Tezaro locked the door behind them, but never released her. He looked into her eyes, to her lips and back again then cupped her face. As he inched closer, Aurora was certain he was going to kiss her, but in a rush he was at the other side of the room. Miles from her.

He threw up his hands slicing the air, then gruffed, "That cannot and will not happen." His words carried venom. Running his hand through his dark hair, he turned to face her. "I need to get you to Armindia. The sooner we get to Anthonias so much the better."

"I don't understand." She moved a step closer. "What do you mean?" Her eyes roamed his face for answers.

With an exasperated sigh he answered, "Probably so. Look, all you need to know is that as soon as this storm breaks, I'm taking you to Anthonias."

She had no time for hurt feelings. "What about Lily?"

"What about her?" He stood with his arms crossed as immobile as a statue.

"Excuse me? If you think I'm following you to see some guy I've never met without first saving Lily you're wrong! I only came because of her!" She marched herself right up to him and jabbed her finger on his chest.

As if he was wiping dirt of his clothing, he swatted her finger away. "I do not have time for this! We are not going to Mithoran or anywhere near it. You are a target. You will be safest with Anthonias in Armindia."

"Great plan. Only problem is, I'm not going!" Her cloak sliced the air in the midst of her angry turn. "I don't care what I have to do or where I have to go. I'm finding Lily. That's all that matters." Angry tears threatened to spill.

Tezaro blocked her path. "Are you suicidal? You do not know this land or any one that can help you. How will you find her?" His logic was undeniable.

"I don't care. I'll find a way. I'm not just going to give up on her. How can you be so cold? I'm nothing but some quest to you, aren't I?" She flung the accusation at him, hoping he'd deny it.

Without hesitation he met her furious glare and replied, "Yes."

Her eyes grew large in disbelief. Her voice pleading, "What could possibly be more important than saving someone's life?" His muted response angered her further. "Answer me!"

"Justice." His face had become a stone mask.

"What?" She shook her head, confused.

He took her by the shoulders though she tried to resist. "Listen to me. Once I get you to Anthonias everything will be fine. He will help you; afterall, you're the Key. You'll probably get whatever you want. The best warriors Armindia has to offer at your disposal. Lord Fennaris will not stand a chance. And you'll be able to save your friend."

He continued to persuade her into his way of thinking. "The best choice you can make for her is to go to Armindia. Talk to Anthonias. Otherwise, you may be walking into a trap. No, listen. Think about it. Why else would they take her? She is a link to you. They may be expecting you to follow her. It's you they want. Not her." 

Silence echoed past the gritty wind that blasted against the adobe buildings.

Aurora exhaled loudly and lowered her head. "Maybe you're right. Lily would not have been involved if it weren't for me. Fine. We'll do it your way. How far away are we from Armindia?"

Aurora sunk down on the bed with the appearance of defeat. If he thought she was giving up that easily, Tezaro had yet to know her. Somehow, tomorrow she would be one day closer to finding Lily.

"With the mounts I have secured for us, we should reach the border within two days. But reaching Crown Guard, the capital will take much longer." Satisfied with her acceptance, Tezaro turned and retrieved a jar from a bag.

"Give me your hands," he hoarsely instructed as he proceeded to place salve and bandage them.

It was impossible to tell the time outside with the howling storm. The wind blew hard and all was shrouded in darkness. Tezaro had said the storm would die out by morning. She just had to wait till then.

While the night lengthened, Tezaro went to fetch food, away and out of sight from the crowd downstairs. He returned with a tray carrying cheese, a small variety of meats, and fruit then placed it on the table. In a rounded jug he offered her sweet mead. They sat and ate the food in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

"You're brooding," Tezaro eyed her.

"Huh?" She hiccupped. "You startled me. I think we need to talk." She bit her lower lip nervously.

He had an idea of what she wanted to talk about. "No."

"So you're just going to ignore it, then?"

"Nothing happened. There's nothing to discuss." He shrugged without qualm. "Except I am greatly concerned over your stupidity, I thought you were smarter."

Aurora's mouth bobbed like a fish out of water. "M-my...stu..stupidity?"

"Well, what else would you call it, going down there unprotected when Fennaris is looking for you!"

"I was trying to find out information about this place and Lily."

"You could've asked me, and you should have left searching for Lily up to me. Lucky enough I came when I did before that elf mauled you."

"He wasn't going to maul me." She leaned back on the chair and crossed her arms.

Tezaro sneered. "You did not see what I saw. Trust me: he did not have the most noble of intentions. It's my job to protect you even if that means hurting your feelings." He ignored her huff of impatience as she stood. "The sooner we leave the better for the both of us. I have other matters to attend." It was clear the discussion was over.

"You're still not fully recovered from the other night and this afternoon. You should sleep. I'll take the floor and you can have the bed." Aurora unhooked her cloak as he retrieved a pillow and extra blanket for himself from the bed.

She supposed she could tell him they could share the bed. Afterall they were both adults and he had proven to be trustworthy. However, she was still upset over being called stupid so she happily dismissed the thought.

She removed her boots and lay on her side at the edge of the bed covered, while Tezaro blew out the candle and settled himself at the foot of the bed. He removed his boots as well then stretched out on the floor. The glowing stones had already begun to dim and darkness was a welcomed comfort.

Neither slept immediately. "Tez?" The soft whisper broke through the silence.

"Hmm?"

"What is it that needs justice?"

He had anticipated the question, but he had hoped she would not have the courage to ask it so soon. She was more direct than he thought.

Tezaro breathed in deep before he answered her. The memory still cut like a fresh wound. "My brother was murdered. Anthonias will give me information I need. I must find those who killed him." He had no intention of volunteering any more information.

"I see. What will you do when you find those responsible?" She had to know.

He snorted in reply. "What do you think?"

She tried to comprehend his intent. Lily was a sister to her, and if Fennaris killed Lily, she supposed she'd want him dead. Yes, she could understand his reaction, but she was not sure she could live with the guilt of taking a life. Even if it was deserved.

The silence grew. "We may be from different worlds, but the result is the same." She heard him shift on the floor. "Tezaro?"

Silence.

"You cannot bring him back." Her voice filled the darkness like a haunting spirit.

It was difficult to sleep, but it finally claimed her first. Tezaro remained awake long into the night, tormented by memories and guilt.

As the night drew on, the stillness left by the storm woke her. With her eyes wide open and her ears straining, she sat up and noticed the absence of the roaring wind.

The storm had passed and it was barely early morning. Silently she put on her boots, stood up and walked to the end of the bed where Tezaro still lay sleeping. Good, she had counted on waking before him.

Reaching for her pack and cloak among the sheets, she clipped it on and scurried out of the room as quietly as she could. The door creaked once and she was gone.

Her heart raced at what she was about to do. There was no way of knowing what Lily was facing at the moment. Even if what Tezaro had said about getting Armindian warriors was true, she had to get to Lily. Her mind had been made up even after their argument. Letting him think that she agreed with him was just part of the plan.

Guilt over leaving him floated to the surface, but she quickly drowned it. If he was on a quest then so was she. Maybe if he really thought about it, Aurora pondered, he might just understand why she was doing this.

Impulse guided her as she stepped from the door and sauntered away. She was startled to see a familiar figure in the dimly light common room.

The elf was taller than Tezaro, something she had not known from the previous night, as he stood and strode to her confidently. His two thin braids swayed against his shoulder darker than the rest of his copper flame hair.

"Trouble sleeping, pretty one?" His emerald eyes danced with a crooked smile.

She licked her lips nervously. A second of indecision. "Do you still want to help me?"

"Ah, I see. What do you need?" He leaned in conspiratorially.

"I need to rescue a friend. She's in terrible danger." Aurora glanced behind her; worried that Tezaro might find her missing at any moment.

The elf's thumb and index finger cupped his chin in a mockery of deep thought. "A noble quest. I'm yours." His arms were stretched wide in welcoming.

"Great. Let's go." She grabbed his wrist and rushed him out the door.

"I'm Lucas by the way." He trailed after her as the door shut behind them.