go?" she shrieked, hitting a still plump bag of trash. "Are you okay?"

Ingram looked up at her with unfocused eyes, the world spinning. Her voice sounded so far away. "Okay?" he repeated. His side hurt, like a warm, stinging pain radiating across his torso. He gestured to his side and she pushed up his clothes to reveal red, inflamed skin. She reached for it but the moment she touched him he hissed in pain.

"I think it's torn again," she guessed. "Under the skin." She didn't really know, but desperately wanted to help. She looked around, trying to get a grasp of where they were but had no clue. All she knew was that they were in a dark alley below the royal hill.

After finally managing to compose himself, Ingram struggled to sit up and look around. He knew he was in a bad way and needed the princess' help, but thought to try one more time. "This's your last chance," he said, his voice weak.

She was completely confused. "Last chance for what?"

"To go back."

She scoffed at him. "Oh heavens, you're like a broken record. Stop wasting your breath," she said, hoisting him up. "Come on, we need to get you some help."

He felt ashamed as she helped him up, noticing her messy hair and cuts across her face. There would only be more moments like this if she came with him. It was no life for her, he thought. But as she said, it was her decision, and he was in no position to turn her help away—he needed it.

"I know someone who can help," he said. "But first, somethin' needs to be done 'bout your looks."

She looked at him quizzically. "What about how I look?"

"You look royal. White hair, gold eyes. That's the royal look."

She hadn't considered how she looked to be definitively royal, but when she thought about it, everyone in her family did have the same hair and eye color. "Hold on," she said and leaned him against the side of a building. She took a metal canteen out of her satchel, untied her hair, and doused herself with water, chanting a phrase that dissipated into the air. Slowly, her hair faded from its usual creamy white into a deep black.

Ingram smirked. "Like magic, huh?"

"It is magic," she said with a smile. "How’s this? I can't change the color of my eyes."

"It'll be fine. Good enough."

---

Ingram led Cecilia through the city down winding streets until they reached a shady looking tavern. The street outside was wet with piss and spilled beer, and a drunk guy slept next to the front stoop as bugs fluttered around him.

"Here?" Cecilia asked.

"The owner's a friend of mine," Ingram explained.

"Wow, you have such good friends in such convenient places," she said sarcastically.

"Joke all you like, this place'll keep us safe. Stay close," he said as they entered the dimly lit establishment. He strode up to the bar as casually he could and greeted the bartender. "Jack."

The burly, red-headed man behind the bar gave Ingram a once over. "Well, lookie you. Ironsights Clayton finally decides to bless this humble establishment with his presence." He spat on the floor as a couple tavern patrons looked up from their drinks. "You look like shit. Thought you said you were never gonna come here again after that last row."

"Need a favor," Ingram said.

"Oh, yeah?" Jack asked, then narrowed his eyes at Cecilia suspiciously. "An' who's this? New lady of the night?"

"You wouldn't believe me," Ingram replied. "Just need a room to lay low in."

"Lay low in? What'cha been up to that you need to lay low for? Ain't got nothin' to do with that ruckus up at the palace, do it? City guards've been up an' down the area lookin' for someone."

Ingram leaned across the bar real close and whispered, "She’s the crown princess."

"What! Are you out of your mind?" Jack hissed, anger flashing across his face. "You have any idea what kind of trouble I'd be in if the palace found out I helped you?"

Ingram clenched his jaw, ready to argue, but Cecilia stepped forward, placing a jewel-encrusted brooch on the counter. Jack's eyes widened as he greedily swiped it into his pocket. "You tell her I got a sore spot for shiny things? I'll help you." He slid a key across the counter and gestured to a narrow staircase, muttering, "Single room, two beds. Don't draw attention to yourselves."

"And food?" Ingram asked.

"You can fuck off for thirty minutes," Jack grumbled, disappearing into the kitchen.

"Thanks, Jack."

Cecilia helped Ingram upstairs, going one step at a time. The room was small, he thought, but at least it was clean. "Better than I expected," Ingram said, impressed, but his mood plummeted when he saw Cecilia's aghast expression. "You okay? You don't like it?"

"It’s fine," she said. She hadn’t seen a closet this small, but she pushed the thought out of her mind as she hung her cloak and bag on the back of the door. She kneeled in front of him and said, "Take off your clothes."

"Hold on, Sunshine. I'm gettin' a bit of deja vu here."

"Yeah? So am I. Now let me look at your wound."

He sighed as he gave her his coat to hang on the door, then unbuttoned his vest and shirt. He hissed as she pulled them aside.

"It's gotten worse," she said and dug through her satchel. "I didn't have time to put a lot of stuff in here but..."

"That your only reaction to seeing my bare chest?" he teased.

"I've seen it once, I've seen it a thousand times. But if you're suggesting I be shy and demure around your naked body then maybe you aren't as clever as I thought you were."

He couldn't hold back his grin. "Ouch, my heart."

She pulled out a tin of analgesic and said, "This should help with the pain." She twisted it open and proceeded to rub it over his torso. She grimaced as he groaned in pain. "I'm sorry this is all I can do."

"S'fine. 

She finished with some gauze and a bandage to keep it in place, then told him to button himself back up. "We should go get some of that food," she said. "You need your strength."

---

The princess and her thief picked an open table far from the door, eyeing everyone who came in. As they waited, they couldn’t help overhearing some nearby patrons talk about how dangerous the side roads had become. According to them, only the Imperial Highway was free of creatures—whatever those were.

"I wonder how long that's been going on," Cecilia wondered aloud. "If it's been such an issue, how come my father and the knights haven't taken care of it already?"

Two steaming bowls of stew slammed down on the table, startling them both. Jack glared down at them, wiping his hands with a cloth. "Your father won't take care of it 'cause your knights can't find the cause of it. Been hearin' things maybe a week or more. Least twenty dead so far; countless injured."

"That's awful. Why—"

"If you two're plannin' on gettin' outta the city, best take the Highway. The anonymity of the side roads ain't worth your lives," Jack said, interrupting the princess.

"Thanks, Jack," Ingram said. "We'll be outta your hair soon enough."

Jack walked away, grumbling, leaving Ingram and Cecilia alone. They were silent for a while as they ate, but Ingram noticed Cecilia glancing up at him repeatedly.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Where are we headed?"

"Lighthouse Peak. Was thinkin' a side road'd be quicker, but I guess they're all outta the question thanks to those attacks."

"You want to take the Imperial Highway?"

"It’s safer."

"Are you in a rush?"

"Could say that I'm already late, considerin' the days spent in your care."

"Forget the Imperial Highway, then; we should take a side road. Fewer inspection points, fewer people. We'll get there faster."

"You hear what Jack said?" he retorted. "We don't even know what's out there. Creatures? Very descriptive."

Cecilia pressed her lips together in defiance. "I don't care," she said firmly.

"It ain't safe, Sunshine. I can't protect you in the state I'm in."

"I can take care of myself."

Ingram hesitated, remembering the fire magic she used to cauterize his wound. He knew she was capable, but he couldn't help wanting to keep her safe. He recalled her mentioning something about sword practice and asked if she knew how to use one.

Suddenly shy, she replied, "I know my way around one well enough, yeah."

He took a bite of stew. "Fine," he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Maybe we'll get you somethin' tomorrow. And some supplies for the trip."

"So we're taking a side road out?" She couldn't hide her excitement.

"Mmhm." He took another bite of stew and pointed out the window with this spoon. "Waley Road leads right through them mountains along the National Express Rail. Ain't well kept but it's direct."

---

The following morning, after Cecilia applied more analgesic to Ingram's side, they ventured into the bustling marketplace together. They stocked up on packaged food, some bottles of water, and changes of clothing. While they shared the weight of the growing pile of supplies, Ingram grew increasingly concerned over the sheer amount they were buying. "You're gettin' too much. We ain't gonna be able to carry all this."

"Then why don't we buy a car?" Cecilia suggested, her eyes alight with enthusiasm.

He raised a brow, skeptical. "A car'll draw too much attention," he warned. "Waley Road’s just a service road for the rail."

"But a car will make things easier and faster for us," she insisted. "We can carry more supplies, we can take turns driving. And you can rest! It's our best option."

"We might need to dump it at some point if we're found, and it'll probably be left in Lighthouse Peak once we board the boat."

"We're getting on a boat?" she asked, surprised.

Shit. He didn't mean to tell her that. "Yeah, we'll be goin' through the Sea of Giants—but anyway, this car you're wantin' to buy..."

She chuckled and said, "I don't mind leaving it behind."

"Not appreciatin'  your lack of concern when it comes to spendin' money," he teased.

She grinned back. "Money is meant to be spent, isn't it?"

"Ha! That it is." He couldn't argue with her logic and headed straight for the car dealership. She cheered and followed after him.

---

They pulled up in the alley next to Jack's tavern, its owner coming out to get a good look at the new wheels. It was a cherry red five-seater sedan, tall and boxy with rounded edges and black leather seats, retracting roof, and gold finishings. Red spokes, glossy finish, and open front cab.

"Gonna drive around in that flashy box on wheels?" Jack said.

Ingram waited for Cecilia to disappear inside the tavern before sighing. "It's what she wanted."

Jack laughed. "What she wanted? You're learnin' quick, ain't ya?"

"I don't wanna hear anythin' from you of all people. Heard anythin' from your latest runaway-wife?"

Jack spat on the ground. "None o' your fucking business." He leaned against the side of the building and lit up a cigarette. He drew a long breath in, the cigarette tip a bright red, and then glanced back at the car as he exhaled. "You take good care of our crown princess, Ingram. I won't forgive you if anythin' were to happen to her."

"Come now, you're not sweet on her are—"

Jack gave him a serious look that shut him up.

"Jack?" Ingram ventured.

"She's a sweet girl. I think a lotta things could change if she became our queen."

"What, you got all that from the five minutes you spent with her?"

"Don't be stupid. Every citizen all the way from Joyce to the capital and back again would say the same thing. That girl's a chance for change. Lot of us just waitin' for her old man to keel over."

Ingram was shocked. "Haven't heard a thing about it."

"Of course ya wouldn't! You're always on that damn Island. Either that, or your head's so far up your ass tryna steal from them nobles, nothin' else gets through." He spat on the ground and flicked his cigarette into the mud. "Anyway, fuck you and hope you never come back." He flashed Ingram the middle finger and went back inside.

---

When they reached the mountain pass just after sunset, Ingram admitted to himself that maybe buying a car really was the right decision. He watched the last of the sun’s rays fade into the dark sky and decided it was best to set up camp for the night. He pulled onto a smaller side road that eventually led to a dirt clearing which served as a rudimentary parking lot. He turned to Cecilia asleep beside him, her head lulling into the seatbelt. "Hey, Sunshine," he said, gently shaking her shoulder.

"Huh? Hmm?" She woke slowly, wiping the drool that wetted the corner of her mouth. "Where are we?"

"Just reached the mountain pass." He leaned forward and pointed out the windshield. "See them mountains?"

"Whoa, I've never been so close to the twin peaks before."

"Over there, the National Express'll pass through around midnight as it heads into the Mt. Castor tunnel." He pointed towards the edge of the clearing. "If you'd like, we can go over there and watch as it passes by."

She turned to him eagerly. "Yeah! I like the sound of that."

"Let's get a fire goin' then," he suggested. Cecilia nodded and climbed out of the car in search of some wood while he gathered stones for the pit. He lit a fire with a match and some kindling, the light casting shadows that danced across their faces.

Cecilia returned a little while later with a bundle of twigs and broken branches. She placed the firewood next to her and sat in front of the fire with her back against the car. Ingram relaxed across from her, wanting to put some distance between them. He watched as she gazed up at the starry sky, her eyes shimmering with excitement. She had never seen the sky so full of twinkling sparks before. For the first time in her life, she felt truly alive and free.

"When I was little," she began, "I used to sneak out at night to the queen's garden and peer over the fence at the city below. I refused to see the city the way my father painted it to be—dirty, full of liars and ignorant commoners—I wanted to see the streets for myself."

"Did ya?"

She pulled her knees up to her chest, a sad smile playing at her lips. "No. I was too scared and instead buried my nose in books. Heh, as if what I did was any better than my father."

"That you were aware at all is somethin' in itself." He leaned back, looking up at the sky. "I've heard 'em say that knowin’ is half the battle."

"No, I knew my failings and still hid away. I was pretty shy and lacked any confidence back then."

"You seem pretty confident now. What changed?"

"I found Dahlia—or rather, she found me."

"What'cha mean? She's your maid, right? The frank one."

"Yes, that's right. Back then, though, she was a slave—her and her mother, who was sick. Dahlia had snuck her way past the guards to the servant's gate, where she found me in the queen's garden."

Ingram sat up, surprised. "How'd a little girl make it past the palace guards?"

"Desperation, I guess. She demanded to see my father—wanted him to fix her mom." Cecilia smiled a little, the bittersweet feeling of nostalgia washing over her.

"Damn, she had guts."

"Right? I was so shocked! But she really inspired me. She's only a couple years older than me, you know? I thought: wow, someone like her can have that much courage—I need to protect that. So I took her and her mother in. Bought their freedom and hired Dahlia as my maid."

Ingram felt like he was starting to understand what Jack was talking about. "What happened to her mum?"

"She had a few more years with her daughter before her disease caught up with her."

He didn't know how to reply so he didn't say anything. He had heard about what happened to the queen and thought maybe the topic of mothers was a sore spot for her.

Eventually, a comfortable quietness settled between them as they enjoyed the warmth of the fire, the beauty of the stars, and each other's company. Cecilia was already drifting off to sleep when a noise woke her up, startling Ingram.

"What was that?" she asked.

"Who’s there?" Ingram said. An awful gurgling sound drew their attention to the treeline, followed by bushes rustling and twigs snapping. They slowly stood, anticipating people, but stared in horror as a monstrous creature emerged from the darkness.

The creature was a gruesome amalgamation of rotting corpses, with four heads, six arms, and four legs crudely stitched together. Its skin was a nauseating mixture of blue and green rotting flesh, and was covered in dried blood. It had a pair of exposed ribcages jutting from its torso, with organs spilling out from its lopsided gut. At first, it only stood there whimpering. Then, one of the heads started to wail and quickly all four were a chorus singing a hollow, mournful dirge that injected fear into their veins.

"Get in the car," Ingram ordered, his voice tense as he slowly drew his weapon. "I'll take care of this."

Cecilia looked from Ingram to the creature and back. "No, I can help. I can use magic to—"

"Damn it, Sunshine, there ain't time to argue!" he snapped, panic creeping into his voice. But it was too late.

Her heart racing, Cecilia grabbed a stick on the ground and stabbed it into her palm, drawing blood. The sudden movement drew the creature's attention, locking its focus onto her. Before she could react, the creature pounced.

"Sunshine!" Ingram shouted and grabbed her but he was too slow. He watched as a ribbon of bright red blood blossomed from her forearm. He wrapped an arm around her waist and dragged her away, leaving a red trail in her wake. The creature howled into the night as if triumphantly cheering.

Cecilia grit through the pain and hissed the same fire spell as before, her words charging the air around them. The trail of blood connecting her arm to the creature erupted in a series of fiery sparks, illuminating the night with a fierce glow. Startled by the blinding light and fearing the flame, the creature darted into the treeline, crying as it went.

The princess kneeled forward on the ground, panting through the pain. Her arm stung and it felt as if her body were a limp, empty sack. She turned to smile up at Ingram who stood behind her. "That was close, huh?"

Ingram glared down at her, fury etched across his face. "Why're you smiling? What were you thinking? You could've died," he growled.

She flinched at his anger. "I just wanted to help." Her voice was small.

"Help? This ain't a game, Sunshine. That you would put yourself in danger like that—" He cut himself off as he kicked the ground with his heel, sending a good chunk of dirt flying. He didn't want to watch another person die.

She stared at him, mouth agape, as it dawned on her that he wasn't just afraid of the creature—he was scared for her. Suddenly ashamed, she lowered her gaze. "I'm sorry."

"What you did wasn't brave—nowhere near what I'd call brave. It was stupid. Naivety like that ain't gonna cut it in the real world. This ain't the palace, Sunshine. Wrong choices can getcha killed."

His words stung but she knew he was right. She had been reckless, endangering them both."I promise I'll be more careful in the future," she said quietly.

Ingram studied her for a moment longer, searching for sincerity in her words. Finally, he sighed, relaxing his stance, his expression softening ever so slightly. "Good t' here. Now, let's getcha all patched up and we can hit the hay. Long drive tomorrow."