Chapter 10: The Escape plan II

        As the day drew darker, Jaylyn anxiety heightened as she lay awake waiting. She peeps through her window whenever she hears any sound.

    This got her extremely bothered, she just hoped Mrs Camila would be safe and out of any danger. She got down on her knee and prayed silently.

"God please save us tonight!",

Immediately the door opened Miss Camilla quickly helped her out of the room. Before she could speak, she hushed her.

" Hush, now child no question just follow me!. "

They walked down the hallway silently, all the guards were fast asleep, some with their mouths wide open, Jaylyn couldn't help but chuckled as she saw them, Miss Camila placed her fingers between her lips as she guided her out warning her not  to make any sound.

As they got toward the back gate, the girl Grace who helped Mrs Camila deliver the message to Jaylyn was waiting patiently for them holding a bright lantern.

Miss Camila is one of the oldest staff, so she threaded them toward a secret path along the back gate. That led them straight into the Center market. Suddenly she stopped, brought out a bag of coins, and placed it in Jaylyn's hands .

"Listen carefully! "

She said to Jaylyn who was relentless to listen.

"You need to keep moving with Grace , I need to hold them off for a while ". She said but Jaylyn still refused to listen.

Jaylyn couldn't let Miss Camila take the blame all alone, she begged her to join them else she won't go anymore.

"Do you think my uncle would spare you?, "

She asked, facing her as she held her hands  tightly.

"I don't want to lose you too , We must leave together. "

    Grace called out to them as she was far ahead. 

After much protest Miss Camila agreed to go with them. As they ran toward the dark lonely path, they were swarmed with fear. They had to rest for a while under a big oak tree along the dreaded road side breathing heavily.

The loud cries of the Owl kept them alert.

" What should we do now?, '' Grace asked, looking so frightened by what they had just done and the consequences.

If the Baron and his wife start investigating Jaylyn disappearance she would not be overlooked since she was the only one that had served Jaylyn while she was locked in her room and had contact with Miss Camila whose absent would surely be noticed since she was the one who prepared the meal containing sleeping potions, she gave to the guards.

 Jaylyn thanked her for helping her and promised to aid her if the need arises.

Miss Camila told them about her plans to take Jaylyn to Bridgebrock to see Lord Bryan who had come for her.He was the answer to their current dilemma. She also told her how close their fathers were while growing up.

"If his father really cared why didn't he help or visit during our time of need" 

Jaylyn said doubtful, for she was not ready to become another charity case.

"That I can't tell, but we have to save you first from marrying that monster".

She replied with a lot of reasoning. 

Jaylyn placed her head on her lap while Miss Camila pats her softly.

"I'm so sorry that because of me, you had to go through this stress. You had to leave everything you had laboured for"

" hush! Now Child, " She kept patting her hair.

" I know the time was right for you to leave, if they had succeeded I don't know if I could ever live with myself,

Do not worry I came out with all my savings even if the Duke refuses to take you in, it will surely save us for some months " She assured her.

 After resting for an hour, they set off again, and as they  walked  down, they entered  a safer street. To avoid being noticed by night travelers or any passerby they veiled their faces.

            ***

     Before the morning cock crowed, Sir Victor arrived with a Priest who was ready to marry them secretly with the carriage they plan to flee the town with. Upon their arrival they met the household in total disorder as Jaylyn has fled and their guards defenseless.

     Sir Victor was furious, he thought the Baron had planned on cheating  him by marrying her to someone else after accepting a huge sum of money from him. Before he left he warned the Baron to find his bride or return his money.

Lord Bennett was still dumbfounded as he fell back to his chair, the way things had played out this morning, he had never expected it. 

He woke up to the noise made by his servant who reported that all the guards were fast asleep on duties refusing to wake up and Jaylyn had escaped.

Now a drunk fool like Sir Victor had not only given him an order but also warned him to solve his situation before he informed the king and people of his treason. This got him thinking how much Sir Victor knew with the only possible way to seal his lips before matter gets out of hand .

He struck  his right thumb against his middle finger as he pondered over the mistake he had just made.

He had really underestimated his niece not only had she escaped but fled with her gathered allies. All his preparation had turned out to be useless, wherever she had run to, he would surely bring her back and end her, himself he vowed.

   Lady Alfreda stood calmly behind her husband, watched as his forehead shapes  into  a dark frown, she dared not approach him for he was extremely furious , knowing fully well the entire plan was her idea and he would not listen to anything she had to say.

She was marveled by the fact that Jaylyn outsmarted her.

It was disappointing that their most trusted and valuable servant had betrayed them by helping Jaylyn escape.

"No matter how far she runs, she won't get out of this town that I will make sure of." Lord Bennett groaned

He gave out orders to his henchman to chase after them.

He solely  blamed his wife for her pointless advice.

           ***

     That night, they had walked from street to street before they could  find any moving carriage that carried them towards the boundary road before morning. 

   Luckily, the man riding the carriage met his fellow driver who informed him of the road block at the checkpoint that prevented anyone from moving further. 

They were all alerted as Miss Camila paid him when he reached some mile away from the checkpoint close to the boundary market that prevented them from being caught.

Jaylyn spotted one of her uncle's henchmen, her heart began to pound in fear but luckily he had not taken notice of her, she alerted the other. 

A long silence fell before them as they moved further, they noticed more men were in front . Now they were fully aware that their absence had been noticed so they walked back quietly. They walked back to the nearest Inn.

     Grace walked into the counter and paid for a room where they could change their dresses.

 Inside they disguised themselves to avoid being noticed with a black bonnets and wore mourning gowns.

"I don't think following this route would be safer, we have to follow somewhere that your uncle would never expect. "

Grace pointed out.

"Lancoast! " 

Jaylyn said immediately

" Why Lancoast, it would take us weeks to get to Bridgebrock "

Miss Camila Stated. 

Jaylyn explained to them how Sir Victor had revealed to her they would stay in Lancoast once they get married. 

That was a good place to hide. Grace went out to check if it was safe for them to come out, after some minutes she found out that everywhere was heavily guarded.

As Grace watched, she saw a man enter the Inn to make an inquiry using the description that matches Jaylyn and Mrs Camila.

     The Henchman entered with his glazing eyes scanning the inn for his target. He kept striking his unshaved face beard softly as he approached the owner of the Inn and questioned him about accommodating any recent guest, a girl with an elderly woman. While they were still talking,

 Grace called out a street child and paid him some coin to distract the fellow talking to the innkeeper then swiftly entered the room to tell Miss Camila about what was about to happen.

Immediately they quickly walked out of the room as they reached the main entrance. They found out that the child had created an opportunity for them to escape.

     The street kid had launched himself at a maid serving meals to the guests, she tripped and landed on the Henchman. 

Before they could untangle themselves, they both landed on the fall. 

   They boarded a carriage that led them to the Sea Port going to Lancoast, a route no one would notice they had taken. 

 As they arrived at the Seaport , Miss Camila and Jaylyn had to hide behind while Grace left to get tickets.

"How long does it take to get to Lancoast?, "

 Grace  asked the ticket seller.

"The ship is about to leave, you are lucky you came on time. " he informed her.

Jaylyn and Miss Camilla stood by the corner watching Grace make the transaction between the seaman. 

" Do you trust that girl? Why would she help us all of a sudden, "

Jaylyn asked immediately as she watched Grace from a distance impressed with how courageous she was.

" No need to fear, let's get on board first then I will explain everything to you, "

They got into the ship, Jaylyn drawled out a long breath as the ship set sail.

" Finally, am free" She exhaled