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The very thought sickened Demon, and despite his best efforts he couldn't hide the frown that formed on his lips.

Demon had waited patiently for three weeks, three weeks that had almost killed him... in more ways than one.

If he had deemed Lana'thel brutal before he would have to call her murderous now. She didn't seem to care who lived or died, simply enjoying the blood bath and the 'games' that she put on. Demon had fought someone new every day.... at first it hadn't been so bad, he had been unchained and free to move and defend himself. Of course that had been before the 'until the death' part of the fight. Instinct had taken over, and with his bloodlust raging within him at the first draw of his opponants blood he had managed somehow to overwhelm the much bigger opponant.... again and again.... day after day.

Demon now hated the smell of his own blood. It sickened him, clinging to his every pore as it leaked from his new wounds and old ones the same.... and that cell, it reeked of all the things Demon wanted to forget.

His desperation to escape had grown, but there had been no openings yet for him to use to his advantage. He had noted the possitions of the guards, seen the servant's secret dark corridors.... a plan had started to form. He just needed an opening.

But for now that would wait.... he was currently standing before Lana'thel on her throne of darkness, panting and dripping in blood -his own and his opponants- a particularly deep wound on his shoulder giving him hassle and hampering his breathing. Her dark souless eyes looked upon him, and that horrible habit of hers sent shivers of hatred and repulusion running through him. Oh how he hated her.

Still, he knew better than to speak, so he simply continued to try and steady his breathing and the racing of his heart as the adrenaline died down. He was still so small in comparison to his opponants, the lingering form of his youth still holding on although adolesence tried its best to push forward. Demon had slowly started to gain muscle tone, but the constant fighting and injuries made it hard to actually make any head way in that department leaving his strength lacking at times. Yet he hadn't lost yet.... simply couldn't allow it. He couldn't die here!

Demon had no idea what was going on between Lana'thel and her maids but he cared not, he had to admit that he rather enjoyed seeing her so upset... and couldn't help but wonder how she would react when he should finally escape her. After all, he was still determined he would. He had waited for too long, fought too hard not to at least attempt it. At least if he died, he would have died trying.

It seemed that several heated words were exchanged, but Demon's heart was racing so much that he couldn't make them out at this distance. Still, it was pleasing to see the changing emotions upon his 'masters' face. Hatred, dread, anger, frustration.... a kaleidoscope of expressions staying only for a moment before being replaced by a new one.

Interesting....

Demon couldn't believe his luck.... Lana'thel wasn't coming with them? He didn't know what had caught her attention but Demon was thankful to them. As he looked to the familar who was now ordering him about he had half a thought to kick her.... but not yet, not here. Here was too heavily guarded. No, he needed to act co-operative for a little longer... just long enough to pass the second set of guards.

The plan that Demon had formulated night and day for so long seemed so close now that he could actually taste it, he simply hoped it would not end up leaving a bitter taste in his mouth should he fail.

Placing one hoof in front of the other he followed the squirral. The agony in his shoulder roared to life but he ignored it, he could take a little pain if it meant freedom.... freedom... such an alien concept after so long.

First set of guards passed. It was killing him to wait, but he did. His expression as stoic as he could make it as he appraoched his goal.

Second set of guards. As he passed them he was almost positive that they would realise his intention and stop him, his heart was in his mouth with each step he took. One. Two. Three. But nothing came. No one stopped him from walking forward towards his cell like a good 'pet', no one seemed to see his intention to escape... or perhaps they simply didn't care? Two more steps and a corner later he had passed the usual guards.

Unable to wait any longer turned swiftly, opening his wings as wide and as swiftly as he could as he made a run to the left. He grunted at the wing muscle tugged at his torn shoulder, it was going to hurt ALOT to fly from this place but he had no choice in the matter. Before long he found the secret dark tunnel of the servants, knew from the fresh air and the frequent breezes that it led outside.

Sure enough before long he was outside, the sun stung his eyes causing him to flinch but he didn't stop... he couldn't stop now. Not when he was so close.

Running as fast and as hard as his legs would allow he started to flap his wings, and soon he was in the air. Now he just needed to escape and find some place to hide.

Behind him he could make out the screams for help, it was music and dread to his ears.

Demon's wings hurt and throbbed. He had not used them in so long that he had feared he would forget how... yet it seemed it was simply one of those things that instinct never forgot.

As the sounds of the world he had been trapped in dulled out behind him he couldn't help but smile, had he really done it? Had he really escaped?

He couldn't hear anyone behind him, no wings or clangs of swords... but that didn't mean he was alone. Not by a long short. It was why he was desperatly searching for a place to hide, a place where his small size would give him an advantage.

Ahead were trees... lots and lots of trees. Not wanting to linger in eyes sight for too long he headed towards them, planning to run for as long as his legs could carry him or until he found a place he could use to hide out in.

Demon ran for what felt like an eternity.... and even as his muscles ached and begged him to stop he pushed himself ever further.

No where seemed save, his eyes finding enermies lurking in every shadows, his nerves so shot that he was jumpy whenever one moved or a twig caught his battered body.

So he ran. Ran and ran and ran.

Before too long he found himself standing on a cliff. Nothing before him but a gaint hole and then more trees. In the valley below he could make out the roar of a raging river and an idea came to him. The river would carry him.... all he had to do was keep his head above water, his muscles were too tired and worn out to continue his pace for much longer.... which only left the river.

He looked behind him, wondering if one of the shadows was really a spy. Nothing living seemed to move bar the sway of trees and grass in the breeze, which was the other advantage of the river... it would wash his sent, clense his body and wounds.

With a gulp he turned his attention to the river far below him once more. He had no choice. He jumped, spreading his wings enough to use them to slow his descent. Of course that did nothing to prepare him, he gasped as he slapped against the rivers surface. The coldness sending a shock through his battered form. For a moment he lost his breath and found himself sinking, and it took all of his remaining strength to return to the surface and stay there.

All around him he could see the blood being washed from his body only to be carried in a streak of red down the river with him... perhaps this had not been a good idea after all.

Lana'thel paced up and down her throne room. The first of her scouts was due back at any moment. She would find him, no matter how long it took or who she had to employ for the task... she would find him! There was no escape from her clutches.

In anger she stamped her hoof with all her might on the cold ground, it echoed around her only adding to her rage. She was still kicking herself for having believed him, for having sent Icecrown to do a job she should have done herself..... "Foolish Demon." She growled, unable to blame herself any longer.

He would be back here... and next time... she would not be so kind.

THE END