The chaos in the room across was just enough for Sasha to slip out the door, the crow pushing at the edges of her consciousness as she crept down the corridor. At the other end stood another door, this one solid and made of wood, but it was open just enough for her to squeeze through without making any noise.

Inside sat a desk, its gleaming wooden top worn down in spots from use. There was an inkwell in the corner that dripped ink, and whoever worked in here had left a stack of papers lying everywhere. Sasha concentrated on her breathing. If she panicked, she wouldn't get out of here before whoever it was got back.

"Do you know where my sword is?" she whispered, voice barely audible, hoping the crow would somehow give her some answers.

I do not. You should hurry, before the fat man with the drippy nose returns to his post.

Sasha made a face, then opened one of the desk drawers. Inside was a bag of chocolate bigger than her face. Under that was a stack of coins, but no sword. She sighed and shut it again before opening the next one up and finding only paper.

"I need something..." She bit her lip and turned around. The shelving behind the wall didn't contain anything past decoration, just various papers and ornaments. Her eyes lit up when they caught the glint of metal among the baubles.

It wasn't her sword, but it would do. She dragged the chair over, then grasped the weapon around its handle before lifting it from its perch. A plume of dust rose as she disturbed it. At least no one would notice it was missing.

She crawled down and put the chair back in its normal spot before pushing the sword into her sheath. It wasn't quite the right size, and the metal was heavier than she expected, but it would have to do.

The noise of footsteps echoed down the hallway. Sasha froze and ducked behind the door.

"I don't know why we come here, I hate these mountains. Gods, I even hate Ascaran. I hope that boy is not from one of the port towns, Mantu, or so help me--." The voice was harsh and belonged to a woman. Sasha peeked through the crack between the doorjamb and the door. 

The man with her didn't respond. Instead he twiddled his thumbs and nodded his head while mumbling something that sounded like yes, Dear, under his breath. Sasha held her breath. Behind them two guards followed, then stopped outside the exit to the building. She swore.

Just behind them strode a man in white robes, his thick jowls falling down his neck. Sasha's eyes widened. She begged him silently to please turn around as he got closer. To please go somewhere, anywhere, other than the office.

Sasha tilted her body away as he drew outside the door. His fingers were fat and swollen with arthritis, and there was a sour milk smell wafting off his body. She prayed that he would not hear the beating of her heart thrumming inside her ribcage, trying to drown her.

"Mariel, would you come help us?"

The woman's shrill voice pierced the air, making Sasha flinched. The man paused outside the door turned his head and turned around. A huge sigh of air left her mouth as he walked away. She stood back up and wiped a hand across her forehead. She had to find another way out, with the guards outside the door.

Her eyes flickered around the room. A desk. A chair. Wooden floor. Walls covered in white paint and smudgy handprints. A dribble of ink on the floor. But nothing she could use to escape. She paced toward the back of the room, vision beginning to tunnel again.

Use the window, you fool! Hurry!

She blinked a few times. Of course. The window! She could have slapped herself. There was no time to waste before Mariel, or whatever his name was, came back. 

The window was heavy as she shoved her fingers into the crack between it and the wall, and it let out an almighty screech when she lifted it. Sasha froze, every muscle in her body stiff, eyes darting around like an anxious cat's. No footsteps down the hall. No sounds of shouting. She sighed and lifted herself onto the windowsill before dropping to the ground below. 

Outside, the window opened onto a small back alley, feet from the treeline. There was no one outside save for a few sparrows that scattered as soon as her feet hit the dirt. Sasha couldn't believe her luck. She didn't even bother to shut the window before ducking into the underbrush and into the cover of the forest.

That was impressive, human girl.

Sasha wiped the sweat from her eyes and nodded as the bird came into view. Her lungs still ached from the exertion and the fright, and her legs felt like they might collapse. It felt like she'd run a marathon instead of hidden under a bed and ducked out a window. 

The main road peeked out through the scattering of trees. Sasha drew closer, careful to stay hidden behind the bushes. In front of the building she'd just came from was a carriage. The sides were decorated in ornate gold loops, and in front of it stood two massive plow horses, coats gleaming. She watched as they whuffled at the dirt. Whoever had stolen Rannok from her was very rich, apparently.

The woman from before and her husband appeared a few minutes later, toting Rannok behind them. His wings flashed as he climbed into the carriage, and Sasha's breath caught in her throat. Someone had mangled them, cut all the flight feathers off until all that was left was stubs. Something pricked at her eyes, and she wiped them before looking back in the carriage's direction.

They aren't going to make it far with that carriage, the crow mused, ruffling its feathers. You humans are vain things.

Sasha rolled her eyes. "Where are they taking him? It can't be far from here."

A river. The crow blinked, its pupil drawing inward and outward. I will follow.

"What am I supposed to do?" Sasha hissed, worry gnawing on the inside of her stomach.

I will come back.

Sasha didn't like that answer, but there wasn't another one, she knew that. Still, she didn't like the thought of losing track of the carriage. It felt like if she did she might never see Rannok again. She closed her eyes.

He'd pulled away from her like she'd offended him. He'd looked at her like he didn't understand. She'd imagined that moment before, in fleeting moments without admitting she was. None of that had ever involved him reacting like her mere presence had scalded him.

Perhaps you should ask him yourself.

Sasha ignored the crow for now. It didn't know any better, it was just a crow. She let out a slow, shaky breath. She'd always known she could never be what he wanted anyway. He knew what she'd been through, she knew that by his gentle words and lack of prodding and the way he stayed carefully away from her when her memories got too hard to bear.

Who wanted someone they'd never be able to touch?

Sasha pressed her fists into the forest floor and closed her eyes tight, trying to will away the hurt. Acknowledging it would just give it power. She owed him a rescue. She owed him that much. She had to remind herself of that. She had to keep going.