Kiva's whole body felt heavy when he got up in the morning. From his eyelids down to his paws he felt weighted and listless. They hardly spoke as they prepared to leave so not to wake the sergeant and the girl. Hyxoes volunteered to carry the backpack first and with the map in his hand, Kiva led the way.

                The morning air was still and cold. The snow beneath their feet seemed to crunch extra loud in the silence. The stream was frozen, withholding its sound and one could easily note the absence of birds in the winter stricken land.

                The sky was graying in the east when they finally reached the city entrance. They were all fully awake by then though having only spoken a couple of words to each other. It was easy to locate the sewer hole. Steam was wafting from the holes in the lid.

                Kiva looked back at his companions and nodded then trotted out into the open. He wasted no time wrestling the lid from over the hole. He had to get help from Hyxoes to lift the heavy seal. It grated on the gravel ground as they moved it aside.

                Kiva peeked down into the whole and fanned his nose. It didn't smell as bad as he had imagined. More like wet newspaper that had sat too long in a dark room. Time was of the essence so putting aside secular thoughts he climbed down into the hole.

                Once his paws were safely on the ground he stole a quick glance around. Munich had been right, the waters were low. Hyxoes came down next followed by Elim and Wessex who pulled the lid back over the hole.

                Kiva unfolded the map and laid it on the ground. "We go west." He pointed. "By the looks of it we only turn when we can't go anymore and then we go south and then go west again as soon as we can."

                Elim looked down into the canal and fanned the air around him. "At least we don't have to walk in that."

                Wessex snorted at him. "Come on Desono, a little waste never hurt anyone."

                "Guys," Kiva said. "We'll be under the city for a few hours and by then people will be awake. We must keep absolutely quiet."

                The other three nodded and they all pressed on.

/

It didn't take long for the city to awake. The sounds of merchants, shoppers and other traffic echoed above. They felt like prisoners again. Prisoners forced to listen to the outside world but not able to be a part of it.

                Kiva stepped over a pipe and warned his friends to watch out for it. They took a short rest but besides this, they kept on as life went on above ground.

/

Lady Isca yawned as she stood in the mirror. It was her mother's custom to shop extra early for a spring dress when the fabrics hadn't been fussed over and acquired tears and blemishes.

                "We'll also be taking that sash in yellow and green." She told the shop keeper.

                Isca loved getting new clothes but today she was excited about going to the theatre and watching the winter races. All ladies of class went to the races. While their husbands, brothers and fathers made bets on what athlete would come in first the ladies engaged in gossip of all kinds.

                "Mother, Father will be waiting," the filly said impatiently. "And I'm sick of pastels. Can't I go with darker colors this spring season?"

                "You'll wear what is in fashion and what I choose," Lady Kasper said. "The yellow hat," she said to the shop keeper then turned to adjust herself in the mirror.

                When fittings and purchases were finally finished, Isca rushed out of the high end store and into the streets. "It's a rather warm winter day," she remarked to her mother as a slave helped her into the coach and another loaded on their things. "Still I'd like to live a few years without winter. You must ask papa to take us to Nagoray this year!"

                Lady Capernaum Kasper scoffed as the coach started forward. "I should think not. This is a very important year for your father. They will march on Recomine. Instead of thinking about yourself today, Isca you better thank him for his sacrifices."

                Isca smiled at her mother. "I'll miss him too when he is gone," she said. "But he'll be back when he defeats them. Lystra's father says it will be a swift defeat."

                Lady Kasper took out her handkerchief and dabbed her eyes. A Noble did not cry in the public streets. Not even in one's own coach.

                /

                Kiva held in his cough causing pain to his stomach. They could not be caught. He knew what would happen if they were. They would he hanged on the spot to set an example for all slaves and prisoners. Who knew how long the Mounts would let them hang. It was either that or a beheading.

                He wasn't sure how long they had been walking since their last rest but her slumped against the wall and stopped. Hyxoes, Elim and Wessex followed suit and all seemed to be relieved to be stopping.

                "How much further?" Hyxoes whispered.

                Kiva shook his head. "My guess? A few more miles."

                "Everything is starting to look the same." Wessex said.

                "Kiva!" said Elim. "Are you sure, that Mount didn't send us down here to die."

                "Of course he didn't, Elim." Kiva said. "I'm too tired to explain all the reasons why I know we can trust him." He waved Elim off and leaned his head back against the wall. As soon as he eyes were closed he felt someone nudge him.

                "Kiva," It was Hyxoes. "There's someone down here."

                Kiva jumped up immediately and they all went on high alert.

                "They're coming around the corner up ahead," Wessex pointed out.

                Kiva listened and sure enough he could hear voices. Two of them and they were getting closer and fast. Kiva looked back the way the way they had come. Even if they ran, as soon as the Mounts came around the corner they would be seen and easily shot. They couldn't jump into the water and they couldn't go down anymore.

                Hyxoes looked up. The only way was to the surface, into a city of Mounts. He reached into the pack and pulled out the crossbow the Sergeant had given them. No he couldn't shoot anyone but it would buy them time.

                "Who's idea was it that runaway slaves might be hiding in the sewers?" One of the Mounts asked the other.

                Kiva signaled for Elim and Wessex to start up the ladder then he braced himself. As soon as the Mount stepped around the corner he grabbed hold of one and pitched him into the canal. The lion splashed in the water and his baboon companion reached for his bayonet.

                Hyxoes fired the crossbow, making the other baboon duck and drop his weapon.

                "I can't swim, get me out!" the lion patrol was screaming in panic.

                As Wessex pushed open the cap of the hole screams erupted in the streets. He didn't hesitate to climb out and turn around and help Elim. They next helped Hyxoes and lastly Kiva came out running. Behind them came the patrols, one dripping wet and the other shouting for assistance.

                "Stop them!" the lion shouted still spitting out sewer water. "Security breech!"

 Soon more police joined the chase. Some had bows while others swords.

                "Stop them! Stop them!"

                Wessex pushed over crates and trash cans as they tore through the city hoping it would slow their pursuers.

                They ducked under a string of parked coaches and carriages, the drives still hooked to some. Finely dressed ladies and gentlemen jumped out of the way as Kiva ran blindly through the city. Go west; go west his heartbeat kept telling him.

                They rounded the large theatre where he had heard horror stories of trials on people who were more than likely innocent. He suddenly found himself colliding with a young filly stepping out of a coach.

                "Mama!" she cried out and stepped back from him.

                Kiva looked into her eyes then back at the police coming fast. He staggered to his paws as they closed in on them. Ahead was a narrow gap between carriages and their last means of escape.

                One of the police officer stopped and fixed an arrow to his bow. He would not let them escape. As the taught string was released Kiva tilted his head and leapt out of the way then bolted.

                The arrow flew past the prisoners. There was a shriek. Isca dropped dead. The agonizing screams of  Lady Kasper rent the city. She fell to the ground in her lavish robes and grabbed hold of her daughter as the four prisoners escaped between the carriages.

                "Seal off the city!" The chief shouted and his troops scattered to carry out his commands.

                Someone went inside the theatre and told General Kasper what had happened and he came running, only to find his worst nightmare come true. His darling Isca, his eldest child who he adored, was dead. Her noble blood growing cold in the winter air.

                "Death to them," he said as he joined his wife on the ground. "Death to them!"

/

              Kiva's heart was pounding as he and his three companions escaped into the city. He had no idea that evil had been called down upon them but it wouldn't catch up to them today. As winter made all attempts to maintain its hold on the land. As a little leopard girl watched prayerfully out a window for their success, as the Emperor sat on his throne, and as a noble child lay dead in her home, Crown Prince Kiva escaped Mount Lions!