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guardian.
    Lahnehn shook his head. “No, I’m happy with my new life here. I hope to start a family soon and I’m sure my fiance would not wish to leave her family behind.”
    Jahrra smiled, warmed that this kind person had found happiness.
    “But I wish you luck, Jahrra, whatever your future might hold.”
    Jahrra nodded and straightened in the saddle. She hesitated before pulling her hood back over her head.
    “Lahnehn?”
    The young man turned to look at her once again. He quirked an eyebrow and tilted his head. Jahrra swallowed.
    “Thank you, for everything. For helping me six years ago and for helping me now.”
    He shrugged and grinned. “No thanks are required.”
    “But I must ask for one more favor,” Jahrra nearly whispered.
    Lahnehn leaned closer. Jahrra took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “Someone might come looking for me, someone who has connections with,” she almost said connections with the Crimson King , but stopped herself.
    She hadn’t told him the whole truth about Hroombra’s death either, just that someone had attacked and killed him. She swallowed and tried again, “Those who killed Hroombra, they might come looking for me. If they come here can you act as if you never saw me?”
    Lahnehn stepped closer and placed a hand against Phrym’s neck. The semequin whickered softly and pressed his nose against the grocer’s shoulder.
    “Jahrra, are you in trouble?” he whispered.
    “No, no, not really. My traveling companion is nearby, but he felt it best to stay outside the city boundaries.”
    Lahnehn looked truly surprised and worried. “Jahrra, how well do you know your traveling companion?”
    “Oh, quite well, I assure you. I’ve known him my whole life,” she assured with a laugh, though the aftertaste of untruth tainted her throat.
    If you were being completely honest Jahrra, you would have said you really don’t know him that well at all , she thought bitterly. But that would only worry Lahnehn and although she didn’t really know Jaax all that well, she did trust him, to some extent. Well, she trusted him to keep her alive at least.
    “Well then, I swear I will keep your appearance secret,” Lahnehn said, holding up his right hand. “Now you had better go before the people of Glordienn get a good look at you.”
    Jahrra smiled and reached down to shake Lahnehn’s hand. “Again, I thank you.”
    Lahnehn shrugged and urged her to get moving. The eastern gate was only a few blocks away and as she passed through the wooden arch she glanced back over her shoulder to catch Lahnehn waving her on. She returned the gesture and kicked Phrym into a quicker pace, disappearing into the shade of the forest just before the morning guards took their posts.

- Chapter Two -
    Into the Wilderness
     
    Jahrra found Jaax standing behind a group of thick trees a mile outside of Glordienn.
    “Were you able to get everything on the list?” he asked.
    Jahrra moved Phrym off the road and gestured at the large bags hanging from his neck.
    “Did many people see you?”
    “No,” Jahrra said. “In fact, I think Ethoes might be watching out for me.”
    Jaax cocked a scaly brow.
    “The manager of the trading post is a young Nesnan man who used to work for Eydeth’s and Ellysian’s parents.”
    The Tanaan dragon sucked in a breath and donned a look of worry.
    Jahrra simply held up a hand. “No, you don’t understand. He helped me out of a confrontation with Eydeth once. He has no loyalties to that family.” She looked up at Jaax. “He was the only one who saw me and he swore not to speak of my presence in Glordienn.”
    “And did he ask you why?” Jaax growled.
    Jahrra glanced down and gingerly slid from the saddle. Her ankle felt better today but she didn’t want to risk upsetting it.
    “I told him what happened to Hroombra but I didn’t tell him about you or who I really am. If the people who–”
    Jahrra paused. She still had trouble speaking of her mentor’s death but if she