You took a deep breath behind me and informed her, “Infalia hurt her ankle. Vanida saved the show. No new story to you, I’d imagine.” You beamed and asked me, “Are you always so brilliant?” Sesena’s every muscle tensed as she looked back and forth. “You could’ve told me. I would’ve dragged out the act. I’m sure you were quite the hero. Always have to prove we couldn’t get along without you, hmm? You know that you’d be out of here otherwise, you don’t have any talent other than causing drama,” she hissed. I bit my tongue before answering curtly, “We couldn’t get a message to you without the audience knowing. My dramatic efforts kept the show running, and if that’s all I’m useful for I’m still proud of it.” You looked angry at Sesena’s outburst and asked, “What do you do then, that’s so important? Infalia wouldn’t have been able to go on anytime tonight with her ankle hurt that badly, no matter how long you ‘dragged out the act’. Oratus and Evelesko need the practice before they go up, so bumping them up wouldn’t have done any good either. It seems to me that Vanida took the only course of action and performed it splendidly, and that you’re the only dramatic one here.”

Avedis and Sana laughed as a flustered Sesena stormed away. I smiled at you and thanked you quietly as they walked off together, discussing the events. You repeated happily, “I suppose that’s no new story. Something goes wrong, you stay calm and fix it, Sesena gets jealous that she cannot be as amazing, and you back her into a corner with your words, hmm?” Feigning irritation I murmured, “I did what I had to, and it was your words that ashamed her. What I said was merely self defense. You grinned, seeing right through it, and teased, “You loved to see her run off, admit it.” I just nodded. A crystal ball floated from beside you around the corner, heading out to where Infalia would tell some lucky (or sometimes unfortunate) volunteer their true future. I had always found it ironic that the only person whose fortune she could not tell was her own, and that she always managed to hurt herself through various backstage accidents. I told you a story explaining why she was no longer allowed to help with brewing liquid fire as we waited out the rest of her act.

Yes, those were wonderful times. Four weeks passed in a blur. Although there were various incidents, together we solved whatever problems we were faced with. Eventually Sesena stopped talking at the morning meetings and most other times, except to Langer, who soaked up every word as if it were divine. For the first week you shared Thembo’s tent, but then you moved into mine. We pretended not to notice people’s whispers, for we had no intent other than to be near each other. We moved northwards during that time, and everywhere we went I trained you in the art of gathering. You always told me later that those blissful, innocent hours were some of the most enjoyable in your life. They were not to last. In the capital, nobles were dying off at an alarming rate. They had no other suspects so they pinned it all on you, the desperate defender of a kind and wrongly accused brother. Soldiers were sent out for the sole purpose of discovering your hiding place. Little did they know that they pursued a moving target.

As the first peaceful rays of sun peaked over the horizon, the birds began to stir and sing, and the moonlight began to harden at our first meeting spot, so far away, our campsite was far less peaceful. Everyone dressed hastily and some so much as ran to the muster. Many had not yet been seated when Thembo announced, “I think we all heard the horns in the west last night. I know that I hardly got a minute’s worth of sleep. The troops are getting closer and it’s time we reached a decision!” You clung to my hand, surprising me. Everyone there knew the cause of our apprehension. Although we all secretly wished for an uprising against the Karkian government, we had no reason to fear the law….except one. Sesena’s voice rang true for the first in a long time as she stood and Langer rose to her side, “I say that we banish this curse upon our peace! We need not turn him in, but let us be rid of him! We’ve not earned a weytan coin since the murder of Count Nekinors, and I know that, although this is the first time dear Thembo has spoken it, that none of us has slept since the first news of the army’s movement.” She pointed viciously through this speech and you paled. All looked to me as they saw your fear.

“Sevilen has done nothing but contribute to our well being, before or after this frightening news. Let us all find some place where we may lie low together. Please, do not abandon us,” I pleaded. There were surprised whispers. I was shocked also, to hear myself say it. It did make sense though, and I plowed on, “Yes, you heard correctly. Us. For if you leave Sevilen to doom and dungeon, so you leave me! I will not go with you, even as you are my family, if you turn him out. It would be just as dreadful as handing him to the guard yourselves, for he knows not of our haven!” Sesena broke in, outraged, “We are only to speak of the haven in times of dire need!” Many of the newer members of our guild, including Langer, Sana, Avedis, and Nirava, looked bewildered, not aware of what we spoke.

Aideen jumped up, displaying passion unusual for even her, and announced, “I have seen no direr a need since I joined with my mother at age seven!” There was a wave of agreement among those who knew of the haven and been within its walls. There were horns again, no more than four miles away. Some screamed, and others ran for their things despite the muster being undismissed. I yelled at the top of my lungs, “All in favor of occupation of our ancient sanctuary!” Even Sesena gave her aye as the horns sounded once more. Even those who a this point were clueless gathered their things, sensing the urgency of the moment. “We go east! Follow my lead!” I heard Evelesko shout over the din. We began our march.