"Heart!" I asked in sudden alarm, scanning the streets for my companion in vain.

We had slipped into the city with the cover of night to aid us. It was rather late, and I was trying to find an inn for us to stay at. Yet in my search, a fog had begun to roll in; and it didn't take long to realize that I was alone. The cobblestone roads were empty of any sort of life, including that of my fellow traveler. She had been right beside me, and with a turn of my head and back to ask her something, she was gone.

Turning around proved just as useless in my hopes to find her. I'd hoped maybe she'd just stepped ahead to look at something. However, there simply wasn't any trace of her.

"Heart?" I called out now, only hearing the echo of my own voice echoing through the thickening mists, "Heart, where are ya?"

Yet as I continued through the city, I would find less buildings that had just been surrounding me. In their place was a forest of barren trees, now emptying into a large grove. Then, through the thick, almost smoke like fog, I could see an encampment of sorts set up around the area. From within several large tents, I could hear vague conversations and shared laughter. The warm glow emanating from the lanterns seemed to help pierce the cold, dark night trying to take hold of it. Almost like fireflies in a strange jar that was the Earth.

"Heart?" I attempted again while weaving around the tents, but still came up fruitless in my search.

Wandering into the encampment, I continued to look around with caution. I hoped anyone that might care to recognize me, would be in the tents busy with their company.

"Heart?" I called out in hopes of finding my lost companion.
The colorfully clad people I did run into gave me a wide berth, eyeing me over warily. One of them, a tall burly man with a curled mustache and numerous earrings, strolled up to me. The strong man, crossing his arms, stopped in front of me, and looked down upon me,"Stranger, what brings you to our caravan?"
I remained cautious as I answered, "Jus' passin' through, an' lookin' for my travelin' companion. Maybe you've seen her? She goes by Heart?"

I tried to look around myself to see if I could catch a glimpse of her, yet all I found were more tents and woods around us.
The large man looked back to his companions, before turning back around to me. Raising a brow, he shook his head, "Can't say we have stranger... but I know somebody who can help."
Against my unease, I said, "That would be appreciated,...friend?"

Looking over the man and his friends, I started to notice something familiar about them. At least in appearance. For their features, dark hair, hazelnut skin-tone, and such were quite like my own. From time to time I'd met other people sharing these traits, but the setting itself drew this more to my attention.

"Who are...?" I paused and tried instead, "Where am I?"
He would wave for me to follow him, leading us through the tents of the encampment. "Sergei..." Soon, he would bring me to a larger tent, and stepped aside, opening the flap door, "She has been waiting for you."
"Wait...she?" I stepped in with some hope tugging at my chest.

Yet, going inside, I wouldn't find even a trace of Lady Cezanni. Still, I went in as my curiosity grew.
Inside, I would find the tent full of incense, a thick smoke floating about the small area. In the center sat a round table, with a chair before it and a crystal ball atop. However, that wasn't what caught my attention. On the other side, sat an elderly woman dressed in the same colorful clothes as the others, but despite having a thin frame, she towered over me, and even the strong man who escorted me. Looking down upon me with milky, white eyes, she gave a grin, a she beckoned me to sit, "You have returned child... take a seat... and we shall speak."
"Returned?" I asked while taking in my surroundings, "I have to find Lady Cezanni. Have ya seen her?"

Out of politeness, I did sit before her at the table. Despite my unease from before, I now felt oddly safe. Not to mention increasingly curious. I would glance over the inside of the tent, seeing all sorts of intriguing items, before facing her, "Who are ya...?"
"I am Madame Eva... a seer for the Vastani... my people..." She replied, as she pulled out a small deck of cards, shuffling them in her large, gnarled hands.
"You said I've returned?" I asked carefully, "Mam, I've never seen you, or been here before? Please, have ya seen Heart?"
Flipping the cards between her hands, she let out a chuckle, "Not here... but we are a traveling people... perhaps you never knew us, but, somebody who was very important once did, child..."
"Travelin'?" I asked, "I'm not sure what ya mean? Someone important?"

I tried to think on the bits of clues said, yet nothing came to mind.

"Please share what ya know? Do ya know who I am, an' where Lady Cezanni is?" I requested politely.
She raised up a hand to shush me, before waving a finger, "You will find out in due time, child... but, as for your Heart... " She would begin to place cards on the table, reading the strange symbols upon them, "She will be where you found her before... in the hands of one with impure intent... beware though, the Mists will make things difficult.."
I listened as instructed. However, she would clearly see the alarm that shot through me at the mention of Heart being in left in the wrong hands somehow. Then I asked, "The Mists? Madame Eva, why do ya speak as though ya know me?"
She smiled, revealing the few crooked teeth still in her mouth, "My child... no... you were her child... she was such a good pupil... but, she decided to go on her own path, and part from us..."
My remaining eye widened from hearing this, "Her child...wait...my mother?"

I thought back as far as I could, "I don't even remember her...Ever since I can recall, I've wandered from place to place. I was found an' taken in when I was baby, but I left the orphanage when I was just a kid?"

I looked to the elder before me, "Do ya know what happened to her?"
She let out a sigh, as she shook her head, "Child... despite what others may claim, I do not know all... but that is something you must discover. The ways of our people is still in your blood it seems... as is our gift I sense..."
Giving a quiet nod, I said, "I see?"

In regards to the other part, I inquired, "Ya mean wanderin' from place to place? What gift? Can it help Heart?"
She gave a nod, before folding up her cards, "That is for you to discover yourself, child... you are always welcome to come back; but... I feel that you must leave now... otherwise, you may lose your chance."
Getting to my feet, I gave a respectful bow of my head, "Thanks for sharin' what ya can?"

Then I turned to leave, as encouraged.

While this encounter would linger in my head, knowing Heart was in trouble quickly took my focus. So I hurried out into the mists, seeing that they were indeed parting. Yet in it's place, came a storm beginning to brew overhead. Rows of trees would transition into buildings again, returning me to the city. The caravan was now nowhere in sight.
I continued my search through the streets, until I eventually found an inn to try and take refuge in to gather my thoughts. Until someone else passing through the entrance caught my attention, causing me to step to the side to blend in for the moment.

The leader of the two rogues walking in, clearly noted as such by the confidence in his smirk and stride. His dirty blonde to brown hair was recently combed back and his black tunic fixed back into place just as quickly. I raised a brow at this as I wondered to myself, "What was he up to around here?"

"I'm in need of a stiff drink, old chum? Quickly now!" he stated with mock respect for the owner, "I have important places to be, and precious cargo to unload when I get there."

The bartender raised a brow, "One would normally finish the job so they can pay for their drink?"

"I assure you after the first half, it is needed. Now please get to it. You are a bar keep, are you not?" He pushed back with faintly kept patience.

"Coming right up," the half orc owner retorted while retrieving his drink of choice.

"Splendid, and one for my partner here as well," Falcone added.

To this, I grew more curious, and walked up to the counter, "Been a long time, hasn't it Falcone?"

He had jumped slightly at my voice, and turned with widened eyes, before forcing a pleasant laugh, "Duke, that is has! I see you're doing well."

I simply smirked, "That I am. Though you should warn your new partner that you have a terrible history working with others."

"I won't be working with him for long," Falcone mentioned casually, "he's simply helping me with a delivery, and then we'll split ways."

"Ya seem to be on edge? You weren't expectin' to need help with this job, were ya?" I went right for it.

"It simply made the task at hand less time consuming. My employer insisted," Falcone shrugged with a wave of his hand.

He took a sip of his drink once it was set on the counter. Then he said, "It's been difficult to stay on top hasn't it, dear boy? Thanks to our last partnership, you were left incomplete, as it were?"

He gave a sneering smirk, looking me eye to eye. Until I assured in a composed tone, "If anythin', it's been a good challenge to keep my skills from growin' dull. Maybe you should try it, especially if you're in need of help for a simple job after all?"

Losing a bit of his calm demeanor, he gave a glare and hissed, "Lucky for you, I don't have the time to finish the job with you, dear boy. Stay here, and dance with your wenches. While I take on jobs you'd never dream of taking on. You're too cowardly to do what it takes to be a real thief."

He'd kept his voice low beneath the returning music. However, I had heard him clearly. Though I didn't rise to his bait, as I pondered now to myself, "Just what have ya taken?"

I glanced at his partner. He towered over Falcone by a good two feet, with bulked up limbs. Stealth wasn't the skill needed here for whatever it was.

I knew he wouldn't tell me if I inquired further. Still, something didn't sit well with me on this. When he left, I knew I had little time to wait. Just as I stepped out into the side street, I would hear the crack of a whip as an iron clad wagon drove off. Taking a breath, I hurried after it along the shadowed alley until it went to pass by. In that running start, I managed to leap onto the side just as it went over a bump, causing them to mistake my shifting it's weight for the bumpy cobblestone road. This allowed me to creep up onto the roof of the wagon, and listen without much extra effort. Neither Falcone or the driver spoke.

However, I soon looked head on to see we were headed to a rather large manor. Overhead, the storm had found us, as lightning struck the skies and thunder rumbled enough to shake the ground we road along. This brought little comfort to me as I sat on that large metal box on wheels.

Luckily, we reached our destination rather quickly. As we drove passed the walls, I readied my stance and made another leap. I wasn't about to be greeted by the guards certainly waiting to escort Falcone and his buddy, with whatever loot they'd acquired in hand. Though this did make traveling along those walls much easier, with their attention brought to the wagon entering through the front entrance in a bold declaration of arrival. Whatever it was, it seemed this baron was not afraid of others seeing it, or he had enough funding to cover it up perhaps?

Either way, I made my way along the garden to reach the front. From there, I crouched down and watched carefully from the ledge I'd perched myself on. As expected the guards gathered around the large iron case, just as Falcone hopped off the front. He strolled along to the back and unlocked the sheet of metal that was a door. It was then that I realized that the metal box had thin air vents, but no windows to see inside from, or for what was inside to look out. Or who...?

For as I watched from above them, I would see Falcone slip into the back of that wagon. Moments later, he would emerge, growling threats under his breath. All while dragging someone along behind him.

My remaining eye widened to see her burgundy hair pulled almost entirely out of her ribbon, and her torn tunic in dissaray. The ripped sleeve at the shoulder would show those blue scales had spread up her arms quite bit.

"Heart?" I barely managed to keep my voice under my breath.

Though I knew it would be suicide for both of us if I jumped down without a plan into a pack of guards. I would have to wait for the right opportunity to reach her. However, that didn't mean I was going to dare leave her alone with them.

Following their steps, I would see them head quickly into the front double doors of the manor. The guards shielded Heart from view that wasn't from above. Then again, who would watch them from above, I mused while swiftly turning to the nearest window. With my fingers running along the edge of the pane, I found the latch and slipped my tool from under my sleeve, to beneath the frame, and shifted it just so. In moments, I was inside.

My soft soled boots planted themselves on the evergreen rug, masking my steps as I made my way to the hall and ducked into a corner to listen on. Several sets of boots could be heard heading towards the study towards the right side of the mansion. Following along the slim ledge along the high part of the wall, I made my way to that large room. The study was lined with countless books on magic and other such wonders. However, despite the effects to make it all look nice, it was easy to see that mansion itself was not as well kept. Dust clung to the more unused shelves and furniture. There was the distinct smell of mold near the windows where water had leaked through to do it's damage.

A few guards stood inside the front of the room with Falcone and his partner, both of whom were still dragging Heart as she fought to get loose. I slipped into the back, and hid behind a shelf. From there, a very well dressed figure stepped out from the central bookshelves with a dusty, unkept tome in his hands. He looked up from it, and raised his brow at the sight pulled in before him, "So you've found her for me then?"

"As promised, Baron Ebon," Falcone assured with a grin I knew without seeing it, "the princess you ordered to be brought to you?"

"She was supposed to be brought to me shortly after the siege on Cezanni Castle. What have you been doing all this time to cause such a horrendous delay?" he scowled while looking down at her from his wrinkled, pointy nose.

I vaguely recognized him as the baron who'd demanded a dance from her back at the ball. He was some sort of half-elf, with his traditional pointed ears. He was indeed showing his old age, which was odd for his kind. Unless he was a particularly long lived half-elf by this point.

The tome clamped shut in the aristocrat's hand, as he strolled up eagerly to examine the still fighting princess before him. She pulled and kicked to try and slip away, but to no avail. Energy sparked around her in short bursts to try and shake their grip, that only tightened. The baron smiled, with a gleam of intrigue in his eyes, as he spoke to her, "Your very nature reveals the magic lineage running in those veins of yours."

She froze with a shudder of rage as she spat at him. He went to raise his hand, but paused and chuckled, "Do not fret, you will be comfortable here for as long as I need you."

"How long is that exactly, Lord Ebon?" She demanded in a bitterly low tone.

"Just a moment, my dear," he insisted before looking to Falcone, "You can go. You'll get your payment on the way out for the service you've provided me."

His eyes gleamed with a lust as they gazed over her again. Falcone gave a slight mock of a bow and strolled out, not even looking in the eyes of the one he'd just condemned. I vaguely caught the sound of him catching a bag full of gold in his hand. However, as he placed it in his satchel and went to leave, I swiftly ventured my hand out and swept it back out, replacing it with a bag of various metal shavings and bits I'd made for such an occasion.

Then the baron was left with two better prepared guards, and the noble woman held between them. He ran a hand to her chin, and cupped it tightly to keep her from looking away from him. He glanced at the worn text in his hand and said to her, "You see my dear, it's quite simple even for a young thing such as you. To continue my lineage I need an heir, but I needed the correct mate for such a thing. Then I saw you at the ball, and I couldn't help but notice these intriguing markings, worn on your sleeves as it were. Making you quite the exotic beauty to bare my child for me, and gift your magic to them."

A shudder ran through us both, as his wishes were made inescapably clear.

"I will not carry your child! I don't want to be here, and you will not keep me here!" She warned in a growling voice, "You think I'll let you touch me?!"

"My dear you'll have little choice in the matter. I suggest you get used to the idea," he assured with a smile, "Your castle has fallen to another, giving you little chance of ever reclaiming your throne. However, you will be well cared for here. While you hold my son, I will make sure you are given the most comfortable life you could imagine."

"And when your child is born?" she demanded in disgust.

"Then you will no longer be needed, will you? Though I could be persuaded to keep you, I suppose?" he said as though she were a pet.

As he leaned towards her, I nearly slipped out from my hiding spot to give an answer of my own. Yet my actions were halted when she gave him a swift kick in the jaw, twisting her form just enough to knock him back into his shelves. However, it wasn't enough to get free of the guards that shoved her into the now closed door behind them. The baron sneered while nursing his bruising lip, "You horrid wench! How dare you strike me?!"

He stood up, and looked down at her with eyes fuming with alarm and rage, "Consider yourself lucky that I sought you out! I will have that magic of yours for my family line. It will begin with my son; and you will be the dearly, departed mother that brought his life into this world, before losing your own!"

He set the tome he'd been holding quite harshly on the tome to emphasize the fate he had in mind for her. The pages left open to what he'd been reading over when interrupted.

He then eyed her, and said, "It is the most a demon like you could ever hope for. Your own people didn't even fight for you. So who would miss you? Who can blame them, considering the company you tried to keep while you had your crown? Being swept up by some stranger like some love-sick child?"

Then he nursed his lip a bit more, and said to his men, "See to it she is secured to her chambers. I will join her when the time is right, when she has much less fight left in her."

"Coward!" she growled.

"Hardly," he sneered just as he had her dragged away, "I'll see you soon, my dear."

With that she was pulled out of the room, and down the corridors of the manor. When the baron turned his back to pick up the books that had fallen, I made my exit out of the study. Though on my way out, while he went behind the shelf to pick up more, I quickly liberated those open pages, and tucked them into my tunic for safe keeping. Without decision, I followed those marching metallic steps, combined with the kicking and dragging feet of Heart. I ascended carpeted stairwells to hurry after them. However, as I found the hall where her echoing shouts met me, I realized I couldn't simply barge in. Guards would swarm the hall if I went in immediately.

So I waited in the darkened end of the hall, the thundering masking my steps when I had to walk across the marble floor. Then I listened for the guards to emerge once she had been secured inside, as commanded. From within the room I could hear sudden gasps of pain from various men, as bursts of electricity illuminated the room on and off. Finally they would step out, leaving one guard inside to watch her closely.

I weighed my options. A few of them grumbled over some mild burns they'd taken from the devil of a woman, as they refereed to her. The one closing the door mocked their captive, "That'll hold you good and ready now, won't it?"

There was the obvious hall lined with a number of guards waiting for their employer to emerge and take his prize when she was exhausted from fighting.

Then there was the room beside hers. The room that lead me to another narrow catwalk that I found myself stepping onto. It was much more difficult in the rain, but I focused each step carefully. Sliding along, I would reach my hand to the side and grasp the window left open, to my surprise.

"Maybe the rain will cool you off," the guard snickered while I risked a glance inside.

She was bound to the bed with strong cloth bindings wrapping around what I was certain was sturdier ropes. Her wrists were held up by the posts on each side of the headboard with her legs were tied to rest folded beneath her, to keep her from kicking. Her roughed up and torn tunic were the evidence of the fight she'd put up already.

"You're lucky to be hand picked with that supposed blood of yours. If it weren't for that, you wouldn't be worth much anymore, would you?" the guard scoffed.

When she only glared at him, he laughed while strolling up to her. As he reached to cup her chin in his gauntlet wearing hand, I slipped in behind him. I froze as I noticed her briefly glancing at me for a moment. Yet she remained silent, while looking back at the guard forcing her to face him. With that, I slipped a cloth from my pouch that I dampened with a toxin poured from a small vile, and swiftly crept up behind the guard. My gloved hand closed over his mouth as he gasped in that drenched cloth, and soon dropped to the floor without an ounce of resistance given. Before he could collide too harshly upon the ground though, I managed to slide him down carefully.

Then I looked again to the young woman, now staring back at me. As lightening struck outside the window, the light would engulf the room. With this all too brief illumination, I was able to take in the flash of energy sparking in the depths of those eyes. They glistened, not unlike sapphires watching me as I approached. She bared no smile, nor did those eyes narrow into a glare.

Her hand woven tunic that was torn at the collar to reveal a bit of her chest. Her hair hung in waves of ruby pink and deep wine, wildly down passed her shoulders and in her face. Her skin was quite pale, but with a form daring not to tremble before me as I drew nearer to her.

I looked to her and promised in a whisper, "I'm here to steal ya away from this sweetheart, jus' trust me okay?"

With slightly raised brows at hearing this, she then attempted a wary smile and gave a nod, "Please?"

"Of course," I replied, while retrieving a few tools from my belt and getting right to work on those binds.

In mere moments those bonds were severed and she, who had been leaning forward with her feet tucked under her, fell forward into me. As she did, I quickly caught her by her upper arms.

"Easy, sweetheart," I whispered as I realized how her frame shook, "Ya put up quite a fight didn't ya?"

She nodded her head.

Then I instructed softly, "Put your arms around my neck, an' I'll handle the rest."

She did as I asked, trusting me to lift her up into my arms. With her securely in my grip, I headed back towards the window.

Outside, I could hear a few pairs of boots making room to prepare for the ones we noticed approaching from down the hall.

"He's not wastin' time, is he?" I half chuckled under my breath and felt her arms tighten around my neck, "Easy there, Lady Heart."

With that, I gingerly placed a foot out onto the ledge again, testing it's purchase, before following after it with the rest of me, and her. Out on that catwalk, the rain poured down on us, threatening to send us plummeting to the gardens below. A straight drop would land us right in a brier patch that wrapped around the manor from roses they failed to grow. Beside the window still, we could hear the door open, followed by an outraged gasp, "How did she-?! That wench! Find her, you idiots!"

Balancing along that wall to avoid him spotting us as he looked out that window, took more skill and practice than I'd like to admit. However, we managed to just turn the corner before he would have caught sight of us. This also became our salvation, as that turn of the building had spaces in the brick for me to grasp.

"Hold onto me, an' I'll get us down," I instructed as I carefully helped her shift her position onto my back.

With my grip set on that wall, I began our descent. Nearby, I could hear the metal boots of guards hurrying through the courtyard and hedges of the manor. Leaping over to the wall wasn't an option this time with both of us.

"One thing at a time," I breathed, as my grasp on the ledge nearly missed from the dampness left from the rain.

In just mere moments I had us the rest of the way down that wall. After I set my feet firmly on the grass, I helped her down off of me.

"Once we get out of here, we're in the clear. Even this baron can't afford to chase you beyond the gates," I mentioned, "Do ya have the strength to run?"

Without a word, she nodded her head.

As we heard a set of heavy boots drawing near, we ducked behind a row of hedges and lined our backs against the thorns and brush. The dry twigs and leaves pricked at what little was exposed of my neck, and pulled the hair of my short ponytail a bit. Glancing at her, I would find the thin branches pulling at her tunic, as well as scratching her arms and neck.

The guards hurried by, and we made our break for it. With a nod of my head gesturing towards the side gate, we ran along. When more men rushed near, we would pause and duck into the shrouds allotted to us here and there. After several minutes of this, we caught sight of the iron gate. Only to find a number of armored men standing there in the rain to block our way. We could also hear the baron, now shouting at his men, and then calling out to her, "Where are you, my dear? You shouldn't keep me waiting."

Glancing beside me, while we were crouched down among the thorns and brush again, I could see her tensing up. A shudder ran down her spine as he commanded, "Come to me, and I will give you purpose again."

At this, I closed my hand over hers, causing her to look up at me. With a reassuring smile given to her, I then glanced down at the pouch on my belt and sighed. Taking a few recently gems from that were in that bag I'd swiped, I gave a swift swing of my wrist and tossed them to where they'd hear the clattering off to the side. Like clockwork, they hurried over to investigate, leaving only one guard to sneak by.

"Where is she?!" the baron demanded when they found no one there as we hurried along, snaking passed the distracted guard.

With that, I lifted her up so she could climb up onto the gate and hop over. Then I followed after her as a claw of lightening covered us by striking across from us, catching their attention in the split moment we needed to get over that rusting wrought iron.

Thunder masked our hastened steps, as we bolted from the manor and that baron. We didn't stop until we'd made it well close to the center of the city. Catching her hand, I pulled her into an alley to evade any chance of being followed. Once tucked away, we both gasped for breath with burning lungs and worn out legs. Our backs were pressed against the damp wall as the rain began to soften over our heads.

"Are you alright, Lady Heart?" I asked after some air graced my lungs with a cool comfort to it.

She gasped a bit still, while turning her head to look up at me. Her frail form trembled with fatigue and cold from running as well as her fight from before. Yet still, I could see a number of questions forming in her perplexed brow once the adrenaline of the moment washed away.

"Wh-Where were you?" She started with.

Stepping from the wall I turned to face her with a heartfelt bow, my hand over my heart as I answered, "I'm sorry...I don't know what happened. When we got to the city, I lost ya in the fog an' ended up somewhere...somewhere strange?"

I then attempted to explain my meeting with Madame Eva, and her warnings to me. This included knowing, "She said you were in trouble..."

"The leader said he knew you when I was looking for you. Then his partner grabbed me, and they said I had an overdue date to keep..." she shuddered a bit.

I wanted to reach out to her, but felt it wasn't my place after what had happened to her. Though seeing her torn tunic, I offered my cloak to her, "Here, sweetheart?"

"Duke?" She asked a bit nervously, as though the panic were starting to hit her now.

As I stood before her, I noticed something about her I hadn't before. While she'd been dealing with the curse, she'd been afraid. Yet not in this way. Not hugging her arms close to her chest to cover herself. Not closing herself off to make sure no one got close to her.

My face must have shown how I felt about this. For she asked again, "Duke?"

Thinking of how that baron, a man of supposed high upbringing, had treated her, I found myself saying to her, "In name only, darlin'. There isn't an ounce of nobility in me. Though if there were, I'd like to believe I'd have more manners than that pompous lord of slime."

"Thank you," she answered while trying to smile.

"You're quite welcome, Lady Heart."

"Did that guy really know you?" she then asked.

"Falcone's never been anythin' more than a thug," I commented with a rise of a temper hinted at in my throat, "He gives us hard workin' thieves a bad name."

For a moment, I thought I caught a glimpse of a smile. Then she said, "Lucky for me, you were on the job tonight?"

A smirk curved my scarred lip as I looked over her, "I'd say I'm the lucky one to have stolen such a treasure away?"

Caught off guard by this remark, I couldn't help but enjoy the sight of her blushing. Then I offered again, "We should probably find a place to stay for the night. The baron can't risk a wide search or one that extends into daylight. What he tried to do would land him in trouble he can't pay off."

"You're putting your own safety at risk Duke, if you're caught hiding me away-," she started to warn.

"I'm at risk every day with my line of work. One noose or another doesn't look much different to me by this point," I assured with a bit of confidence showing on my face.

I glanced over her torn tunic and mentioned, "Luckily I got our room at the local inn an' had our supplies on me at the time. We can mend your tunic there an' get some rest. Ya know you're safe with me."

"Honor among thieves?" she raised a teasing brow.

I smiled, "The deepest honor there is, Lady Heart."

Once back at the inn, I paid for our meals with some of the gold I still carried. The owner listened to our tale, and made certain no guards entered into his establishment that night. He also asked one of the ladies that lived in one of the rooms upstairs if she had some clothes for Heart she could wear. The silver haired half-elf obliged by bringing Heart a fresh white tunic and a deep burgundy skirt. When she returned I gave a genuine grin, "Ravishin'."

I wondered if anyone had ever offered her such words with how quick she was to blush. The demands of the baron were hardly in the same vain, as I'd seen him look at her like mere property he'd paid for. Thinking back to the ball, the other guests didn't interact with the princess very much at all.

Heart sat at the counter with me, and ate her meal rather quietly. Sipping the cool glass of milk she'd asked for seemed to bring her some comfort though.

"You're safe, Heart. I can't promise much, but that you can be sure of okay?" Duke told me.

"That baron had better watch it. Last I heard, he was running out of funds to pay his men. He spends it on items he claims will ensure his lineage to thrive. They'll turn on him when he dries up his resources," the half-orc barkeep scoffed while drying a glass.

"Not to mention the risk they're takin' if he's ever found out for this. Are they willin' to take the fall for him?" Duke pointed out.

"He may be able to cover it up with the right items at his disposal, the man's got a plethora of charms and tomes to persuade others," he sighed.

A shudder ran up my spine hearing this.

"I think the guy knows he's at the end of his ropes though. That's why he's so desperate for a powerful air, an' what's more powerful than a princess bearin' magic in her blood?" Duke mentioned while glancing at me.

The barkeeper raised a brow, "Ah, so you're Lady Cezanni, here in my tavern of all places?"

I winced, before he offered a smile, "Well weirder things have happened. My condolences for what took place in your own home."

Duke looked to him a bit puzzled before the barkeeper mentioned for me, "Word travels fast, friend. The Cezanni Family were a good one, and yet it seems the world has been against them. All these tragedies in such a short lifetime thus far. I imagine it's difficult to trust people right now."

I nodded without a word to add to this. Then, while glancing at Duke a moment, I said quietly, "I'm glad I was proven wrong this time."

Duke gave a smile in answer to this.

Shortly after we were told that our room was ready when we grew tired. After such a busy night, I could see he was more than ready for a good night's rest. Opening the door to show there were two beds seemed to help me ease up a bit more as well. I then went right to work mending my tunic with another cantrip, which had come in handy since Madame Lucille had taught it to me.

Once it was done, I couldn't help but feel fatigue taking over me. I'd been able to keep it at bay with the unease from earlier lingering. Even now it did, as I noticed the rope burn on one of my wrists and rubbed it gently. Duke was reading over something at the moment, so I hadn't seen him catching sight of this.

"Heart?" his voice made me jump a bit as I looked up to find him standing over me.

"Are ya alright?" he asked, but didn't reach out to touch me as he might have before.

I'd never minded him doing so before, as he was always respectful when venturing a hand out to me. Yet now, it were as though he were afraid of attempting. I wasn't sure how I felt about this now that I realized it. Nor was I sure how to answer him.

"I think I found somethin'," he then mentioned while handing the torn out pages he'd been reading over to me.

Looking them over, I would find recordings of bloodlines infused with magic. Right away, one caught my attention. Those that gained traits such as scales, and the power of a certain element, could continue to obtain the features of the creature that were tied to them. The types varied; fire, ice, poison, and many others. Along with these was, of course, lightning. Then, turning over the page, I would find..., "What?!"

Glancing up in awe, I would see Duke's encouraging smile. For when I looked back over the pages, there it was..., "A...dragon?"

"I'd say it answers a lot," he replied.

"You...you believe this is what I am?" I asked in disbelief, not realizing my hands were shaking.

"Honestly, the scales should have been a give away," he chuckled, "Then again, I imagine it's one thing to to admire such creatures, an' another to believe your tied to them?"

"So, what does this mean then? Will I become more and more like one? How can I control this better?" I began to go down the list of questions springing to mind.

"One thing at a time, Heart," Duke insisted gently, "At least ya have the first answer, an' we'll figure out the rest as our quest continues. You'll exhaust yourself at this point if ya don't get some rest."

Despite how tired I knew I was, I couldn't help but feel hesitant. Seeing this, Duke said, "You're safe, an' we're goin' to get the answers ya need."

"Duke...why are you risking so much? I don't have a throne to defend you from if you were caught. Nor can I rely on this magic as of yet."

"You're the hope of our home," he insisted, "an'..." he trailed off while looking over me.

"Duke?" I attempted.

I shook my head. To this, Duke picked up one of the blankets folded on the nearby table, and carried it over to me.

"Here, get all the rest ya need, okay?" he offered it to me.

"Thank you, for all the risks you've taken tonight," I replied.

"You're quite welcome, Lady Heart."

Morning, however, came a bit more abruptly than I'd thought it would. Just as the sun barely peeked through the window, did I jump with a start at the crashing below the floor boards of the 2nd story of the tavern. It only grew louder, as the shoving of furniture followed after. Shouts and cursing reached our ears, as I looked to a rather startled Heart still in her bed. Metal boots stomped around, and she flew from her sheets and blanket to the window. I hurried over and pulled her back from the frame to look out in her place.

"What are you-?!"

"Shh," I instructed as I checked over the street below.

Outside the tavern was another wagon, much like the cage from the previous night. With it were a few men bearing the baron's emblem on the chest of their coats. I felt her tensing up as I held her against me.

"Have you seen the baron's bride?!" one of the men shouted, "Any information would be worth a reward to him. He wants her found and brought back home to him!"

Heart shuddered in my hands.

"What is the cage for then?" the owner questioned.

"We believe someone has stolen her away, and we merely wish to bring them to justice once they are found," the guardsman replied in a mock pleasant tone.

At this, Heart looked up at me as I hissed, "Lyin' cretin!"

Still, the owner at the counter stated, "I haven't seen her. Now if you'd kindly leave, I can make the little living I can-"

"I'm afraid a more thorough check is called for, sir. We'll check the upstairs, and be out of your way in no time," one of them insisted snidely.

As they came up the stairs, I looked below to see the owner shouting at the awaiting men. He waved his hands in the air as he shouted in outrage...at least I thought, before he glanced up at the window with another wave. It was now that I saw the wagon of recently emptied stock below the window, just pulled over by his half-orc daughter. Still, the barkeep yelled, "I'm trying to sort my supplies, and you're ruining my bar! It's time for you to get out of here!"

With that, I gave a quick nod and pulled Heart onto the roof with me before she could pull away. While they were still distracted, I took Heart by the hand. Though we barely had a chance to count down to three, before taking a leap onto the wagon below. Fortunately, the drop hadn't been too bad as we landed in a crouched position and jumped back up. Before anyone could register what we'd done, I cracked the reigns fastened to the two horses and we were off, "Hang on!"

We didn't dare pay heed to the shouting and cursing trailing after us into gradual silence. While I drove on, Heart sat at my right, while I kept my focus on the road ahead of us.

"Time to leave town, would have been nice to get some breakfast first," I shrugged while urging the horses to go faster.

"Duke, you don't have to do all of this! They didn't see you, you can go free!" Heart insisted.

"An' let them take ya back to that self absorbed snake?!" I exclaimed, "Why do ya keep tryin' to give up?!"

"I'll think of something! You already got me out, that's more than enough, Duke!" she attempted, before she gave a short gasp.

I couldn't turn my head enough to see, but I could hear another wagon gaining on us. Cracking the reigns once more, I felt our own picking up in speed.

"If we can just leave town, we'll be safe!" I assured her.

"I don't want you dragged away for this!" She attempted once more.

I gave a confident laugh, "They'll have to catch us first Heart! Now hang on!"

As we rode on, I could see the other wagon drawing closer. It's driver tried to steady his horses in their hastened gallop. Their companion rider readied a crossbow and took aim, sneering at the driver beside me. I quickly turned and hopped onto the back of our cart, creeping as close as I could without falling off.

"Heart what are ya-?!"

Focusing on the horses chasing our wheels, I let out a deep breath, flicking my hand in a slapping motion and watched. In that instant the horse nearest to our side reared up in alarm from the conjured up hand slapping it, jolting the wagon it pulled. In this sudden shift, the crossbow was shot, but was aimed upwards in it's attempt.

"What happened?!" the marksman demanded.

"I don't know! Something spooked it!" the driver stammered in just as much shock.

"Hurry, before we lose them!" the first shouted to little avail.

With these precious moments, we managed to turn a corner and keep going for a bit longer. As we neared the walls of the city, we would find guards posted at the gates. Duke, however, simply laughed, "Did they really think we'd go straight for the front door?"

With a pull and another turn, we rode down an outer street near a few buildings. Duke then called to me, "When I say go, we make our jump! we'll let them chase after an empty wagon for a bit while we get out of here!"

Just ahead, I could see a soft bed of hay that was set aside for a stable that hadn't been brought inside yet. As we drew closer, Duke loosened the reigns and partially stood. He offered a hand to me, "Ready?"

Still at his right, I placed my hand in his and took a breath, "Ready!"

"Go!" Duke said, just loud enough for me to hear, as we leapt off of the wagon and into that bed of straw.

We had little time to catch our breath,h as we heard hooves and boots alike chasing after us. The two of us scrambled to our feet, and made a break for it down a side street while they went after our horses. Still holding my hand, Duke pulled me along to a piece of the outer wall surrounding the city. He ran his fingers along a plank, and smirked before shoving it to the side. He then pushed me along ahead of him, before sliding in behind me and letting the board close up into place.

"Go straight ahead Heart, it's safe," he assured me as I blindly lead us along.

"What is this?" I asked.

"Well, I've actually been in this city before...I used to hop towns from time to time. I was sorta makin' a name for myself anywhere that I could. This was how I got in an' out when I didn't want to be noticed. Still comes in handy from time to time," he replied.

"Duke...if they saw you then you can't go back there...they'll spread the word of what you've done, and I can't-?" I asked with growing concern.

"I'm already an outlaw remember?" he pointed out.

"All the more reason for you to just let me go on my own. You're risking too much," I pushed.

Still he followed after me, reaching passed me at points to shove more beams of wood out of our path. Before we made it to the other end of the passage, I turned around and looked up at him. He came to a sudden pause as he had heard me do the same.

"So outside of town then?" he asked, avoiding what I'd just said.

"Duke-"

"Heart, don't worry so much about me okay?" he stated firmly before admitting, "It's kinda fun usin' my skills to help someone for once. I gave ya my word to support ya, an' I'll keep it."

Realizing the only way to go was onward, I gave up. We quickly made our way to the other side, where Duke slid open another temporary door. He looked out ahead, deeming the coast clear before we hopped out.

Then I heard it, the distinct shifting of fastened triggers and pulled cords.

"Did you enjoy your little run?" the captain of the baron's guard sneered, while stepping into view at the center of his men.

Duke and I had frozen where we stood, our hands up for them to see clearly. My eyes narrowed as the baron strolled up beside his captain. He raised a brow, with amusement twisting his goateed face as he looked over the rogue beside me, "Well if it isn't the wanted thief, caught taking what simply doesn't belong to him?"

"She doesn't belong to you either!" Duke retorted sharply.

"That's where you're wrong, you slithering pickpocket," he scoffed, "Was it not my private chambers you broke into and took her from?"

"Is it really stealin' her, when she wanted to leave? All that money, an' you couldn't even pay to enjoy the warmth of a woman's touch?" Duke chuckled with contempt gleaming in his remaining eye.

The baron's eyes widened from the jab, and his jaw locked in place with his breath seething between his teeth, "How dare you?!"

Duke gave a smirk while facing the teeth of the arrows aimed at him, "I consider it to be an honor that what got me caught was savin' her from the likes of you."

"Save her? Interesting word for it?" the baron scoffed while walking up to me.

The baron looked me over with a shine in his eyes that made me shudder with disgust. Contempt emerged from his throat, "A comfortable life provided to her in return of the service she'll provide me, is hardly a concern to be saved from. It's the best a serpent like her could have hoped for. Then again, you wouldn't know that would you? You couldn't know the intricacies of power and wealth, being nothing but a lowborn dog, biting after what scraps he can find and take!"

My blood ran ice cold, before rising to a boil from his words towards my companion. I watched as the baron strolled up to Duke, with a sneer twisting his oily face, "To put it simply, by being hand picked by me, this creature belongs to me. I paid to have her brought to me; where she can live safely, and free from the cruelties her life would have otherwise brought her. In return, I ask she provide me the son I require to carry on my heritage, along with the blood to create a strong successor. A simple request really, and more than fair if you ask me? Despite the name you carry, you are nothing more than the thief you were born to be, writhing along to swipe what could never belong to you."

"I'd rather be a thief than a cretin like you," Duke growled, his smooth demeanor cracking slowly.

The baron gave an all too comfortable, smug grin, "I would have enjoyed seeing you dance at the gallows; but I think gutting you right here would bring me some peace of mind, so you can never touch what's mine again!"

"Too cheap to afford the rope?" Duke bit back, "Or are ya too afraid I'll steal her away just as easily as I did last night?"

The baron didn't answer him in words, but walked over to me. Despite my attempts to inch away from his hand, he slid it to my chin and forced me to look at him, "I think you would find it much harder this time."

It was now that I caught a glimpse of the pendulum swinging from his fingers, behind his back, along with the amulet centered circlet in his palm.

"I was bringing her a lovely gift, when you stole her away last night!" the baron said, with feigned sweetness towards Heart, "I'm certain it will win her obedience?"

Heart tried to pull away as he went to slip it on her head as he snickered, "Now my-"

"Funny," I said with a smooth air in my tone to catch his attention when I added, "I didn't need some cheap jewelry to earn a smile an' a kiss from her."

"You what?!" the baron hissed.

"Ya heard me, an' the company I've been rewarded since meetin' her was some of the finest a thief like me could have ever asked for," I assured, more to Heart than, the baron with a smile still on my face.

I knew how he would take it. What I didn't calculate, was him striking her as he bellowed, "You let this filthy urchin touch you, over me?!"

"Ya touch her again, an' it'll be the last thing ya do," I warned with a narrowing glare as I ignored the aimed firearms, too sudden for them to adjust, and grabbed his arm as he went to hit her again.

"How dare you?!" he demanded as I pulled him back away from her.

He looked to his men, "Execute this thief where he stands! What am I paying you for?!"

They took aim, and their fingers raced for the triggers. Two men rushed up and grabbed Duke by an arm each to hold him in place. Another grabbed me, and began pulling me back.

"No! Please don't!" I exclaimed as Duke was forced down to his knees, while I was dragged a step or two away, "Duke!"

"Crime simply doesn't pay, but you certainly will," the baron sneered.

The arrows flew, and a gasp of shock emerged from my throat. With a hand pulled free all I could do was stifle this, before I registered the sight before me.

"Duke! No!"

There he was, with several arrows struck into his form. His mouth touched with crimson, as he choked on the blood emerging upward. His eyes wide with shock and pain. He looked to his men, the baron demanding through coughs of red, "...what...have...?"

"You don't pay either," the general commented, with an icy tone drifting through the still air somehow.

He then nodded to the two holding Duke as they brought him to his feet, but still held him in place. The heavy boots of the general sank with every step in the dampened soil. His eyes of coal met with Duke's one with bewildered intrigue. He glanced at me and shrugged as the baron dropped to the ground, un-helped by a single guard of his employ. Then with one last uttered garbled curse, his eyes went wide and he grew rigidly still.

After taking in what had just happened, Duke and I looked to one another. Neither of us said a word, yet he could see the thoughts racing through my head shown on my face. Then the general turned to face the restrained rogue.

"I should be bringing you in for the crimes you have committed. I care for this dethroned princess as little as the baron did; and I doubt you care much more than that. I don't even care to hear your reason for this," he spoke dryly, fatigue seeping through, "One way or another, the baron was going to bring us to ruin. Whether it be from his ill deeds to gain an heir, his lack of payment, or otherwise."

He looked over the thief, with clear disdain for his profession. Then he gave a nod to his men. I watched in fear that he was about to be dragged away, after everything he'd just done. After all that he'd done since I'd met him. Still he smiled, as though he weren't in fear of whatever may happen next. The captain's eyes narrowed, "It is quite tempting, in deed, to see you hang and be done with you!"

Both Duke and the commander glanced at me briefly. Though Duke held his gaze a bit longer, as the stern half elf before him spoke, "However, it would be far easier to explain this was an accident, if you weren't there to try and unveil what we've done here. No one will miss this Baron. We can say he went mad, and tried to take matters into his own hands as we were firing. That, and this chase has left me longing for my bed, and a good night's rest."

With this, Duke was shoved out of their hands. The beige skinned rogue brushed off his clothes, after having been shoved to the ground and yanked back up to his feet.

"Understand, thief, that this is a one time reprieve. If you are ever caught within the walls of this city again, you will receive an irresistible invitation to dance before the town by a rope. Have I made myself clear?"

"You have," Duke assured.

The captain turned to me, "As for you, I care not what you do or where you go. Though I would strongly suggest that you leave as well. Your presence has caused a great deal of trouble for us, and we would simply like to forget about it while we weave our way out of this."

I gave a nod of my own, though I'd already planned on leaving.

Without another word to either of us, they walked away, carrying the lifeless form of the baron back with them. I decided I wanted to be far from the gates, before the people could begin questioning anything. As I went to leave, I looked to Duke a moment and said softly, "Thank you."

When I went to step away, I would hear him following.

"That's it? All that, an' you're just goin' to say thanks an' walk away?" he asked in surprise.

"I'm sorry you can't go back there. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have been nearly dragged away like that. It's for the better we split ways now before anything else happens!" I tried to explain with frustration masked in my tone.

"Heart, if it hadn't been for all of this, I'd be strung up without a second thought right now," he mentioned.

"That's if you'd been caught in the first place, right? I don't want you taking such a risk for my sake again!" I pushed back, trying to walk faster.

His stride was a bit wider than my own, making it easy for him to keep pace with me. I was about to just run, when he kicked up his own speed to get ahead. Then he spun on his heel, and stood blocking my path along the dirt road we'd been walking along thus far.

"Don't ya think I understood that risk when I decided to help ya? Back when we started this quest?" he asked.

He then gave a wide grin with his scarred lip and added, "An' that was some of the most fun I've had in a long while."

I looked up at him, my eyes wide and mouth slightly agape from his casual reaction to a brush with death.

"Duke, I don't want to see you end up in trouble like that again," I insisted, "I thank you for all that you've done, more than I can say...but it really would be better for us to go our own ways."

He then tilted his head, with a bit of his own frustration touching his furrowed brow and remaining eye, "Is it because I'm an outlaw? Are ya worried about bein' caught with me?"

The hurt that struck those eyes made me wish I could eat the words I'd just said to her. Then I recalled how she'd cried out when we both thought I was being shot at. Realizing this, I understood a bit of what she was trying to do, but still I pushed apologetically, "I'm sorry...I know better than that from everythin' so far; but I think that's why I'm a bit confused on this, sweetheart?"

"It's more so, I don't want you caught again because of me, Duke. I can't protect you from being arrested, or worse..." she said.

"Lady Heart, I keep tryin' to tell ya-"

"I shouldn't expect you to travel with and protect me when it's risking your freedom like that," she said, before trying to get by me.

"Thing about expectations, sweetheart, is that they can be proven wrong," I mentioned, while stepping to the side to block her path still.

Her arms folded over her chest as she glanced away from me. I attempted a venture forward, "So you were worried about a vagabond pickpocket, such as myself?"

Her grip on her own arms tightened out of defensive instinct, her thin frame a bit rigid as she replied, "I was worried that one of the few people in my life I would consider a friend, would be taken away somehow...even if you didn't consider-"

"Of course I do, sweetheart!" I said quickly, ignoring the stunned sensation in my chest at her words with a delighted smile and tone.

I watched as her eyes widened a bit from this remark, just as startled to hear this confirmation as I had been.

Then I assured her, "Either way, I would have helped ya. I want ya to know that. Thief or not, there's no way I'd leave someone in trouble like that. There's a number of things that can be stolen...somethin' like that isn't one of 'em, whether you're a princess or not."

To keep her from shuddering, as I caught her about to do, I lastly added, "Though friend has a nicer ring to it than thief, for once."

At last, I drew out a slight smile with these carefully chosen words. Her stance eased a bit, and she looked up at me with eyes glistening of sapphire.

"Duke, what you did, the risks you took, I'd think hero fits even better?" she mentioned softly.

The pride beaming in me, could be seen in my smile, and felt in my chest. In my entire career as a rogue, I'd never quite felt as rewarded as I did in this moment. I'd helped families from time to time with the gold I'd taken, helped a friend hide from the law here and there; but it was never something like this. Some humility returned when I caught the soft pink brushed over her cheeks, and I heard myself say, "I'll gladly settle for friend when it comes to you, sweetheart."

Then I requested, "I also hope you'll let me continue this quest together?"

"You don't have to, Duke," she protested cautiously.

"I'd still like to, Heart," I told her earnestly, to try and get by her remaining hesitation as I offered a hand to her.

To my genuine surprise she placed her hand in mine again and answered, "I would like that Duke..."

I simply couldn't resist as I lifted her hand, bent forward slightly, and brushed her fingers with a brief kiss. That shade of pink turned to light red, and I said, "Forgive me, Heart?"

"I'd say it's a fair reward...?"

I shook my head, "No darlin'. The only reward I need is knowin' I was able to save ya, an' not just tonight. This was just my way of thankin' ya, for trustin' me to do that in the first place."

"Please stop tryin' to get me to go back though, okay?" I then pushed carefully.

"Duke...it's not that I wanted you to..." she finally admitted.

Looking over her, I thought back on everything she'd been through in such a short time. At last I ventured, "I know it's been hard to fully trust anyone after everythin' that's happened...but I'm not goin' to turn my back on ya. You've got to try an' believe me."

"I do believe you, Duke," she insisted, "but that's why I'm scared of you getting hurt...like you almost did..."

"Heart, I can handle some risk. That, an' it's simply the right thing to do, even I can see that."

"Stop that."

"Stop what?"

"Stop saying things like that," I saw her growing frustrated over time at these remarks at myself.

"Please don't belittle yourself like that. I'm very lucky you're the thief I needed you to be through all of this thus far, and that you had the insight to hear, regardless of your background, what I've been trying to say...even without words. You're a good man, and I really do like traveling with you," I slipped.

The smile that curved his scarred lip was that of child-like glee that transitioned into endless charm, "Is that so, sweetheart?"

I knew my face was red before he said, "It seems so?"

Then he promised, "I'll get ya through this, Heart. I give ya my word."

"The honor of a thief?" I teased.

He knew it as he smiled still and gave a swift bow, "The deepest honor there, Lady Heart."

"Duke...?" she then asked.

"Yes?"

"I...I've been meaning to ask you...I'd rather you just call me by name, please?" she requested gently, "I'd prefer to not be so formal."

For some reason, I wasn't too surprised by this. Smiling still, I replied, "Of course, Heart."