Well, this came a little sooner than I thought it would. Thanks to everyone who reviewed; you're the reason this came to be. (And yes, thanks to Aemilia Rose. Without her nagging you really wouldn't have this story ;-)

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Chapter 2

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Thye tugged Teril's arm insistently. "Run, Teril, run!" She pleaded softly. "Don't let them catch you!"

Quen nodded fiercely. "Yes, Teril. We'll distract them. You can go through the kitchens. Hurry!"

Teril paused. "No. I can't leave - look at the storm out there." He grinned. "But a distraction might help. We don't need to kill them to get them out of the way until the storm clears."

Bending down, he whispered into the twins' ears.

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Thye threaded her way through the crowd to the new arrivals. To her right, Quen did the same. As the men who were after Teril made their way to the lord's chair, Thye sprinted forward, ramming into their leader.

Behind her, Quen started yelling. "Don't you hurt my sister! Leave her alone, you big meanies!"

He launched himself at one of the men and latched himself onto his legs. The man kicked out defensively and caught the boy in the chest, throwing him back. Meanwhile, the leader drew back from Thye, who was sobbing on the floor and holding her stomach.

"He hit me!" She cried.

The lord's guards pushed through the crowd toward the disturbance and dragged the newcomers before their lord. A tearful Thye and Quen followed.

"What is going on here?" The lord cried.

Thye spoke up. "They hit me!"

"Me, too!" Quen added, still wheezing.

The lord glared fiercely at the men. "Attacking children? What do you have to say in your defense?"

One of the men cried, "They attacked us. That boy just threw himself at us!"

"So you try to kill them?" He scowled. "Take them to the dungeon. Let them reflect on what it costs to strike a child."

As the men were led away, their leader bent down to Thye. "I know why you did this. Tell the Kinsinger that the Kinhunters will find him. This dungeon cannot hold us for long." He showed his teeth in what could have almost passed for a smile. "I suggest you two aren't here when we escape."

Then he was gone in the crowd as the guard pulled him toward the dungeon.

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"Yes!" Quen whispered softly. "We did it!"

Thye glanced at him, then away. "We can't stay here, Quen."

He frowned. "Why not?"

"Because they'll kill is if we do!" She said softly. "Their leader told me."

"That was Damian." Teril had come up so softly they didn't hear him. He smiled. "We were lucky. I'm glad your lord gets so mad at those who strike children. It saved my life." He frowned. "Are you two alright? It didn't look like you were acting out there."

Quen smiled bravely. "I'm alright. He didn't hit me that hard. And they didn't hit Thye at all."

"Good." He looked at them searchingly. "I'm glad you realized that you have to leave on you own. I didn't think you would take it very well if I told you."

The twins glanced at each other. "We'll go." They chorused.

Thye smiled mischievously. "Besides, you need someone to keep you sane."

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Down in the dungeon, twelve men labored furiously at a small hole in the corner...

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Reviews would be very nice so I can find out what happens next.. Sigil