Sakura could feel her heart pump against her chest as if it were trying to escape her body through her rip cage. She tried to breath slowly to calm her quaking heart. Her hands shook and her feet ran to keep up with the guard. Rormic's unrelenting energy allowed him to keep pace with the guard easily. No part of his body shook and no muscle twitched with nerves. Anyone who did not know Rormic would have been able to tell that he was nervous but Sakura could see the worry in his eyes. This is what the both of them had wanted from the beginning of their journey – to get into the palace!

Neither Rormic nor Sakura could explain why they were so nervous but they also both knew that instincts were to be trusted. The Elks had taught Rormic the importance of listening to instincts sense he was small and Sakura could not deny that instincts had warned her in the forest when her common since had not. The two young people shared a sideways glance. Eyes were the windows to the soul and the two pairs of eyes were yelling the same thing: Get out before it is too late.

Sakura turned to run one way while Rormic tried to run another but it was too late already. The guard from the gate stands at one entrance to the ally Sakura and Rormic has found themselves in while another tall man in uniform stands at the other end of the ally. High walls surround Sakura and Rormic on both sides and trained guards stand at both ends. There is no way out.

"It is useless to try to leave," stated the uniformed man on the other side of the ally. "The councilor has been informed of your arrival and is anxious to meet you two thieves."

"We haven't stolen anything." Sakura tried to speak in an authoritative voice but fear clinched her throat and the noise that came out sounded more like a scared child.

"You, Boy!" The uniformed man pointed to Rormic with the blade that he had drawn. "You are part of the Elk Clan, are you not?"

Rormic could not find his voice but he managed to nod.

"The councilor and his servants visited your Clan a few years ago. He remembers you and knows that you are coming."

The grip of fear tightened around Rormic with each word the uniformed man spoke. Rormic's eyes scanned the ally. There had to be a way to get away from here! "He must be mistaking me for someone else." Rormic knew that this was a weak excue but fear told him to try anything.

"It is useless trying to leave. The councilor knows that you are here. If you meraculessly manage to leave this ally, you will never be able to escape all the men the councilor has in the city and beyond."

Sakura placed a hand on Rormic's shoulder to steady him. "Why is the councilor so interested in seeing us?"

"The councilor hires all the servants so he was informed of your arrival. The Elk boy's description was given to the councilor along with your own. The councilor immediately recognized him."

"I'll come with you to see the councilor," Rormic said sullenly, "but you have to let Sakura go back to the gate."

"If your friend truly wants a job at the palace, she will have to come with us." The uniformed man spoke but neither man moved from their place at either side of the ally. Rormic and Sakura knew that their only option was to go with these men. Rormic turned to face Sakura. His eyes pleaded that she understood that they were out of choices. Sakura slowly nodded her understanding and consent.

Rormic did not really know how to say what he was thinking so he said the plan as plainly as he could. "We'll go to the councilor with you."

"You have made the right choice," the uniformed man assured them. The man used his head to motion to the guard. The gate guard positioned himself behind the two young people while the unformed man led them from in front.

A large, glittering building seemed to rise before the four of them. Sakura would have called the building beautiful if she had willed herself to look at the structure. Instead, Sakura was busy thinking of all the horrible things that could await them in the councilor's office.

Rormic was trying to stay calm by reliving all of his childhood memories. He remembered running with the young Elks in the green fields. They would leap on rocky cliffs and sprint in the open valleys. Rormic remembered sleeping against his mother and father. He felt their love with every breath he took. The memories not only soothed him, they also gave Rormic a surging force of confidence. Rormic had traveled far from his home and he was in a strange city but he was also a warrior.

Rormic wanted to let Sakura know that it would be alright but the uniformed man stopped in front of a tall set of ornate doors before Rormic could even open his mouth. The unformed man turned to Rormic and Sakura and said bluntly, "No weapons will be tolerated in the councilor's presence. If you have anything with you leave it here."

Rormic and Sakura shook their heads. "We don't have any weapons."

The unformed man nodded approvingly. "Good. Go change into the appropriate clothing. You will find everything you need in the other room."

Sakura and Rormic followed the man's instructions and went into their respective rooms. Both rooms were bare except for a mirrored wall and a chair with clothes draped over them. The clothes were clean and spotless white. Sakura could see that the clothing was semi-sheer – not so sheer that she would be embarrassed but sheer enough to keep anyone from hiding something in or under the clothing. Sakura quickly changed into the clothing; not bothering to look in the mirror that had been provided.

Rormic emerged from his room shortly after Sakura had. He wore a similar outfit made of sheer material.

"Come," commanded the uniformed man. "It is best not to keep the councilor waiting. He is not a patient man." He led the two of them towards the ornate doors yet again. The guard from the gate seemed to be gone.

Rormic glanced behind him, thinking of trying to run. There were no guards in sight. Rormic grabbed Sakura's hand and sprinted to the archway that leads out. He had hardly made two steps when a line of armored men appeared, blocking the way out.

"I would not try to run, Elk boy," the uniformed man spoke slowly but loudly. "These men are trained and have weapons. You would not want anyone to get hurt, would you?" The man looked pointed at Sakura even though he directed the question at Rormic.

"There is no need to scare the children, Kiru," said a deep, commanding voice. The whole party turned and saw that the ornate doors were open. The figure that had spoken stood between the large doors. He was dressed like a king in long-sleeved robes of gold. "The little thief will have enough to fear soon enough."