Her expression of calm flickered for the briefest of moments, before it became guarded once again. "I have my reasons, as I'm sure you do..but it would not be best to share that reason here. Anyone could be listening.."

_________________
<center>
</center>

Shade's eyes shifted from side to side. "Who is a threat to you?"

_________________


Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

In answer, she smiled dryly. "The Empire itself." she said, without elaborating on the subject, then smoothly turned on her heel and strode back to the building her horse was in, motioning for Shade to follow.

_________________
<center>
</center>

Shade, confused, ran to catch up with her. "Why? My small village north of here has heard nothing of the Empire to be feared for."

_________________


Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

A sigh greeted those words. "Then you are indeed fortunate. My situation is an..odd one, to be sure."

_________________
<center>
</center>

Shade then jumped in front of her. "Then I want to help!"

_________________


Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

Unable to help herself, she laughed, a sound just as musical as her voice. "If you knew the truth, you would deign to put as much distance between yourself and myself as was humanly possible."

_________________
<center>
</center>

Shade, stubborn, continued to protest, no matter how beautiful the voice sounded. "I want to see the Empire fall, along with the sissy King Galbatorix!"

_________________


Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

That particular comment brought about a genuine laugh, one full of true mirth. "If you truly wish to help, then I ask that we discuss this further inside..there is no telling who may be lurking nearby, though deserted, this city may be."

_________________
<center>
</center>

Shade sighed. "Fine with me. After you, Lady."

_________________


Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

The response was a nod, and she went inside the dimly-lit building, and immediately set about piling up loose wood to create a fire.

_________________
<center>
</center>

Shade stood and walked into the room, following her. He watched as a large fire was formed in the fire place.

_________________


Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

Straightening from the fire as it positively erupted, a smile played across her features for a moment. Her hair appeared a far more vivid red in the harsh light, and as she pushed her hair back out of her face, delicately-pointed ears became visible. "Now.." she said, sitting cross-legged on the dusty floor. "Do you still wish to hear the situation I'm in?"

_________________
<center>
</center>

"Of course." Shade said and sat across from her. "Mortals are not as cowardly as you think we are." He grinned.

_________________


Just became a college freshman; be on sparingly

"Do not assume I think like those of my race." she said seriously, emerald eyes narrowing for a brief moment. She then broke the seriousness by shaking her head, and adopting a calmer expression. "And before I relate my situation..I need to know your name."

_________________
<center>
</center>

Kith woke a mere hour later. He lept from his perch and stole into the city. All the while his sences were intuned, on the look out for intruders. It took a conscience effort to slow his heart down. I'm free now He murmured to himself. I don't have to worry. Using what he knew about stealth he climbed to the top of a low roof, then followed the road of rooftops, hoping to find a place protected nook he could call his own. The elf stopped as he heard whispering. Despite his inner self creaming at him to run, he inched closer, until he at the edge of the roof. He peered over the ledge. As he shifted his wieght, his boot slipped. His foot skittered along the roof top, sending a rock across the roof. He froze, hoping the two below had not heard that, though he doubted it.