Artemus took his son from the Queen and her beggars soon after their reunion.
Once Garrett had awoken from his impromptu nap against Artemus' shoulder, the thief was bright eyes and eager to head out, despite the Keeper's gentle urging that there was no need to rush, that they could stay a while longer, recuperate and rest. Garrett however insisted that he had rested long enough, that he had spent too long idle, that he needed to move.
Their farewell was soft and quiet, with Artemus once again thanking the old woman and her beggars for saving his son, the Queen waved off the Keeper's offer of thanks however.
"Had you not been the one to find him, he would have been one of mine." The old woman mused quietly, peering over to Garrett with a knowing smile before turning to Artemus, bowing her head as he had done upon their first meeting; "Saving Garrett was no act of bargaining, I expect nothing from you or your Haven. Your son has done much for us, it only right that we do well by him."
With that, she wished them luck and sent them on their way, the Queen of Beggars watched the two through sightless eyes, hiding a small smile behind the rim of her tea cup.
Artemus, in the brief time he had spent within the abolished cathedral the Queen and her beggars called home, amidst the emotions and turmoil he faced, completely forgot where the entrance to the hidden estate was located, the street rat he had followed into the heart of the Queen's Court was well hidden and winding.
Luckily, despite being confined to the dilapidated chapel, Garrett was still more than knowledgeable on the ins and outs of the hidden estate, thus, in the dead of night, as a riot ignited the eastern quarter of the city, sending vermin, strays, civilians and beggars alike scurrying away. Garrett and Artemus easily blended into both the crowd and shadows.
And like many of the fleeing vagrants of the city, Artemus' hand firmly holding Garrett's as they hurried through the streets wasn't at all out of place.
Despite the two men intending on returning to the Haven, their home, Artemus found himself lagging behind his son. The Keepers, Orland specifically, so loved to boast about how they were the backbone of the city, how the Haven kept everything in order, the hidden puppet masters.
Yet all Artemus could think about as he and Garrett slunk through the slums and gutters was how out of depth they were.
"We should take the highway…" Garrett muttered quietly as he peered around a small shaded outcropping he had managed to find in an alley, Artemus was tucked close to his side, likewise watching the street as a small splinter of the riot made a round through the mass of panic.
Their torches lit, weapons raised, faces adorned with hideous glee as they howled and laughed at the misfortune they had caused. Artemus flinched as one rioteer brought a shovel down onto some poor guard's head, the man couldn't have been any older than Garrett, and when he fell, he fell heavily, remaining still on the ground save for the cruel kicks he received from passers by.
"Splinter is too small and rowdy to risk blending in with the Graven." Garrett whispered; "They all know each other, and they don't look interested in taking in recruits… We have to go around them."
"We could backtrack?" Artemus offered quietly, peering towards the back of the small alley which fed into a dark, dank, claustrophobic made of houses and store backs.
"Could…" Garrett muttered thoughtfully as he looked up; "But that still runs the risk of us ending up in a worse spot. The Highway could get us anywhere we need to be without as much risk."
"But what about your…" Artemus stilled his tongue, but his eyes flickered to the bandages wrapped around his son's head and no words were needed thereafter.
Garrett wilted slightly, and for a moment, they weren't surrounded by fire and brimstone, nor the screaming of mothers and children and the baying of monsters hunting their fellow men for sport and some sick sense of justice.
They were simply father and son.
Artemus turned to face his boy, curling his index finger beneath his son's chin to raise Garrett's head, he pressed a soft kiss to his son's forehead before pulling Garrett to his chest.
"I'm sorry…" He whispered as he tucked Garrett's head beneath his chin, Garrett pressed against him willingly, though his son's arms remained limp at his sides.
"I'm horribly out of shape Garrett." Artemus murmured softly, "I think we both know that I'd end up at the bottom of the next alley should I ever even reach the rooftops."
Garrett snorted at that, and Artemus smiled, releasing his son to look into his remaining eye.
"We're not far from the entry point… Only a few more blocks at most."
"That's a few more blocks full of Gravens and panic." Garrett pointed out, tilting his head towards the mouth of the alley where a lone cart stood aflame, illuminating the blood still seeping from the body of the guardsman.
Artemus grimaced at the sight.
"We could just go through the alley's?" The Keeper suggested.
"We could…" Garrett agreed, "Unless the Graven decides to try and flush out anyone they think might be hiding back here, the corridors are too thin for evasive maneuverability, so if we're found, we're caught."
Artemus heaved a sigh as he looked up towards the looming rooftops above.
"You're sure they won't find us up there?" He asked.
"Oh, they might…" Garrett replied as he tuned to inspect the wall before them properly.
"But they won't be able to catch us."