Outcast: Episode 3

This may be the last episode I post up here, or I might do a couple more.  I figured I have to at least get Mahtek out of his current mess.

Mahtek ran to the end of the alleyway.  He peered out and saw people looking around and talking in loud, confused voices.  Soon they would realize that he had to be nearby.  He stopped to think for a moment.  Looking back, he saw the patrolman running at him.  No time to think.  He threw the cloak on and did the only thing he could: he ran.

He barreled into the street, knocking aside anyone standing in his way.  People stared at him, the realization dawning that here was the man all the commotion was about.  They began to shout.  Mahtek kept running, glancing side to side for somewhere, anywhere he could hide.  He ducked into an alleyway, out into the opposite street, trying to avoid his pursuit.

Spotting a merchant with some stock hanging from a large pack bolg, he jumped atop the beast.  It grunted and began to rear back.  As the merchant protested, Mahtek leapt upward onto the low roof of a building.  He began to scramble across the rooftops.  The entire city seemed to be in uproar now, and he realized that atop the buildings he was an easily visible target.  In the distance, he could see a few soldiers beginning to move in his direction.  They would be here soon, and he did not trust in his ability to escape an organized search.  He had to get out of the city quickly.

Now in a residential portion of the city, Mahtek easily jumped across houses of uniform two-story height.  But he knew he could not stay up there.  He swung down into a window of one house instead of onto its roof and found himself in a bedroom.  “Nu let there be no one home,” He prayed.  He needed a moment to catch his breath and consider his options.  The soldiers would search the city until they either found him or gave up.  And he would not be safe in a strange house for long.  He breathed deeply and meditated for a few minutes.

*            *            *

          After sneaking carefully downstairs in the empty house, Mahtek opened the front door to see the state of the pursuit.  All around, people were talking hurriedly, worried looks on their faces.  He stepped out into the street, keeping his face hidden.  “What’s the problem?” He asked a young girl, disguising his voice with a gravelly tone.

“Mahtek Reyin the outcast is back in the city!” came the frightened response.

“Oh dear,” He replied, “You should go home where it’s safe.”

“That’s what I’m doing!” she said as she dashed into the door Mahtek had just left.  He blinked, then hurried about like everyone else, his manner apparently nervous.  With his hood drawn, he yet again appeared little different than anyone else, as long as they did not study his face.

He carefully maneuvered his way towards the city’s western gate, all the while staying anonymous within the crowd.  The soldiers there were turning away people trying to escape a panic they did not understand.  They pleaded, but the soldiers would not risk letting their quarry escape.  Mahtek’s hopes sank; the guards would recognize him instantly if he approached them, and he could not climb the city’s walls without being noticed.

 Unexpectedly, another cloaked man ran by, his face shrouded.  He ran with purpose, not seeming to flee or pursue.  Grasping at a slim chance, Mahtek cried, “There goes the outcast!” pointing at the runner.  “Look, he’s hiding his face!”  The runner turned to Mahtek, his entire face shrouded but his eyes somehow visible, and winked, never slowing down.

The crowd screamed and scattered.  The soldiers at the gate ran after the man, shouting to get the attention of the rest of the guard.  A few of the nearby civilians dashed out the gate.  Once again noting the guards’ lack of discipline, Mahtek moved along with the crowd, finally making his escape.  Who was that shrouded man?  Did he know me?  Why would he help me?  Mahtek shook his head.  Those questions could wait for a more convenient time.

          He headed down the gentle rise toward the small wood outside Iandrid's east gate, and made his way towards the nearby temple of Nu.  He had friends there who knew him better than the easily frightened common people.  Friends who would help him uncover the plot against him.