"The Escape" by Jovani Bennett

This is one of the winners from the short story contest, written by Jovani Bennett. Great job, Jovani!

Darkness.

It’s the first thing I remember before waking up on the cold hard ground of a stone cell. It was dark in the cell, so I couldn’t tell if it was night or day. I stood up, and tried to look around, but it was impossible, as all sources of light had been covered in one way or another. I felt my way around the room, until I found what seemed to be a bed, and sat down on it. I stayed like that, until I heard a door creak open. I slowly turned my head towards the door, squinting at the light emanating from the doorway.

“Come with me.” A man gruffly told me.

I stood up slowly, and walked towards the cell door as calmly as I could. The panic and adrenaline running through my entire body was incredible.

‘Who has kidnapped me? Why have they kidnapped me?’ Were the questions running through my head over and over again.

Shockingly, the man didn’t hold onto me like I was a criminal, but he kept a fair enough distance away that even if I tried, I wouldn’t be able to run away. Not that I could run anywhere in my dress anyway, so I continued walking where the man directed me. He led me to a large wooden door, which he opened and it turned out to be someone’s study. A man’s study was probably my guess, as I gazed around, looking at the items placed around the room.

“You may sit.” A voice commanded me, and my head snapped back towards the door I had just walked through moments before.

Of course the one who had orchestrated my kidnapping was none other than, Antonio Benigni. My father’s rival, and also the man who thinks my father owes him money. He said nothing as he walked towards his desk and watched as I sat down at the edge of my seat.

“Do you know why you are here, Eliana Domenico?” Antonio questioned.

I had to choose my words carefully here.

“I do not, Lord Benigni, but I would like to know.” I replied.

“You are here, Lady Domenico, because your father owes me money. He has not given me this money when he should have. So, as incentive I have taken you as an equal share of this money, until your father pays me, said money.” Lord Benigni explained.

“Had you ever thought to ask my father for the money, rather than steal his daughter?” I questioned, slightly angry.

“You speak out of turn, Lady Domenico. If I were you, I would tread softly while you are on my land.” The lord replied.

“You still didn’t answer my question, my lord.” I answered back.

“I do not need to answer your question, if I do not wish to, Eliana Domenico.” He responded to me quickly. “Enrico?” He called out, and the door opened.

“Yes, Father?” A young man with brown hair and brown eyes entered the room.

“Take Lady Domenico back to her cell. She will not cooperate.” Lord Benigni ordered.

“As you wish, Father.” Enrico said.

He put out his hand, and motioned for me to take it. I took it cautiously, and we both began walking toward the door. After we exited the elder lord’s study, the young lord pushed me against a wall. His eyes pierced into my soul, and he began to talk.

“If your father does not give my father what he desires, you will find that you will have to count the days of your life left, Lady Domenico.” He growled.

My eyes widened, and he grinned maliciously. No wonder my father never wanted me to associate with the Benigni family. None of them were any sort of good, any way you tried to look at it. Enrico led me to my cell, and pushed me in, making me fall towards the ground, and then he proceeded to shut the door, making the room fall into complete darkness once more. I made my way towards my bed, and that is where I stayed for many months, until one day when something shocking happened.

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

A few months later, the door opened and I stood up, ready to take whatever fate Lord Benigni had thought necessary. But instead of a man in the doorway, there was a young woman.

“Who are you?” I questioned.

The figure rushed to my side, leaving the door wide open.

“I’m Faith Benigni.” She introduced herself.

“Have you come to torment me, like the rest of your family?” I asked, turning away from her.

“No, I haven’t. I know what my father and brother are doing is wrong. Neither of them have acted the same since my mother died.” Faith explained.

I turned back to her.

“Why are you here then?” I spat.

She recoiled slightly, but then regained her composure.

“I’ve come to help you, Lady Domenico.” She replied.

“Help me? Why?” I asked.

“Because it’s the right thing to do.”

“Am I allowed to go then?” I questioned, motioning toward the open door.

“No, it’s far too dangerous. My father would suspect me right away.”

“Why? Have you done this before, Lady Benigni?”

“Many times,” she replied back. “And just walking out is not the right way to do this.”

“Then what is?”

“Planning your escape-” Faith began, the paused, turning around. “I have to go, I’m sorry! I’ll come back soon!” Faith suddenly said, and quickly ran to the door, shutting it.

I ran to the door to hear why she ran away so suddenly. I overheard her and her brother talking, almost to the point of bickering.

“What were you doing talking to our prisoner?” I heard Enrico interrogating his sister.

“Why is it any of your concern why I’m visiting Lady Domenico in our prison cells?” Faith shot back.

“She is the enemy, Faith. You can’t trust her, and you should no longer visit her. She is dangerous.” Enrico cautioned, in a slightly angry tone.

“You are right, brother. I’m sorry for going against you.” Faith replied quietly.

“Now go back to your room. I’ll look after the prisoner.” The young man instructed.

Obviously Faith obeyed, as I heard her footsteps fading away. I heard Enrico’s footsteps tread towards my cell door, and I quickly scrambled back away from the door. I didn’t want him to know that I had been listening to his and Faith’s conversation. The door opened, and I looked at Enrico in fear. Over the past few months he had thought it would be good to torment me, which is why I was a little wary of trusting Faith. He approached me looking docile like he wouldn’t hurt me, but I knew better. I felt a sharp sting across my left cheek, as my head went to the right. He had slapped me.

“Never speak to my sister again. Do you hear me?” He paused, waiting for my reaction.

I nodded, panicked that he would slap me again. He grinned at my reaction.

“And if I ever see you speak to her again, you’ll get much worse than a slap from me, and father.” He said, knowing that I wouldn’t try to escape.

He exited, and I was left alone with my thoughts. It didn’t take more than a week, for Faith to return.

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

“Why have you returned?” I queried.

“My father and brother have a council meeting in someone else’s house all day. I felt it only right to come now.” She told me.

“Your brother told me I can never speak to you again.” I replied.

“Well, he’s not going to find out that you talked to me, is he?” She said, with a smile gracing her lips.

“No, I suppose not.” I said.

“So, for you to escape, there needs to be a diversion. A really good one, because my father doesn’t fall for any old trick anymore.” Faith began telling me.

“I don’t know what that would be, Lady Benigni.” I replied.

“Please, call me Faith. It seems like I’m above you, when you call me a lady, I know I’m not above you. We are of the same status.” Faith told me gently.

“You’re right. I’m sorry, Faith.” I apologized.

“It is all right.” She accepted my apology with grace. “I heard my father talking with my brother, about your father and your older brother planning to attack our house, and the prison to free you, in 2 days. My father believes that he and his soldiers will defeat your father.” Faith told me.

“I cannot believe how snobby and big-headed Antonio Benigni is.” I snarled.

I looked at Faith, immediately regretting saying that.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to say it that harshly.” I apologized and confessed.

“No, it’s perfectly all right, I know my father is not the best man, which is why I need to ask you something.”

I looked at her. I realized after a while that I needed to trust Faith to get out of here, I couldn’t get out on my own.

“You can ask me anything.” I told her, grasping her hands in my own.

“Can I come with you?” She asked, her eyes telling me everything she wanted.

“You want to come with me to my family, when I escape?” I asked incredulously.

“Yes, yes, with all my heart!” Faith exclaimed.

“Then you shall, but we must get this plan into action first.” I replied, now having hope that I would indeed be able to escape.

I knew my father would launch an attack, but I was shocked that he waited this long, though I understood my father had to plan every detail to make sure nothing would go wrong. For the rest of the day, Faith and I planned what we would do to escape the Benigni household.

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

“Attack!”

I woke up suddenly from a deep sleep, two nights later. I sat up quickly, and picked up my skirts to run to the door. I heard the key turn in the lock, who I assumed was Faith, but instead I was greeted by Enrico.

“Come with me, Lady Domenico.” He said, with an evil grin.

I resisted, but he put a hand over my mouth and dragged me away.

“Enrico! Enrico!” I heard Faith call out.

He turned back.

“What is it, Faith?”

“Father told me I needed to bring Lady Domenico to a different place. He thinks it will be safer.” She told her brother.

“All right…. Take her.” Enrico said reluctantly.

He didn’t seem to want to let me go.

“Come on, my Lady.” Faith instructed.

We walked, or should I say, jogged away.

“Did your father actually tell you that, or was it a lie?” I questioned.

“A lie. I don’t know how my brother believed it, but then again, he’ll believe anything my father says, or supposedly says.” She explained, while grinning.

We had run all the way to where the men were fighting.

“Go ahead of me into the forest. I need to grab something.” Faith told me, pointing towards the forest.

I nodded and ran into the forest. I stopped just inside the forest, and under the cover of bushes, I waited for Faith. She finally came out of her house, a book in hand, and began running towards me. Too late, I realized an arrow was headed Faith’s way.

“Faith!” I cried out, but she didn’t hear me over the men’s shouting.

The arrow hit her with such force, that she crumpled to the ground, and hit her head, making her fall unconscious. I flew out of the bush like a startled bird towards my only friend I’d had for the last couple months. I looked around for the source of the arrow, and spotted my brother with his longbow. Our eyes connected, and he began running towards me. The enemy soldiers struck him with their swords, but nothing seemed to faze my brother, as he ran towards me. He reached me, and knelt beside me.

“What are you doing out in the middle of the fight?” He shouted.

“My friend got shot by one of your arrows!” I shouted back.

He looked down at Faith, and back at me with widened eyes.

“You made friends with a Benigni?” He questioned.

I nodded, and then saw a Benigni soldier behind him.

“Behind you, Cristaldo!” I screamed.

Cristaldo pulled out his sword, and began sparring with the soldier.

“Run, Eliana!” He shouted.

I stared back at him, not wanting to leave Faith.

“Go! Run, Eliana! I’ll protect your friend!” He said once more.

That gave me enough incentive to run into the forest and not stop. Branches slapped my face, cutting it, but that didn’t stop me.

“Find her!” I heard men behind me call out.

At this point, I wished I could run faster, but my shoes were never meant for running in, as a lady never needs to run. Or so my mother said, but look what I was doing now. It was so dark outside, I didn’t see the fallen branch in my path. My foot caught on it, and I fell at a rapid pace. I tried not to yelp too loudly, so I didn’t attract unwanted attention. A little squeak did find its way out of my mouth, but not loud enough to attract the guards thankfully. I regained my footing, and continued my sprint homeward. A bush snagged the long sleeve of my dark purple dress, pulling me back. The guards were gaining on me, and I was frantically trying to take my sleeve off the bush. I managed to pull it off in the nick of time, and bolted.

“She’s this way!” A man yelled behind me.

I looked down at the sleeve that had been caught, a piece of fabric was missing! I had to get them off my trail, but how? I didn’t have time to think of a plan, so I just kept running. This corseted dress was never meant for running either, I can’t believe I was wearing this dress, but then again, I didn’t have the choice of being kidnapped or not. I didn’t know the way home through the forest, but I had to trust that Faith sent me in the right direction. I couldn’t hear the men chasing me, behind me, so I decided to stop, and catch my breath.

I started running again, after about ten minutes, because I didn’t want to linger too long. I saw light up ahead, it looked like firelight. I jogged towards the light, and stayed behind a tree to investigate. I gazed at the men sitting around the fire, and I spotted my father. I ran into the clearing.

“Father!” He didn’t respond. “Father!” He looked up, and ran towards me.

“Eliana! My baby, you’re safe!” He exclaimed.

“Yes, father. I’m safe. I’m here!” I replied, while trying to catch my breath.

“Where is Cristaldo? Where is your brother?” My father questioned.

“The last I saw, he was still fighting on Benigni land.” I told my father.

A crackle in the bushes alerted my father and his soldiers that someone was spying on us. My father motioned to one of his archers to shoot an arrow in the direction of the noise. A shout was heard, and men charged into the clearing, swords drawn.

“Eliana, always keep the North Star over your left shoulder, and keep running… Go!” My father, Cristiano yelled to me.

I knew I couldn’t remain here, so I took off back into the forest as my father asked.

“Give what belongs to us back!” A man yelled.

“Eliana is not something to be traded, and she is not yours to take, Antonio!” I heard my father yell in reply, as I ran, his voice fading.

I looked up at the night sky, and found the North Star, just barely. I don’t know how my father expected me to keep the North Star in my sights in the forest, but I have to try. I jogged for the rest of the night.

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

It has been two weeks since that night, and my brother returned with Faith. She survived the arrow wound, and my brother has been apologizing profusely for shooting her. Faith keeps telling him he doesn’t need to apologize, as he was only doing his duty, trying to save his sister. I had been very happy to see that Faith survived, but something else happened that was not as joyous.

I found out shortly after I ran into the forest after meeting my father, my brother ran into the clearing, only to see our father impaled on Antonio’s Benigni’s sword. We mourned, but we also rejoiced. Rumour had it that Antonio and Enrico Benigni both died in the battle that night. I expected Faith to be sad, but she rejoiced along with us, as the family she so longed to be free of, was finally dead. From then on, she became known Faith Domenico, no longer holding the name of Benigni. My older brother, Cristaldo, went on to become Lord of the Domenico House. It sounds as if my story is almost complete, but it isn’t finished quite yet.

It has been almost five years since my kidnapping, and Faith brought up something I thought I’d hear.

“Eliana?” She asked.

“Yes?” I replied.

“When I went into town, I heard that the rumours are true. My father and brother are both dead.” She said, with a slight smile.

“How long? I’m sorry, if I’m prying.” I said, then apologized.

“No, you’re not prying, and you don’t have to feel sorry for me. I don’t feel sorry for my father and brother, they got what they deserved. They should not have been stealing girls for money. It’s been apparently 5 years.” Faith replied.

“So ever since I escaped your household,” I said quietly. “Well, I wouldn’t have said it like that, but, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?” I said, referring to her statement about father and brother.

“I wanted to visit my family's’ graves. Not because I miss them, but because it would be a send-off for them, and I will never have to think of them again after that.” Faith explained.

I thought for a moment.

“When did you wish to go, Faith?” I queried.

“Today, if possible, of course.” She answered.

“I will ask Cristaldo if he will let us go.” I told Faith, and she nodded.

I walked swiftly out of my room, and towards Cristaldo’s study to talk to him, but I met him on the way.

“Cristaldo! I thought you would be in your study!” I exclaimed.

“I just came out to stretch my legs. Is there anything you needed?” He said.

“Um, yes, actually there was  something.” I began.

“What is it?” He questioned.

“Faith wants to visit her family's’ graves.” I explained.

“The only way I would ever let you do that, is if you had at least two guards with you, Eliana.” He replied.

“Then do it! Faith needs to see her family one last time, and then she’ll never speak of it again.” I exclaimed to my brother.

Cristaldo looked as though he would refuse me, but then he said, “I’ll send two soldiers to the stables to prepare four horses. Go and collect Faith and be on your way, little sister.” He instructed me.

I nodded happily, and went to collect Faith.

“Come on, he said!” I told Faith joyfully.

She ran to a flower pot and grabbed two white roses out of the pot. I looked at her quizzically.

“For my brother and father on their graves.” She explained, while rushing out the door.

We jumped on our horses, and rode to the Benigni’s former land. We rode up slowly to the graves, and Faith was the first to come off of her horse. She gently set rose on each grave, and stood there a few moments quietly. I jumped off my horse to stand beside her. I didn’t expect the soldiers to pay their respects, as they were our only protection, and besides, they didn’t want to pay respects to their lord’s old enemy. Faith and I stood in front of their graves, until one soldier said it would be in our best interest to leave, and we took their advice, leaving that minute.

Faith kept true to her word, she never spoke of her former family ever again. I always looked up to Faith as my hero, and I told her that many times. She didn’t think that she was my hero, every time I told her, she denied it. I never stopped believing it though. She was my hero because she helped me escape, even at the cost of her own safety. That is all a hero should ever be, a helper.

The Age of Sail and a Novel to Come

There seems to be three eras that fantasy tales stick close to: the Medieval era, the classic fantasy stage; the futuristic era, creating the genre of sci-fi; and the modern era, favoured by superhero movies and comics.

But my favourite historical era is the Age of Sail (e.g. the Age of Exploration), and I think it makes a perfect match to the fantasy genre. This is the time when the Americas were being explored; when a route to India was sought by the East India Companies; when pirates plagued the seas; when a quest for the Southern Continent led to the discovery of Australia and Antarctica; and when rumours and accounts of sea monsters abounded.

Travel and fantastical beasts, quests and riches, greed and warfare… yes, core elements that make the Medieval era so loved are there, sans helpless princesses acting as damsels in distress (which maybe we can survive without anyways).

There are two stories that come to mind when I think of creators using well the Age of Sail for a fantasy tale. George Bryan Polivka captures the era in his novel Blaggard’s Moon, inserting imaginary creatures and locations into a world that feels strongly of the culture and ethical struggles of that age. And the games Torchlight and Torchlight 2 break from traditional fantasy role-playing games in introducing weapons like the pistol and rifle: more Age of Sail than Medieval, for sure; and the games take place on a recently-discovered continent (as explained in Torchlight 2 and on the game’s website).

The Age of Sail was an era of change, which I believe is the reason it’s not as popular as the Middle Ages for fantasy story-telling. If one never strays from the Medieval era, the characters can change, but the world will be mostly the same generation after generation. That creates a sense of stability, perhaps of timelessness and romanticism.

However, in reality, the world alters, and those of us in the modern era face changes and challenges constantly. The Age of Sail captures this. Discovery of new continents means new cultures: how do we react to these natives? The invention of gunpowder changes warfare: is it more important to retain the romance and customs of the traditional swordfight, or to use technology to give our side a distinct advantage? And of course, the sailing ship opens up both great opportunity and great risk: we can cross oceans to find glory, riches, and fame, but will we succumb to pirates, storms, disease, and monsters along the way?

The Age of Sail is ripe with opportunity for cross-cultural interactions, and the character development and growth that result. As someone who has traveled cross-culturally on multiple occasions, I appreciate the lessons and stretches that come with such adventures.

That’s why I’m proud to introduce my next book, Tales of the Diversity: The Quest. This is a world I’ve pondered, developed, and loved for several years: an Age of Sail fantasy adventure full of unique cultures, creatures, and locations inspired by my own journeys.

Tracy Krauss, an award-winning and best-selling author of Christian fiction, did me the honour of reading the rough draft, and had this to say: “With sparkling prose and deep characterization, Karlissa J has emerged as a fresh yet formidable voice in the YA fantasy genre.” I believe this book is the best I’ve written to date, and I’m excited to share this story with you!

Tales of the Diversity: The Quest will likely be coming out early next year. There will be sneak peaks and updates to satisfy you until then!