A Desperate Act

Posted on Fri Aug 12th, 2016 @ 4:59pm by Kalikana (Kali)

867 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Shadow Dance
Location: Jenefran Palace

ON

Kali couldn't sleep. She didn't WANT to sleep. Marry Keelan? There was no way she could marry him. She not only didn't like him, she didn't trust him. Nor did she understand why her father trusted him so much. She paced her room, trying to think of what to do. Her father wouldn't listen to her -- hadn't listened to her since her mother died. In fact, now that she thought about it, he hadn't listened to her before then, either. But now, her father thought he could get her to do his bidding by announcing her wedding in front of the Starfleet people. Did he honestly believe she would go through with it just to save face? She growled softly. Never.

She glanced at the door, wondering if anyone else would come with more questions for her. She'd already been fitted with her wedding dress. She wasn't consulted about that, either. Her father had sent the Royal Couturiers with fabric and lace to take her measurements and check the basic draping. She'd made suggestions, but all were brushed off. They'd already been told what type of dress to make for the young Princess.

Kali dropped onto her bed and pulled her knees up to her chest. Would she never have a say in her life again? No. Not if the past few hours were anything to go by. She had to get out of here. She stood quickly and padded over to her bedroom door. She tried to turn teh handle, but it would not move. Surprised, she tried again. It still would not turn. Locked? Why would her bedroom door be locked?

Her stomach knotted. Her father had to have given the order. Did he not trust her? Well, in this matter he was right, but still, he'd locked her in her room to make sure she did not leave the Palace.

She thought about calling Samantha York. Surely the woman would help her if she asked. Kali still had the communication device hidden away in her wardrobe. She shook her head. No, that was not the answer. She had to do this herself. She couldn't even ask her servants for assistance or risk them facing her father's wrath. She couldn't take them with her, either. That would slow her down. So, she would have to get out on her own.

She went silently to her wardrobe and looked for an old pair of leather pants she used to wear when she went out with her mother. There they were, neatly folded in a box in the corner. They would work well.

She changed into the pants, found a simple shirt of homespun cloth and added a leather vest that laced up the front. Leather boots and a cloak completed her disguise. She grabbed a small bag and stuffed a hat, clean shirt and a few necessities into it.

She pulled out a spare blanket and arranged it in her bed to make it look like she was sleeping, then headed for the window. It opened onto a small terrace that overlooked the gardens in the back, but there was no trellis to aid in her descent. There was a thick vine of ivy that covered much of the back. A careful testing showed that it would be strong enough to hold her weight -- if it didn't break and send her falling to the earth. If she didn't break her neck, she would surely break something.

She hesitated for several long moments, not sure if this was the right course of action. She could say no to the wedding. Surely her father would not force her to marry? She shook her head again. No, she could not count on her father, or Keelan, or anyone else, helping her. She was on her own.

She thought she heard a noise at her bedroom door. Without another thought, she grabbed a thick branch and began to carefully descend to the garden below.

There was a small break in the wall in the far corner of the garden. It was almost impossible to find, but as a child she'd explored every nook and cranny of the garden as she played.

She slipped behind a large bubarra bush and began to weave her way to the fallen segment of wall and out to the hillside beyond.

She heard a noise again and stopped, listening carefully. Yes, there was a definitely a noise. She slipped back into the garden and moved to where she could catch a glimpse of her windows. There was a light in her room now, and the shadow of a figure looked out her window. She slipped back out of the crack and followed the wall to where she could disappear into the shadows.

She had to get out of the kingdom. She'd traveled enough to remember a stream that led out of Jenfra into Qunari territory. Were there caes there? Maybe. But there were hills, and places to hide. Surely no one would look for her there?

She tightened her bag under her cloak so it wouldn't make noise and took the long way around the city towards Qunari Territory.

OFF

Princess Kalikana

 

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