They weren't alone.

In the silence between them, Ahvir could finally hear slow, steady breaths from under the bed. Had she been so focused on Caleb that she could have dropped her guard so much? It appeared so… Had she just jeopardized everything because she had wanted to trust him that badly?

Dearest Moonweaver, she prayed not.

She did her best not to indicate what she had discovered which was rather easy to accomplish seeing as how her eyes were already pleading and desperate. Their bodies (and indeed their faces) were so close that it would have been a miracle if Caleb had caught her elven ear bend backwards in a canine fashion. He was still trying to think of a response which gave her time to formulate her own plan. Thank the Gods her cloak was a bit on the bigger side so it hid her hands quite easily so she had that advantage. Something in the back of her mind believed that Caleb hadn't set her up, but she didn't have the luxury to listen to that kind of thinking. She had to think one of two conclusions; either he had planted someone to be in the room with him or he was completely unaware of this extra entity.

Please let it be the former…

"Ahvir," He began, her name coming out with a lot of extra air, almost as if he was slightly exasperated. "What do-" but Ahvir cut him off with a small shake of her head. They couldn't continue to talk so freely with unwelcome ears.

"Caleb, I know I haven't really given you much." As she spoke she began to twirl her covered hand, beginning the requirements of her spell. In truth, she was just speaking to keep him distracted enough. She didn't want to attack… but she couldn't risk anything. If she had made a mistake, she'd rectify it now.

"I also know you don't really have any reason trust me so," she slipped her other hand into her cloak, "maybe if you read the scroll, you'd understand better." Her hand instead took hold of a small dagger that had been hidden on an inside pocket.

His eyes widened a bit; in excitement or comprehension she knew not which but it didn't matter. He was completely focused on her. That's all she needed.

Her hand continued its arcane pattern.

"I can't fully explain the spells or tests that are in there…" she continued but she was beginning to slip from the Sylvan that had been speaking into Druidic. "Some of the tests sound a bit like this." She fully dropped into Druidic as she finished her spell.

It happened so quickly. As she broke eye contact with Caleb to fix her gaze on a free corner of the room, she saw his face change to complete shock and a bit of panic. Her eyes glowed green as the magic shot from her covered hand. The corner suddenly grew a huge writhing vine that, as it whipped into existence, shot towards the bottom of the bed. As she had anticipated, Caleb began to move defensively but, the moment she felt him move, Ahvir drew her dagger, pressing it under his beard. Completely caught off guard, Caleb froze as he felt the metal against his throat.

"Don't move." Ahvir threatened, changing back to Common.

Her vine had found its victim. A surprised and frightened yelp came from under the bed as the vine quickly grasped and entangled the hidden entity. With a flick of Ahvir's fingers, the vine dragged the woman out from her hiding place. Soon she was hoisted off the ground as she continued to be more tightly bound. The tip of the vine had covered her mouth so she couldn't make more noise.

Ahvir smirked triumphantly, silently congratulating herself on her find. Now, she needed to figure out who this unwelcome stranger was.

As she examine her captive, to her surprise she recognized her. Half shaved, brown, boyish cut hair, blue and turquoise robes, olive skin, and a staff slung over her back. This woman was part of Caleb circus group. The one with the extremely gruff and manly voice who had been one of the first to retire for the evening. Why was she here?

"I thought I said I wanted to speak to you privately." Ahvir pointed this question toward Caleb who still hadn't moved, but her eyes were still on the newcomer. The woman had very deep, ocean blue eyes which only expressed frustration and agitation in her direction. To Ahvir's surprise, she couldn't find any fear in the woman's gaze.

"I'm assuming you know her?" Ahvir kept her tone friendly. While she was the one with the upper hand, she didn't want to hurt them. She was just making sure…

"I do…" Caleb's tone hadn't lost it's airy quality. She could tell he was trying to keep his voice calm. "Her name is Beauregard."

"Hello Beauregard." Ahvir nodded her head politely as a means of introductions. Beauregard's eyebrows furrowed in anger as she tried to wriggle free of the grasping vine.

"Would you mind telling me why she was hiding under your bed?" Ahvir brought her attention back to Caleb. His hands were out in plain sight, held at chest height in surrender.

"Precaution."

His icy gaze once more was burrowing into hers. She sensed no fabrication coming from him. He seemed genuine albeit a bit frightened.

"Precaution from what?" She clenched her fist a bit and the vine increased it's strangle hold on Beauregard. A small muffled whimper of pain escaped her as Caleb jumped to answer, trying to protect her as best he could.

"You're not the only hiding from the Assembly."

A pause.

She knew he had been hiding. He had made that very clear himself. But from the Assembly? Specifically from the Assembly? Did that mean he was hiding from his old mentor? Sir Ikithon? Why? She hadn't anticipated her being the one that would be filled with some many questions this evening.

According to Caleb, she had been fed a lie about what had happened in Blumenthal. He clearly hadn't died as the Sir Ikithon had claimed. And now she finds him years later, looking and acting like a begger, supposedly on purpose to help himself hide from the Assembly? She was missing some pieces in this story…

"Who is she Caleb?" As she broke the silence, her eyes narrowed in on his. He knew exactly what she was truly asking… He brought his hands down to hang at his side as he swallowed.

"She is a traveling companion of mine. I trust her with my life."

"Why did you have her hide?"

Caleb took a quick, worried glance over to Beauregard who was still helplessly fighting against her foliage captor.

"You knew me from the Academy, I couldn't help but be cautious in case they had found me…"

'In case they had found me...' It was at that moment she realized, they weren't acting so different. He was being as cautious, maybe even more than she was. If he was to be believed, they were just two people who really didn't want the Assembly or the Academy to find them. They were both running. Maybe not for the same reasons but still running.

That is… if he was telling the truth.

"So," Ahvir started, trying to get the story straight, "You had her hide to protect you in case I was here to-" she paused, searching for the right word, "capture you?"

Caleb nodded ever so slightly.

"It was just precaution. Something I think you have good grasp on" He said as he gestured to the knife with his eyes. "You can trust her. I trust her with my life and she has saved it on many occasions."

Ahvir continued to search Caleb's face, examining it for even the slightly hint of falsehood. To her frustration, she couldn't find anything… Her heart, her soul, her entire being wanted to trust him. But it had been so long since she could truly trust anyone… However something in her gut was comforting her, easing itself to believe in him, believe in his friends, believe they could help…

"Why should I trust your friends? Why shouldn't I believe that you or you group, the 'Mighty Nein', are going to compromise everything?!" A bit of desperation slipped into her tone as she pleaded with her old classmate. She just needed one thing, anything. She hadn't had more than one ally for a long time… she just needed one sign… just one…

There was a palpable pause. Caleb's face hadn't change drastically like she had anticipated. He simply was examining her just like she had done to him. Of course she could see that he was still frightened, anyone would be with a knife being held to their throat. However, there did seem to be some comforting aspect to his look and for a moment, she felt at peace. She saw her old friend staring back at her, comforting her from the stress of school. Telling her that she was gifted and she just needed to keep focused and try harder. Sharing fantasies of a brighter world, a world they could help build, a world that would be better…

"I'll help you."

His voice cut through her like a knife. In a few simple words, the dark clouds of her mind seemed to break a small ray of light began to seep through. He'd help her…

She let off a bit of pressure from the knife but she still held it firm to his skin.

"How?" She raised an eyebrow slightly at him.

"Release us and I'll tell you…" His voice again still calm despite his life being threatened.

Ahvir gritted her teeth in frustration. Her innerself was being torn asunder. She wanted to let them go, wanted to believe so badly, but what if… what if…

"I understand… I understand not wanting to trust people…" Caleb had spoken up once more, his face growing more and more sympathetic. He lifted his hand hesitantly, cautiously. Ahvir gave no indication that the motion bothered her for she knew. There was no way he could cast any spell before she would be able to take his life. He gently placed his hand onto of her hair and rubbed it gently with his thumb, his voice becoming little more than a whisper, "Sometimes though… you find what you need without looking for it. Let me, let us help you. If it's this serious, if your dead set on risking everything, then let us help you."

She let him stroke her head. It had been his way of comforting people, and indeed her, in the past. The sensation of calm, nostalgia, and friendship almost brought tears to her eyes. She once again felt the weight of everything bear unto her shoulders. She would collapse soon…

"I- I just need to get out of here…"

Caleb said nothing but she saw him take a quick worried glance over in Beauregard's direction. At this her heart banged with guilt. She had watched her own friends perish, mutliated in much worse ways than her mind had even thought was imaginable. And yet, here she was, threatening two peoples lives. How much they cared about each other was irrelevant, they still seemed to matter to each other.

One more glance back up. One more look into her old friend's eyes. There was nothing hiding in his gaze, nothing hidden in the tired lines that surrounded his eyes. He was being honest. Whether or not he believed her about how dangerous her mission was or not, he would still help her…
Thank you dearest Moonweaver.

Her fist slowly relaxed as did the rest of the pressure she had been applying to the knife. As the vine released its grasp, Beauregard kicked free, rubbing her arms as she landed on the ground.

"Fuck you too, crazy bitch."

Her gruff, manly voice caught Ahvir off guard for a second. She still wasn't used to such a tone coming from a female. She looked over to her as she tucked her knife back into her cloak.

"You should have expected as such, spying in on a private meeting." Ahvir's voice was soft, almost as if she didn't want Beauregard to truly hear what she was saying, "I know people who would have done much worse to you…"

One more stroke on the head and then Caleb pulled his hand back. He glanced over his newly freed friend, "Are you alright."

Beauregard simply shrugged, "The carpet was way worse. Can I at least punch her for pulling that shit!"

"Angry that she caught you off guard?" Caleb didn't smile but Ahvir could tell he was needling her slightly. Beauregard's lips pursed as she folded her arms.

"So we're helping her?"

Ahvir's face flushed slightly. Maybe she shouldn't have let this woman go free… She was horribly rude…

Caleb's eyelids flickered slightly, as if he was fighting back rolling his eyes. He turned his attention back towards Ahvir, who still hadn't moved. She was busy taking in her decision. Her decision to let them go, letting the person who knows her secret go. Because she trusted them? She wasn't completely convinced but still… she had let go. The breath that filled her lungs seemed lighter now.

Caleb's face had shed it's fear now that he was assured to see one more day. He swallowed hard, rubbing his hand gently where the knife had once been. He clearly needed a minute to regain some form of normalcy. She finally noticed that he was doing his best to steady his breathing once more.

She had truly frightened him with her stunt. Another pang of guilt.

Beauregard watched Caleb, one eyebrow up in an exasperated manner. Another pause except this one was much more awkward than the rest. Thankfully Beauregard broke it.

"So… what were you two talking about? Couldn't make out much of anything in such a fancy language."

Ahvir just stared disbelievingly at a spot on Caleb's coat. This woman hadn't understood a single word that they had spoken. So her secret was still only with one person and not two! It was as if a stone pillar had just been lifted from her back. She could breath deeper.

Thank you dearest Moonweaver.

Ahvir had opened her mouth to speak but, to her surprise, Caleb interrupted.

"Don't worry about it now." His voice was airy but he took another deep breath and continued, "You said you just needed to get out?"

At this Ahvir sheepishly nodded. She had no money to pay them, no anything to really help convince them to help her. Besides, she had just attacked them so why would the rest of his friends actually want to help her.

Caleb sighed and looked back at Beauregard who had moved closer, still a bit defensive but that was understandable. Her eye brow was still raised as they had a silent interaction. After a few seconds she sighed, turning her attention onto Ahvir, attention she wasn't too keen on having. She was pretty sure that if she hadn't had gotten the jump on this woman, Ahvir would have been worse for wear. While she hadn't seen anything substantial from Beauregard, judging by her stature, form, and the fact that Caleb had entrusted just her to watch over this meeting and not the giant pale woman she had seen, she had a good feeling this Beauregard wasn't a person to truffle with.

"Where you headin'?"

"Anywhere outside the Empire." The answer came so quickly in practically fell out of her mouth. "Get me out and you'll never hear from me again. You'll never hear of any of this again."

Beauregard was thinking while Caleb, after finally regaining his composure, had gone back to examining Ahvir. His eyes kept falling onto where the scroll was safely tucked under her cloak. He wanted to read it, but she wouldn't allow that. She had already caused him enough trouble, she didn't need to dumped more onto him.

A deep, deep sigh emitted from Beauregard, "For how much? We just came through the border, which was a pain in the ass by the way, and you're asking us to do that again. So how much?"

Ahivr had been dreading that question… she knew nothing came free, that had especially been hitting home for her more recently. Being alone and on the run truly meant everything came at a cost. But she was certain, she couldn't even begin to come up with a number that would suit Caleb and his entourage. Back to thinking, back to planning. What could she offer them to truly help her. Caleb had said to let him, to let them help her. She guessed that maybe his help came free but the group's came at a cost, that is if Beauregard was anything to go buy. She wished there was a way to convince the group to help her just as Caleb had done. Maybe Caleb could convince them. Maybe they would listen to Caleb. Maybe they would-

A horrid idea suddenly struck her. It was a low blow but if Caleb did mean something to these people, then she would most definitely have their cooperation. They would help her…
"My silence. That's what I have to offer." She finally brought her eyes up to meet Caleb's once more. At once he seemed confused but her meaning finally was settling in. Ahvir slowly nodded as she saw true understanding set in, "My silence for your silence and transportation. If you truly want gold, you can have whatever I have at the border but," She paused and looked away from him, her cheeks burning with embarrassed guilt, "I think my silence is plenty of payment."

Little had Caleb realized, but he had given Ahivr slight power. She knew he didn't want to Assembly to find him and, while she might not know the true details, that meant the Assembly was probably looking for him. It would be all too easy for to tip off a Crownsgaurd that she had seen a rogue mage the Assembly might be looking for. It would be easy for to slip back into the crowds and continue running. On the flip side, she knew this was true for Caleb as well. All too easy for him to tip someone off about her as well. They were at a stand still in terms of informational blackmail. But, by offering her complete silence about Caleb and his groups whereabouts, she had pulled a trump card to make sure Caleb would ensure him and his group would help her. To protect Caleb, they would do what she asked. She would make it out of the Empire…

"You conniving..." The gruff voice of Beauregard shot through the tension between Ahvir and Caleb. Her eyes were narrow and focused on her… She had clearly caught onto what Ahvir had offered which surprised her greatly. Perhaps she had judged Beauregard wrongly, apparently she was much more shrewd. Ahvir's eyes fell from her's sheepishly. It was true, what she was doing wasn't the most wholesome solution but what choice did she have…

Another sigh, "You must really hate the Empire if you want to leave this badly." Beauregard snorted in a slight chuckle and Ahvir could tell she had turned her attention back to Caleb.

"I guess we have no choice then?"

Once more, a pause as Caleb gathered his thoughts, "It certainly appears that way ja."

Beauregard grumbled and Ahvir could hear her turn on her heels, "I'll tell the others."

Ahvir raised her eyes once more to see Beauregard leaning up against the wall next to the door, watching her once more. She clearly didn't want to leave Caleb alone with her and she couldn't blame her. She had attacked both of them…

"We are planning on staying a few days though. We kind of just got here and have shit we need to do first. So, I guess stay in contact. We should be leaving within the week. You staying here?"

Ahivir nodded.

"Great," Beauregard stated folding her arms, "then we'll come get you in a few days when we're ready to leave." As her sentence came to a close another palpable silence over took the room. Ahvir just looked between Caleb and his companion. Was this really happening? Did she actually find a way out?! It wasn't until Beauregard motioned with her eyes towards the door did Ahvir get the hint that it was time for her to leave.

She cleared her throat awkwardly and nodded toward Beauregard. She stole one last look towards Caleb. His face was crestfallen but his eyes were softer, a bit broken but with an air of contempt as if he had seen the road she was walking and completely understood her decisions. She smiled a half broken smile at him as she left his personal space and backed towards the window.

"Th-thank you." she said both to Caleb and Beauregard. She was grateful… she was actually elated but she refused to show that emotion until she was completely free from danger. She moved quickly towards the window, opening up the window as she did.

"Oh, um," she turned partially around to face the two of them once more. "Sorry about that…" She pointed to both the withering vine in the corner and to her own throat to indicate the knife she had threatened Caleb with. Before they could answer, Ahvir's form was covered in green magic as her white owl form took shape. She took one last glimpse behind before she hopped up onto the windowsill and flew out into the night sky, back towards her own room.

The rain had finally stopped.

A/N;

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I know a lot happens in this chapter but you do have two very untrusting characters trying to trust each other lol I hope you enjoy!

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