Page 22 of Ava's Legacy of the Dragons
Ava ran to the door that led to the servants' staircase.Unfortunately, the soldiers had a clear view of it, but she had no alternative. She didn't know her way around the castle, which made another escape route out of the question. The risk of getting lost and being surrounded by the guards within minutes was too high.
Loud laughter boomed through the ballroom, momentarily distracting from her. She thought she recognized Kilian's voice, but had no time to look.
"Out of the way!" the captain roared.
Without looking back, Ava rushed to the door, yanked it open, and nearly ran over Lilly, who had been waiting behind it. The little one took a quick look into the royal rooms and immediately grasped the situation.
"Quick."
She didn't need to be told twice. They slammed the door behind them and raced down the stairs, even though countless servants crossed their path.
"Stop them!" the captain's voice pursued them. Judging by the loud boot steps, he had entered the servants' passage and was running after them, accompanied by his men.
They reached the ground floor and slammed the door behind them, causing the wall hanging to sway violently back and forth. Nevertheless, the captain's shouts were clearly audible. The maids and servants looked up, some stopping in their tracks. A servant stepped in their way, but was so half-hearted about it that Lilly was able to nonchalantly push him aside and Ava slipped past him before he could stop her.
They rushed to the side door that led outside into the courtyard, but the guards were hot on their heels. Though Ava ran as fast as she could, the voluminous and heavy skirt made it more cumbersome than pants would have been. She barely paid attention to the routeLilly took, keeping her gaze focused ahead so she wouldn't trip, as the wide garment made it difficult to see the ground.
Lilly darted around the corner with Ava right behind her. Hadn't they taken a different way on the way in? Hopefully, the girl hadn't gotten lost in her fear.
"Hurry up," Lilly hissed, heading for a side door that led to a shed and that was secured with a padlock. She didn't sound scared at all, but rather composed and experienced. How many chases had she already been through?
The adrenaline gave Ava unexpected strength, allowing her to keep up. Lilly was quick and skillful as she worked on the lock, and a second later, they heard the click. They pushed through the door even though a kitchen boy appeared and watched them. Lilly put a finger to her lips and winked at him, and he in turn winked back, looked away, and whistled while going on his way as if he hadn't seen them.
The door closed behind them, and Lilly secured it with the padlock so that the guards would have to break down the door to get in. There was a small window, and more daylight seeped in under the door. Straw and tied-up sacks were piled against the wall, and on the opposite side stood a table with discarded tools.
Ava was able to muffle her loud breathing with effort, but their escape had definitely left its mark. Add to that the excitement and the fact that they couldn't escape if the soldiers broke down the door...
"Do you have the pastries?"
She looked at the girl in disbelief. "You want to eat something now?"
Lilly shook her head but continued to look at her questioningly. Only when Ava nodded did she turnaway with a thumbs up, creep to the door, and press her ear against the wood.
Heavy boot steps stopped right in front of the shed, and a guard cursed. "Where did they go?"
"I didn't see anyone," came a voice that surely belonged to the kitchen boy.
"You can tell that to your grandmother." They could hear as the soldier struck the boy to the ground.
Ava's heart clenched. "We have to help him," she whispered, but Lilly held her back by the arm.
"If we go out, they'll get the egg, and that can't happen. Besides, Marc knows how to take care of himself."
"You know the kitchen boy?"
"Of course, we lower-class kids stick together."
A pompous voice sounded. "Begging your pardon, gentlemen, I saw them run into the shed."
Ava's eyes widened, while Lilly clenched her fists. "Alfons, that dirty traitor! We have to get out of here."
"Where to? I don't see a back exit."
The soldiers rushed to the door, hammering and ramming it with their shoulders, causing a loud rumble. The hinges wouldn't hold much longer.
Lilly headed for the window. She opened it and peered outside. Then she waved Ava over, jumped onto the sill herself, and struggled through the small opening. How was Ava supposed to fit through there?
Lilly landed silently on the cobblestones outside and glanced once more at the castle courtyard, but the soldiers were relentlessly beating against the door. It could only be a matter of seconds before they broke it down.
