91 Freedom's Bitter Irony

It started as a single scream. And then several other screams followed like a horrifying symphony.

Erik doesn't know what was going on. All he heard were the clashing of swords, the neighing of horses and the sound men do when they die.

"Hey what's happening!?" Erik shouted to his guards while rattling the bars of his cell. The guards were unresponsive. He can't see them from inside the cell and Erik assumed that they have joined the battle.

He was afraid. Even if Timothy was the one attacking, he can be caught in the crossfire. He begged for help. Any help would do.

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Sylvie was running. Her heart was racing and she will die if she got caught.

It was stupid. She did a stupid thing which added problems to her already stupid situation. She was crazy sometimes, she knew that. Her emotional instability made her act crazy before.

But what she was doing now wasn't crazy, it was just plain stupid. She was in control of herself, but she was still doing this.

In her hand were the keys she had stolen from Prince Ivan. The chaos in the camp and the trust they gave her made it easy to steal the keys. She doesn't know why she was doing this anyway.

She reached the tent where Erik's cell was hidden. The guards had abandoned their posts. Useless guards, Sylvie thought.

She entered the tent and saw that Erik was trying to slip in between the bars. He noticed her and stopped.

"Sylvie! What's happening?"

Sylvie didn't answer immediately. She mustn't waste time. She went to the lock and tried to open it with the keys. Since there were many keys and she didn't know which key will open the lock, Sylvie tried them all.

"Timothy is attacking the camp" Sylvie answered as she put a key into the lock. It wasn't the one.

"And what are you doing?" Erik asked in a confused tone.

"Releasing you of course" She smiled towards Erik.

"Why?"

His question hit her hard. Why? Why is she doing this? She doesn't know why actually. If Skall or Prince Ivan found out about this, she will die. But she was freeing Erik anyway.

"I.. don't know"

"You don't know?"

Sylvie decided that she didn't want to answer Erik's question. "They are attacking the southern and western part of the camp. Avoid the fighting and come to Timothy's camp when everything has settled."

There was a long silence between them. This was the eight key Sylvie had put into the lock but it still won't open. She was starting to think that none of the keys could open the lock.

"Thank you" she heard Erik say. Her hand stopped from moving and she looked at him.

And then she realized why she was doing this. Because Erik needed her. Erik gave her the same normalcy her father provided in the past. Even though Erik's words were sharp sometimes and he called her rude names, she could see that Erik enjoyed her company. It was a good feeling. Being herself, not wearing masks and still having her presence enjoyed. Erik had seen her true self and yet he still accepted her for what she is. She knew that Erik was forced to, but she was happy nonetheless. She felt sane whenever he was around.

At last a key fitted on the lock. Sylvie turned it and a click sounded. Erik's cell was finally open.

"Go" she said as she pulled Erik out of the cell.

"What about you?" he asked.

"I will remain here for a bit. I will then make my own escape a few nights from now. My father is waiting for me in Wismar."

Erik hesitated. "Come with me instead. Timothy and Lucia hate you but I can protect you."

She shook her head. "I can't face her Erik. After what I did, I can't face her anymore. Just tell her that I am sorry. She was good to me and I repaid her with that. And for you Erik, my advice is for you to stop being jealous of Timothy. Just like my anger, jealousy can lead people to do extreme things."

Erik didn't move. "But…"

What Sylvie did next surprised even herself. She was sad that she will not see Erik again. She will miss him and she will never forget him. Their paths would diverge and a goodbye was necessary. This is for the best, but it still made her extremely sad. Sylvie tiptoed and pecked on Erik's cheek.

Erik was surprised. He looked at Sylvie with his eyes wide open. His reaction almost made her laugh.

"Go!" she pushed Erik out of the tent. Erik was reluctant to move but she put force into her push.

They stared at each other for a while until both of them decided that there was nothing they can do.

Erik ran into the darkness.

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Erik was running fast. He stumbled many times and both of his knees were scraped. Nevertheless he was running like a madman.

He was free. He smiled from ear to ear. At long last, freedom! After months of being caged, he was free. He was free, right?

The smile on his face slowly vanished and his legs stopped. He wasn't free. No, freedom doesn't feel like this. Freedom was sweet, but what he felt now wasn't sweet. It was bitter as if he lost some part of himself.

He looked behind. He didn't even say goodbye to her. What a fool he was. Their paths would diverge tonight and she will become but a distant memory, a fading footnote in his life.

No, he declared. His body will be free but his heart will still be caged. He had the urge to go back to that cell. In front of her, he was free. Even though he was a prisoner, at least he was his true self with her around. She was his mirror, a reflection of his true feelings. His jealousy towards Tim, his bitterness towards the people's underrated treatment of him, all his real opinions and resentments - he could say all of these in front of her. Ironic, he felt more freedom when he was caged compared to the freedom he felt now.

Erik decided. He will go back and take her with him. Going to Wismar? What a joke. What is the crazy bitch going to do there? Sell spices and hide her identity? No, she deserves better. Even though she can be crazy sometimes, she still deserves happiness. He will give her that happiness.

He turned around and headed back to the camp. But after a few steps, he stopped. Nearly a hundred soldiers were running after him. They must have discovered that he escaped.

He didn't want to go back to that cell. He wanted to take her with him but he didn't want to go back to being a hostage. So he ran again. He will just implore Tim to send a rescue party for Sylvie. He will beg if that's necessary. He will have her. But first he needed to escape.

He was being chased. Running was not really Erik's forte yet he ran like the wind. Even though his body was weak from a few months of inactivity, he was still fast. At least that's what he thought.

But the truth is, the soldiers were faster than Erik. The moment someone was able to grab his tunic, he knew that he was caught. He will go back to that cell and Sylvie's efforts were in vain.

The soldier's yank made him stumble face-down. Dirt and mud entered his mouth. His shoulder also hit a rock. It was painful.

And then he heard the neighing of horses. He looked up and saw a familiar face at he distance.

It was Timothy with several hundred men at his back. Even if it was dark, Erik could recognize his best friend. His friend was here to save him! His friend now wore a crown on top of his head. Timothy's clothes were also clean and regal. He looked like a King now. Erik on the other hand looked like a vagabond. His clothes were tattered and his face was dirty.

Erik felt hope. He will not go back to that cell and these men tying his hands are going to feel fear. Timothy will save him.

"Tim!" he shouted.