Deneve woke up to Sirare shaking her. “Deneve, you were screaming in your sleep. Are you okay?”

Deneve sighed, “My apologies, it happens sometimes. I don’t remember what causes it. But thank you.”

Sirare tilted his head as he studied her. “I’ll stay with you for a while.”

“You don’t have,” She started to say. But seeing the look on Sirare’s face, she relented, “Thanks Sirare.”

Deneve and Sirare chatted until a loud crash interrupted them. They raced to the door and found that the building was besieged. Deneve grabbed Sirare’s arm. “We need to find the King!” They ran to the throne room. It was empty. Deneve heard a grating noise, and the wall moved.

“This way,” The king beckoned them into the area. They ran to the hole in the wall, slipped behind the king as he pulled the wall closed once more.

“I’m so glad we found you,” Sirare stated happily. Deneve nodded in agreement. “I was really worried.”

“Couldn’t let your rescue attempt get you two caught.” Bareeds teased lightly. “This is a secret passage out of here. I have contacted the royal family in Valencia. They have offered me haven.” They took the winding corridor to a barred gate.

Stepping through the gate, Deneve realized that they were out of the city. “We must head to Rock Post. The Shroud Knights will meet us there,” Bareeds explained.

“I’ll take up the rear to ensure we aren’t being followed.” Deneve stated worriedly before she gave a small smile, “I don’t know the way, anyway.”

The boys looked at each other for a moment before they giggled at Deneve’s expense. She just shrugged. “Well, I’ve never been here before.”

Realizing that Neruda Shen was looking for them, they decided that staying clear of the road until they were safely at Rock Post might be the best option.

However, this brought on another predicament. “What are these things?” Deneve asked as she quickly reinforced the shield around the boys. She cast a lighting storm right into the group of creatures and followed it up with a fissure wave. The earth rumbled as Gorr rolled into the group, and Marg set them on fire, which finally felled the last of the creatures.

“That was awesome!” Bareeds grinned excitedly.

Sirare looked at her calmly before explaining, “They are Centaurus, half man-half horse creatures that live in the Taphtar Plains. Strange they would be so close to Rock Post we need to stay alert.”

Bareeds nodded in agreement. “Yes, that is odd.”

He glanced at Deneve. “You did well. My sword would not have been very effective against a group like that. You have my gratitude once again.”

Deneve found it hard to remember that this boy, around twelve years old, was a King. Sirare was evidently around the same age and had gone on to scholarly pursuits. She was their protection. She smiled at the boys comfortingly, “Let’s go. It’s dangerous to stay here.” There were no other incidents on the way to Rock Post. Once King Bareeds and Sirare were safe with the Shroud Knights, Deneve breathed a sigh of relief as she stumbled into the bed they had appointed her.