TOPWL 125

At Yudit’s words, Shane bit down on his lips.

“Your Highness need only think of surviving. Even if I were in the opposite position, I would have told you to leave me behind.”

Shane would’ve meant that. But Yudit couldn’t do the same. Even through his throbbing headache, Yudit was desperately thinking of a way to save Huyan. His mind raced. It didn’t take long to find an answer.

“Huyan is royalty of Herut. If he dies here, it might lead to war. And I won’t be able to avoid responsibility, being the one who was closest to him.”

There probably wouldn’t be a war, but the part about not being able to avoid responsibility was true. Shane’s expression turned uncertain. Yudit was relieved—his lie had worked. He placed his hand over Shane’s trembling one. Yudit’s hand was shaking uncontrollably.

“I’ll help you. Let’s take Huyan with us. Please.”

“…Understood.”

Unlike the two who were conscious, Huyan’s unconscious body began to float as the water rose. Shane gently supported the back of Huyan’s head to help him breathe more easily. The pitch-black water had already risen up to their collarbones.

“Breathe. Calm your heart and imagine something peaceful. Anything will do. Keep filling your lungs with air.”

Yudit nodded instead of replying. But the sight of the water rapidly rising made it impossible to calm down. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to summon peaceful images.

A creaking rocking chair in a room warmed by a fireplace… a ball of yarn rolling lazily during knitting… the lively streets of Bern’s third district… and Khalid’s warm embrace.

Ah, Khalid. He missed him so much.

If he’d known it would come to this, he would’ve gone to see him one last time. Yudit pictured Khalid’s smiling face with his helmet off. It was, in a way, a relief that Khalid wasn’t here in this carriage. That thought brought him a bit of peace.

The water quickly reached the brink. Shane gave Yudit’s hand two squeezes—his signal. Yudit took in a breath to the very limit and then swallowed it all down. Water completely submerged the carriage. And then, the door opened.

Shane pushed Yudit out first. Then he passed Huyan’s hand to him. Using the carriage as a foothold, Yudit pulled on Huyan’s arm. He could feel Huyan’s body slowly coming toward him. He forced open his eyes, but couldn’t see a thing. Panic threatened to overwhelm him, but he barely held it back.

It’s okay. I can survive. Shane said the lake isn’t deep. I just need to stay calm.

Shane waited a moment, gauging the direction of the surface, then wrapped an arm around Huyan’s neck and began kicking. His strength was such that not only Huyan, but even Yudit’s body, surged upward.

Yudit wrapped his arms around Huyan’s and kicked too, following Shane’s direction. Moonlight began to peek through the water. Thankfully, they were headed the right way. Filled with hope, Yudit kicked harder. He suddenly felt lighter, and buoyancy pulled him up rapidly.

Three heads burst through the surface of the water.

“Puhah…!”

Yudit gasped for air, drinking it in like salvation. In his blurry vision, he spotted Shane and Huyan. Huyan hung limply in Shane’s arms like a lifeless body.

“Is he okay?”

“He swallowed water. We just need to get him to land so he can vomit it out.”

“Thank goodness.”

Yudit exhaled, deeply relieved.

“But you mustn’t be loud. The enemy may still be lying in wait. Do you know how to swim?”

“Yeah, I can swim.”

“Good. Then let’s move quietly in that direction. The trees should help us stay hidden.”

“Got it.”

Yudit kicked his legs beneath the water, following Shane’s lead. Even while carrying Huyan, Shane reached the shore first. He laid Huyan flat on a patch of ground and began pressing down on his chest. The force was so strong, Yudit worried Shane might break his ribs.

“…”

Yudit watched nervously. Fortunately, after a short while, Huyan suddenly coughed up a flood of water. Relief flooded both Shane and Yudit’s faces. Regaining consciousness, Huyan opened his eyes and looked around.

“Your Highness… are you all right…?”

“…I’m fine.”

Thank the heavens. Yudit tilted his head back and silently offered his thanks. The air against his cheeks was freezing.

“This is no time to rest. We must go up and call for help.”

When they looked up, they could still see carriages passing along the road above.

“Urgh…”

Huyan groaned as he tried to push himself up with his hand.

“Can you stand?”

Shane asked. Huyan tried a few more times to rise, then shook his head.

“I think I injured my spine. Moving isn’t possible.”

Yudit’s face turned pale at his words. But Huyan spoke without hesitation.

“Leave me behind. I’ll take care of myself.”

“I can’t…”

“Leave me. I am Your Highness’s guard. If I make my master risk his life for mine, I am unfit for the role.”

Yudit bit down on his lip. Huyan had been hurt because of him. He remembered how, during the fall, Huyan hadn’t even cared for his own safety—he had clung only to Yudit.

“Please think clearly. The one they’re after is you, Your Highness. The only way to survive is for you to get as far from me as possible. If you stay here, not just you—Shane’s life will be in danger as well.”

Huyan lifted a handful of Yudit’s wet hair and placed a kiss on it. The way he treated those frozen, stiff strands like the most precious treasure in the world nearly brought Yudit to tears. When Huyan opened his eyes again, they were filled with unshakable resolve.

“Go.”

“Your Highness, we have to move,” Shane urged, slipping his hand beneath Yudit’s arm and helping him to his feet. As he began walking away, Yudit turned back and called to him.

“I’ll come back for you. I swear it. Just wait a little.”

“Yes. Please do.”

Huyan smiled with quiet dignity. The sight of him like that made Yudit’s chest ache. With Shane’s urging, he was forced to move.

Splash, splash—the sound of water dripping endlessly from his clothes followed every step. His body felt heavy, as if still submerged. Soon, a steep cliff appeared before them. Shane climbed up first and reached down a hand to Yudit. Yudit grasped it and was pulled up.

That’s when it happened.

Whoosh—thwack! A sharp sound cut through the air. Before Yudit could even look up, Shane grabbed him and rolled them both to the side.

“Shane, are you…?”

“Shh…”

Shane pressed a finger to Yudit’s lips. Yudit quickly shut his mouth. Looking upward, he could sense people holding torches and peering down.

“Did we hit him…?”

“…Seems like it.”

“Someone go check it out.”

Voices tangled and drifted down from above. Yudit lay on his stomach, hidden beneath Shane, holding his breath. He even pressed a hand to his mouth to silence any sound. Rustle, rustle—he could hear the faint sounds of people making their way down the cliff. Shane shifted slightly and began covering Yudit with leaves.

“Before they fully descend, I’ll step out to draw their attention. When the sounds of their steps fade, run up the cliff. Find a carriage and go straight to the Duke. Trust no one—no one but the Duke.”

“Shane…”

“It has been an honor to serve you, Your Highness.”

With those parting words, Shane stood and bolted in the opposite direction. The men descending the cliff shouted and chased after him.

“Catch him! Don’t let him get away!”

“Light the torches!”

Yudit clenched his jaw and waited. Shane had given him this chance—he couldn’t waste it. Most of the enemies had chased after Shane. Hidden beneath the leaves, Yudit quietly wiped his tears. There was no time to cry.

One… two… three.

At the count of three, Yudit rose and began climbing the cliff. It was steeper than he expected, and without making noise, he had to devote his entire focus to every hand and foot placement. He couldn’t help but imagine that, the moment he looked back, an arrow would be aimed right at him. The soil crumbled under his hand with a faint crunch. Yudit tensed his entire body, keeping himself from sliding down with it.

“…Sound came from… over there! Go check it!”

“Yes, sir!”

Halfway up the cliff, they finally noticed him. Yudit gave up stealth and focused on speed. He scrambled up with all four limbs, his ascent frantic and desperate.

Whoosh! An arrow thudded into the exact spot he had just pulled his hand from. Cold sweat ran down his spine. He climbed faster.

“That way! That’s Prince Yudit! Focus your fire there!”

Before the man’s voice had even finished echoing, a barrage of arrows rained down on Yudit’s position. Luckily, the darkness made it hard to aim, and most of them missed. But one arrow struck true—it lodged deep into Yudit’s calf.