Welcome everyone! it's such a pleasure to finally post here. Just to let you all know, I am crossposting on Tumblr (if I can remember to), so if you enjoy this story please don't hesitate to show me some love over there as well. My URL is https://lelly-belly.tumblr.com/ Thanks a bunch!

Cassius woke to the sound of someone trying the door handle to his room. They were twisting and turning it, but with the spell he had put upon it, the door would not budge. It was a simple, easily broken spell, but it was the strongest locking spell he knew. Cassius crept from his bed to the door, listening quietly. 

“He’ll fetch a fair price,” a man said. 

“Penrith will be glad we got ‘im,” another agreed. 

“Aye,” the first replied. “If we could get the damned door open.” 

Cassius hurriedly turned from the door and began packing his things. It was time to leave. He had yet to grow comfortable enough to sleep in just his undershirt, instead opting for a lightweight tunic and his pair of more loose hose. He silently thanked his past self for the wise decision. The door handle was being tried again, and this time, Cassius could see the magic in the air straining to hold the spell together. He opened the window and ducked out of the room and onto the roof. He stumbled in the dark, running along the roof towards the stable. He could hear shouting coming from his room. 

Cassius jumped from the roof and landed safely on the ground. He rushed into the stable and into his horse’s stall. She let out a quiet snuff at his entrance. He placed her saddle on her and fastened it as quickly as he could. He hopped on her and urged her to gallop out of the stable and towards the treeline. Once he got to the trees, he could hide. 

“THERE!” a man yelled. Cassius whipped his head around in time to see the men coming from the inn, one pointing to him. Cassius reached the trees as they mounted their horses to chase after him.

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The forest was dead silent. The sound of his horse’s hooves clopping against the ground echoed throughout the woods like deafening thunder cracks. It was impossible to see more than a few feet in front of him. Cassius continued to urge his horse forward. He had to make it through the woods if he was going to attempt to escape. His mind settled upon Runswick as his destination. It was a bustling trading town, perfect for him to blend in. He had to make it through the trees first. 

Cassius cast a quick spell, one that would hopefully throw the men off his trail. His horse stumbled on a root. The path was not well-worn like he had hoped it would be. He heard yelling not far behind him. His horse refused to run. “Come on,” he whispered. “Please.” The horse continued at a trot. The voices neared ever closer. Cassius sighed, making the horse stop. He dismounted with a huff. He did not want to leave his horse, but it seemed the only viable option. With one last pat on her back, Cassius dove into the trees without his horse.