When Aurora returned to their cell, Eri pummeled her with questions. She seemed hesitant of the arrangement Aurora had made for their release, but it could not be helped. After Aurora had been taken Eri had dared to pace to the gate and look out at intervals in search of her. But she had not been the only one worried.

Tezaro shouted down orders to check for any injury that Red Fox had inflicted on her. He had even demanded that neither of them conceal anything from him to which Aurora shouted a crude epithet back. That finally quieted him if not appeased him.

At Aurora's insult, Eri had initially been shocked that she had spoken so strongly to Tezaro. No one did that. Then she laughed and hugged Aurora. Lucas's laughter joined hers as well, flooding Aurora with relief that he was in the cell with Tezaro and also unharmed.

By dusk Owen had begun to stir and demanded to know what had happened and where was his sister. His magical abilities remained stunted though his physical strength gradually returned.

When morning finally arose, Tezaro, Lucas, and Owen were one by one escorted out of their cell and led away. Soon afterward the bridge was extended to their cell and the guards opened the door motioning for both of them to follow.

Aurora took her first step to the bridge but was stopped by Eri's iron grip on her arm. She half turned and noticed Eri's wide eyes and clenched jaw.

"Hit me." Eri ordered. Aurora shook her head in confusion. "Hit me. Knock me out or something. It's the only way I'm going to be able to get past the bridge."

"What?" Aurora was in disbelief, but Eri was resolved.

"Do it. I'll try not to hit you back."

A nervous chortle slipped out of Aurora. There was no way she could punch Eri. Even if she could summon the will to do it, she doubted she had the strength to knock her out.

She also didn't want to end up on the floor if Eri could not prevent her instinct to fight back. She had to think fast.

"Guards! We need blindfolds. Uh, the Red Fox didn't want for us to know how to, uhm, find this place." The guards looked at each other uncertain what to do.

Aurora held her breath. Would they believe her lie? Her knees nearly collapsed in relief when one of the guards produced two rags.

Once on the ground they were reunited with the others. Lucas did not waste any time and quickly snatched up Aurora in a hug. There was a small twitch in Tezaro's locked jaw, but no one noticed. Owen and Eri reassured one another while Tezaro asked questions. "Where is my sword? And the rest of our weapons? Our mounts? What about our supplies?"

Delrynn was the lone remaining elf at the ground level with them. "We have placed your weapons alongside your mounts in that direction. I was instructed to caution you. Lord Fennaris's army is on the move. They were spotted headed north to the borders of Armindia. If that is you destination you should find an alternate route."

He stared directly at Aurora and everyone followed his gaze. When they returned their focus to Delrynn he was already gone.

They advanced in the direction they had been given and a short distance later they came across their mounts. Beside them they found their weapons and discovered their bags filled with fresh supplies. It didn't sit well with Tezaro.

The Red Fox seemed to know too much about their intentions and he doubted that the information on Fennaris's movements was coincidental. The sooner they were out of the forest the better.

Tezaro began to bark out orders. "Gather your things quickly and mount. We ride west to Ilsurni Castle and we ride hard. If the information we were given is correct, we must reach it and be done before Fennaris returns." A more perfect opportunity they could not have hoped for.

"Owen and Aurora, no training today. You both need to conserve your energy. Lucas, put your mount to good use and scout ahead. I'll follow behind. Eri guard the rear." No further instructions were needed before they were racing through the forest.

They stopped only to feed and rest their mounts, and then quickly continued their journey. For a while Aurora rode with Owen, to relieve Eri's mount of the extra weight.

Taking advantage of their pairing, Owen continued to explain his lessons without the use of magic. Runes could be executed as wards to either defend or attack, as Aurora was quickly learning. Owen described several runes while she visualized each indicated movement in its order, and then recited them back.

While Lucas scouted for the enemy during the day, Tezaro scouted for shelter. They continued to ride until Tezaro called a halt. They were out of the forest, but Ilsurni Castle was still a long way off.

Though it was not an easy task, Tezaro finally selected a site along the base of a hill as it dipped into darkness. It would provide sufficient shelter for what remained of the daylight.

But not all of them welcomed rest. Eri and Tezaro squared off a safe distance away.

Each felt the need to release pent up energy and frustrations.

It was an eye opening experience to see the astounding speed of Eri's strikes whirling at Tezaro, but more amazing were his slight movements that dodged and weaved, deflecting her effortlessly.

The whistling of the blades slicing the air and the clashing of metal created a symphony to their choreographed dance. Not to be out done, Eri leapt and tumbled gracefully out of Tezaro's reach, landing like a cat ready to strike.

Watching closely, Lucas approached mesmerized. "Wow." His eyes were fixed on Eri.

Without taking her eyes of them, Aurora agreed. "How does she do that? Who taught her to move like that?"

"He did." Owen supplied seated against a boulder. "But she's developed her own style over the years." Tezaro knocked the feet out from under Eri, but she spun kicked and recovered a dagger. It flew at Tezaro causing him to turn to deflect, but allowing Eri time to kick jump to a stand.

She was beginning to become winded, Owen notice and she was already down one sword. This was a match his sister would not win. "No one has his stamina, but she's one of the fastest with a sword."

With Owen's last words Tezaro finished disarming Eri and had her pinned on the ground, sword pointed down. Eri did not look pleased. "But not fast enough. We have our own training to continue." He beckoned Aurora to follow him.

Lucas remained spellbound by Eri as they began a new duel. He sat on a rock and watched her fluid moments and determination. At one point, she even challenged him, but he knew better than to accept.

The look in Eri's eyes said she still hadn't gotten past his shooting at Owen. A point he still vehemently denied, because his true target was the node in the tree that Owen happened to be in front of. Not that he could tell her that.

Mutely everyone assumed a task and ate in darkness. Tezaro remained distant and silent, planning with Owen for a way to breach the castle and safely lead them out.

Aurora noticed the seemingly wordless communication that passed between them. One would say a word or short phrase; the other shook his head and gave a one word suggestion. It was as if they knew what thoughts where in the other's mind.

She turned to Eri, the only one with possible full length answers. "What are they doing?"

Eri turned nonplused to her, ignoring them. "Planning."

"Planning?"

Eri nodded.

"How?"

"Who knows?" Eri shook her head in impatience at them. "They do it all the time."

"Really?"

"Yup."

"It's ---"

"Weird?" Eri supplied.

Aurora nodded. "Not to mention annoying."

"Extremely."

Lucas stared at them dumbfounded. "The both of you are not making any sense. You realize that?" They looked at him and laughed, then went to lay out their mats.

Late into the night, Owen and Tezaro broke their conversation as the others slept beneath the moonlit night. As was custom, Tezaro kept first watch.

Sharpening his sword, a habit that had always helped clear his mind, he stared out over the crest of the small valley, but the peace he sought evaded him once again. There were so many variables ahead of him that one miscalculation and all would be lost. Aurora's safety was his main concern.

The stars seemed to speed by. Movement came from one of the mats, but he turned away to store his whetstone. "Go back to sleep Owen. It's still early."

"No. It's me." The sound of Aurora's voice was unexpected as she sat beside him. "I couldn't sleep. I hope you don't mind the company." She smiled weakly at him.

The moon was nearly full and the light allowed him to see the fatigue on her face. He could hardly say that she was used to the constant travel, but she hadn't complained.

"Did you and Master Owen figure out anything yet?"

Tezaro looked out ahead and nodded. "We have a few ideas. When we reach Ilsurni Castle, remember, you need to stay by me. Find a safe place when I tell you. You have no armor and things will be chaotic to say the least." He placed his sword down but always within easy reach.

Aurora shrugged. "Neither does Owen."

"He knows what he's doing. Owen can take care of himself."

"Whereas I can't." She goaded.

He stopped before he answered. "Wait. Nice try. Listen, I know what is best. I do not want to argue about this."

"I don't want to argue either. Just don't push me to the side. I want to help. There must be some way that I can help." The look of determination that glared back at him was one he was starting to recognize.

"Fine." An idea had formed while he considered her request. "You'll stay by Owen and use your shield. Only your shield. Leave me be while I find your friend Lily." He now knew better than to expect her to agree so readily.

"That's not going to work. Lily doesn't know you. She won't come with you. I need to go with you." Her logic was undeniable.

He feigned an exasperated sigh. "Then you'll go with me." It would be easier now to keep her out of harms way. He looked down between them and saw his hand covering hers. When had that happened? She hadn't mentioned it and he decided not to draw attention to it.

They remained silent. His hand gently encased hers, but neither was willing to break the contact or admit that it was there. Finally he asked, "What will you do once Lily is safe?"

She bit her lip, another habit he was becoming accustomed to. "I suppose go with you to Ariminda and talk to Tony, er, Anthonias like you want. Beyond that I don't know. A lot will depend on her."

He continued to look out for a while then, "Have you considered the idea of making Armindia your home?"

She glanced down at their joined hands and could not face him. "I'm not sure I know what home is. The idea is tempting."

Aurora gave him a sideways glance but their eyes locked. Something pulled at them. An unbidden attraction that neither could explain. He leaned forward and reached for her. Their foreheads touched and his lips sought hers. He knew he shouldn't kiss her, for countless of reasons that wouldn't take shape in his mind at the moment.

Then a shifting movement caught the corner of his eye. They had an audience. Not knowing whether to be grateful or irritated, he released her.

"It's time I got Owen." With that he left her staring at his retreating form as he made his way to Owen. On the floor Owen remained motionless, almost statuesque.

Tezaro kneeled and reached out to shake him then hissed, "I know you're awake. How much did you hear?" Owen continued immobile but began to snore.

"I know for a fact that you're a light sleeper and do not snore." Owen stopped snoring. "Cut it out. Get up." He ordered.

From Owen's sleeping spot, he was in the ideal place to hear and see everything that had gone on between Aurora and him. Owen finally gave in and opened his eyes. 

He whispered in a hushed tone to Tezaro, "I did not mean to interrupt. But I saw enough." Taking note of Tezaro's scowl he quickly amended, "Though of course I'll immediately be forgetting everything."

"You do that." After that Owen went and sat by Aurora while Tezaro gruffly took Owen's blanket and mat for his own. 

He lied down with his back to them only to be met with Eri's snore. His eyes closed searching for patience. Tezaro's only consolidation was that it was Owen and not Lucas that had broken them apart.