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Chapter VII: Break Free

A day went by. Leinheart had been put in a cell of his own, strapped to the wall by his wrists with iron chains, forced to stand. He hung his head low, never looking up. Shadows covered his face. He would occasionally hear a guard go by, but nothing more than that. The sun began to set. His time was running out. It turned dark within minutes. Leinheart paid no attention, as it only meant his death was drawing closer. A guard stood outside his cell. There was suddenly a loud tap from around the corner of the entrance. The guard glanced in it's direction, wondering what would be making the sound. He heard it again, then approached.

Leinheart paid no attention. He finally looked up when he heard a thud around the corner where the guard had left, and soon saw another come in. The armor was designed to fit a female, but it was too dark to make her out. She took a set of keys, apparently taken from the guard, and unlocked the cell. She approached, and unlocked the cuffs keeping him to the wall. He dropped to the ground and quickly caught him self.

"There isn't much time," the stranger spoke. Leinheart immediately recognized the voice.

"Jade? What are you doing? You shouldn't be here."

"I'm not going to let them kill you, Leinheart," she replied,"Let's get out of here before someone sees."

"I'm not leaving without Shadow."

"Don't worry about the pup. Someone else is taking care of that."

"Who?"

"A new friend." She gave him the golden dagger Kiro had left him, and a blade sitting in it's holder. He took out the blade. It revealed a katana forged in black metal. He put it back, and began to follow Jade.

Down in the holding area, Shadow laid restless against the wall behind her, to nervous and upset to sleep. She hadn't heard anything about Leinheart since he was taken away, and grew more anxious as time went by. Val was awake in the other cell. She couldn't sleep either. They both suddenly heard footsteps approach. They were fast, like someone was running. A figure came into view. The dim light revealed feminine armor. It's wearer was an avian. Her feathers were mostly red, and had a hint of blue in some areas, like her hands. She had brown eyes and a black bill. She looked at the wolf, and opened up her cell.

"Come on," she ordered.

"Who are you?" the wolf asked.

"My name is Wynona. Now come. We don't have much time. Leinheart's waiting for you by now." Her ears perked up at the sound of the dragon's name.

"He got out?"

"With some help, yes." She immediately rushed out of the cell, but quickly stopped herself, and looked at Val.

"Wait." The avianess stopped herself when she heard her speak."She comes too." Wynona gave her a funny look, but didn't argue, and opened the cage that held the fox. Together, they began their escape from the city.

Leinheart followed Jade as they made their way out, careful to avoid any guards. They eventually made it outside the gates, and into the forest. He followed her between two trees, leading down into a cliff.

"We can cut through here," she suggested. Before he could say anything, Jade had already jumped down, and began sliding, almost like she was surfing on the dirt. He soon followed, finding himself in the slide as well. It didn't take long to reach the bottom, but he had a hard time trying to stop himself, and ended up landing on Jade. The two tumbled over each other a little, at last stopping with him on his back and her sitting on top. She was eye to eye with him, and only gave a giggle and smile."You have pretty eyes," she dumbly stated.

"Get off," he said irritably. She hopped up, and helped him. They brushed themselves off, and continued on."Where are we going, anyway?"

"You'll find out soon enough. We should be there by morning."

A few miles behind them, Shadow continued to follow the avianess, Wynona, and managed to sneak away from the city unnoticed. However, they took a different route from the dragons. It was dark in the forest, the only sound being the rustling of leaves in the trees.

"Where are we going?" Val asked.

"I have a little camp at the far side of the forest. I'm actually surprised the empire hasn't found it yet. You'll be safe there."

"Is it just you?" Shadow added.

"No, it's more of a safe haven for refugees and prisoners who escaped captivity. There's only a few of us though, so it's not very big."

"How did you know to find us?"

"A dragoness stumbled across my village. She was in panic. I decided to hear her out, and when she mentioned Leinheart, I didn't hesitate to act."

"You know Leinheart?"

"No, but I am familiar with his family. My family has sworn to assist his however possible."

"Assist?" Val pondered,"What do you mean?"

"It's a bit of a secret right now. For his protection, I cannot say. Even he doesn't know of it yet. I do plan on telling him, so after that, if he wishes to tell you, that's fine by me."