The rocking motion of the running barian caused Aurora's stomach contents to shift in a threatening manner. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply trying to soothe her nerve riddled stomach from embarrassing her.

Regret gnawed at her, but she'd rather regret taking action than standing by. It was that same queasy feeling in her gut that had caused her to quickly trust Lucas. If she wasn't so desperate to save Lily she might have thought it over first.

It was too late for regret and second guessing. She'd made her choice. Now she only hoped she hadn't been naïve enough to fall for a trap.

It had been close to daybreak when Lucas had hoisted her unto the barian. She had expected one of the many horses to be his and was more than a little shocked when she saw him approach the giant lizard in a solitary stall.

Lucas walked calmly towards it with Aurora trailing a few short steps back, unsure of running away in fright or staying close to Lucas for protection.

Its scaly, russet face turned and caused her to halt, blink, and gulp all at once. Her instinct had been to reach out to Lucas and clutch his arm, but she disciplined her reaction quickly.

She must not show fear, no matter how deep it went. It was time to at least act brave if she couldn't be brave. Afterall, this was clearly something that was perfectly natural in this world. Lucas took her hand in both of his and tugged her closer to the barian with a mischievous smile.

"He's perfectly harmless. And follows only my command." He continued to smile, coaxing her nearer. "You can trust me. I promise that I will not let him eat you, pretty one," he teased but then saw the startled look in her eyes.

"You're not his type. He's partial to huican leaves and fruits." That put her at ease. "You're not afraid of him, are you?" Its eye lids flickered in rapid succession.

Lucas's dare could not go unanswered. "N-no. Of course not." She bluffed and approached the four-legged beast with feign confidence. "I've just never seen anything like him before."

The vague truth she gave seemed to appease Lucas. She held out her hand to touch its thick skin and glanced at Lucas, who nodded his approval. "He's soft."

The giant flat oval head of the barian turned and bobbed toward her hand; she gently petted it in delight. Its eyes closed in satisfaction and Aurora was sure that if the barian could smile it would have been grinning.

"He's an incorrigible flirt. They say all things resemble their masters. Take that as you will." Lucas shrugged then began to adjust the saddle and harness while Aurora glided her hands across the barian's face, giggling.

She noticed the pale, golden vertical streaks across its body shimmering in contrast to the rest of the taupe hide, a perfect match to the shifting sands of the desert.

"What is his name?" Feeling at ease, she cupped its face in her palms making cooing noises at the beast.

"Munbata." Lucas finished arranging the saddle and turned to the nearby stable boy, "Has he been fed?" The boy eagerly nodded while taking a few steps back.

With a series of clicking noises, Lucas communicated to Munbata to lower himself. Lucas climbed effortlessly onto the saddle then reached out his hand to Aurora. She took it and felt herself being lifted onto Munbata's back as light as a feather.

The height was intimidating but Lucas' arms encircled her and drew her close to him. "Pull your hood over, the desert sun is unforgiving." With another clicking command, Munbata stirred from the stall, shrieked loudly and scared some of the horses as it hurtled out of the stables.

In a few fleeting moments, they had left the inn behind and the town quickly followed it into the growing distance. Aurora decided it was best not to look back. The sun completely cleared the horizon as their trek led them on a beaten path in a northerly direction with shifting dunes and cerise canyons.

"Now that the town is behind us, along with your guard, suppose you tell me where exactly we are headed? Not that I mind a casual stroll alone with you, pretty one." Aurora turned as best she could to look into Lucas' eyes.

"Mithoran."

Lucas gave a long whistle. "That's not a very friendly place right now. Is that why you left your guard behind? He was too scared to go?" Lucas looked straight ahead, guiding Munbata gingerly.

"Tez is not my guard...exactly. And he wasn't afraid. He simply had something else in mind. We had a falling out if that's what you'd call it."

"Ah-ha. I see. So he does not know you're with me." Aurora barely shook her head. "I think it's time you told me more about what we are getting ourselves into." He saw her hesitation and his voice became somber. "It's too late for doubts, pretty one. You have to trust me. Tell me why we must enter Mithoran."

Aurora faced forward, remembering how much Tezaro had done to earn her trust and here she was with a perfect stranger. "I don't even know why I came with you. I don't know you."

Lucas did not badger her and allowed the silence to drag on before she sighed in resignation. Her mind's eye turned back to the town and Tezaro. Lucas was right; it was far too late now. "Lily is very important to me."

Lucas witnessed her struggle and tried to soothe her. "Wait. Before you tell me about this Lily allow me to introduce myself." He cleared his throat loudly in a comedic fashion.

"Greetings fair Aurora," he took her hand to his lips. "Forgive me for not bowing at the moment, but our present situation makes it an interesting challenge." He smiled broadly.

"I am Lucas of the House of Verakis of Kai'lym. I am dependable, kind to children and the elderly and I am partial to sweets. I am also the best shot with any type of bow. I am fearless, brave, strong," he flexed an arm for her as she suppressed a chuckle.

"I am a sucker for a noble cause. And just for your ears only, I do not want this to get around," he leaned in to whisper, "I am currently unattached." He smiled and wiggled his eyebrows invitingly.

Aurora could not stop the laughter that erupted from her. "And I am Aurora of the house of foster, I suppose. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lucas of the House of Verakis." His unabashed self-description had made her forget the sickening motion of their ride.

She had also become unaware of their changing surroundings. The deserts sands had turned to flat sprinkled meadows and in the horizon beyond a wall of moist green extended its arms to them welcomingly, promising refuge from the incessant white ball of flame above them.

Upon reflection of what she had to reveal to him she sighed longingly again. "I have known Lily for a very long time. I met her at a very sad time in my life, at a point when even I didn't know how lost I was. She is my best friend and foster sister.

"Three nights ago I was on my way to meet her, but we were attacked by people we've never seen before. Two of them were like you." She blushed underneath the shade of her hood.

"So they were elves." She nodded. "And yet you've decided to venture of with me and trust me. I begin to see your hesitation towards me, but your trust in me is well founded." He was firm and reassured her with a squeeze of her arm.

"What choice do I really have?" She scoffed, thinking of Tezaro's rejection to rescue Lily. "Besides," she cocked her head to the side, "you appear harmless enough." Her gaze wondered out to the woods as they edged closer.

"Looks can be deceiving, pretty one." He stared straight ahead, emotionless. "Can you think of a reason why they would be after her?"

Aurora bit her lower lip in guilt. She had not revealed the complete details of Lily's capture or the cause for Tezaro's miraculous appearance. Perhaps it was best not to reveal everything to him. "I'm not sure. Tezaro thought that it could be a trap."

"Ah, that explains why he was guarding you so closely. It is you whom they are after, no?" Clearly she was horrible at hiding secrets if he so easily figured it out. She nodded slightly once.

"But whoever wants you took her instead. There must be something special about you. I agree with your guard. It could be a trap to get to you." His assessment did not please her.

It was well past noon when they left all traces of the desert behind them. Lucas pulled on the reins, bringing Munbata to a halt.

"We are being followed, and not by your guard as best as I can tell. I sense magic around us." He tightened his hold around her waist and with a harsh clicking command Munbata leapt to an incredible speed.