12 years ago - Part 2

"Samantha," it was my mother's voice. "Samantha, wake up honey."

I rubbed my eyes and sat up. My room was dark and I could barely make out the form of my mother standing over me.

"Get dressed honey, we have to go," her voice had an urgency about it.

"Mommy?" I asked sleepily.

"We have to take a little trip baby," she said pulling the covers off of me. She then handle me a bundle of clothes. "Put these on."

I climbed out of bed and began to put on the clothes, struggling to find arm and leg holes in the dark.

While I did so, my mother moved to my dresser and began to stuff clothing into a bag. "Hurry up honey, we have to leave very soon."

"Is Daddy coming?" I asked.

My mother froze for an instant. "He will catch up to us. Don't worry."

She turned and looked me over. "All set?"

I picked up the large book from my nightstand. "Can I take my book? Daddy said I could read to him next time."

She smiled, "Of course you can honey," she held out the bag. "Put it in here."

I dropped the book into the bag and my mother took me by the hand. Leading me to the corridor, we turned right and began to walk down the hallway towards to stables.

The castle was quiet. Even at night there was usually guards patrolling, or various castle staff performing chores, but we didn't see anyone until we arrived at the stable courtyard.

Two groomsmen worked preparing a carriage that sat in the middle of the yard, Valk stood barking orders at them.

"We haven't much time, they'll be here soon."

Valk turned as he saw us approach. "I'm sorry my lady, I thought we would be done by the time you arrived."

"Any word from my husband?" my mother asked.

Valk shook his head. "No ma'am, not since he sent me here to see to your safety."

A huge green ball of fire lit up the sky. A chilling demonic screech echoed in the distance. I began to shake with fear.

"Mommy, what's going on?"

She bent down and took me in a protective embrace. "Shh, it's OK honey."

"We're done sir," one of the Groomsmen suddenly said.

Valk moved to the door and opened it. My mother scooped me up and placed me on one of the benches inside, and then sat down next to me. She wrapped one arm around me and pulled me close. Another green blast lit up the sky and carriage rocked as the horses began to shift fearfully.

"I'll be up front," Valk said closing the carriage door. He looked at me and gave a warm smile. "Don't worry, I will keep both of you safe."

Within a few moments the carriage began to move. A thunderous boom shook the air as green fire lit the sky once again.

I screamed. It was too much, I started to cry.

"I'm scared mommy, I'm scared."

"Shh... shh.." she said pulling me closer. "I know honey. It will be alright I promise."

The carriage rolled through the gates and down the sloped road that led up the the castle.

Loud thundering blasts continued. Even with my eyes shut, periodically green light would shine through.

Then... silence.

I opened my eyes and it was daylight. At some point I must have drifted off. My mother still held me in a strong embrace as the carriage continued onward. She was asleep.

I could hear Valk and the groomsman talking from the front seat of the carriage.

"How much longer do we keep going sir?" the groomsman asked.

"Until we are well out of the realm," said Valk. "The King made it very clear that we get as far away as possible."

"Is it really that bad sir? Did we really lose the kingdom in a single night?"

"We were completely unprepared. Jall tapped into to some demonic power that was well beyond the little defense we could muster."

The carriage jostled. Valk snapped at the Groomsman, "Pay attention man, I will not have the Queen and Her daughter WALK across the border."

"Sorry sir."

The jostling woke my mother. She looked at me, her green eyes looking very red and tired. I had never seen her this way before.

"You alright honey?" she asked stroking my hair.

I nodded. A painful knot suddenly sprung up in my stomach, like I was feeling every emotion at once. The fear from the night before had returned. I started sniffling.

"It's alright honey," my mother said. "I know it's real scary right now, but we are going to be OK."

I nodded, and wiped a tear from my eye. I tried to choke back the lump in my throat.

My mother leaned in, touching her forehead to mine. She smelled of lavender. She looked into my eyes and in a soft voice said, "Could you do something for me honey?"

"Ye...yes..." I sniffled.

"For the next little while I need you to be brave, OK? Can you do that for me?"

"O...Okay," I said.

"That's my girl," my mother smiled. "Are you hungry?"

I nodded. My mother knocked on the front of the carriage. Valk opened a small shutter and looked inside, "Yes ma'am?"

"Any chance we could stop for food?" my mother asked.

Valk frowned, "I'd rather not, ma'am. Not until I'm sure we are safe."

"Surely the horses need to be rested and watered," my mother returned. "They've been going all night."

"She's right sir," said the Groomsman. "I can tell that they are both tired."

Valk nodded solemnly, "I know this area. There's a small bridge crossing ahead. We should be fine to stop there."

"Very good," my mother said. She closed the hatch and moved to sit on the other side of the carriage.

We continued along for a little while longer. The intense knot of emotions finally ebbed. I had to be brave, I promised.

Something bothered me though.

"Mommy," I asked. "Who's Jall?"

The color drained from my mother's face.