Walls shook, tremors travelling through the stone. Althea had cupped Orochi's ears, shielding him from the debris. Chunks of stone struck her back, yet she remained unflinching. Only once the noise and dust settled did the pressure of her hands soften, allowing Orochi to uncurl from beneath her.
He stood up, looking around, ears slightly ringing but unharmed.
"My family acted sooner than I expected. We nee-" He paused as he turned and saw Althea.
A thin line of blood trickled from her ears.
In an effort to protect him she had sacrificed her own safety. She was no ordinary maid, that much Orochi knew.
"Let's get you treatment. Can you stand?" Orochi looked down the hallway. The guards would be here soon. It was annoying; if he wasn't a child he could have picked her up and ran. Irritated, he folded his hands behind his back. A thinking position he had acquired recently.
Standing on her legs, Althea brushed off the dust, rolling her shoulder before bowing. "My health is not of concern, young master. Please allow me to check you over once."
Just as she reached out, Orochi raised a hand. "Your health is my concern. For now we need to move."
Gone was the soldier Orochi had seen moments prior. The maid he knew was back.
"We need to leave. Now." The decision was clear. Nowhere in Black-Fang was safe for them.
"Young Master, but—"
"Althea, is it safe for me?" Orochi questioned.
They held each other's eyes for a moment.
It finally dawned on Althea. There was no hiding from it. House Moon-Born wanted him dead.
"No, Young Master." Her voice held finality. "But please listen, the guards will have the place surrounded. We should escape to the main house and plan our next steps later. They would not dare attempt another assassination so soon."
Orochi closed his eyes, thinking deeply. "No. Right now is the perfect time. As far as everyone is concerned, the Seventh Moon-Born would not have survived the explosion."
Both of their heads turned toward the roaring flames now enveloping the room. Soon nowhere in the guest house would be safe.
"Althea."
The maid looked at him without blinking, already knowing what he was about to command. Instinctively she bowed her head, making it clear that the young master should never hesitate to ask anything of her.
"Take me to the eastern wall of the courtyard. If there are any guards, you must kill them. For me. Show no mercy."
For a moment Orochi thought there would be some form of rebuke. Instead the maid went straight into action, picking him up just as she had always done since he was born, and walking toward the window. No words were needed between them.
One was a master.
The other a maid.
No need to overcomplicate things.
So Orochi did not ask why she was heading to the window. He simply trusted her. The walk turned into a brisk stride as more shouts for water rang out. The entire town was awake now, fearful the fire would spread.
The stride turned into a full sprint toward the window. Orochi grimaced and clutched at the buttons of her chest. A child's instinct for fear of heights remained.
Glass shattered.
The maid dove out the window, her skirt whipping upward in a sinful arc, baring the lean, powerful lines of her thighs. Orochi's eyes widened as a small scream escaped his lips, quickly swallowed by the dignity of the Imposter, ashamed of the sound that left his throat. Not the most manly noise, but neither was his current position, being held like a princess.
Althea dropped onto the path like a skilled acrobat, absorbing the shock of the impact. A cloud of dirt kicked up around them as both landed safely. Orochi wriggled out of her arms and rushed to the wall.
If the books in the library were correct, it should be here. During the Second Continental War, the guest house had an escape tunnel built in. Used by the daughters and wives of the Moon-Born to flee death.
History seemed to be repeating itself.
Orochi tapped the walls as Althea kept watch. Another burst of fire erupted from the roof, the flames finding more fuel.
Good. It will keep them distracted a while longer, Orochi thought, caressing the wall like a madman.
Bingo.
His hand met a loose brick. Pushing it inward, he heard a light click.
Rumbling followed. The earth shifted as an entrance in the ground began to open beneath them. Orochi quickly jumped aside before it prematurely swallowed him too.
In mere seconds both were staring at a staircase descending into darkness.
"We do not have much time before the entrance closes by itself. Come on. Let's move."
Orochi headed straight in, praying the books had held a kernel of truth. Althea looked back one final time, watching the fire maul the place they once called home.
Turning away to never look back, the maid sprinted after her master.
╰┈➤.
"Where does this tunnel lead to, young master?"
They had been walking for what felt like hours. Blind and in the dark, Althea led the way. Her elf eyes easily distinguished outlines. Having read about the biology of elves, Orochi could not help but marvel at her abilities. He had a grip on her skirt, holding it tightly as she guided him.
"To the Sapphire Sea. It was where Lady Olivia Moon-Born and her daughters escaped when Black-Fang Town was being raided by the Lyons during the war in 349 OD."
Althea hummed approvingly, always amazed by Orochi's memory recall.
"So what will we do once we reach there?"
Orochi had seen the Sapphire Sea numerous times from the mansion, marvelling how at sunrise the waters glowed light red, earning its name.
"We will follow the coast to Seabore City, like we planned. Only this time your wish is granted. You will be coming with me."
Orochi noticed their pace was slower. The maid was worried, and rightfully so.
"Young Master, you have lost everything in the fire. It will take at least three days to reach the city. In that time many things could happen…"
"We have lost many things, but not everything. I still have you and you still have me."
For some reason, that answer worked. Althea's steps quickened again.
After a while in the dark, Orochi raised an eyebrow when Althea began humming a melody, lifting their spirits.
Was she really that happy?
What had he said that put her in that mood?
Women baffled him in any world.