A/N: Special thanks to nightdragon0 for the ideas he gave me for. Her new escape plan is much better than what I originally had planned. Anyway, about the Renridjra Krin: I can't provide links to my sources on this site (or any url as far as I know), but they are a bit more than a group of bandits (at least they claim to be). They were organized to get back the land that was taken from Elswyre by the Elder Council.

I figured I'd release just these two chapters. Not much story progression takes place, but it provides an oppritunity for me to get any last minute advice before the Purification.

Sun's Height 5, 4E1

(Fights-up-close): Leyawiin, Three Sisters Lodge

I was sitting on the bed. I felt like I needed a break more than anything else. I just wanted my mind to be silent. The last several minutes had felt so long and coarse. In truth, escaping Leyawiin, if the guards could identify me, would be far harder than escaping Fort Swampmoth had been. Right now the stress of the situation seemed to be building up inside me to the point where I felt sick. My tail twitched as I thought about the dangers around me. If the guards did catch me, I was sort of hoping I'd be executed. At least that would mean I'd never need to worry like this again when I tried to escape prison. Of course, it was my duty to fight that at all costs.

I noticed I'd involuntarily scratched deep into one of the bed posts. A pretty significant way to mar an expensive bed, but I had more pressing concerns to worry about. Ironically, this "break" seemed to be making my anxiety more prevalent. If I couldn't relax, I decided I might as well do something productive. I could still hear fighting outside. Maybe I could scout out the area a bit more carefully, just incase of emergencies. If I was going to do that, it would best be when the guards were still distracted.

I lifted myself from the bed. I would be glad to have something else to concentrate, and block out the nervous thoughts that kept tormenting me.

I walked towards the door and unlocked it. Who knew the amount of damage the Renrijdra Krin could do? But how should I feel about that? While Lady Leyawiin wasn't a very savory character, I didn't know much about the Renridjra Krin. I knew they were my enemy's enemy, and that they wanted the land the Elder Council took from them back, but that was about it. Then again, Elswyre wasn't a topic Learns-fast would have approve me getting taught about. It very rare for a Shadowscale to learn anything about a province she or he wouldn't be transferred to. I stepped onto the balcony and turned towards the stone steps.

As I trotted down the stone steps I realized I had to stop reflecting so much. I had an excuse to stop. I continued walking, but the thoughts seemed to be taunting me, guilting me even, for ignoring them. I didn't like the idea of constraining my own mind, but I knew worrying would do me no good at this point.

I made it to the bottom floor and headed for the door. I stepped outside, continuing to try to lock out all the uncertainties in my head, and keep my focus nearly uncontaminated by anything other than there and then. I did my best to focus on little details of my surroundings. I tried to identify every object I saw as I continued down the stone side-walk, just to keep my mind from eating away at itself. I recited little pieces of information: This is Leyawiin's rich district. The houses here are big. Fortunately, it seemed the longer I kept the thoughts at bay, the easier it became. I turned a corner. This is the area behind the Three Sisters Lodge. There are many gardens here. I realized I was getting closer to the gates, the area I was trying not to think about. There was a twitch in the back of my mind, telling me there was something I could uncover through these thoughts. Was I being insubordinate by ignoring these thoughts? Obviously this situation warranted the emotions I was feeling. Tension began to creep up on me as I thought about it that way. No I told myself, I've already concluded I was accomplishing nothing by worrying. But when exactly did I figure that out?

It was happening again, the questions were coming, faster and faster each time, and it was progressively harder to answer them. You can't make a decision without information, concentrate on what you see, think later. And with that I did my best to shut out the cynicism in my head. I knew I couldn't fall for the...temptation to bring the voices back. But was it temptation? I certainly didn't find all that thinking pleasant, but when I shut them out, I felt trapped. I felt like a simple-minded animal.

By the time I came back to reality, I found I had just made my way to comparatively low-class area of town. The houses here were smaller and the side-walks were wooden. It reminded me a bit of Gideon for some reason. All the sudden I was nostalgic for my care-free days as a Shadowscale, when life seemed like a gift from Sithis, instead of a duty. Now it seemed uncertainty and bitterness were almost the only two emotions I felt. The other family members must have seen that too; I knew I'd been keeping to myself more than usual since the incident of the renegade Shadowscale. I no longer shared my fears, dreams, or wonders with other family members. Things back the sanctuary were starting to feel more business-like. Stop it, you're thinking again. This is the time observe. I told myself.

I crossed between two houses heading towards the swimming pool, and therefore closer to the Eastern wall where the fighting was occurring. Then I stopped as I noticed something intriguing. The swimming pool was empty, but I no longer heard the sounds of battle. I could still hear chatter coming from that area, but no longer heard the whooshing of arrows and various noises of impact. Curious, I began walking closer to hear what they were conversing about now that the battle seemed to be over.

The words weren't crystal clear, but I thought I heard "healer", "other gate" and "assassin". Assassin. That word certainly wasn't a good omen. Only shortly afterwards I could hear the sounds of chain-mail armor. I knew at least one guard was headed my way, and I could tell some serious problems might come about. Two members of the Leyawiin guard came into view. I only saw the uniforms for flash before I panicked and went with the first idea that came into my mind. I jumped into the pool nearby, submerging myself into the other worldly realm of under-water causing the input from almost all my senses to change completely. Of course, my clothing was now wet, but that was the least of my concerns.

Being underwater severed almost all contact I had with the world above, so I had no idea what the guards were doing. Still, I noticed something promising submerged on the side of the pool. A drain. There was a grating on it, but it looked like something I might be able to squeeze through. At this moment the tension seems to float a way. Escaping through the drain seemed like a solid plan.

I swam towards the drain. Once I was near, I tried to reorient myself in a position that would most likely fit through. I turned on my side and put my head on my left shoulder, then began pushing forward. My upper half made it through with ease, not touching the metal. Getting my tail through was a challenge, however. I tried to claw at the unseen surface of the pipe to get more pulling force. I knew I was making progress, but very slow progress, and there was a burning sensation on my tail as I tried to fit it between the back of my legs and the metal. Even so, I struggled viciously to pull myself all the way through. I hadn't heard anyone else submerge themselves yet, but until I was all the way through I was almost completely helpless.

Freedom. I was finally through the grating. I wasn't out of Leyawiin yet, but I doubted anyone on the city watch would try the same feat. In my head, I was singing and dancing with joy, but on the exterior, I was staying collected.

The tunnel ahead was nothing but darkness. It was so dark it made no difference if my eyes were opened or close. I'd heard that phrase quite a bit, but up until then I didn't think it could be all that accurate. I just had my sense of touch to go on in order to proceed forward. All the sudden, the idea of the void seemed far less appealing. I swam forward none the less, but I had no idea if I was making progress, or what was a head of me. All I could feel was water and the sensation of occasionally brushing up against rusty metal. I knew no one would try to assure my safety doing something like this, and my mind was rushing with all the bizarre ways and horrific ways this could go wrong. It wasn't like any other dangerous situation I had been in. All I could do was hope that this frightening journey would be over soon.

Fortunately, it was; I saw light at the end of the tunnel. Literally.

I exited the drain into Topal Bay, a body of water that seemed so vibrant and free right now. Just being safe was pleasing.

I didn't surface immediatly, but instead decided to relax in soothing presence of water. I was out of Leyawiin.