Over a week since their forced separation and miles before reaching the mountain pass, Tezaro and Aurora encountered Eri and Owen. Being the start of autumn, the valley had not yet been blanketed in patches of snow and ice, and a clear if not lonely road to the pass rose before them as the entrance to the valley.

Sighs of relief after days of separation and seeing one another were quickly chased away with questions of their journey. "How long did they follow?" Tezaro wanted to establish if for them too, the Red Fox had intervened.

"We had several guards chase us fairly close to the hills. I can only assume that given our direction they might believe us to be associated with the Fallen. But those guards were not the problem." Eri informed them as they began to walk up the valley.

"What do you mean? What happened?"

Owen walked along Tezaro and answered. "We came across a couple of patrols and a scouting party of Fennairs's army. We were able to avoid them by giving them a wide berth, but at the rate they were traveling we feared they knew about the escape at Ilsurni Castle and were looking for us."

At the description of their escape, Aurora stood in wonder at just how uneventful her escape with Tezaro had been in comparison. There had been violence and death around her, but Tezaro's ease at defeating their opponents had made everything about it effortless. She had not fully realized how much danger encircled her.

"Fortunately, we were able to outdistance them. But I do not like that Lord Fenaris is on the move. They are grabbing Armindian lands in the south without a challenge." Eri's last dig was aimed at Tezaro.

Since his departure, the Steward of Armindia had refused to name another Protector. As such Armindia was without a leader and not much of a military to defend its borders. It would be only a matter of time before Lord Fennaris's truly aimed a strike at the heart of Armindia, Crown Guard. "Did you stumble upon any?"

Tezaro sidestepped Eri's earlier comment and moved on. "No. Surprisingly we had help. As we raced through the woods, three hooded elves interceded for us. I believe the Red Fox had us followed to Ilsurni Castle, though I do not know or trust his motives. Nonetheless, they came to our rescue."

Meanwhile Aurora remained silent, neither confirming nor denying Tezaro's suspicions. Though the others had wondered the cause of their release, only Eri knew of the bargain between the Red Fox and her.

"Speaking of suspicious elves," Eri chimed in to redirect the conversation. "Are we certain about what's going to happen once we reach the Narrow Pass? What's the plan, then?"

"The mountain pass will be the least of our worries. Once we are beyond the pass we can choose an alternate route that will take us to the sea. From there we can barter passage to Crown Guard." Owen nodded in agreement to Tezaro's words.

"What do you mean route to the sea?" At no time, had there ever been a discussion that Aurora could recall that dealt with a sea route and not straight to Kai'lym. "Aren't we going to where ever Lucas left instructions to follow?"

"No." Eri and Tezaro quickly responded in unison.

"Why not?"

"Because he suggested it." As if that was all the explanation that was needed, Tezaro turned from her and continued walking.

"You still don't trust him!"

"No." Again the pair united against her.

"He risked his life along with the rest of us. He has Lily with him and that's where I'm going." Tezaro stopped and pinched the bridge of his nose as he tried to reason with a woman that was more stubborn that a team of pack mules up a mountain.

"She's with the elvin healers now. She does not need you and what's more, there is nothing you can do for her right now. What you need to do is let us take you to Crown Guard so that we can meet with Anthonias as we agreed. Remember? I kept my end of the deal. Now you must honor yours."

Everything he said made absolute sense which was why she was going to use it against him. "You honestly believe Lucas took Lily to the elvin healers to restore her sight?"

"Yes."

"But if he cannot be trusted, how can we be sure? If you trust him to help Lily that means we can make it to the pass and follow his instructions. Or, if you don't trust him, we should go after him to get Lily back so she can be healed. Either way we have to follow Lucas. Don't you agree?" She crossed her arms, daring Tezaro to argue out of his own logic.

Tezaro turned to Owen for help. "You've been awfully quiet in this. What do you think?"

"I think she's ready for court politics." Owen deadpanned. Guiding his horse past them, he called back, "Well, are you not coming? No matter what we are entering Kai'lym."

Aurora quickly caught up to him smiling, leaving Eri and Tezaro to follow for once.

"You know there is only one way to guarantee our safe passage into Kai'lym. You have to claim your title."

"I know." The words tasted bitter in his mouth. Even though it had been two years since he had renounced his title, the people of Armindia refused to accept his decision and Anthonias, as acting Steward, did not help the matter by refusing to anoint a new Protector.

"How do you feel about this?"

"Let's get this over with." Grabbing the reins to his horse, he followed Owen and Aurora in stony silence.

Making sure they were still a fair distance away from her brother and Aurora, Eri approached Tezaro in hushed tones. "If things do not go well in Kai'lym regarding Aurora's safety, which secret are you willing to reveal? Aurora being the Key or your betrothal?"

"No one must know her identity. If it comes to it then I'll reveal our crest."
Eri was unable to hide her glee. "Then I hope to be there to see her reaction to a betrothal she knows nothing about."

"As I've told you before, she wears my crest to keep her safe. I'm sure she would understand and play along." He searched her face for confirmation.

"Then perhaps you should tell her why she's wearing it. Or what it signifies. I cannot image her taking it well, especially if she discovers its meaning before you let her in on the sham. She'll be hurt that you've lied to her, as I've told you before, or she's going to whip your hide. I'd put my money on the latter."

There was a mischievous skip to Eri's walk as she said this. "Which is why I want to be there when she learns the truth." She tried to move on, but Tezaro held her.

"Could we pass her off as my sister?"

The laughter that escaped Eri's lips bounced of the valley walls.

"Why are you laughing? Stop that." He quickly covered her mouth.

Slapping his hand away she was unable to suppress her grin. "Because you're an idiot. Nevermind that you are known to have had Larn as your only sibling, you o'Grand Protector, do not look at her like a brother does to a sister."

"There's nothing wrong about how I look at her."

The denial in his tone was unmistakable. Her eyes rolled with a sigh. "You're right. There's nothing wrong with it." She hoped he'd understand her meaning and walked off. "It's a shame you do not see it."

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing. When you are ready to understand it you will. Although," she turned to face him. "Come to think of it, have you ever considered that your crest actually places her in greater danger?"

"No one that fears me would dare."

"Exactly. No one who fears you. Many might respect you, but you also have a long list of enemies. What would they do if they knew about Aurora? Your enemies would like nothing more than to capture or kill your bride. Your crest on her neck puts a target on her back."

The realization of Eri' logic sent a chill through him. It paralyzed him. "How did I not see it?" Eri hastened her step to catch up to Owen and Aurora and still he could not move. His thoughts began to spin at the possibilities.

An urgency to get Aurora to Crown Guard finally commanded his feet to move. There she would be safe and he could reclaim his crest. Like it needed to be yet somehow the idea disturbed him.

Other more troublesome thoughts rose to the forefront. There she would no longer need him. Their time together would be over. Wasn't that what he wanted?

Meanwhile Aurora and her master were engrossed about a certain elf with a perchance for finding trouble. "Master Owen, why do you trust Lucas when Eri and Tezaro don't?"

Focusing on the road ahead, he answered her question without pause. "Because if Lucas planned to betray us by revealing who you are, he'd already done it."

"You are referring to the Fallen?"

"Them... and Lord Fennaris. You may not know this Aurora, but delivering you to Lord Fennaris would ensure that the Fallen could return to their homes unharmed and victorious."

"Because everyone believes I'm the Key to Armindia."

"No, because you are the Key to Armindia's future." Brown eyes trapped hers with blunt assuredness. "I do not need to be standing with you in front of the Crystal Tree to know who you are. There is no denying you."

"All of you have a confidence in me that I wish I had. Even Lucas." An unbidden smiled spread wide at the thought of him. "I'm glad you trust him. Unlike them." She tossed her head back and Master Owen turned to find his sister and Tezaro deep in conversation.

"Yes, well, unlike those two I pay attention to a person's actions more than their words." Looking back, he waited for Eri to approach them.

"Meaning?"

"Do you remember what he said as we broke apart?"

Nodding she answered, "He said he'd meet us at the Pass."

Disappointment flickered in his gaze as he slowly shook his head. "You too are as blind and deaf as they. Do not hear the words. Listen to them." It was loud enough that Eri scowled at him as she approached. "Think back. Lucas said that he would leave word for us. Does not that seem peculiar?"

"I thought it was a friendly gesture, nothing more."

"Yes, yes, yes, but the point," Owen's frustration at them began to manifest itself in his tone. "The point is why? Hmm? To what purpose inform the guards of our coming? Other travelers come and go and the guards need not be aware of their passing. Why us?"

"That's because other travelers are not being set up for a trap." It was Eri's response that caused a loud grunt from her brother.

"Blind mule." Owen turned to the two of them. "Think. Ask that suspicious mind of yours to use logic. What heed will guards pay to the words of one traveler about expecting another group of travelers? Hmm?"

Pondering the question, Aurora spoke up. "They wouldn't. One traveler is just as forgettable as the next."

"Good." Aurora beamed at Owen's praise. "But that's still not the point."

A loud groan emitted from Eri as she turned to Aurora. "Sometimes all I get out of him is one or two syllables. Other times he drones on like a gushing river. Could you just enlighten us, great one?"

Owen ignored his sister's mockery. "Yes, but then you would not learn. What is the only reason a guard would listen to be on the lookout for more travelers from a passerby? Unless the passerby is not ordinary traveler."

"Just who do you think Lucas is?" Tezaro had caught up to them in time to hear Eri's jab at her brother.

"Not an ordinary traveler."

"Are you suggesting Lucas is of some importance or rank?" Eri was incredulous.

"Can you think of a reason why else they would listen to him?"

"Lots of reasons." Tezaro defended. "He could be related to one of them. He could be one of the ranks."

"Somehow Lucas doesn't strike me as the military type." Aurora chimed in.

"Agreed. He could not follow orders if his life depended on it. Still, he could be a well-known merchant that travel the roads often." The last argument by Tezaro made the most sense.

"True, but where is his caravan of goods? His guards? Not to mention the fact that his clothing and abilities speak of an even higher class."

"Are you seriously suggesting he's noble born?" The words barely got out of Eri's mouth before she scoffed.

"I am merely pointing out that he is not what he seems. Consider it, he can handle himself in a fight, he sensed magic from a long distance, no farmer or trade smith could have such skills without being of some means." It was Owen's turn to look down at his sister.

"If Lucas is noble born, I'll eat my left boot."

"And I'll eat the right one." Tezaro backed up Eri.

"The Narrow Pass is just up ahead. We'll see." Owen's words made Aurora think, but she remained quiet, deep in thought.

As they neared the pass a stone building jutted from the mountain walls dominating the view beyond. The Narrow Pass, originally named as the Southern Pass, arched upward in jagged peaks and almost touched at its highest point. It was near the top that a small outpost looked out into the hills and plains of Armindia and the giant trees of the Murmurwoods.

A leather clad guard that could have blended into the terra cotta mountain walls, signaled for them to halt. "State your name and destination." His hand hovered over a writing board with a quill in hand ready to strike.

This was it. Aurora held her breath.