Joedan woke with a start. It was dark outside. Looking to the window, he listened for any noise. He wasn't sure why he woke up, but something had stirred him. Gathering himself from the floor, he sat up. Looking to the bed, he saw Amelia was resting. Taking a towel he threw it at her. Amelia rolled, "What? No, I don't want to go to school," she said in her sleep. Joedan chuckled and threw another towel, this time making contact with her head. She opened her eyes, "Is there a reason you decided to throw towels at my head?" she shout-whispered.
"We need to go." Joedan got up from his mat on the floor. Throwing his clothes in the middle, he rolled it up. Grabbing his longsword, he fastened it to his hip.
"Let's go, princess. We need to leave now."
She finally sat up, "Why would we need to leave, it's the middle of the night?"
"Something isn't right, just trust me. Get your things."
Joedan went to the bathroom. Grabbing some towels from the bathroom, he came back into the room. Amelia had gotten out of the bed, she was straightening her clothes and trying to get her hair under control. "Men and their feelings…" she muttered. Tying her hair back, she went over to the desk and grabbed her mace, fastening it across her back.
"Here take these towels, ball them up and put them under the covers."
Joedan left to go back to the bathroom and came back with more towels. Doing the same to his mat, he threw the blanket he had been using over the pile, watching to make sure Amelia was doing the same with the bed. Moving his finger to his lips, he "shhh'd" her. She rolled her eyes but did what he asked. Making their way to the door. They stepped out into the hall. Joedan motioned for her to stop. Both of them flanking the door, he pressed his ear to the wall.
Counting his breaths as he listened for any noise, Amelia was making wide eyes at him again. He just shook his head, using his hands to tell her to wait. There was a subtle creaking from inside the room. Joedan continued to listen. "Dammmmmmmmiiittttt." Joedan heard the sound of a man coming from inside the room.
As if they could, Amelia's eyes went even wider. Joedan motioned for her to follow him. They headed towards the stairs, again with a finger to his lips, they quietly descended the stairs. When they stepped into the main room, all was quiet. Chairs had been put up, all the lights were out. Joedan motioned her towards the door.
Making their way onto the street, Joedan grabbed her hand and pulled her along. Walking down the street, they headed for the exit to the town. The gates were closed. No guards stood at the foot of it, but when Joedan looked up he could see two making their patrol above. Ducking off into an alley out of view, Joedan pulled Amelia up beside him.
"So it looks like someone is still after you." Joedan said. "We need to get away from here quickly. But the guards are above the gate. We need to find a way to get out of the town. We can't stay here."
"I'm not sure how we can get past the gate with the guards there. Are you sure they wouldn't just let us out?" Amelia asked.
"Most towns have a curfew, so once it's past curfew you're stuck in the town until the morning. Helps them to keep down on suspicious persons." Joedan continued to look around, trying to come up with a way to get past the guards. "We need a distraction." Joedan said to Amelia.
"What if I just walk up and pretend like I'm lost." Amelia offered.
"That's not a great plan," Joedan deadpanned. "Real original," he mumbled.
With her hands on her hips, "Alright, Mr. Bright guy, what's your idea?"
"I'm working on it. Give me a minute." Joedan shhhh'd her. "I can't think with all your blabbering."
Amelia's cheeks puffed, but she stayed quiet. Tapping her foot with her arms crossed. If looks could kill, she'd have shot a hole through the back of Joedan's head.
Suddenly, Joedan stepped away from the wall, "alright, when you see the signal, I want you to get ready to run for the gate." Without giving her a minute to ask any questions, Joedan stepped out of the alley and walked up the gate.
"Oi, I think I'm lost, can you gentleman help me?"
Amelia was flabbergasted. This idiot just took my plan and did it himself. I can't believe this guy. The guards started to descend the walkway and approached Joedan as he angled himself further away from where Amelia was hiding.
"What are you doing out on the street, son?" one of the guards said to Joedan.
"Don't you know it's past curfew. All citizens need to be indoors until sunrise."
"Well, ya see, I was out drinking a little too much, ya know how it is, and I seem to have gotten myself turned around and am not quite sure where I was before." Joedan hiccuped for good measure. Really wanted to make sure he sold his act.
"Well what was the name of the place you were staying at?" One of the guards asked.
Joedan now messing with the guards, "What you call me?" Joedan said to the guard.
Amelia could only shake her head, what is this idiot doing? This is by far the worst acting I've ever seen.
Suddenly, Joedan pointed off in the distance and said "Oh, look an eagle." Both guards looked to the direction Joedan was pointing and then Joedan took off running in the opposite direction. Both guards took off down the street after Joedan.
Amelia stood there, not knowing what to do. What kind of stupid plan was that? Amelia headed towards the gate, pressing on the door, she slid through the opening, and made her way to the wall on the outside. Hunching down, she waited, wondering how in the world Joedan was going to make his way out of the town.