The city lay quiet under dark skies. Water dripped from trees and roofs, trickled through the gutters, and over slippery cobbles. Puddles formed in the uneven streets. Ranloo didn't mind. He was just glad the streets were still and empty. However, a gnawing worry ruined the peace.

What would he say to Master Caelem? And how would he get into the school? It'd be closed this late, everyone asleep. How would they react to him showing up in the middle of the night? They'd probably get worried. What if they asked him to come in? He couldn't do that. He'd endanger them all. But the strong need to know what had happened to Dylnan and Lindhinin kept him moving.

Walking briskly, he tried to find the wall Sern had pointed to. He looked around, feeling freer than he had for days, but also more nervous and scared than ever. What if they found out what he was? What would they do then? Kill him? Chase him away? Call the guards? He tried to shake the bad feelings and set off running. He'd better hurry anyway, he wasn't sure how far it was.

Ranloo flew along the streets, his feet barely making any sound as he gracefully bounded over the cobbles. He picked up speed, elated by the wind in his face and at how swiftly the houses passed by. He ran faster than he normally would but without feeling the effects usually associated with it. He wasn't out of breath, and he didn't feel tired at all. A smile tugged at his lips as he ran, his cloak rippling in the wind behind him and his hair whipping from side to side with each long stride.

Ranloo accelerated, astonishing himself. Skidding across slippery cobbles, he touched the walls of houses to help him take the sharp turns. Ranloo laughed aloud. Then he slowed again, to avoid drawing attention, passing by empty squares and marketplaces, narrow streets, and backyards.

The clouds overhead slowly dissipated and now and then the moons peeked through the gaps. Ranloo found The Upper Wall. Old and in great disrepair, sections had been removed entirely, leaving gaps for people to pass through. The river wasn't hard to find from there. He followed it on the right-hand side like Sern had told him. He watched the dark, reeking water of the river, flowing eternally through the big city. Ranloo wrinkled his nose.

Up ahead, hard footsteps, metal on metal, and faint jingling resounded. Ranloo slowed to a stop. A big patrol of city guards rounded a corner. They turned his way. Ranloo twisted around for another route and walked towards a connecting street. They'd seen him, he was sure. His back tingled as he tried to walk casually, as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

´You there!` a voice called. ´Stop.`

Ranloo froze. Should he run or stay? Surely they didn't know who he was, did they? This was quite far from where he'd been hiding the last week after all. Did he dare risk it, or was it better to flee. He looked back. The guards walked towards him, neither running nor shouting. He breathed a sigh of relief and turned to face them. It wasn't a good idea to run if they didn't know, drawing undue attention.

The six guards walked in a row, two and two. Just a normal night patrol in the nicer parts of Jaris, Ranloo thought. They stopped before him, their halberds and helmets shining, the rings of their hauberks jingling. One of the guards in the front greeted Ranloo and marched up to him.

Ranloo nodded nervously.

´Why are you out this late at night, alone?` The guard peered suspiciously at Ranloo. ´It's not safe.`

´I'm on my way home after a late night working on the docks,` he blurted and waved his hand in the direction he'd headed.

The guard raised his eyebrows. ´The docks?`

Ranloo nodded.

´That's pretty far away,` he pointed out, sounding skeptical.

´Yes, I know.` Ranloo glanced around, thinking about running.

The guard tapped the cobbles with a foot as he scrutinized Ranloo, one hand resting on the pommel of his sword. Ranloo swallowed but tried his best to seem calm.

´You don't look like a sailor,` the guard stated.

Ranloo shook his head. ´I'm not. I only work in the docks. I don't sail.`

´Alright.` He nodded, then almost poked Ranloo as he pointed to his belt suddenly. ´You don't carry any weapons.`

Ranloo took an involuntary step back. ´I know. I used to have a sword, but it was stolen recently.`

´You should get a new one soon then. Especially if you're working in the docks and have to walk all this way home.`

´Yes, I will. But I really need to go now. It's late.`

The guard stared passively, fingering his sword hilt. Ranloo didn't like it and his canines pounded dully. ´Alright. Be on your way, elf. Be careful.` The guard signed to the others and left. They followed in formation.

Ranloo let out a sigh of relief and walked along the river again. As soon as the guards were out of sight he set off running, keeping an eye to the left, on the look-out for higher ground. The houses rose onto a hill further ahead. That must be it, he thought and aimed for it, increasing speed.

Once there, he saw the castle far away and headed for it. It didn't take long before he recognized some streets and houses. Anxiety closed over his chest as memories resurfaced but he batted them away, focusing on finding the school. He didn't know its exact location and took a few wrong turns before spotting it, towering behind the tall iron fence. The gates were closed. But maybe he could climb it?

Ranloo scanned the empty street, then grabbed the iron rails with both hands and hauled himself up. Using his feet to steady himself halfway up, he managed to get a grip over the top with his hands. He carefully pulled himself up, avoiding the sharp spear-like tips of the fence. He balanced himself on the top and jumped down on the other side. Catlike, he landed on all fours in the gravel without too much noise.

He stood, brushed dirt off his hands, and looked up at the fence. Impressed with himself for getting over it so easily, a slight smile touched his lips before he remembered why he was there. He faced the main building. It felt like a hundred years had passed since he'd last seen it. Trembling as he walked up to the big doors, he knocked, afraid of what he would hear.

He waited on the raised porch, tenser by the second. He peered up at the house. All the windows were dark and quiet. Impatiently, he knocked again, this time harder, hoping they'd hear. Doubtful if this was such a great idea after all, he glanced back towards the fence, wanting to run. But he needed to know. He lifted his hand, clenched into a fist, and pounded on the door again.

´Master Caelem!` he shouted. His voice echoed between the buildings and he cringed. But this time someone heard. A light appeared in one of the windows on the second floor. After a short while, the window opened and a young woman with long dark hair looked out, holding a candle. He recognized her as one of Lindhinin's students.

´Who goes there?` she shouted in a slurred voice.

Ranloo took a deep breath, there was no turning back now. ´It's me, Ranloo,` he shouted back and waved a hand at her. ´I need to speak with the Master.`

Her eyes widened as she peered down. ´Ranloo?` She sounded astonished. ´I'll get him at once. Stay there.` She vanished from view.

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He tried to steady himself, swallowing hard and taking deep breaths. Meeting the rangers scared him. They were smart and quick, well trained in battle, and they knew him. They might notice how different he was. And he was afraid of losing control, of hurting them. He felt his fangs with the tip of his tongue. Retracted. Good.

After a short wait, rapid thumping approached from inside followed by a rattle in the lock. The big door opened. Master Caelem, in a simple nightgown and with a blanket over his shoulders, peered out at him. His eyes widened.

´By the gods, Ranloo!` he exclaimed and opened the door fully. ´Come in, come in!` He ushered Ranloo indoors before he could protest. ´What happened? We heard you went missing.` He smiled and patted Ranloo excitedly on the shoulder, as if feeling he was really there and not some ghost.

The young woman who'd called from the window stood behind the master with a candle. A confused smile sat on her face.

Ranloo carefully held the Master away from him, scared of having him too close at the same time as his senses picked up their heartbeats and their smells. He liked it. Too much. ´I'm alright, I'm okay,` he reassured the Master and forced a smile.

´What brings you here?` Caelem asked, looking intently at him.

´I need help.`

´But of course, of course. What can we do?`

Ranloo looked from the Master to the student and back again. ´What do you know?` he asked, scared of the answer.

The Master gave him a confused look, then his expression cleared. ´Dylnan returned about a week ago,` he began. ´We were surprised because you were supposed to have left. He returned in the late morning.` He hesitated as he saw Ranloo's worried expression. ´I'm so sorry. We did what we could but...`

Pain stabbed into Ranloo's heart. He knew what Master Caelem was about to say.

´Your young friend, Lindhinin, he had been killed. Dylnan brought him back here. We helped prepare him for the journey home.` The Master shook his balding head sadly. The student sniffled and hid her eyes behind a hand.

´We couldn't believe what had happened,` Caelem said.

Ranloo blinked away tears that threatened to fall. ´What did he say?` he asked, his voice quivering.

´He said you were attacked by a stranger,´ Caelem answered. ´He said you had been taken. Kidnapped.`

Ranloo nodded. ´I was.` The humans looked at him expectantly. Awkwardly, he continued. ´I was taken by this strange man. He knocked me out.` Something about admitting he hadn't been strong enough angered and shamed him. He hated feeling weak and helpless. His hands clenched into fists. The Master reached out and patted him on his shoulder. It made his blood boil and he wanted to push Caelem's hand away. Instead he closed his eyes, trying to calm down. He hoped they took his expression as a sign of grief, not anger.

´I managed to get away,` he continued after a while. ´I escaped as he moved me from one place to another.` Ranloo shook his head, uncomfortable about lying to his friends. But the truth was so much worse.

´What do you think he was going to do with you?´ the young woman spoke up suddenly.

´I think he meant to sell me,` Ranloo said. ´There were others too. We were kept in cages.` He remembered the slaves he'd seen in the market on his first day in Jaris. ´But when they moved us, we had to walk on our own and I managed to flee. I got lost. It was horrible,` he said honestly.

´What happened to your clothes and gear?` Master Caelem studied his current outfit.

´I was robbed,` he answered. ´But I got some help from a nice family,` he lied. ´It took me some time, but I finally found my way back here.`

´Come, let me treat you to some food.` The Master beckoned for Ranloo to follow him to the kitchen.

He hesitated, remembering that last time he'd eaten, he'd thrown up immediately. ´No, thank you,` he said. ´Really, there's no need. It's in the middle of the night. I don't want to trouble you...`

The Master turned and looked at him, his eyebrows lifted high, wrinkling his forehead. ´It's no trouble. Please, come.`

Ranloo gave in and followed them to the kitchen. They sat down by a table as the student took out some fresh bread and made three cups of tea. Then she joined them, watching Ranloo with admiration in her eyes as she handed him a cup.

He thanked them, wondering how to get out of this situation before it got out of hand. They asked questions about his capture and he concocted a story about the man using magic potions, but otherwise acting as a normal slaver. Talking about the monster reminded him of the void in his memories, but he pushed it away. He told them in detail about his unfortunate events in Jaris and how he'd been helped, fearing all the while to get ensnared in his own lies. Of making a mistake.

They believed him. Why wouldn't they? They had no reason to doubt him, and Dylnan hadn't told them what had happened to Ranloo since he didn't know. Ranloo's fear dissipated, replaced by pride. He thought he sounded pretty sincere about it all. As he talked, he tried sipping the tea. It made him nauseous almost instantly. He cradled the warm cup in his cold hands and enjoyed the smell of the brew, but he simply couldn't tolerate the taste anymore. He broke small pieces of the bread, and when they weren't looking, placed the bits in a pocket under the table, pretending to have eaten it.

´Do you want us to contact the elven rangers?` Master Caelem asked after Ranloo had finished his story.

´No, I already did that,` he lied hurriedly. ´They'll get the letter in a few days.`

´That's good. They need to know that you're alive,` the Master said. Ranloo nodded, feeling terrible. ´I believe Dylnan would be delighted to hear about it,` the Master continued. ´He was overcome with grief about you and your friend.`

Ranloo swallowed hard, trying not to think about it. How horrible it must have been for Dylnan. Alone, with one friend gone and the other dead. He drew a deep shaking breath. And he'd never get to find out what had really happened, Ranloo thought. He mustn't. He'd tell Minira, and it'd break her heart.

´What are you going to do now?` Master Caelem asked and leaned forward to look Ranloo in the eyes.

He sat back with a sigh, toying with a small piece of bread as he pondered the question. He couldn't go home. Never again. He'd get killed as soon as he was discovered. He didn't want his friends or family to ever find out about him. They'd be destroyed by grief, if he didn't kill them first. It was better if they never knew what had happened. He had to stay in Jaris. But he couldn't stay with the rangers. They'd be in danger, and he doubted they'd be half as tolerant as Sern about his condition. ´I'll have to return home as soon as possible,` he said.

They nodded, looking concerned.

´We understand your hurry,` Master Caelem said.

´You shouldn't travel alone,` the woman added. ´It's dangerous. And if something happened to you on the way home...` her voice trailed off and she fell silent, looking sadly at Ranloo.

´I'm not going alone.` He flashed a smile. ´I'm not crazy. I'll go with a trading caravan tomorrow.`

Caelem visibly relaxed, but the young woman watched him more intently. Had she seen something? Her forehead furrowed for a moment.

´Do you need a room?` Master Caelem offered.

´No, thank you. I have a room already,` Ranloo excused himself and stood. ´Really, thank you so much for your help.` He bowed at the waist to show his gratitude.

Master Caelem rose as well. ´I insist!` he said with some force. ´We have plenty of rooms, and you can stay here with your friends.` He nodded and stroked his great white beard as if Ranloo had already agreed. ´Niana, prepare a room for –`

Ranloo stepped back, shaking his head. ´I understand, really, but I need to go.` He started for the hall.

´Why are you in such a hurry suddenly?` Niana asked, still seated by the table, her brows knitted.

´Yes, stay. Talk with us, we can help you.` The Master lay a hand on Ranloo's shoulder again.

Ranloo shook him off, irritated. ´No!` he snapped more forcefully than intended, threatened by their overly friendly manner.

The Master blinked in surprise at his small display of anger. ´Are you alright?`

´I'm so sorry!` Ranloo said. ´I didn't mean to be rude. But I really must go.` He stalked into the hall as he thanked them for the bread and tea. He felt crowded and trapped in the house and panic threatened to overcome him. They followed him to the door, like confused chickens. Probably not understanding why he wouldn't accept their help.

Ranloo had got what he'd come for. Confirmation that Dylnan was still alive and on his way home, and that Lindhinin wasn't. He didn't need to know anything more. Dylnan was safe. His heart ached for his lost friend but there was nothing he could do. Now he had to get away from these kind people before anything else happened.

As he opened the door, Niana asked quietly, ´What happened to you? You seem different.`

He met her eyes for a second, feeling like an open book. Surely she could see everything? Tense and fearful, he looked away and walked out into the courtyard.

´I told you what happened,` he said and waved, ignoring her disbelieving frown. ´Goodbye, and thank you for your help!` He left, hiding his face and the tears threatening to fall.

The humans called their farewells and the door closed behind him. He inhaled a deep breath and let it out slowly. Then he ran, a burst of speed. The need to get away so strong he didn't even think about his actions. He sped towards the high fence and jumped clean over it. He didn't even realize the impossibility of it before he was already over, gasping in surprise at the ease with which he'd flown over the sharp railheads. He landed on the other side on his feet, briefly touching down with one hand to steady himself before he kept going.

He never noticed the young woman staring after him through the hall window, her eyes and mouth wide open.