The drunkard burst into the room waving his wine in Mathayus' face as he roared every curse he could think of at his junior about a missing woman. Of course on the other hand, the younger man in the room was trying desperately to get the intruder to leave so he could finish helping the runaway slave escape. Despite the teenager's attempts to be discrete about pushing the discarded chains under the bed, the simple action did not go unnoticed. With another string of insults and curses, the intoxicated man dropped to his hands and knees, but grumbling he only stood back up shaking the restraints at Mathayus. He eyed the newest Black Scorpion suspiciously as he yelled "What are these?"

Ignoring the question completely, the younger lad dropped to his knees and checked under the bed for himself. Sure enough, the girl he'd rescued earlier was gone. The lad was so shocked that he could say nothing to the old drunk. She had vanished without a trace. "Boy, I asked you a question. What is this?" The drunk continued to demand. "Answer m…", however before the crotchety old man could finish his thought, the unfortunate man slumped forward unconscious. Standing behind him was the fiery young fugitive, the neck cuff and chain swinging ominously in hand.

"How did you …, where did you …," Stammered a confused swordsman; yet all this mysterious woman did was shrug. Stunned into stupidity, Mathayus could only watch as the other teen cautiously checked the window. Suddenly it dawned on him that it wouldn't be long before the guard on the floor woke up, or the other's realized they were chasing a ghost. Seeing the thin and falling apart clothes the strange woman wore, the Black Scorpion draped his cloak over her shoulders. "You haven't got much time." He added as he began to pull the bed sheets off to make her a rope. Had it been the boy who was trying to escape, he'd have jumped out the window, ducked into a role, and been back on his feet in seconds.

However Mathayus' curiosity was peeked when the teenage girl seemed to just be ignoring his rope. Instead he watched as she wrapped the long chain around her neck and shoulders. Tarring some of the heavy curtains with a knife that she seemingly pulled out of nowhere, she reinforced her leggings. With eyes full of wonder, the swordsman witnessed the fugitive climbed out the window; like a pro, she was able to use evenly spaced cracks in the wall that led to a ledge at the opposite end of the building. Upon reaching the corner it dawned on the newest Scorpion Warrior what the blue eyed girl was doing, as she used the extra fabric and the chains to slide down. Clearly this was not her first escape.

She reached the ground with relative ease, and like a pro kept to the shadows. The young Black Scorpion watched the strange woman disappear into the darkness. Mesmerized, he was practically in a trace that was only broken when the dark haired girl vanished into the night. As he laid down to sleep, his dreams were filled of a certain silent creature with hopes that the young woman got away safely.

The next morning, dressed in his finest armor and sword strapped to his back, Mathayus was escorted to King Sargon's throne room. Just before entering, he overheard his majesty yelling at someone for the escape of his prized slave. "She was a gift from one of the neighboring kingdoms. I can't believe that you let her slip right through your fingers." The large king dealt a hefty blow to his kneeling Captain. "Take your men and go find her!" He added lifting the poor man to his feet and throwing him towards the door. Just then the newest graduate of the Black Scorpion's walked in "My boy come in." Sargon's features turned to friendly welcome as he clasped the teenager on his shoulder. "I am told that you are quiet the swordsmen. Is that true?"

"I'm not polished yet sire but I'm a quick learner I hope," was the young warrior's joking response to the king's question.

The ruler of Akkad laughed his approval of Mathayus' answer before signaling some men to bring in a prisoner. "As we talked about last night, to be one of my elite guards you must pledge unwavering loyalty to me; your king" The poor lad that was ushered in beaten, bloody, and whimpering, was none other than the passible guard's brother, Noah. A tear stained face stared back at the older sibling with eyes that begged for help. However the pretty boy teen could only look to his king with confusion. "As a test of your loyalty, I want you to kill this man."

"But sire, this is my brother."

"I know. That is why if you do the deed yourself you will have proved your loyalty without a shadow of a doubt. I will permit you to make it quick." The king smiled, with a hint of mischief twinkling behind his dark eyes.

"What was his crime?"

"He was charged with slandering my name, which is punishable by death."

Hardening his features, the older brother turned to his younger sibling. "Are the charges against you true?" Mathayus demanded.

"Please, Mathayus! I'm sorry!" Noah cried out in tears.

"Is it true?" The young warrior demanded. Noah continued to sob in fear and shame as he answered yes. "Then you deserve your king, but your family as well. You've disgraced out father's name. What would he have to say about you, he was a patriot and loyal to the king and you dishonor his memory!" The older boy growled before grapping his brother by the hair. He brought his own face close to the tear stained one of the little brother. Using Noah's hair he forced the frightened boy to look him in the eyes. In a whisper that only they could hear added, "Whatever you do don't flinch."

End Chapter 2