The escape

                                        

                                              
Chapter 3

                                
                                  
                                    
                                    
                                  
                                
                                
                              
Jaron jumps out the window, the prince in his arms, and plummet towards the ground. The castle walls rush up to meet him, and he tries to position himself to absorb the impact. He hits the ground hard, the prince crying out in fear. The impact knocks the wind out of him, and he struggles to catch his breath. The guards shout from above, "Stop him, he's escaping." Torches lighting the night, castle walls in an uproar, night sky turning dark, guards are scrambling, prince scared and worried at the same time.darkness follows jaron as he moves away
Jaron scans his surroundings, looking for a place to hide. He spots a nearby thicket, partially hidden by the castle walls, and makes a dash for it. He push through the branches, holding the prince close, and manage to conceal Themselves just as the guards arrive, torches in hand. They search the area, their lights casting flickering shadows on the walls. Thalion shouts, "He must have gone this way, spread out and search." Guards charging forward unyielding, torches light up the skies like fireflie.
He carefully makes his way towards the moat, the prince still in his arms, and slips into the murky water. The cold liquid envelops him, and he starts to swim, trying to put as much distance between himself and the guards as possible. The moat's walls are steep, and the water is chest-deep, making it difficult to move quickly. Thalion and the guards arrive at the moat's edge, shining their torches down at him. "He's in the moat. Follow him," Thalion orders. 
Jaron takes a deep breath and dives down. The prince clutches tightly in his arms and swims downwards, trying to avoid the torchlight. The water pressure builds in his ears, and the darkness is almost complete. He swims as far as he can, then surface, gasping for air. The guards are now on the opposite side of the moat, their torches casting flickering shadows on the wall. Thalion shouts, "He's trying to cross, cut him off." Moat guards are furious, water is quiet, as Jaron tries to escape beyond moat walls.
Jaron swims towards the forest side of the moat, the prince still in his arms, and he climbs out of the water, exhausted. The forest looms before him, dark and dense trees will mask his presence, shadows coming closer and closer , the focus solely on the prince , guard still having torches in hand ,the moon lightning up the moat, castle walls. Thalion and the guards are now running along the moat's edge, trying to cut you off, their torches bobbing up and down. A figure steps out of the forest, Kragnir, the dwarven ambassador, axe in hand, eyes fixed on the guards.
Kragnir stands his ground, axe at the ready, as the guards approach. Thalion shouts, "Take him alive, do not harm the prince." Kragnir says, "You'll not be taking him anywhere, elf." The guards halt, unsure of what to do, and Kragnir motions for Jaron to move behind him. He positions himself behind Kragnir, the prince still in his arms, guards sit in silence, and cries of birds are heard in the forest, Kragnir's axe waiting for any fool to step forward.
Thalion steps forward, sword still drawn, and says, "You're a traitor, Jaron, and you'll pay for your betrayal." Kragnir adjusts his grip on his axe, eyes fixed on Thalion. One of the guards, a younger man, looks uncertain and says, "Wait, Thalion, maybe we should listen to what he has to say." Thalion turns to the guard and growls, "Silence, you'll do as you're told." Kragnir says," You all are fools , if you can't see a father's cry and worry in his eyes. "Kragnir with axe in hand and Thalion with his sword, ready for one person to make a move.
Thalion sneers at Kragnir, "You're a foolish dwarf, interfering in the queen's business." Kragnir readies his axe, and the guards move to surround him. The uncertain guard hesitates, but the others draw their swords. Thalion says, "Take the dwarf down, and we'll deal with Jaron afterward." Guards surround Kragnir with swords, Thalion stares at Kragnir with deadly eyes and murderous intent.
Jaron draws his sword and stands beside Kragnir, ready to face the guards. Thalion charges, his sword clashing with jarons. Kragnir swings his axe at the other guards, trying to keep them at bay. The uncertain guard hangs back, not joining the fight. Thalion presses his attack, trying to overpower jaron. Swords clinging, Thalion ready to kill, Kragnir axe with blood . prince witnessing all this at a tender age.
Jaron parries Thalion's sword, the blades ringing out as they meet. Kragnir takes advantage of the distraction to strike at the other guards, his axe biting deep into a shield. Thalion quickly recovers and launches another attack, aiming for your chest. The uncertain guard moves forward, but instead of attacking, he tries to grab Thalion's arm, saying, "Wait, Thalion, stop this." 
The uncertain guard says, "Thalion, the queen's orders were to bring him in, not to kill him, we don't know what's going on." Thalion shakes off the guard's grip, his eyes blazing with anger, and says,"You'll do as I say, or face the queen's wrath." Kragnir takes a step back, his axe still at the ready, and says,"I think the guard has a point, Thalion, what's the meaning of this pursuit?" Guards looking for what's next , Thalion fuming.
Thalion's face twists in rage, "You'll never make it to the Dwarven kingdom," Jaron says. "Tell the queen my son's name is Itachi, not malakar". Thalion laughs and says, "The prince's name will always be Malakar, not Itachi." Kragnir moves to intercept Thalion, his axe raised, and says,"I think the man has made his choice, Thalion, let him pass." The uncertain guard nods in agreement, and steps aside, allowing you to run past him.jaron grab the prince, now named Itachi, and make a dash for the forest, Kragnir and the uncertain guard covering your retreat. Thalion shouts, "Stop them, don't let them escape," but he keeps running, the forest growing denser, trees covering his escape. 
Jaron and Kragnir have been on the run for 4 weeks, and the toll is visible. During the time Jaron tells Kragnir he originally wasn't from this world and was kidnapped by the queen. He also confessed that the queen doesn't love him, but he does and loves the time spent together. Kragnir warns and says, "There's time and place for everything, right now sharing stories isn't the best solution because we are being chased." Jaron stops and apologizes for everything. Kragnir says, " You shouldn't thank me. I have my own , intentions over saving you." The guards are coming closer, and they have no choice but to run again.
Jaron runs through the forest, Itachi, in his arms, Kragnir, and the uncertain guard following close behind. The trees grow taller, and the path grows narrower, rocks blocking the road, jaron trips on roots but gets back up and ferns slowing his pace. Kragnir leads the way, his knowledge of the forest guiding him through the dense underbrush. After a while, the forest opens up, and you see the Dwarven kingdom in the distance, its stone walls and towers rising from the earth, guards there at the towers, gates opening, huge bridges, seeing beautiful mountains. A group of dwarven guards, armed and armored, stand at the gate, eyeing Jaron warily, Kragnir steps forward, and says, "Let them pass, they are under my protection" 
The dwarven guards step aside, allowing Jaron to enter the kingdom with Kragnir, Itachi, still in his arms. Inside, the kingdom is bustling with activity, dwarves bustling and talking, craftsmen making noise, traders visiting and guards standing outside doing their jobs , jaron moving through the streets, market stalls, shops, and temples. Kragnir leads him through the winding streets, passing by the grand hall, the forge, and the armory, eventually stopping at a large stone door, adorned with intricate carvings, Kragnir knocks on the door, and a voice from inside says "Enter, Kragnir, what brings you to my chambers?" The door creaks open, revealing a dimly lit room, with a large wooden desk, chairs, and shelves filled with books, scrolls, and maps, a dwarf, with a long white beard, sits behind the desk, eyeing jaron and Itachi, Kragnir bows respectfully, the king making a tiny stone door with carvings , jaron looking at the wooden desk, chairs, books, scrolls, maps.
The dwarf behind the desk introduces himself as Thorold. Jaron bows and says, " I come as a father towards you ,can you please look for any masters in your village to teach me . Thorold with his eyes locked emitting ahuge pressure looks and says "A master to teach you how to fight, you mean a warrior trainer, we have Grimbold, he's our best fighter, but first, let's tend to the child, Itachi looking with half opened eyes, our healer Eluned will examine him". Thorold says, " I don't know jaron, and he has no reason to help, but he trusts his knight Kragnir". Someone enters snd reports she's on her way, Grimbold will be jarons trainer, Eluned will heal Itachi. Jaron will be going to the training hall, itachi going to the healer's hut.