The men circled around Raven and Alistar, Alistar planted himself in front of Raven, his feet digging into the dirt of the road and kicking up dust. She gritted her teeth, she knew he though that it was what he was supposed to do, but she needed no man to help her. Alistar held his sword up shielding himself and her the best he could. The bandits laughed as their circle began to grow tighter around them. Raven watched their backs, Alistar was to focused on one man who held up a slingshot trained at his head.

"What do you want?" Alistar growled, Raven rolled her eyes as she estimated the trajectory of the rock within the slingshot. Unless Alistar was smart about it and lifted the shining sword in his grasp at the right angle he would surely be unconscious, however that could work in her favor.

"Anything of value, your money, food, even that girl." The largest of the group replied, his clothes looked about two sizes to small, scars littered his light skin, his hair dark and dirty.

"Touch her, and you will die." Alistar snarled, his grip growing tighter around the golden hilt of the sword. Raven almost felt touched, he seemed to care for her, she just hoped that his actions were more general than just for her. A king was to protect all his people, not just those he personally cares for. A few of the men laughed, Raven slipped two knives from her dress. She was prepared for every situation, between skills and weapons.

"I think you should know that there is going to be someone here who dies, so take your pick on who." The man with the slingshot threatened.

Raven smirked. "Alright, then it should be you." Raven replied with a grin. She held her knives up threateningly, yet because she was female the men in the gang laughed. She was waiting for the rock to fly, and then she knew she would win, she just needed the time. Alistar looked back towards her to make sure she was okay when the man with the slingshot let the rock fly.

"Alistar!" Raven yelled. Alistar quickly snapped his head to look when the rock came in contact with his temple, she stood to the side to ensure that there was no way for him to knock her over. He collapsed to the floor with a thud, the rocks and dirt bouncing with the contact, his hair swaying in the soft wind as he rolled over in a groan and then his body went limp. She quickly checked to ensure his safety then stood ready to battle. Her legs were slightly outstretched and she held the knives upward in her palms. She grinned and waited to see what was coming.

Her wings began to appear, with a small flash of light two large, beautiful crimson red wings sprouted out. The men scrambled backyards. They fell back onto the ground, as they fell back onto the ground they realized that there was no way of saving themselves if she wished to kill them. Her eyes looked as if they were glowing, soon she was floating off the ground for only a moment. They screamed, fear transporting their thoughts. She smiled as she tossed her knife, it cut the man with the slingshot across his cheek. Her aim was impeccable, she wasn't trying to kill, just scare.

"If you come anywhere near me, the prince, or the kingdom you will regret it." She snarled. "Go, run, tell all your friends that the Winged are coming, and they will rise again."

They raced away, stumbling over one another.

She smiled and watched as they ran, she knew that she needed to get him to the slum, or back to the castle. She didn't want to take him back to the castle, she wanted him safe, and she didn't trust his father. She fell back down to the floor to ensure she was okay. Her muscles were burning, and she was trying to keep herself from being to exhausted. She had been wounded within the last few months and knew it was much more difficult to deal with her wounds and the wings than it should be.

It usually took a long time for the Winged to become harmed.

It wasn't easy for her to deal with it, she was wounded and his father had done it. She leaned down towards him, cradling his head and made her way quickly towards the slum, her wings disappearing. As she placed him down in the center of the slum a doctor raced towards his side.

"Will he be alright?"

"Yes of course." The docter replied. "He just has a wound. Give him a few minutes."

"Minutes?"

"Oh yes." He smiled and pulled out a cloth with a horrid smell emanating off of it. Raven covered her nose quickly dry heaving. The doctor set the cloth under Alistar's nose, he shot up and rolled to his side vomiting on the ground. A few of the people watching looked jealous that he could actually vomit. They were all hungry, and were almost angry he could have a meal on the table every day. As he looked around he noticed children, dirt covered with ratted hair. He was looking over them, every single one. His stomach began to turn, his eyes were prickling with tears. He wanted to protect them. He needed to protect them, he wanted to bring each of them back to the castle with him.

"What is this place?"

"This is the slum."

He gulped as he slowly stood, babies cried, fathers and mothers hauled wood and other heavy objects with children clingy to them. Young children were busy carting around trash and items. The smell in the air left him sick.

"My father knows?"

"Your father created this." She muttered back. "What do you feel about this?"

"I want to.. I want to take them all with me."

"Well your father would have them murdered."

"Once I take the thrown, everyone from here will come to the village, and he will live in the slum."

"Well, lets work on getting to know the people first." She offered as she took his hand and dragged him towards the first crumbling house. He took in a deep breath and knew he was going to learn things he didn't want to, but needed to know.

The storm of change was brewing.