Snippet #1962781

Despite the knot of dread in her stomach, Rivera falt herself smile. As she was being escorted out, she locked eyes with Christine. The woman's eyes held a smug victory that vanished when she realized that Rivera's did not hold fear. After being taken back to her cell, she requested parchment on which to write her last farewells.

It was almost ten. The guards were changing shifts. Rivera was to be hung at sunrise. She had five minuets.

She quickly went to work, picking her way out of the cell and slipping quietly up the stairs from the dungeouns. Shehad to move quickly and get to her chambers before they realized she had escaped.

Once inside, she quickly shed the dress she waswearing in favor of an all-black riding outfit with a long cloack. She grabbed her bow, ironically the only weapon still in the room save for the dagger they had failed to find under her bed. Crudely, she cut off most of the leangth of her hair. She could hear a clamor going on down belowe. She was out of time.

Acting quickly, she made her way out to the hallway, heading for the Great Hall. She silently knocked two Royal Gaurdsmen out, trying to remain unseen for as long as possible, which was not long at all. Gaurds had begun to collect near the Hall, cutting off her escape route.

"Ser Talimir! This way, my Lady." Rivera turned to see one of Leo's loyalists, Ser Wesley. She said not a word, just followed him out and around the castle, to the stables where Lyon stood waiting for her. Jumping onto the black horse, she handed Wesley a note saying, "Deliver this to our Prince. He must know of what has transpired tonight."
Not wasting anytime she sped across the grounds and out the gate, dodging men and arrows, already a group after her. She would have a rough time getting to Edgebrook.

For three days she ran, not stopping. She knew she was dead if she did. Finally, on the third day, Castle Greyon came into veiw. Rivera felt an overwhelming sense of recognition as she entered the grounds and wearily got off her horse. Exaugsted, she asked to speak with the Duke of Edgebrook. "Tell him I am here to claim sanctuary under him, for I have been greiviously wronged by one of his own."

On the night of her escape, the head of the guard burst into the Throne Room. "My King! The prisoner, Rivera Talimir, has escaped..."

There was a long pause efore James finally asked, "How many casualties?"

"None, my Leige. She killed not a soul."