Although we were out of the caves, getting to enjoy the feel of the sun on our faces again, we might as well have stayed where we were. At least in the caves, there was fresh water to distract the men from their petty fights, especially between a certain pair over who got to walk next to me. That ended only when we finally reached the part of the path that hugged the cliffside, leaving only enough space for one person at a time to creep forward.

I treasured every moment of the next 15 minutes of blessed silence, broken only by a soft whimper as one of the men felt the ground under them shift slightly as the stepped on a patch of loose rocks. I could only pray one of them would fall and leave me with one less to bring me a headache. Except for Leon and Judal of course. They might have their moments of annoyance, but they were also the only ones to bring me back from the insanity these other fools drove me to.

Thinking about them had me looking past gray rocks and brown dirt ahead of me to meet the worried gaze of Leon as he waited for me to catch up, the path widening out just beyond where he stood. Looking behind me as I slowed down my walk, I could see Judal following as closely as he could without letting me hear whatever he was muttering to the men when they got too close to him.

Whatever it was, it had them looking like maybe jumping off the path and onto the rocks below might be a more agreeable option than getting any closer to the dark-haired man before them.

I refused to admit to having seen a subtle shine of ice forming on the path behind him earlier on whenever one of the men started complaining too loudly. Especially if they were complaining to or about me.

--------

We were getting closer to the city. I could see the ever-present mist that surrounded the city last time I was here, a mist I was told never left. Of course, that was a blessing and a curse in many ways. This made sure nobody passing by the mountains could see the city, as well as providing moisture to those dwelling within. It allowed crops to grow, even if only barely enough for the people who found sanctuary within the cities walls.

On the other hand, it also made them a target for anyone who decided to investigate the source of the mist, although that was seldom an issue with how rarely people came here. Most likely, I was the only one who had traveled here in years. At least, I was until now.

I actually felt guilty about what I was doing, bringing these men here like this, but I was first and foremost a survivor. I hadn't lived this long just to give up and let David take my life from me over refusing to show his men the city. Besides, they had their own ways of dealing with trouble. Otherwise, they wouldn't have lasted so long out here on their own.

I wonder how those two are doing these days?

--------

"Are we there yet?" Came the same question I had been ignoring for the past 20 minutes of the slow climb up the pathway, wondering what I had done to deserve having a full grown young man whining at me like a small child.

Looking around at the stunted trees growing this far up the mountains, I turned off the path and headed into the treeline, leaving the men behind for a moment before Leon smirked at Judal and followed behind quickly. Before Judal could take more than a few steps in, he picked up a faint smell in the air of something he hadn't had in proper quantity since leaving David's city.

"Peaches? How..." Dashing forward, he was soon racing past me, his hand shooting out just in time to grasp mine and pull me behind him.

Laughing, I shrugged to myself and began running beside him, my eyes dancing about as I kept watch for the various dangers of running in a forest like this. Just the usual tree roots, vines and deadly traps that were commonly set to discourage those who might come with ill intentions towards those living inside the cities ruins.

I honestly don't know if Judal even noticed the small tugs on his hand or light bumps against his side to steer him away from snares laying partly hidden under leaves or tripwires low to the ground. It was only the sound of Leon grumbling from behind me every so often that let me know he managed to bypass them as well, although the scream of one of the men let me know not everyone made it through without incident.

The worst was the shriek when one of the set off the spike trap. Ru had never really cared for the spike traps but she just couldn't say no to that guy when he looked at her with those sparkling brown eyes of his. Especially when she knew he was doing it to keep her safe, as well as everyone else who was depending on them for safely.

It wasn't until Judal finally stopped in place, his jaw dropped as he stared at the small orchard of peach trees, that I finally allowed myself to relax and stop worrying about traps. Now I just had to keep an eye out for-

"Hold! Make one move and you'll be dead before you can blink!" That familiar voice called out to us from the other side of the orchard, Judal's shoulder blocking my view from spotting the red hair I knew would tell me which tree Myst was hiding in.

"Is that really how you would greet a friend? I really need to talk to Ru about letting you get away with this conduct of yours," I said with a smile as I heard him come crashing to the ground at the sound of my voice.

"Wha- How? Is that really you?" His voice shook with each word as Mystras slowly climbed to his feet and crept towards us, his eyes focusing in on my face as I moved out from behind Judal, ignoring his hand on my arm that tried to keep me behind him.

It was a sweet thought, his want to protect me, but I really didn't need protecting from someone I considered one of the few people I could trust not to betray me. Or at least not betray me without good reason.

Like the people I had with me attacking him without cause.

"Put your toy away Judal or I swear I will make sure you never taste a peach again in your lifetime," I stated softly, feeling Judal shiver before his hand finally dropped from my arm.