Maya, Ryden, and Drake moved through the emptying streets like phantoms towards the gates. There was an urgency in the air ever since Hunter had vanished. It felt as though it was thick enough to suffocate them in its panic.

Ryden had argued for most of the time spent sneaking, saying that Hunter disappearing just reaffirmed his theory that he was a Imperial spy. That it was awfully odd that he had disappeared right after getting enough info to harm their quest; possibly ending it. That they should just go on ahead. To not wait for him at all.

While Maya argued that he had probably just taken another route out. He had probably figured that it was safer for all of them if he split up with them. He was a trained soldier after all.

Within a few blocks of the gates Drake finally snapped at the two of them. "You two are fighting like a cat and dog!"

Maya huffed, "But Ryden has no proof!"

"He may not have proof, but you must admit it does seem a little suspicious." Drake replied.

They were only a block away from the gates now. The smell of the damp forest was becoming more vibrant as the neared the gates. The amount guards and knights was also increasing dramatically.

Ryden fell forward as his feet caught on each other. Protecting his face from impact, gravel dug into his skin. As he looked up, the sight of several guards inspecting people leaving through the gates met his eyes.

"Master, Maya," Ryden lowered his voice to a barely audible tone as he nodded towards the guards, "we've got trouble."

Drake looked in the direction Ryden had nodded. His eyes quickly glanced over the inspection. Nodding slowly, plans began formulating as he turned back to look at Ryden.

Maya's grip tightened on the handle of her sword. Her heart's pace began to quicken as adrenalin coursed through her veins, preparing her for war. If they where spotted there would be blood spilled by her for certain.

"What shall we do?" Ryden asked.

Maya darkly said, "We fight like there is no tomorrow."

"No, child that would be very unwise." Drake pointed to a group of palace knights standing in one courner. "There's roughly fourty knights on top of the twenty or so guards. No we walk straight out, then if all else fails we fight."

Maya seemed a little deflaited from Drake's words. Though she quickly pushed her feelings to the side, and began to think as they walked past a armory. The guards were now close enough to make them out if they looked in their direction.

Calmly the continued walking for the gates. They passed through the first inner gates where the currency exchange booths were before letting themselves loosen slightly. The group collectively let out a sigh as it appeared that they were going to make it unnoticed.

"Halt!" barked a guard from behind them.

Ryden nearly jumped out of his skin from the harsh voice. He was so foolish to think they could make it out without being stopped. Next to him Maya was already tightening her grip appon the sword. She was ready to die fighting he knew.

Both of them turned around at the same time. Ryden had made sure to angle his head so that his hood masked most of his face. While Maya had positioned herself into a comfortable, yet easy to jump into a fight, stance.

Drake turned around to face the guard who had commanded them to stop. An innocent smile plastered across his features. "May we help you sir?"

"I certainly hope so."

The man walked over until he was within striking distance of Drake. His slim figure made him somehow more intimidating than most of the bulkier guards. His hazel eyes shimmered with an unseen power. His shiny armor actually seemed dull compared to his eyes. "See I'm looking for a group of people comprised of three men, and a renegade soldier. We believe that they might have split up to avoid detection. You wouldn't happen to know anything about these four would you?"

Drake, smiled even as his heart fell into his stomach. "No I haven't are they dangerous?"

"I've heard they are, but they don't appear to be. So there's no need to worry." The guard said.

Maya spoke up. "Well that's good. I'm sure your catch them in no time. I hope there's no more questions otherwise we'll be late for my brother's wedding. See I'm the cordinataor."

"No there's no more," The guard smiled, "Please come with me so that I can clear you."He shot a glance at Ryden, "I certainly wouldn't want to delay your brother's wedding. Perhaps I should escort you three."

There was something in his tone that made Ryden look up in surprise. " There's really no need to. We can handle ourselves."

The gaurd shrugged. "What ever you say. We just need to clear your papers, and you can be on your way."

The guard nodded in the direction of the guardhouse, and started walking over to it. Something pushed Ryden to follow, even as his panic induced mind screamed to run in the oppisite direction as quickly as posible. Maya and Drake were close on his heals as the guard ducked in through the door.

Maya shook her head at the fact that they were most likely walking into a death trap. There would be no exscape once inside the building. She wanted to dig in her heals into the soft earth, yet her duty was to protect the prince who was so foolishly walking into a possible trap.

Drake watched as his two travling companions walked into the guardhouse. He didn't understand why Ryden had followed the guard, nor did he have any choice to do anything but to follow him. Yet there was something in the guard's eyes that he had seen. He couldn't really pin what it was, but if he had to name it he'd call it kindness. Something like that was rare in anyone since the king's sudden change. Most wore a mask of dispare, or even brutality anymore.

As Drake entered he noticed there was no other guard in the entire building. The next thing he noticed was how brightly colored the building was. Every wall had been painted to resemble an evergreen forest.

The door slammed shut behind Drake. His hand flew to the handle, but it wouldn't budge even a milimeter. The handle began to become warm underneath his grasp. Without hesitation Drake jumped back while a curse word or two slipped from his mouth.

"That won't work old man." said the guard. "Don't worry though, you're safe here."

Drake turned around to see Ryden's normally tan face drained of all color. "What do you want?"

"The same thing as you I'd assume. Please sit down." the guard smiled at them, as he followed his own suggestion.

Ryden nodded, figuring that there wasn't any harm in sitting down. "Who are you."

The guard smiled. "I'm a guard for this lovely place I call home."

"That's not what I meant. Who are you - what's your name?" Ryden's voice held a firm edge to it.

Sighing the guard said, "I'm Adalstan. Now that you know my name what are yours?"

"I'm Kane." Ryden said. "These are my companions Flint, and Buck."

Drake, and Maya nodded in agreement. Though Maya never let her grip off of her weapon. Drake just studdied Adalstan.

"I see you're not a very trusting group. You're Prince Ryden, your old friend over there is the wizzard Drake, and that friend with her hand on the handle of her sword hidden underneath the robe is Maya." Adalstan pointed to each one in succession as he called out their true names.

Suddenly Maya's sword tip was at Adalstan's neck. It's sharp edge pointing into the chain mesh surrounding his neckline. A little red line made its way down from where the tip has just barely broken the skin.

Ryden gasped, "How did-"

"Well it's pretty easy when there's pictures of you all over the guardhouse." Adalstan said smugly.

He winced slightly as the tip of the sword, along with the chain mail, dug slightly deeper into his neck.

Drake finally walked over, and sat next to Ryden. "It probably doesn't hurt that you're also a elf."

Maya backed up slightly, letting her sword swing down to her side.

Adalstan winked. "You bet your beard on it."

Ryden asked, "But why does that help?"

"Blood." Drake said.

"Blood?" Ryden looked at drake like he was crazy.

"Because my Prince, blood calls to blood." Adalstan smiled.

"So, why haven't we been 'arrested' yet?" asked Maya.

"Because your friend's father is no friend to my kind." Adalstan looked at Ryden with something close to pride. "Also, his mother was the elves' princess before your father married her. So you are my Prince, and as such I am your humble servant." Adalstan then to everyone's uttermost surprise bowed to Ryden. "My sword is your sword, my shield your shield, and my armor is your armor."

"Er, uh..." Ryden was speechless.

Maya glared at Adalstan, her gaze hot enough to melt metal. "Ryden doesn't need your sword, shield, or your armor! He has mine to protect him."

Adalstan returned her glare with equal intensity as he replied. "Is this what he thinks, or is this what you think?"

"Does it matter? I am his personal guard, and as such I decide what to protect him from. You are one of those he needs protected from."

Clearing his throat Drake interjected, "Perhaps it's just me being an old fool, but maybe the prince should decide."

All eyes turned to Ryden for his answer. Standing there stupidly he looked down at the toes of his boots. He studied them with a new unknown intensity, in an attempt to prolong the inevitable.

"Well my prince what be your decision?" Adalstan asked.

Maya also asked, "Well, Ryden, what will it be?"

"Well... I- I think that the more help we have the better. However, we don't know if we can trust him." Ryden chanced a glance at a glaring Maya before returning to what he was saying. "Which is why I've decided that we will accept your offer, but you will have to be a subordinate to Maya."

Adalstan bowed. "I understand my prince. Thank you for allowing me to join you."

"Fine, I guess that'll work for now." Maya grumbled.

"Now how do we get out of here?" asked Drake.

"Leave that to me." Adalstan said.

He grinned widely as he walked right over to the door, and whispered into the lock. The handle clicked as it unlocked. Without saying a word he opened it, and stepped out. The door remained open to the outside world.

"I guess we follow him." Ryden said uneasily.

Not waiting for a response from the others he walked out the door. The first thing he noticed was how dark it was. His heart sank a little at the thought. Surely the king's minions would descend upon them before the night was over.

The sound of a small riot at the front gates tore at Ryden's attention. A small group of peasants were hurling bricks, torches, and even a few bottles at the guards. The gates oddly enough were still open even though the sun had nearly disappeared behind the horizon.

Adalstan had disappeared into the crowd. Many not even noticing him even while he walked right past them. He popped out a moment later beckoning for the trio to follow him.

Gut tightening, Ryden looked at the crowd, and its ever increasing violence. "I have a bad feeling about this."

"Oh, now you're worried?" Maya taunted. "Why weren't you worried a few moments ago?"

Ryden shrugged. "Maybe because my blood sensed my kinfolk."

Ryden didn't wait to hear what Maya had to say in reply to that. In seconds he was surrounded by the mob of people. Most of the people stank of alcohol, smoke, and a putrid rotten smell.

Maya cursed under her breath. That idiot, running into a worked up mob with no protection at all! She wondered what was he thinking, if he was thinking at all.

Shaking her head Maya mumbled, "I'm a fool for following you my prince." She then dove into the fray after Ryden, with Drake right on her heals.

Maya wanted to scream at Ryden for being such a fool. This mob was on the verge of being attacked upon by the gaurds. Nothing would stop the bloodshed to come. She only hoped that they were safely outside the gates when it does happen.

A pair of hands grabbed at her, another pulled on her hair. She quickly turned around to see a pair of drunken men. The first was a older man, she guessed in his late fourties, with a graying unkempt beard. The second was a young man with a clean shaven face. Maya figured he looked young enough to be the older man's son. She could smell whiskey as the men laughing, blew her kisses.

Smiling the sweetest smile she could manage, Maya, swept her leg low – sending both men to their butts. As the first tried to stand back up she unleashed the tip of her blade. Both men froze at the sight of it's polished silvery edge.

"Wha' da? Wes din't means na harm." The older man slurred. "Wes just havan a lil' fun s'all."

Maya flicked the tip of the blade towards the man's neck, stopping it near millimeters of his skin. "Try anything like that again, and this blade will be tasting your blood."

Both men went wide eyed. Their entire bodies trembled like a recently lodged arrow as he tried to get to their feet. Looking once more at her blade, before deeming it to risky to fight, and ran.

"That was a little harsh, don't you think?" Drake commented as he walked up.

"They deserved more than that." Maya fought to keep her voice even. "Come on we need to find Ryden. He's probably already to the gate."

Drake said, "I hope you are correct."

Together Drake and Maya carefully pushed their way to the gate. Ryden was still nowhere to be seen, yet Adalstan was standing on the other end of the closing gate – scowling at the increasingly dangerous mob. When he saw them his smile returned.

"Drake you stay here, and wait to see if Ryden shows up." Maya didn't wait for a reply as she dashed for Aldastan.

As Maya neared Adalstan she prepared herself to either kill him, or darg him back into the fray to look for Ryden. He still looked at her as if everything was allright. This fueled her anger even more as she tackled him. Her momentum sending them tumbling head over heals.

"What was that for?" Adalstan asked increadusly.

Maya stood, drawing her blade back out. "For loosing Ryden in that mob!"

"Uh, Maya." Ryden's hands carefully touched her shoulders, and ever so gently he turned her to face him. "He saved me from the mob. I nearly got myself killed until Adalstan saved me. You could learn a thing or two from Adalstan." Ryden then winked at her.

Grabbing Ryden by the arms, Maya shook him violently. "You idiot! You could have gotten captured, or killed!"

"But he didn't. Now where's that old mage that was with you?" Adalstan asked.

Maya replied without looking at him. "Over by the gates. He's waiting for Ryden, who, is apperntly right here."

"I'll go get him" Adalstan said.

"That won't be necessary." Maya finally turned to face him. "If you aren't here when I get back I'll hunt you down, then I'll kill you myself."

A/N

Well, here's another chapter. I hope you all liked it!