He passed the gate and made his way down the long stretch of dirt road to the west entrance of the Inner City. As he reached it he slowed down a bit and came to a complete stop to show his identification pass.

The gentleman stamped a notepad that Vestin signed then handed him his ID pass. The gentleman looked over the ID and then took out his reference book.

"Just a reminder that whatever happens to you while you venture out to the other cities is not the responsibility of the Central City. Please be cautious and mind your surroundings. If any of your personal belongings are stolen while in the other cities, it is up to the said city to assist you in the matter they see fit. Once you enter The Inner City you will be among soldiers of every caliber, and some may suffer from a traumatic experience. Please do not provoke any of these veterans as it may possibly end in your death. Do you understand the disclosure that I have recited to you?"

Vestin smiled as he put his ID pass in his inner pocket.

"Yes."

He grabbed hold of his horse reins and slowly inched towards the gate.

The gentleman motioned for the next person behind him to come forward as he said,

"Proceed and return safely by curfew."

Vestin nodded his head as he trotted off. Making his way towards his meeting place he looked around the crowd for any familiar faces or anything out of the ordinary. He listened to the various conversations that filled the streets and continued to make his way to the south edge of the city where most of the pubs and local restaurants based themselves for the soldiers, servants, and maids who lived there. Reaching his destination, he dismounted his horse and handed her reins to a young lad to secure her in the small stable next to the pub. He walked into the pub and saw his party at a table eating and drinking.

Walking towards the table he caught Jensek's eye.

"Well, look who has decided to finally join us down in the slums."

"Are you ever going to get over it and move on?" Sav scoffed.

"Apologies for my lateness. The princess has started to notice my absence from the school grounds now." Vestin replied.

"Gotte should be here with the others soon," Sav said, then motioned for Vestin to take a seat.

"Okay, well we can start without him and catch him up when he gets here," Vestin said.

"So, the princess made her presence known with Madim's help," Jensek said with a smug grin on his face.

"Teah, she's foolish now she can't walk free from the public eye. That announcement only made the target on her back bigger." Sav uttered.

"It's all part of her plan. She only told me bits and pieces so I can't really relay it to anyone." Vestin snapped.

"You can't or you won't. Don't think we don't know you have a sweet spot for the young highness. I'm pretty sure you'd follow her to your death if she asked you to." Sav replied.

"While my heart does beat faster in her presence it doesn't hinder my judgment. She is smart enough to know not to reveal too much of her plan. A habit more than likely developed while she grew up in Mossca." Vestin said as a server handed him a glass of mal. A thick clear substance very popular with the soldiers because it was cheap, and you could get drunk and full off of it at the same time.

Jensek asked, waving his knife at Vestin while he picked up a slice of meat with his fork.

"Anyway, how long will it take to convince her to come with you?"

"She will not come. She is set on her plan and there is a person of interest that makes her pause in her tracks. I tell you she has changed, but still remains the same." Vestin answered with a small smile.

"So, we are stuck here until your love triangle is untangled?" Jensek blurted.

Vestin looked over his cup in mid-sip and slammed it down on the table.

"It is not a love triangle. Do I love her, yes, but her safety is more important than me winning her heart? After everything she's been through, I just want to be there for her now."

"Sure thing... have you at least been able to get us a place in the school?" Jensek said.

Vestin looked at the young lad and sighed.

"It is going to take some time," Vestin looked over at Sav and watched as he stuffed his face with meat and drink like a starved animal, "but Gotte and you three should be able to walk right up to the gate no problem."

Sav looked up from his plate and finished chewing his mouth full of meat.

"That might be tricky since we were sworn knights of Serenity and abandoned our post. Ever since we have become fugitives more or less..."

"I could tell the princess about you. I told her I was taken care of by some guys her mother knew so I'm sure she would want to meet you all. Especially if she learns that you also knew her birth parents."

"That might be a bit risky, but if it could get us safe passage..." A voice said as a hand was placed on Vestin's shoulder.

Vestin looked up and his eyes glowed. It was Gotte the man who trained him and helped him with more of his struggles than any other man alive. He smiled and looked back at Sav then said,

"She might even ask you to join us in her plan to take back Serenity."

"If that's the case then maybe we should have a talk with this young lady," Jensek said.

"Well, you best be on your way to your soldiers and check on them. Besides Jensek the rest seemed a bit suspicious of us and how you were related. We only informed Jensek because you said it was okay. So far, the rest believe Gotte is your father and we three your uncles." Sav said.

"Yeah, best to keep the rest in the dark about everything. They are good men, and I don't want to see bad fortune happen upon them. Jensek, on the other hand, is capable of handling himself." Vestin looked back up at Gotte, "How about the young one, the boy...has he improved?"

Gotte walked around and took a seat next to Jensek who looked away from Vestin and Gotte as he pressed his lips tightly together. Gotte sighed and the others sat quietly waiting for him to give the news to Vestin.

"I patched him up the best I could. Now it's up to him to fight."

Vestin looked down at his cup and took one last sip. He gripped the handle tightly and let the words Gotte said sink in then said with a sigh,

"That's bad... Okay, I'll prepare a letter for his mother and sister. He may not be able to make the trip back home."

"Sorry for intruding into your conversation, gentlemen, but I can help him if you take me to him..."

Jensek looked up and stared at the two figures standing clothed in hooded capes behind Vestin and said as he jumped up with his hand on his sword.

"And who in the name of the Ancestors are you?"

Vestin sighed and looked behind him. He stared at the tall figure next to the small one and shook his.

"Why of all places would you bring her here?" Vestin said.

"I didn't want her to come here, but she has a way with words," the tall one said.

"I can go anywhere I want. Now will you take me to him or not," the small one replied.

"Is that an order or a request?" Vestin joked.

"Mind filling us in on who your friends are, Vestin?" Gotte asked.

Vestin looked back at him and then looked across to everyone else and sighed,

"I can't really say now. Just give me a moment to talk with them. "

He was then pushed to the side as the small one stepped forward.

"You wish to know whoI am? I am the one you have been so desperately trying to meet," the smallone lifted her head and met with everyone's eyes a smile on her face,"Hello, My name is Loraz...now take me to your friend."