Kaye was in her room packing with as much speed as she could without making too much noise

Kaye was in her room packing with as much speed as she could without making too much noise. All of her little precious items, extra clothes, food, water, and other essentials were able to fit in her sack. She glanced around the room once more before opening her door and glancing around in the hallway. Right the coast is clear. I'll just leave the door open. She set off down the twisting dark hallways that she knew by heart now and snuck out of the castle through the kitchen. The lazy guards slept through her careful creeping and at last she made her way to the great gate that separated the castle from Chie. The gate however was wide open and Kaye took a step back realizing this could only mean bad news. Sure enough two guards sprung out of nowhere and eyed her harshly in the dark.

"Papers girly, hand 'em over." Kaye hesitated but began rummaging through her bad knowing full well she didn't have papers.

"She is on orders from the emperor to go buy last minute supplies. It is quite an important task. I shall escort her so have no fear men." Kaye turned and came face to face with the head general of Chie. Her heart sank at this as the two guards stepped aside immediately. The young general smiled as he held his out his arm for Kaye. She couldn't really see his face but she knew he must have been slightly at this. Shakily she took his arm and he led the way down the dusty road that connected the castle and the town together. Kaye kept silent as she thought of a way to escape the general but then remembered that his man was a genius. He would surely catch her in no time if she was on foot.

His strides were long and quick making it actually quite difficult for the green eyed girl to keep up. She grunted as she tripped on something invisible but before she ever hit the ground the young man by her side had caught her and set her back on her feet. The general chuckled and they began walking at a much slowly pace this time. "You could have told me to slow down you know?" He finally said. Kaye glanced at him and flushed.

"I-I'm sorry." Kaye apologized though she wasn't sure why.

"What's your name girl?"

"Kaye, sir." He chuckled again at this.

"Such a formal person you are Kaye. There is no need for formality when talking to me." Kaye stopped suddenly causing her once again to fall over due to his unexpected pull. This time he did not catch her in time and she hit the dusty ground creating a plume of the tan stuff to rise into the air. They both coughed as he helped her up and dusted her off.

"What are you doing?" Kaye asked suddenly. The general eyed her, his invisible eyes boring her down.

"Dusting you off…" he said slowly. Kaye shook her head.

"I mean why are you here with me? Why did you help me get out? Where are you taking me?"

"Ah…just hold on a bit. You'll see in a couple of minutes. Don't worry I'm not planning anything sinister." Kaye stared at him and nodded with her mouth slightly open. They started off again but this time Kaye couldn't help but steal glances at the mysterious head general. Wasn't he the one talking to the emperor? I don't understand.

"You never…" she broke off bound by the impounded servant code. He is different from me. He is like royalty. I am not.

"I never what?" He asked slightly amused.

"Your…" Her tongue refused to ask the question so Kaye improvised. "I'm Kaye…you're…" There was an intake of understanding but Kaye didn't notice. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to be rude!"

"You're not being rude. On the contrary I just realized that I was quite rude thank you for reminding me." He reassured her with a smile as he led her down another dusty ally. "My name is Jarren."

"Master Jarren…" Kaye said experimentally. There was an annoyed sigh.

"No, no, no. My name is Jarren. Not Master Jarren. Not general Jarren, just Jarren."

"J-Jarren then…what is…?!" She stopped but this time Jarren was wise enough to stop at the same time so as she wouldn't fall over. Her grinned as he led her over to the huge beast that was tied to a post. A thin old man seemed to have appeared out of nowhere and untied the beast.

"Ja, thank you my friend for the horse." The old man let out a wheezy laugh and waved the thanks away.

"Nonsense Jarren. You been helpin' me for quite som' time now. It's the les' I can do aft'r all." Jarren nodded and turned to Kaye.

"Can you ride?"

"No, I've never touched a horse let alone ride one."

"Well that's good because now it means I have an actual excuse to travel with you."

"Oh well that's…eh?!" Kaye realized what he just said. "Y-You mean…you knew it was me who over heard?" Of course he did, he's a genius.

"Well…if it helps…the emperor didn't notice. Just me. But I want to help you out. You're planning on going to the nomads right? For your freedom and to warn them of the emperor's invasion."

"I…" He grabbed her around the waist and sat her up on top of the high beast. He thanked Ja again and slid on the saddle behind her skillfully.

"Well, we're off then." He shook the reigns and spurred the horse into a gallop. Kaye clenched her knees together tightly and twisted her fingers into the horse's long mane. She was grateful for the warm tunic and hose that had replaced her servants dress. Her cloak was wrapped tightly about her as well trying to keep the chill and wind out. Soon enough Kaye couldn't feel half her face or her fingers. Her teeth chattered as the scenery flashed by in a whirl of dark greens, browns, and blacks.

"Just a little farther Kaye, just hold on a little longer and we will stop to rest." Kaye nodded but couldn't speak. Jarren's rigid arms were still on either side of her as he held the reigns and Kaye in place. Just as the dusty dull sun began to make its way up the horizon Jarren pulled on the reigns and slowed the tired horse to a more relaxing speed. "Over there Kaye, look over there. That little house is where we'll be staying for a little bit ok?" Kaye nodded again and at last the horse stopped. Jarren slid down easily and turned back with his arms outstretched for the small frozen girl. Kaye, being exhausted and frozen, only managed to swing both her legs over one side and reached out only to find that she really couldn't move. Jarren gently pulled her down and set her on her feet. He grabbed their bags and helped Kaye walk over to the little house. Once inside he pushed her onto the soft chair and vanished through the doorway.