Hi all just to let you know today (the day I'm writing this) I'm sick so if things seem off that's why. And for those of you who are wondering there is something about Eryk that you don't know. You'll find out about it in the next chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything in this story that comes from the Tamora Pierce books.

Carthak

Susan sat and waited to hear Kadin and Kala's opinion on her plan to get Kadin out so he could get help. Susan had spent days working on this plan and hoped that they would like it or at least trust her enough to see if it would work.

Kadin was the first to break the silence.

"But what if I get caught then they would watch us even closer than ever and there would be no chance of escape."

Wow that's one super smart five year-old "Well yes but any plan to get you out either by running away or by getting rescued has that risk. And if they try to rescue you the people who kidnapped you will know you're important people's children not just two kids off the street which is probably what they think now."

"She's right running away is the best chance we have of getting out of here but I don't know why I can't be the one to run away or even why we can't all run away."

"Well we can't all run away because of this stupid slave collar for one and if you both leave one you would be easier to catch and to I'd be as good as dead; if I was lucky. And they pay less attention to Kadin and he's a little bit faster than you."

"ok so when do we put this plan into action."

"Two of them take us out once a week so the neighbors don't get suspicious right?"

The two five year-olds nodded in agreement and waited for her to continue explaining the rest of her plan.

"Well I can't keep an eye on both of you if you're acting like normal five year-olds and the "guards" if you could call them that wouldn't care at all their to busy buying food and drinks to pay attention to us so Kadin while their backs are turned and I pretend to be telling Kala to calm down you make a run for it Kala can let your mom know ahead of time so Kadin can meet up with guards soon after leaving us and…"

"Who ever took us out will have to take us back before chasing after him so he has a chance to get away if we wait till we get far away from here." Finished Kala.

"Exactly, so Kala would you let your mom know?"

"Of course" Kala said and she let her mother know right away what was going on.

The Palace

Empress Kalasin ran toward were her husband and the visitors from Tortal were meeting she had been too worried to go earlier but now she was very happy. Kala had just let her know about Susan's plan that made her happy for to reasons: first she would get her children back soon and until they were back with her they were with someone she could trust. She couldn't wait to tell Kaddar what she had just found out and so she rushed in the room and didn't even notice who the visitors from Tortal were.

"Kaddar I just heard from Kala, Kadin is coming back soon." She knew the message was a little cryptic but she also knew that chances were these people didn't know what had happened to her children and she didn't want to tell them until she told her parents.

She was surprise to hear someone laughing behind her and even more surprised to hear:

"That's Kally for you she never stops long enough to greet her brother when there is news to tell."

Kalasin turned around to see her brother, Liam, and Gary behind her.

"Sorry Liam, uncle Gary"(a/n I know Gary isn't her uncle he's like her first cousin once removed or something but she just calls him uncle just like Aly calling Jon, Uncle Jon.)

"It's ok, where are my niece and nephew anyway don't they want to see their Uncle Liam?"

"I'm sure they would but they aren't here right now."

"Kally where are they?... What's wrong?" Asked Gary he was concerned he hadn't seen Kally this nervous in a long time.

"Nothing… don't look at me like that I'm telling you the truth nothing is wrong."

"Kally we should tell them."

"We haven't even told my parents yet."

"There going to find out if their here anyway, we should tell them."

"Fine, but we have to let my parents know then."

"We should have told them sooner, I'll tell Liam and Gary and you can tell your parents."

"Would some one tell us something?" asked Liam who was tired of being talked about.

"Well about a week ago Kala and Kadin went out to the city to see some friends and some how they got away from their guard and while they were on there way back to were the guards were someone kidnapped them."

Seeing the worried look on her brother's and Gary's faces Kally added "But Susan's with them and they have a plan to help Kadin escape then all we have to worry about is getting Susan and Kala out.

"I know one thing" said Liam.

"What's that?" asked Gary.

"I'm glad I don't have to tell mom and dad what happened."

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