Knowing where Rose was as she ran through the cavern was easy for Lynde. Rose's light followed her like a dog followed its owner, making it clear how far she was away. What wasn't easy was seeing where she was going, which made it harder to run at anything close to Rose's speed, as she was constantly tripping over rocks and such. But she wanted to make sure her teacher was alright.

As she ran she got her foot caught between a couple of spikes in the floor and fell down. The fall hurt, but as she tried to get up her ankle hurt even more. She screamed and tried to free her leg, but without Rose's light she couldn't figure her way out. She summoned her own light, which was very draining for her, but she managed to keep it up long enough to get her foot unstuck.

Her ankle still hurt though, especially when she tried to support herself on it. She continued to follow Rose, trying to keep off her hurt leg and use the cave wall to support herself. She didn't know how far she got before she became exhausted and fell again, releasing her spell at the same time.

She almost gave up, but she still tried to crawl. She wasn't going to ask Artsanna for help. If she could keep a secret from Lynde, she could also keep her energy.

She was almost going to give up when she saw light. At first it was small and distant, but as it grew larger and closer she could recognize whose light it was. Rose knelt down in front of her and said, "Lynde, we need to have a talk about when's a good time to give up."

Lynde was lent some of Rose's energy, which she was thankful for, and she was led to a large cavern with a pool of water taking up most the cave. Rose's light reflected off the water, making the cave seem a little more comfortable. Lynde, tired as she was, sat up against a wall to catch her breath.

Rose was curious about something. "If you were tired why didn't you discard your sword? It is rather heavy."

Lynde was annoyed at herself. "Why didn't I think of that? I'm just so dumb!"

"Hey, not always," Rose corrected. "Remember that time you hid your gedwëy ignasia from that guard? That was smart." As she remembered, she felt proud of herself. "Now, why did you follow me?"

"Because I wanted to know that you were alright," Lynde said.

Rose scoffed. "Am I alright? That's a question." She shook her head and stared at Lynde. "Don't you feel at all betrayed that Artsanna actually kept a secret from you?"

"Well she doesn't tell me everything," Lynde explained. "But yes I do."

"Murtagh…" Rose started, but she couldn't seem to find the words. "Murtagh was a self-important pig in a time where allegiances were everything. While the leaders, those who were arrogant enough to consider themselves equal to gods, where delusional enough to think they were doing it for some greater good that doesn't exist, Murtagh would've been fine if the world burned as long as he wasn't going to be in it. And Arlen traveled with him, trusted him, and considering his improvements with a blade I wouldn't be surprised if the traitor gave him a few tips.

"I tell you what you miss," Rose said. "When your mother died, I told you." Lynde was saddened by the reminder. To think that her mother was killed by that Shade woman was awful, and that the same one controlled her was just as awful. Lynde was glad to hear she had been killed by Arlen so that no more would die by her hand.

"I thought I knew what sort of a man he was," Rose lamented. "But in reality I know so little about him."

Lynde was bothered by something. Soon after Artsanna let it slip that she and Arlen had traveled with the traitors she saw one of the Dragon's memories. Cold snow beneath, red leather above, and red scales to the side; a cold feeling from inside but a warm one from outside; weakness close to death, but slowly recovering; a feeling of unease but also one of yielding to necessity. She wondered what that was and if it was meant to explain her behavior.

Rose was still upset though. "Thinking back, I don't even know why he rescued us or why he's still with us. We should send him back to Cathalorn as soon we get the chance."

Before she could say anything, she got an impression from Artsanna. One of surprise and fear. After Lynde calmed her somewhat, she put her fear into words. Riders! Riders in the cave!

Lynde was shocked to find this out. How?

They followed us in. Come quickly! I don't know how long we can hold them off.

"Rose!" she started.

Rose cut her off. "They're in trouble aren't they?" Before Lynde could ask, Rose said, "No time to explain. Come on."

As Lynde stood she was reminded of her ankle. The dreadful pain caused her to gasp, and lean against the slick wall. Rose recognized her pain and quickly healed it. Grateful but feeling a little frustrated, Lynde said, "You're going to have to teach me better healing one of these days."

"Not today though," Rose said. "Today we have to help Artsanna and Arlen."

The two sped through the cave, trying to get to them before it was too late. When they arrived they saw two familiar looking Riders—the pair that had been with Alaric when Lynde and Rose were captured at the Urgal village—battling Artsanna and Arlen. Arlen was barely holding his own against the dark skinned Rider—she believed her name was Karasi—and Artsanna was trying to battle the Urgal with little success, as every time she tried to attack a purple sword was swung at her snout. Lynde drew her sword and joined the fray.

Lynde defended Artsanna, swinging her heavy sword at Valvesz. He blocked, but it visibly took some effort to do so. He then pushed her blade back and swung at her. She was knocked on her back from the force of it, knocking the wind out of her. She tried to get up, but she couldn't summon the strength to do it.

Artsanna roared and charged Valvesz. As he lunged at her, but she grabbed the sword with her teeth and pulled it out of his hands, throwing it away. He began to speak a spell, but Artsanna didn't let him finish, pouncing on him and then throwing him against the cave wall next to where his sword was embedded. He was alive but unconscious.

Artsanna went over to him and said, No one harms my Lynde. Magic seemed to flow from Artsanna, and formed a spell around Valvesz. It was not one she understood, but Artsanna said, If he is smart, he will pursue us no more.

Meanwhile Arlen had managed to parry Karasi's sword in such a way that her wrist was in a bad looking position. Arlen capitalized on it, hitting her wrist and possibly spraining it. She dropped her sword with a yell and—realizing she was outmatched—ran. They had won.

Lynde managed to catch her breath, and Rose went over to Karasi's red sword. She held it up and said, "A good sword, but it tells of a warrior with poor skill. She's a better negotiator and healer than swordsman. I don't think she would miss her sword very much."

Lynde shook her head. "I wouldn't feel right taking it from its rightful owner, even if she did lose it."

"I guess that was for nothing then," Arlen said.

Rose then turned to Arlen and Artsanna. "Now why did you keep your travels with Murtagh and Thorn a secret?"

Arlen was first. "I thought Artsanna told you."

Then Artsanna. I thought he told you.

Lynde snickered while Rose sighed. "Why do I believe that?" Rose said rubbing her temples.

Lynde managed to stop her laughing long enough to say, "If it was not meant to be a secret, it should be very easy to forgive them for keeping it."

Rose frowned and said, "Why would I forgive them for nothing?"

That somewhat confused Lynde. I think that was an apology, Artsanna said.

Maybe, Lynde replied.

"Now let's find a way out of this cave before Alaric comes in after us," Rose said.

At least it's too small for their Dragons, Lynde said.

The cave is barely big enough for me! Artsanna complained.

Do you want to fight another Dragon? Lynde asked.

I suppose not.