“Anyone who should disobey the rules will suffer the same consequences! Let this woman, this traitor be an example of what is forbidden in Elderlake!!!”
Kandower’s silhouette weaved himself in and out of the red and orange flames surrounding Eliza. He looked at her, just for a moment, no longer and no more than a second. But Eliza knew what was coming; she understood the merciless look he’d given her.
Her last thoughts were of smoke and pain inside her feet, gradually moving up her legs towards her calves. And it was only then that the darkness took hold of her…
“We can’t leave her down there!” Jack shouted running across the empty room. “I’m saving her!”
“Jack…”
Jack was already grabbing the rope from the windowsill when Riley spoke, ready to swing down and attempt to save Eliza.
Jack turned his head, glaring intently at Riley. His hands were grasping onto the rope, almost burning into his skin but Jack didn’t care.
“Don’t try and stop me Riley. I think you‘ve done enough damage.”
The window was pushed open more and Jack laid his feet onto the side of the window ledge. He could see the people gathering in the court yard below, each and every one of them intent on watching another violent and un-necessary execution.
He panicked slightly as he saw Eliza slump against the stump below and he held onto the rope tighter, closed his eyes and swung.
He didn’t care for the gasps or screams as he swung down from the ledge. His legs outstretched he kicked Kandower down and grabbed a bucket of water and splashed the water over the fire on Eliza. He was mobile, and quick, so managed this task before Kandower had even lifted his head up.
A guard grabbed his arm but Jack was quick again and elbowed him before he could grasp his clothes properly. The fire on the post was out but the hay still warm as Jack walked onto the stack. But he didn’t worry; he undid the binds behind her hands and hauled her over his shoulders.
Kandower closing in around him with his guards, an evil smile on his face, Jack retreated back into a corner, his eyes desperately searching for a way out.
Riley flew down through the air, his legs out stretched much like Jack had been minutes previously and they hit Kandowers head knocking him to the floor a second time.
Riley stood there, his sword at the ready for the next fight. He glanced over his shoulder looking straight at Jack and shouting his final command.
“GET OUT HERE!”
Jack didn’t hesitate and ran from the stand, he held onto Eliza as he waded his way through the panicked crowds and into the palace. He skidded to a halt as he saw more guards running through the halls next to him and he hid away in the shadows, making a lot of effort not to be seen.
The moment the guards had disappeared he ran down the hallway and found the wall with the magic door. Like Alera had shown him he opened it up and snuck inside. He ran up the staircase and looked down at Eliza’s legs, wincing internally when he saw the burns gorged into her skin.
He placed her on the bed in the silent room and stepped back, watching her silently. The room was empty, still, everything that had been here before of theirs were gone.
Jack stayed quiet, collapsing next to the bed. He hadn’t noticed until now that the emptiness of the room was mirrored by Eliza’s still chest. No gentle breathing came to her as it normally would.
She wasn’t sleeping.
“Eliza…” he whispered and closed his eyes in despair. He held onto her hand and laid his head against the bed next to it.
“Not you…"
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