[b]With a proud smirk, Ariana continued to drag her captive with her, edging out of the dungeon. She could get out of here, but she'd have to take Ella with her; at least until the woman lost her usefulness. Marken would never see his precious fiance alive again, she would see to that. Ella tried her best not to struggle as Ariana backed them out into the hallway and latched the dungeon shut, locking Marken inside. Ella was then shoved before the assassin with the dagger pressed into her back.

"With any luck, we'll be long gone before anyone happens upon your prince," Ariana said smoothly, "Now head to the stables. and don't think of running from me. I can always kill you, then backtrack and kill him as well."

That was a rather poor bluff, but Ella knew not to test the woman, with her backed into a corner like this. Every move Ariana did decided if she lived today; any mistake would bring about her demise. Ella clenched her face, understanding exactly how Ariana felt in that moment. She was just doing what she was ordered to, and trying to escape with her head still on her shoulders.

"Let me help you escape," Ella pleaded softly as she was shoved on to their destination, "I can see you out of here safely, with no fuss. Just let us go free, and-"

[i]"Shut up, I don't need pity from a damned traitor!"[/i]

The knife stabbed about an inch into Ella's side before Ariana jerked it back out and shoved her onto the ground. The two of them were in a corridor Ella didn't recognize now, and they were all alone. Ella clutched her small wound and sat up, forcing herself to ignore the pain. She was trained to withstand these kinds of things, at least.[/b]