The trio continues their adventure through the dark passageways for a long time. At one point, Max informs the girls that he is carrying food and water, and they take a short break to eat and drink most of the food and water he brought with him. While Max is hungry, having eaten very little the past couple of days, the girls seem ravenous.

  Max inquires about it, and they inform him that they haven’t eaten in a couple of days. While Max doesn’t mind them eating what little food he brought, he does encourage them to slow down on the water since they don’t know when they will be getting out of these tunnels.

  Lady Rosalee informs him that if she is correct, then they should be coming to the end of them soon, but she also agrees to slow down on the water. Minutes turn to hours, and soon they spend the whole day wandering the dark tunnels. As they grow tired, they simply figure it is from all the walking, running, and excitement.

  The torch flickers and almost goes out. Max gazes at the torch in his hand and sighs, turning to the girls beside him. “Well, it looks like the torch has about had it. We will be in the dark soon.”

  Lady Elizabeth whimpers and gazes longingly at the torch. Truthfully, it should have burned out hours ago, but the three took turns tearing or cutting pieces of their clothing and adding them to the torch to try to keep it burning. They no longer have much clothing left to spare, though none of them like the prospect of continuing in the dark, least of all Lady Elizabeth.

  “Is there anything else we can add to it to keep it going?” Lady Rosalee’s voice is tired. She has spent most of her captive time taking care of Lady Elizabeth. The adrenaline of escaping has run its course, and now, between trying to keep Lady Elizabeth motivated and continuing to move and making sure Max doesn’t get hurt due to his head injury, her tank is running on empty.

  “I already used what I could of my socks and shoes. I think if I take any more from my shorts, I’ll be naked. The bandage is too spoiled to be used. Lady Elizabeth and your dresses are also mostly spent. I think this is really the end of the light this time.”

  “If it is time, it is time.” Lady Rosalee nods and takes Lady Elizabeth's hand in both of hers. Lady Elizabeth whines a little but nods as well.

  Max walks in front of the two of them with the torch. It doesn’t take long for it to flicker out once and for all. After meeting the wall at full speed earlier, Max makes sure that the unlit torch sticks out in front of him in case another wall decides to jump out at him. As they walk, they try to keep quiet as much as possible to not draw attention to themselves. Lady Rosalee keeps her hand on the right-hand wall at all times, using it to try to guide her.

  Time passes slowly in the darkness. Lady Elizabeth hates every second of it. She tries to keep up a brave front the best she can, but she just wants to curl up and cry. She regularly squeezes Lady Rosalee’s hand and jumps at the sounds Max makes.

  Even in the pitch black, she can’t help but feel like Max is nothing but a crude barbarian. While it had been scary being taken and caged by those men, she never really felt unsafe. She knew that they would take care of them so they could be returned for gold. Since Max arrived, everything had been turned upside down.

  She is beyond confused as to why Lady Rosalee seems to put so much faith in him and likes his company. All he has done is put them at risk, from stealing them away from the professionals to taking them into the dark. Every fight seemed as though it would be his last, and yet he survived.

  She had finally thought he had been gone for good when they parted ways the first time, but he somehow managed to cling to life and drag himself back into their lives. His barbarian influence could even be seen to have been corrupting Lady Rosalee.

  A day or so ago, Lady Elizabeth would never have imagined being slapped by her friend or the cruel words that came out of her mouth. When they were attacked by the needleleafs, she thought for sure they would die if they didn't run away, but for some reason, Lady Rosalee didn't run!

  She actually acted like that foolish brute and used their only source of light as a weapon and fought them. They could have perished more than once in that fight, and Lady Rosalee even let one almost eat her with the foolishness of trying to face two of them alone.

  Urgh, we would still have light if she hadn't tried to be like this fool! We would be able to see the way and nothing could sneak up on us, but oh no, she just had to try and be like Max. I am sure that is why it went out.

  She even forced me to tear my dress even more after that thing clawed it up when it fell on me. Now look at me, covered in scratches, my dress barely coming to my knees, the sleeves gone. How could she do this to me? I'm the daughter of a DUKE! She would never have done this before meeting him.

  Lady Elizabeth glares into the darkness where she feels Max would be walking. She is so caught up in her internal rant that she doesn't even notice that the path seems to be inclining. It isn't for several more minutes before Max's voice breaks the silence.

  "Does it feel like we are going uphill to anyone else?" Max wipes his forehead the best he can while holding the unlit torch.

  Lady Elizabeth rolls her eyes and keeps moving forward. "I haven't noticed anything." It isn't until her arm is tugged that she realizes Lady Rosalee has stopped. Before coming to a complete stop, she bumps into Max in front of her, who also seems to have stopped. She lets out a yelp and quickly jumps back away from Max toward Rosalee.

  "Is everything okay?" Lady Rosalee's entire body tightens like a spring. She has no idea what has happened and prepares for the worst.

  "She just bumped into me, that's all." Max calmly replies.

  Lady Rosalee sighs and squeezes Lady Elizabeth's hand. "We will be okay, Lady Elizabeth, and yes, Max, I did notice a slight slope a little while ago, but I wasn't sure if I was imagining it or not."

  Max rubs his chin, yawning. He leans against the wall absently while pondering. "Have either of you noticed any side paths? I've been trying to stay in the center of the path, but it's too dark for me to know if this was the only way."

  " I have been keeping my hand upon the wall for some time and haven't noticed any. When they brought us in here, I didn't notice many branches for a long while either, so I am pretty sure we are on the right path. We should keep going. We are all tired, and I really don't think falling asleep in here is a good idea."

  "I definitely agree with that." With a groan, Max pulls himself away from the wall and resumes walking.

  Lady Elizabeth fumes internally at being dismissed and ignored completely by the two of them. I am the daughter of a DUKE, and they ignore me! Treating me more as a piece of luggage than a person. I haven't noticed this incline, but no, my opinion doesn't matter. Why would it? They haven't consulted or considered me at all this entire time. When we get out of here, father will hear of this!

  Unbeknownst to even Lady Elizabeth, her attitude towards their situation has improved. At first, she felt staying and being ransomed was the best and most logical path. Escaping never crossed her mind. Once in the tunnels, she felt this was a huge mistake and that it would end terribly for all of them.

  As time went on, she gave up, feeling she had been right all along and that they were already dead, only how remained. After Lady Rosalee hit her and yelled at her, her attitude started to change. First, from shock to compliance, what did it matter if she died where they stood or further along?

  She might as well follow, so Lady Rosalee didn't hit her again. Now, after everything they have been through, and even though they are far worse off than when their journey began, she seems to clearly believe they will survive and make it home.

  The incline gets steeper, and even the stubborn blonde miss can not argue against it. As if their journey has not been hard enough, this endless dark hill makes even the best of them want to give in. Before they can air their doubts, a gloomy glow illuminates a part of the corridor in the distance.

  "Am I seeing things, or is that light?" Lady Elizabeth broke the silence first, her voice full of joy. She doesn't even consider the tone in her companions' voices as she picks up the pace.

  "Yes, there appears to be a light up ahead." Max's mind instantly shows an image of glowing flowers, and his hand tightens on the unlit torch on his shoulder.

  "I see it as well. Why do you think it is so dim? Do you think it is another torch?" Lady Rosalee's face shows her concern, even if no one can see it in the dark. She tries to pull Lady Elizabeth back, slowing her down, but fails and ends up being pulled along faster.

  Hearing the two pick up pace and close in on him, Max decides it is best to pick up his pace as well. He sways a little from the sudden exertion. "A torch is probably better than the alternative. It doesn't seem bright enough to be daylight."

  "Of course, it is daylight; we have finally found the exit!" Lady Elizabeth almost shouts in glee, causing the other two to flinch. "It is just far away, that is why it doesn't seem bright."

  As they near the dim light, Max and Lady Rosalee can't help but grow more and more tense like coiled springs ready to fight or run at a moment's notice. Finally, it becomes clear that the light source comes from beyond a turn they can't see around. Unaware of the apprehension in Max and Lady Rosalee, Lady Elizabeth, for the first time, breaks away from Lady Rosalee and takes the lead.

  Barely being able to make each other out, Max and Lady Rosalee look at each other and hurry after Lady Elizabeth. The turn straightens, and Max and Lady Rosalee heave the biggest sigh of relief, finally letting most of the tension leave them. The corridor opens to a small ridge overlooking a forest. In the distance, in the moonlight, the shadows of a town can be seen.

  "Yes, yes, YES!" Lady Elizabeth can not contain her happiness any longer and jumps up and down, her voice echoing in the previous silence.

  "Lady Elizabeth! Just because we made it out of those tunnels does not mean we are safe! Please quiet down!" While Lady Rosalee chastises Lady Elizabeth, she does so with a soft smile on her face. Tears well in her eyes, and she uses an exasperated sound to give her an excuse to turn and hide her relief.

  Max watches as Lady Elizabeth shows all the decorum of a Lady of her stature, sticks her tongue out at Lady Rosalee, and crosses her arms, pouting. Max sits heavily against the entrance to the tunnels, watching both the girls and the forest ahead of them. Thinking of the days before he found this comical duo, his mind clouds as his eyes close. They are just so heavy that he can't keep them open any longer.

  After taking a moment to let the emotions run their course, Lady Rosalee composes herself and turns back to Lady Elizabeth. "Come now, Briargate stands just there. If we hurry, we should be able to reach it before morning."

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  "But we just got out!" Lady Elizabeth pouts; she is exhausted both physically and emotionally from their escape. All she wants to do is rest now that she feels the worst of it is behind them. "Can we not just take some time and rest? Why must we hurry? Briargate is just there, and surely they have people out looking for us."

  "We must continue because we know not if those who took us captive will pursue!" Lady Rosalee is resolute in her resolve. They have taken longer than she thought to make it through the tunnels.

  They are cold, hungry, and tired, but the men who had taken them are most likely none of those things and will make better time. The creatures that they feared, ran from, and had trouble dealing with would only pose minor annoyances to those men, so they can't dally if they want to make it to safety.

  "Even Max agrees with me! See? You are too stern!" Lady Elizabeth whines and points to Max sitting against the entrance of the tunnel, his eyes closed.

  Unlike the mocking expression upon Lady Elizabeth's face, Lady Rosalee instantly shows concern. She moves over to Max, placing her hand upon his shoulder, and she kneels down. "Max! Max, wake up! I need you to wake up now!"

  Lady Elizabeth rolls her eyes, watching the scene. "Gah, so what if he takes a nap? We made it out of the tunnels and deserve a rest! You are too bossy, and all you do is nag!"

  Ignoring her friend, Lady Rosalee takes both of Max's shoulders in her hands and gives him a hard shake. "Max!" Trying to keep her voice down, she shouts his name as loudly as she dares.

  Max's eyes crack open, and he blinks a few times. He is so tired and just wants to close them, but someone is shaking him and shouting. "Wha? What is going on?" Max tries to focus, but it is hard, and it takes him a moment to realize it is Lady Rosalee kneeling in front of him, shaking him. "Rosalee? What's going on?"

  Seeing Max wake up, even if he is completely confused, Lady Rosalee hugs him tightly for a brief moment before pulling away. " You should not fall asleep."

  Lady Rosalee hesitates before continuing, changing what she was about to say. "Leaving two young defenseless girls alone out here while you take a nap? While we are still in danger too. Tsk. The town isn't even that far away. What kind of man are you?"

  Max stares at Lady Rosalee for a second before reaching his good hand out to her. She takes it and helps him to his feet. Max bends down, picking up the unlit torch; he can't remember dropping it. "You are right, it is my bad." Turning around, Max looks out one last time from the ridge before locating a suitable path down.

  ? ? ?

  The path is steep with lots of small gravel, making the trip down far longer and more treacherous than expected. The group travels as quickly as they dare and are forced to help Lady Elizabeth more than once on the way down. As they near the bottom of the ridge, they run into a near ten-foot drop. The group looks at each other before peering over the edge.

  “Ha, no way. Not happening.” Lady Elizabeth flat-out refuses before the two can even consider jumping. She might have given up hope in the tunnels, but she wasn’t about to jump to her death now that they were free. Max peers down at the drop, thinking before glancing back the way they came and then along the ridge to the right and left.

  “I think we can make it.” Lady Rosalee says while looking at the ground below.

  “It is a little high, but I think it might be doable as well.” Max agrees, turning back, looking down again. “There doesn’t seem to be any better way down; they must have either brought you in through a different entrance or up a path I’m not seeing.”

  “No. You both are insane. I said no. I am not doing it. You can kill yourselves if you want, but I am not jumping.” Lady Elizabeth backs away from the edge, looking at the others as if they are insane idiots.

  “Don’t worry, you won’t go first, Rosalee will.”

  “I will?” Lady Rosalee turns with her head tilted, looking at Max. While she agrees this is the best course of action, being volunteered does not feel nice. She also does not like that Max continues to refuse to use her title.

  “Yes, you will. Liz won’t go first no matter what, but if you are there to catch her, I’m sure she’ll agree.” Max looks over at Lady Elizabeth, who is exasperatedly shaking her head from side to side. He then raises his wounded arm and shoulder.

  “With this, I won’t be able to properly catch either of you, so I should go last. I’ll lie on my stomach and lower you as much as I can, then you will have to fall the rest of the way. Try to bend your knees when you land and maybe roll.” Max shrugs helplessly, looking at Lady Rosalee.

  She lets out a sigh before agreeing. Lady Rosalee sits on the edge, dangling her feet. She takes a deep breath before reaching a hand out to Max. They grasp each other's wrists, and Max kneels down on both knees. “Are you ready?”

  Rosalee nods, turning and lowering herself over the ledge, one hand clenching the hard earth, the other tightly gripping Max’s wrist. Max lies down on his stomach, nodding to Lady Rosalee, and she lets go of the edge. Max grunts and lowers her as far as he can.

  His arm shakes as it is fully extended, supporting Lady Rosalee. Dangling from his grip, Rosalee closes her eyes, saying a silent prayer before looking up at Max. “I’m ready. Drop me.”

  They release each other's wrists at the same time, and Lady Rosalee falls five or so feet. She hits the ground and instantly falls forward, turning slightly, she hits her shoulder, letting out a grunt, rolling slightly.

  Climbing to her hands and knees, she grabs the shoulder she landed on, shaking a little as she gets the rest of the way to her feet. Tears fill her eyes, but she doesn’t let out even a whimper, and she walks back to the cliff where Max looks down from.

  “Are you okay?” Max calls down, noticing Lady Rosalee limping slightly as she makes her way back.

  “I’m fine, give me just a moment, then send Elizabeth down.” Rubbing her shoulder, she looks around her before shrugging a couple of times and looking back up to where Max was.

  “Alright, your turn.” Max turns and offers his hand out to Lady Elizabeth.

  “You are insane, both of you. I am not going!”

  “At least come look,” Max motions down toward Lady Rosalee. “She might be a little banged up, but she is fine. Anyways, you’ll not even get banged up that much because she will catch you.”

  Lady Elizabeth crosses her arms and stares defiantly at Max. Seeing her response, Max sighs and walks to her, taking her by the arm and pulling her towards the edge. “Hey, what are you doing!? Stop!” Max drags her over to the edge before letting her go.

  “See, she is fine. Isn’t that right, Rosalee?” Max calls out loud enough for Lady Rosalee below to hear.

  “Miss Elizabeth, I am fine. Please let Max lower you down now. I will be right here to catch you.” Lady Rosalee opens her arms wide, trying to hide the wince from moving her shoulder.

  Looking over the edge, Lady Elizabeth glances down at Lady Rosalee before backing away, slightly shaking her head. “It's too far,” she whines and looks at Max.

  “It is not that far, not once I lower you. Rosalee will also catch you, making it even less far. Here, just take my hand and close your eyes.” Lady Elizabeth gives a sigh of resignation and takes Max’s extended hand. He leads her over to the edge.

  “Here now, just sit down like Rosalee did.” Max moves beside the spot Lady Rosalee sat and helps Lady Elizabeth down. She grasps his wrist tightly before too quickly scooting off the edge. Max is jarred as she jumps off before he is prepared and almost tumbles after her. Moaning loudly, he grabs her wrist with all his might, falling to his knees.

  Lady Elizabeth screams at the sudden drop when Max falls to his knees. She grabs his wrist with her other hand, dangling off the edge. Gritting his teeth through the pain, Max lowers himself to his stomach as best he can. Lady Elizabeth screams again, clinging to Max’s arm.

  “Liz, it is time to let go!” Max calls down, his shoulder throbbing.

  Ignoring Max, Lady Elizabeth screams a third time, making no move whatsoever to let go.

  “Lady Elizabeth, it is okay. Just let go, I will catch you.” Lady Rosalee calls up from below, watching the scene above in disbelief.

  After another moment, Max calls out to Lady Rosalee. “I can’t hold her much longer. She is going to fall.”

  “It is okay, I am ready to catch her.” Lady Rosalee shouts back over Lady Elizabeth's screams and cries.

  “Alright, here we go.” Max releases his grip on Lady Elizabeth’s wrist. His shoulder feels like it is on fire. Lady Elizabeth struggles to hold onto Max’s wrist, her nail biting into his skin. Without his help to hold on to her, her grip begins to slip little by little until she unceremoniously falls.

  Max sucks in air, grimacing at the long, deep scratches on his wrist and hand. Lady Elizabeth falls hard onto Lady Rosalee, who does her best to catch her. Both of them take a bit of a tumble, rolling a foot or so.

  Lady Elizabeth curls up into a ball, sobbing hysterically, while Lady Rosalee gets to her feet once again and stands over her. “Are you okay?” Lady Rosalee asks softly, reaching out and touching Lady Elizabeth on the shoulder. She flinches at the touch and just continues to sob.

  Sighing, Lady Rosalee removes her hand and moves back to the same spot as before, and looks up at Max. “She will be fine; she is just a little beside herself, is all.”

  Max nods, looking down, still lying on his stomach. “Think you can do that one more time and catch me?”

  Lady Rosalee laughs lightly, “I can try, you can’t get much worse off than you are now, can you?”

  Max shakes his head, sitting up. He picks up the unlit torch and then looks back over the edge. “I’m going to drop the torch first, look out.” Lady Rosalee moves slightly to the side as Max drops the torch. She picks it up and then tosses it over near Lady Elizabeth out of the way.

  “Alright, my turn.” Max groans as he moves to the edge of the cliff and lowers himself as best he can. Using both arms to try and help himself down as far as he can, Max lets out a cry before slipping and falling before being fully lowered. Hearing Max let out a cry startles Lady Rosalee, but she reacts quickly, trying her best to catch Max. While she fails to keep him from completely hitting the ground, she manages to catch his upper body, and they both tumble hard to the ground.

  “Ow, what in the hells, Max!?” Lady Rosalee lets out angrily, more hurt now than when she fell without someone to catch her.

  “Sorry.” Max apologizes as he grabs his knee with his good hand. “She really hurt my shoulder falling like that. I didn’t think I could support myself enough to drop nicely, so I tried to use this blasted thing, and it didn’t work out.” Max nods towards Lady Elizabeth before raising the shoulder on his injured arm, the bandage once again growing damp with blood.

  Lady Rosalee sighs, shaking her head, looking over at Lady Elizabeth. Standing, she then reaches out her hand to Max. “Can you stand? Are you hurt? Well, any worse than before?”

  Max takes her hand and lets her help him to his feet. “I think I am all good. Probably need someone to look at my arm once we get to town, though. I think it is pretty messed up.” Max tries to take a step, but the leg he is holding gives out, and he stumbles before barely catching himself. “Ow.”

  “You are not okay!” Lady Rosalee wraps an arm around his side and helps him limp over to Lady Elizabeth.

  “I meant I will be okay,” Max says, leaning against a tree. Lady Rosalee shakes her head, making sure he isn’t about to fall over, before moving over to Lady Elizabeth, who is still sobbing on the ground.

  “Okay. Come on now, Lady Elizabeth. We are all down and almost home. We just have to go a little bit further. I know you can do it, Lady Elizabeth. Here, let me help you up.” Trying to sound as nice and soothing as possible, Lady Rosalee tries to coax Lady Elizabeth to stop crying and to stand up.

  It takes more than a few moments to calm her and get her to acknowledge Lady Rosalee with anything other than a flinch or harder sobs. Eventually, Lady Rosalee succeeds and gets Lady Elizabeth up and ready to continue.

  Seeing the two finally ready to depart, with effort, Max removes himself from the tree and walks over to them, limping slightly. “Are we ready?”

  “Yes, I believe we are.” Lady Rosalee nods; she seems far more tired after this incident. Lady Elizabeth turns away at the sound of his voice and pretends as though she does not see or hear him.

  “I hate to ask, but would you mind handing me that?” Max points at the unlit torch lying near the two girls' feet.

  “Of course,” Lady Rosalee bends over and picks up the torch, then hands it over to Max. “I can carry it if you’d like. We shouldn’t run into anything this close to the town. I hope.”

  “No, I think I better take it, if we don’t need to use it for anything else, I think it will steady me.” Using the unlit, slightly damaged torch as a walking stick, Max tries to take the lead once more, but Lady Rosalee pulls Lady Elizabeth forward with her, matching Max’s pace, walking beside him.