The girl led Pandora down several streets away from the market. She felt that they were going uphill. They stopped suddenly. It was quiet wherever they were, outside of the marketplace and hustle and bustle of the city. "My name is Pryti, and I'm sorry I deceived you, but my parents are quite well. There are spies everywhere now. There are some still loyal to freedom from Chaos, and fewer yet still loyal to the crown. We are in the courtyard of my parents' home, they are still loyal to both...please, come in." Pandora entered into another room, soft water trickled from an ornamental waterfall near the door, the room immediately cooler than outside. She sensed a man brush past her and out the door, and felt he was on a mission, but could not discern the type of mission he was on. Pryti made no further comment, only led her further, down a couple more hallways until they reached a large room. There were no doors in this house, and Pandora knew that like most of the more expensive houess in Stoire this one was most likely made of sun baked clay. "I found her," Pryti said excitedly, walking away from Pandora for a moment before returning, grabbing her hand and helping her sit on a mahogany bench with soft cushions. She handed Pandora a cup of cold water with orange zest.
"Splendid, I believe introductions are in order," an elderly male voice said, "My name is Estaphon, I served as council for the royal family before they were relocated. I believe you already met Pryti my associate and a powerful empath herself. And of course, Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Thorpe, who have graciously welcomed us into their home. Not with us is Erik...you may have run into him as he left."
"Why did he leave?" Pryti asked, taking a seat next to Pandora.
"You know as well as I do, he like many do not trust those with a gift for empathy," Estaphon said with a sigh, "a wizard and one empath was enough, but with Pandora...he feels outnumbered. You see my dear," he said, directing his voice towards Pandora, "the three of us have been trained to guard our thoughts, and Pryti's parents do not fear it. But Erik has not had the time or experience to understand how to shield himself from others."
"Which is where you come into play," Pryti said quickly. "We need you to spy on the opposition...and we need you to train Erik's men how to shield their minds....especially Erik. He carries all of our secrets with him."
"Pryti, you're jumping over many important points...she doesn't know anything, she doesn't know how we found her or how we know her name. Or really why we need her," Estaphon said slowly. "Pandora, you have a gift. It is not as highly trained as it should be, but we are here to help you learn more and to become a vital resource to our team. You have met Tiev, the Captain of the Guard, I know. He has sided with Chaos, thinking that he will receive power over Kriste like he so heartily wants. It is only a matter of time before he secures the crown for himself, and then he will go after the royal family. But there is another that sided with him, her name is Psamathe." Estaphon paused and hesitated for a moment. "We were wrong about her. Pryti and I. We sought to help her in her plight, but she is two faced. She wants to gather up any of those with the gifts of empathy and use them as spies for the new regime. She fancies herself as Tiev's second in command, it would appear, although Tiev was always one to operate alone. She will find that in time.
"Our connection with Psamathe is slight but still open. We can monitor their activity, to a certain extent, and thus far we have not been caught while doing so. As you have spoken to Tiev, and Psamathe has spoken to Tiev, they both are looking for you. Tiev is under the impression that you have artifacts in your possession that will allow them to find the royal family in hiding, the king, or the princess. If this is true, we need to proceed carefully. We cannot let them come into possession of your artifacts."
"The plan is to place you among them as a spy," Pryti said, "you will go with Erik's army, they plan a scrimmage as we speak. When the battle starts, you will need to get yourself captured. It should be enough. We will forge a connection with you before you leave, of course, so we can keep up to date with what is happening, but we may be unable to help you. Unless you have another idea, or prefer to use your skills a different way?"
Aedre entered the room where Isador waited, the bustling gown of a proper lady gone and replaced by thinner traveling clothes, shrouded in a thin traveling cloak. She attached the sword around her waist. "We will go south, to the port. We should be there in a three days, unless you choose to travel both day and night. I have no need for extended periods of sleep." They walked out into a vast and open courtyard, the stone path slick from rain. Aedre ran along the stones, the pounding rain and rushing wind having no effect on her. Isador was able to keep up with ease, finding that his vision was not altered by the rainfall. "My mother has hinted but not told me the depths of your knowledge of water. It is my understanding that you can passively use the talents it holds, but that you cannot control it, correct? Few can - in fact, I believe that I am the only part mortal who can, and surely no mortals can do it. When we stop to rest I can show you some of what I know." They continued on in silence, the paths they followed empty. They came upon a small carved out shelter, and stopped to rest for a moment inside it, where it was nearly dry. Aedre was painting, but grinning. "The sun will not come up for many hours, we are making good time. Perhaps we should -" she stopped suddenly, and pulled him back further into the shelter, signalling Isador to stay quiet. He heard it too - whooping and yelling coming from the hills behind them. "Oh no, they've found us. Come on then!" She ran back out of their shelter, Isador on her heels. The yelling got closer, an arrow flied past his head and landed in front of them. "A warning shot."
Isador could discern the yelling now, they were so close. He heard many fearsome beasts, heavier and larger than horses, pounding the ground with furious speed. "Alright men, you know the drill - the one to down the demon wins," a voice called. Three others - two male, one female - cheered in response. "Arrows or daggers only, no magic."
"Hey! He's got someone with him!" Another voice yelled out, "I'll buy the one that gets that one drinks for eternity!"
"Comforting," Aedre murmured. One of the hunters flew past them, his mount a giant wild boar that glistened unnaturally in the dark night. "They plan to flank us and cut us off. Think fast Isador, I'll try to lead some of them off." She veered left suddenly, and two sets of hooves followed her.
Another giant wild boar appeared, this one as white as the moon, the rider a majestic, strong built but slender woman. It flanked him, keeping perfect pace. Isador recognized her almost immediately as the missing princess, with an arrow ready to loose aimed right at his chest.