Penelope lead the way up the stairs feeling hesitant to going back out into the storm. She didn’t have a solid escape plan, especially since she didn’t know a better way out than the front gate. The knights likely wouldn’t be able to climb out very successfully. Not only was it a skill they had very limited experience with but the weather also wasn’t on their side. They’d have to make a break for the main gate, which would likely put them out in the open. Penelope chewed her lip nervously as she reached the top of the stairs. 

She pushed the door up slightly to try and see what lied ahead. From what she could tell, there were no guards nearby but that didn’t mean they weren’t coming. The knight was just about to full open the door when thunder crackled above and made her falter. She gulped and closed her eyes tightly waiting for the noise to die down before she pushed the door open and headed out of the dungeon. Now able to look around, she noticed it was just as empty outside as before and moved to keep the door open for William and Abraxas, who both moved with clear caution. 

Penelope closed the door behind them and was about to make a move for the front gate when the faint sound of voices caught her attention. Figures of guards began to appear from the barracks and they were moving quickly, on high alert. The knight felt a bit of panic wash over her as she looked around desperately for a place to hide. She eyed the deep shadows that were casted by the barracks, the only building nearby. It was risky to take cover so close to where the guards were coming from but it didn’t look they had much of a choice. “This way. Keep quiet.” She hissed to her comrades before darting towards the barracks.  She noticed William hesitate but the older knight didn’t argue as he moved to join her in the shadows casted. 

Penelope bent down to make herself smaller and motioned for the other two to follow her lead. Once they did, she focused her gaze back on the guards that were now swarming the area. She counted around six guards, luckily not too many which was probably due to the fact of how many went after Crow. She did, however, notice that a few of them already had their swords drawn and this time they weren’t broken. [i]That’s why it took them so long to get out here.. They changed swords so they wouldn’t be broken..[/i] She watched as three of the knights disappeared down into the dungeon while the rest remained nearby, looking around for signs of her. 

She clenched her fist slightly as she tried to think of what to do. They couldn’t make a break for the main gate with the three guards roaming so closely. They’d get into a fight and though the numbers seemed even now, Penelope didn’t want to risk the other  guards returning in time to help their comrades. “Well what now?” William hissed impatiently. The older knight was tense and eying the remaining guards almost threateningly. Abraxas, on the other hand, seemed nervous and waited for further direction. 

“We’re not fighting them.” Penelope told William sternly as the group remained hidden. She looked around before looking back to the other two knights. “Come on. We’ll sneak around the barracks and then make a run for the gate.” It likely wouldn’t get them completely out of being spotted but she hope that they would be long gone by the time the guards did manage to see them. She lead the way, moving carefully along the wall of the barracks and trying to keep an eye on the guards who were still looking around near the dungeon door. 

She slipped past the corner out of their view with William and Abraxas closely following. She stopped at the last edge before they would begin to make their run. “Ready?” She asked looking over her shoulder at them. Abraxas nodded while William tensed. 

“Let’s just get out of here already..” The older knight grumble, glancing over his shoulder to make sure they weren’t followed. 

Penelope nodded before darting out of the cover of the building and towards the main gate. They got about halfway when lightening lit up the sky and a loud roar of thunder followed. It made Penelope freeze in her tracks. Her eyes widened fearfully as she swore that the thunder seemed to even shake the ground beneath her. For a moment, her mind went blank with terror and she couldn’t bring herself to move forward. 

William had passed her now and was snapping at her but his words were lost in the heavy rain and thunder above. Finally she felt someone give her a shove from behind. “Penelope! You have to keep-" Penelope turned her head to see Abraxas’ looking scared and desperate as he tried to move her. As she turned her head, she felt an arrow whiz past her, just barely missing her. What it didn’t miss was Abraxas’ chest. It sunk straight into his chest, making the young knight let out a cry of pain. He staggered backwards before finally collapsing to the ground. 

“Abraxas!” Penelope cried with newfound horror as she looked down at her dead comrade, barely aware of the danger she was in. They had caught the attention of both the guards and an archer perched nearby but she couldn’t bring herself to move.