"If the Prime Minster catches the thief, Zerif gives him money in return."

"But where would Zerif get that much money?"

"They conquered Zhong. That's where they're getting the money."

-Rollan-

I did not imagine my rescue to be like this. Never in my whole thieving life had it been this crazy. Sure i've had many crazy and unplanned escapes but this tops first place. I have been really, really lucky this time to actually escape death. I should start from where we last left off.

So, after Grif has been shoved off to somewhere else, I started walking through the dark and cold hallways alone and I meant alone with no company. Don does not count as company. I do not consider men who are really big, threatening, and rude, and have super hard shoes, as company.

As I kept on walking, our footsteps echoing along the stone walls that seemed to be suffocating me, I heard chanting. At first, I couldn't make out the words until we came to the end of the hallways where there stood a wooden door, two soldiers standing guard from each side.

As I neared them, they opened the door and I was momentarily blinded by the bright light and the sounds that seemed to have heightened a lot more.

Before I could see clearly again, Don had shoved me forward, making me trip over someone's feet (probably one of the guards) and fall face flat. Everyone seemed to be laughing at me as I groaned, trying to get back up. The humiliation is unbearable!

"Don't you worry now, thief," Don spat the word 'thief' with so much venom, "It will all be over soon."

I didn't respond. Probably because I didn't have the strength to anyways. I didn't like giving up. I hated giving up but it's the only thing I could think of right now. My situation is hopeless.

"What? Got nothing left to say, thief?" Don mocked into my ear.

Might as well get over it, I thought as I started walking through a small path towards a wooden platform in the middle of the whole crowds of people that came to watch me die. There, waiting for me on the platform was a tall wooden machine of some sort with a sharp blade right at the very top. I think they call it a gluten or something that sounds like gluten. Though i'd take gluten than that thing any day!

As I walked through the path towards my death, people from all sides yelled at me, some even tried to attack me. I finally walked up the small steps to find Shaun, grinning from ear to ear, and a couple of guards. Well, isn't he fast.

I glanced around until I spotted the Prime Minister of Amaya, standing safely on a balcony of the building. He raised his hand and the crowd grew silent.

Then he spoke, "Roll of Concorba-"

"Um, Roll isn't my real name," someone spoke up and I realized that the someone was me.

Don looked ready to kick me with his super hard shoes again but Shaun gave him a warning glance.

The Prime Minister's eyes slightly narrowed, "We know nothing about your name and even if we do, you are not worthy enough to hold one. From this day and onwards, people will know you by Roll, the infamous thief. I'm sure children from all over Erdas will learn not to follow your path."

"Of course, Prime Minister," I replied, trying to sound calm but really, i'm freaking out, "No one would be able to follow my path. I'm simply just too good."

"Yet here you are, about to die," this time, Shaun spoke, a sneer on his mouth, "And he gets caught in the most humiliating way. Tripping on his own shoes."

The crowd laughed, some repeating the same insult. I clenched my hand, trying not to get my anger get the best of me.

I saw the Prime Minister nod to Shaun and he motioned for silence. Then he announced in a loud voice, "People from all over Erdas that have come to witness this great day, especially to Amaya. This day will be remembered for generations and generations to come. It is the day where the infamous thief, Roll, will finally be put to a stop for his treacherous crimes!"

I stifled a snort. Apparently, stealing a few Nectar supplies from the Greencloaks when they had a whole bunch more was considered treacherous. Apparently, stealing some stupid ring from the Prime Minister and helping some people put into prison just because they couldn't pay their taxes was treacherous.

"Roll," I could see Shaun's grin from his fake solemn expression, "Do you have any last words before your execution may commence?"

I looked around the crowd,trying to spot a familiar face. I then felt the warm glow coming from the talisman and my vision immediately sharpened. I quickly spotted Grif, standing near the back, his horrified face on mines as I recognized another man right behind him. Zerif. I scowled but Zerif met my gaze and grinned. That liar! That backstabbing, filthy, ugly-

"Well?" Shaun's impatient tone snapped my thoughts.

"Well what?" I snapped back.

"Interesting choice of last words, Roll," Shaun muttered.

"I haven't chosen my last words," I glared at him, "Cause I refuse to die."

Shaun just laughed, humorlessly, "Set him up and prepare for the execution. I'm afraid I won't be able to give you that, thief."

Two of the soldiers seized me by my arms as I was pushed towards the gluten or whatever it's called. They forced me on my knees then shoved my head to the gap where my head was supposed to be. I then felt something hit the side of my head and when I tried to lift it, I bumped something hard. I knew I was trapped.

"You may as well say your last words now, Roll," Shaun spoke as the crowd began to chant.

My eyes darted back to where Zerif was who was only sitting there calmly, watching me with fake interest. His mouth then twitched slightly, revealing his sneer as he gave a small, short nod that I almost missed it.

Then there was a cry of pain and someone shouted, "Arrow!"

Another cry of pain and I realized that the chants turned into screams of panic and terror. One of the guards that were on my vision dropped down, an arrow to their chest.

"Release the blade!" Shaun commanded.

I then felt a snap and I shut my eyes close, preparing to die. It never came because just when I opened my eyes, I saw someone I thought i'd never be so happy to see. Standing there was Conor, an axe on his hands.

"Glad we caught you on time," Conor grinned at me and I felt myself grin back.

"For once, i'm glad you guys caught me!" I exclaimed.

"Surprising for Roll of Concorba to say that," another voice spoke that made my heart skip a beat, "Especially since he's a thief."

"And here you are," I managed to say, calmly, "Mistress I-don't-trust-thieves helping a thief escape."

"Enough chatting," Meilin said, finally coming into view as she grinned down at me, "Let's get you out this guillotine."

"A glu- what now?"

Just then, an arrow pierced itself a few centimeters away from my face.

"Actually, just get me out of this gluten thing," I said in a panicky voice.

"A what now?" Conor asked in confusion as Meilin then snapped at him, "Cover me!"

Meilin then went behind me, probably trying to figure out how to get the piece of wood off as Conor went down, fighting a couple soldiers. I then spotted Abeke shooting arrows as she slowly made her way towards me and Anda rode on top of a speeding elk, Tellun, nearby. I even saw Tarik, the Greencloak, fighting another batch of soldiers, moving with such speed and skill.

"Meilin, the rope," Conor suddenly exclaimed and I managed to see Shaun at the corner of my eye.

Swords clashed behind me and I have no idea who was winning when I saw Shaun get kicked off the wooden platform, right towards Uraza who had reached Conor safely.

"Um, slight problem," I was slightly relieved to hear Meilin's voice but got nervous at her tone.

"As if we don't have an even bigger problem right now. Trying to stay alive!" I replied sarcastically.

"Well, you're going to die if I release this rope," came the reply and I froze in terror.

"What now?" I asked as she came into view, pulling the rope that was connected to my death.

She then shoved the rope into my mouth, "Bite this down and shut up."

As she released it, I tightened my grip on the rope, which wasn't easy since it was carrying the weight of a heavy blade that was going to kill me if I release it. I made a mental note to talk to Meilin about this when the rope began to slowly slip from my grasp.

I then felt the sound of clanking metal and Meilin's voice, "Just one more chain. Hold on."

The rope began to slip more from my grasp and I knew I only had seconds before it would slip away completely. I shut my eyes tight, biting down at the rope as hard as I could until my teeth hurt.

I am not going to die. I am not going to let go. I'm going to get out of here. I'm going to find my mother and save her. I, Rollan, refuse to die!

I heard the same metal clanking and Meilin's relieved voice, "Okay, i'm about to lift it up. Don't let go."

I was almost tempted to let go and just jump out but I kept my mouth clamped down. There was a screech and I looked up to see a familiar falcon, circling above me. Essix is here! She screeched again and only had I realized that it was a screech of warning. She began to dive down and I finally saw Shaun getting up on the platform with a sword, heading straight towards the rope.

Suddenly, time seem to slow down yet speed up at the same time...that didn't make sense but whatever.

I heard a snap. I felt the wood lift off of my neck. I felt the rope on my mouth slacken. I heard something falling. At the same time, i've been pulled back. In a blink of an eye, where my head had been a moment ago was a sharp blade.

I hadn't realized what had been going on when I felt a rush of air and saw someone strike Shaun with lightning speed. I finally realized that the speeding blur was Meilin as soon as Shaun was down in seconds.

At first, all I could do was gape at her. I hadn't realized that her Spirit Animal, Jhi, had been sitting right beside me.

She then caught me looking, "What?"

"How did you- you were so fast!" I exclaimed.

"No time to explain," Meilin said, grabbing my arm and pulling me up on my knees, "We need to get out of here."

I tried to pull myself together but I stumbled, due to my shock.

I then felt Meilin grip both of my shoulders and forced me to look her right into her eyes, "Hey, I need you here. We both need rescuing and this time, both of us are getting out of here."

- - -

Hey how long has it been? Like... three months??

Lol okay sorry, I was too busy in life but i've got passed through my writer's block. I swear I owe you guys like a lot of chapters and i'll give it to you guys!

Oh and at least Rollan is still alive.