Chapter 23: Escape

POV Eliza

Over the next years I gained many new experiences. In the winter, as always, I helped with all the work that needed to be done in the camp. Since I turned 10, I had become an integral part of the working community and my labor was much needed. So I helped prepare meals in the kitchen, helped Mama and others make and maintain the equipment, or went into the forest with Kira. Once the snow had melted enough to safely enter the forest, I would help Kira gather food or fish. To fish we had to go to the large river, which was a good two hours away from camp. That's where I was found nearly 10 years ago. We also succumbed to the first game again. Since many of the predators had to build up fat reserves again after the winter, fights increased. Thanks to my new class, I was now much more robust than before and also had significantly less fear of dying quickly. Unfortunately, my low strength is increasingly turning out to be a real obstacle, as I only did relatively little damage in the fight. As a result, the fighting lasted longer than necessary. After several painful incidents, I had to accept it, even though I sustained some sort of injury in almost every fight. This probably increased my resistance to pain, but I was able to do without it. Every time the skill went up, I sighed inwardly and wondered how I could be so unlucky. Although I haven't been able to control whether the skill is increasing, over time I hardly noticed any minor injuries. The disadvantage, however, was that it made me less careful.

The frequent fights were against wolves. I developed a certain routine of first preparing one or two traps and then lurking behind them with my spear for the wolf. I had given up throwing a knife at the wolf. Other than drawing his attention to me, I didn't do any harm with the fur. Then I could also throw a stone, which I sometimes did. As soon as the wolf ran towards me, he got caught in my trap and stumbled. Then I reacted immediately and stabbed him. Once a wild boar came charging towards us. Luckily I was able to react in time and dodged to the side. Kira took care of it with her bow because I was sure I was still too inexperienced and it would have easily defeated me.

Over time, I earned a reputation for being very hardworking. In the morning I ran several laps around the camp and then did several exercises to increase my endurance and strength. To do this, I took a wooden stick and swung it like a sword. Because of my lack of strength, I couldn't do many repetitions, especially in the beginning, but I did more and more. Then I did push-ups, sit-ups and pull-ups. Through constant training in many talents, I was able to improve them significantly. Kira and Jared as well as Aslan served as teachers for me whenever he was in the camp. Through him I was also able to improve air magic, something I had difficulty improving without a teacher. In the evenings I trained in magic control and by now I had enough mana to be able to cast a lot of spells. I also got into the habit of using my additional senses whenever possible to train them. This made it easier for me to see when people were approaching me. We all lived quiet lives in which nothing significant happened. I was now 15 and there was discussion about whether I wanted to travel with the three adventurers. But it shouldn't come to that. Because something happened that completely changed all of our lives.

I woke up in the middle of the night. Loud voices can be heard everywhere in the camp. Mama next to me quickly put on something and ran outside. The whole community shouted frantically and everyone gathered in the middle of the central square. I took a look at the scenario that presented itself. There stood our three adventurers. What were they doing here again? Had something happened? Then Will spoke up loudly.

“Quiet, everyone. Keep calm. Hectic is the wrong partner now.” <Will>

The crowd slowly quieted down. The smaller children were quietly crying.

“Our friends brought us terrible news. The day we have feared for so long and hoped would never come has arrived. The Empire has gotten knowledge of us and wants to attack us. But don't worry, we have our escape plan in case of an emergency. The adults among you know him. You know what you have to do. Prepare to leave the camp. We have the night and one day to escape.” <Will>

The Empire wanted to attack us? But why? Oh damn, I forgot, there were some freed slaves and non-humans here besides me. The rest had fled the army or had other problems with the authorities. Eliza, stay calm. Remember the exercises you learned to keep your mind clear. Breath deep.

“As planned, we will divide into smaller groups. The children and apprentices go with their parents or their instructors. And you, Eliza, you go with Kira. Both of you are responsible for the distraction. Lay false trails, set traps and whatever else is necessary. Kira knows what to do.” <Will>

Will looked me in the eyes and then nodded encouragingly. I was scared and upset. Scared because my life was suddenly at stake again, but also angry because I was on the run again. I glanced at the sky and mentally cursed the gods. I've never been religious, but whatever God was messing with my life should stop. I just wanted to live in peace. Unfortunately, today was a moonless night, so the sight of the moon couldn't calm me down.

I felt a hand on my shoulder. When I turned my head I saw Mama. She seemed tense, no surprise given the news.

“Come on, little one, let’s get ready. We should hurry up so Kira and you can get to work. I hate to leave you in danger with no way to protect you. But I know from Kira that you are extremely talented, careful, and determined to tackle problems. That's why I'm very confident that we'll see each other again soon without any harm." <Mimi>

We both went to our cabin and packed up. I still didn't have many belongings, but I had acquired some important items over the last few years. A homemade necklace, various items of clothing that Mama made, some jewelry, my dagger with a personal sheath. Unfortunately, I only had limited space in my backpack to take all my clothes with me. So with a heavy heart I had to leave most of it behind. Food, tools, water hoses, bandages, a blanket, money, things like that were more important to the task I needed for the next few days. I grabbed my spear from the corner and ran out of the hut towards Kira's hut. When I got there I saw her waiting for me.

“There you are, Eliza. And you, Mimi, you can leave her to me now. I won't let anything happen to her. You also have your own group to lead. Let her go.“ <Kira>

I turned around confused and behind me was Mama. I didn't even notice she had followed me, I was too nervous.

“It’s nice to see you confused too, little one. You're usually always so controlled and attentive, so it's good to see yourself in this state. But from now on be vigilant. It's about all of our lives. And return to me safely, do you hear me, little one?” <Mimi>

Mama gave me a warm hug and a kiss on my cheek. I saw tears rolling down in the corner of her eyes. I hugged her back just as warmly. Mimi was my adoptive mother in this world and the last person I would want to lose. Tears came to my eyes too and I began to cry as the tension on me burst out.

“Nana, who will cry? You're already big. We can all cry, laugh and enjoy life when we are together again. Well, off we go, here come your horses. We all mustn’t waste any time now.” <Mimi>

Mama lovingly patted me on the head and kissed me again on my cheeks and forehead. Then she let go of me and nodded to Kira. Then she turned and ran towards the meeting hut. I could still hear a faint sniffle as she walked away. Then Kira put a hand on my shoulder.

“Come on, we have a lot to do. I'll now explain to you what we have to do. Luckily you can see well in the dark and I know my way around here very well. That will make things much easier for us.” <Kira>

Over the next few hours we prepared a few false trails by trampling a path with our horses into the forest that led away from the camp. We made sure to act as if a large group of people had fled frantically through the forest. On the way back, we laid various traps like hidden snares at selected locations, dug small pits for horses to stumble into, and so on. The whole thing lasted the rest of the night and all day. Meanwhile, the others had fled as quietly and carefully as possible in another direction that led to the river. The plan involved the group crossing the river at night in two hidden boats and then escaping further into the large forest on the other side. Since we had horses with us, we couldn't resort to that and instead rode south into the hills and then continued downstream across the river. Exhausted, I was just able to eat one meal before falling asleep almost immediately. My body was paying tribute to the strenuous hours and no sleep last night.