Lilly, of course, led the way. Even though the High Elder had lived in Safehaven for nearly two centuries—compared to her two decades—he was as baffled as the rest of them at how she had managed to get them to the edge of Safehaven alive. She knew every backalley and shortcut, and despite the overwhelming number of soldiers, had successfully led the four of them clear.

They paused there, exhausted, and for that moment, allowed themselves a brief respite. The streets were crowded out here; the invasion had not made its way this far north yet, and a great many of the citizens of Safehaven were passing this way on their way out of the city.

Most moved quickly, if not frantically. Some of them carried a pack or clumsily grappled with what appeared to be nothing but some random item, likely an object of some personal significance. But most came as they were when the attack had started: empty-handed, carrying only their children and themselves.

“We can’t stay here long,” Lilly said. “They’re sure to be spreading out to take the entire city. And they’re probably still looking for me and Kal.”

“They’re more worried about the Godknight,” Windham said. “I doubt they care much about us at all.”

“I don’t know,” Lilly countered. “They were really pissed at us.” She smirked a little at the idea.

“Is no one going to talk about Jaina?”

“Kal—” Lilly started.

“No, don’t even think about it! Don’t you ‘Kal’ me! Or try to calm me down. This is ridiculous! How could we just abandon her like that?”

“We had no choice,” the High Elder said, but without looking at Kal. He had grown weary of this debate and had begun interacting with some of the passersby.

“There’s always a choice,” Lilly countered. “Even if they all suck, there’s always a choice. Sometimes you just have to pick the least shitty of those choices.”

“And abandoning her?” Kal asked. “Was that really the ‘least shitty’?”

“Honestly, I’m tired of this,” Windham said. “Had you tried to go after her, you’d have been captured or killed. There’s not even a question. Stop being a stubborn baby and move on.”

Kal lunged for him, so fast he nearly reached him. But Lilly had sensed it coming and got between the two.

“All right, both of you,” she said. “Knock it off.” To Kal, she said, “Listen, I’m sorry, farmboy. I really am. I’m as unhappy about leaving her behind as you are.”

“I doubt that…” Windham muttered.

“But we can’t help her—can’t help anybody—if we’re dead. We already know that. So as much as it hurts, you—we—did the right thing. The only thing.”

Kal bristled and seemed like he wanted to continue the discussion. But, ultimately, he just ducked his head in disgust and shuffled away.

“Just let him go,” Windham said. “We don’t need him.”

Lilly turned to him, exasperated and exhausted. “Stop it. He’s a big reason why you’re still alive. And at least he—”

She stopped herself, grimaced.

“At least he, what?” Windham asked.

“Nothing. Nothing.”

She turned away from him and walked to where Kal had stopped, crouched down next to a marble fountain of a strange and exotic gargoyle. They had stopped just outside of a park, an open courtyard, where some of the citizens who remained had chosen to gather. The High Elder was holding court now, still advising everyone to leave the city. The people were unaware of his earlier ineffectiveness, and many flocked to him with a desperate gratitude. They had questions, needed guidance. He did the best he could, but when they started asking about the Godknight, he had no answers.

Though Windham hated to see Lilly giving the Big Dumb Farmer Boy—she called him “farmboy” with a hint of affection, so he had decided to drop that part of his nickname completely—he was happy to finally be alone and able to think.

Nothing had gone according to his plan. He should be with his new people by now. Lilly too. Instead he was all caught up in this drama surrounding the Godknight. Had they really expected Windham to put his life in danger for him? It was suicidal for the three of them to run out the way they had and grab those cages. It was only dumb luck that they’d survived.

Well, two of them had. Windham had little doubt Jaina was already dead. Which didn’t bother him either way, except for the small satisfaction in knowing the Big Dumb Idiot felt responsible for his failure. And why shouldn’t he? It’d been his idea to charge straight into an enormous army. The fact that he had convinced Lilly to join him, though, was troubling. As was the idea that she might now look at Windham as a coward for refusing to join in their folly.

But he’d already saved Lilly’s life once today. Surely she wouldn’t forget that. But would that be enough of a reason for her to agree to come with him when he left?

It would be tricky, Windham thought. At this point his argument for her joining him would have to evolve. A lot had changed since this morning. He had intended to lead her far away from the city before she even knew an attack was happening. Now he’d have to do it when the attack was still occurring.

But maybe he didn’t have to convince her to leave the city entirely. Maybe it would be enough to convince her just to come with him. Just for a moment or two. Possibly even back into the city. Just far enough away from her father and the Big Dummy that she wouldn’t have any choice but to join them. He would take his knee and raise his palm at the first sight of any soldiers. They would recognize him as the hero they’d been told to look out for and stop to bring him along. They’d see Lilly, and Lilly would see them… But by then it would be too late. She’d be captured, not given another chance to run away.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

It wasn’t ideal. Allowing Lilly to be captured, especially after she had helped thwart their plans with the Godknight, was a dangerous proposition. The Order might want to kill her on the spot. But Windham felt sure he could convince them otherwise. Worst case, she was valuable to them as the High Elder’s daughter. Best case, they’d have enough respect for who he was that they would do as he asked.

If she was captured, even if she went along willingly, they would probably want to take her away from him. That was a chance he was going to have to take, though, and hope he’d be able to get her back later. But of that he was confident, considering his standing and the assurances Savina Frost had given him.

“Lilly,” he called. She was still crouched down next to the Idiot, who was nodding his head, as if in agreement with something Lilly had said. Was she getting through to him? Probably. Lilly could be very convincing if she wanted to be.

“Lilly!” he called again. She looked up, perturbed. “I need to talk to you.”

“One minute,” she shouted, and went back to talking to the Idiot.

Windham sighed. He was done with this. He was frustrated and exhausted and wanted his new life to start. Like, hours ago.

He walked briskly over to the pair. Standing over them, he straightened his posture and tried to add gravity to his voice. “It’s important, Lilly. It can’t wait.”

They both looked up at him, the Idiot with a blank look on his face. Lilly seemed to have talked him out of his fervor and into a stupor.

“What is it?” she asked.

“In private,” he said.

“Wind…”

“Lilly, please.”

She sighed. “Okay.” She looked back at the Idiot. “You good?”

“Yeah,” he muttered. “You go.”

She stood and Windham reached out to grab a hold of her arm. She instinctively flinched away and he brushed at her arm instead, as if he had simply been trying to swipe a bug or some dirt away.

“Let’s go over here,” he said. Lilly looked back over her shoulder at her father, who was surrounded by frightened people. Satisfied that he was safe, she followed Windham.

He led her towards the southern edge of the park, back towards the city. He talked as they walked.

“Lilly,” he started. “I think we should leave the city.”

She furrowed her brow. “Duh. That’s what we’re doing. We’re just taking a minute to catch our breaths.”

They continued walking.

“No,” he said. “Just you and I.”

“What? Why would I do that?”

Windham ignored, as best he could, the disdain in her voice. Falling back on his original argument was a stalling tactic, nothing more. He just needed to keep her walking.

“I don’t mean… I don’t mean, like, forever,” he stammered. “I just want to keep you safe. That’s all.”

“But don’t you think we’re safer with a bigger group?” she asked, not even trying to mask her confusion.

“No,” he countered, and picked up his pace. Lilly’s adrenaline was rising, which was good. It made her move faster.

“It’s because you don’t like Kal, isn’t it?”

Windham seized the thread. “He’s dangerous, Lilly. Reckless. He’s going to get you killed.”

“He’s not—”

“And he’s stupid,” Windham blurted.

Lilly shook her head and sighed. She seemed to always be exasperated with him lately.

They had reached the edge of the park, and so far, Lilly hadn’t really noticed. A steady stream of people continued to pass them in the opposite direction, but without the panic that would come if soldiers were right behind them. Not good. He’d have to somehow keep her walking even deeper into the city.

“All I’m saying,” he started, now really struggling to come up with anything that made sense. “All I’m saying is—”

Lilly stopped short. “Windham, we can’t keep walking this way. We’re going to walk right back into those soldiers’ arms.”

“What? Oh, don’t be silly. A walk… a walk is nice. Especially after the day we’ve had.” He chuckled awkwardly and again reached out for her arm. His desperation was growing, his chances running out.

“Let’s get back to them,” she said, and started to turn. “Okay?”

“Lilly, wait!”

She spun on him, angry now. “Windham, I don’t know what’s going on with you. Sometimes—a lot of the time—I can’t figure you out. So I’m going to give you a little bit of room here. But just a little. I appreciate what you did for me this morning—”

“I saved you,” he said softly, like a pouting child who thought someone was being mean to him.

“You did. And thank you for that. I won’t forget it.”

“You’re welcome.”

“But I’m going back to my father. We have to come up with a plan and we have to do it fast. Are you coming?”

Windham didn’t move. His shoulders were slumped and he felt defeated in a way he had never felt before. “Just… just give me a minute. Okay?”

She nodded, pleased to be done with the conversation, and walked back towards her father. And the Idiot.

This was it, then. Circumstances had gotten in the way of his original plan, and this makeshift, last ditch attempt had failed. Miserably. In all his imaginings, he’d never truly considered leaving without Lilly. He’d been so sure. But that was what he faced now. He could turn away and keep walking back towards the city. Towards the soldiers. Towards his new family, the Order of the Holy Ascension.

Or he could stay with Lilly.

He ran his hands through his hair and pulled, growling in frustration.

All his plans, all his hopes and dreams, were south. North, there was… nothing. Nothing for him.

Nothing but Lilly.

It would be stupid to go north. It would be stupid to abandon his future over one girl. There was no future if he went north. The Godknight was defeated and Safehaven had fallen. All of Brightholme would soon follow. There was nowhere for them to go. No escape. No hope.

“I’m going,” he said out loud. A middle-aged woman who had been filing along next to him looked over her shoulder at him as she passed, confused. He ignored her.

“I’m going,” Windham repeated. “That way is stupid. I’m not stupid. And if you would rather be with that stupid, idiotic, useless farmboy… well, good riddance. That’s what I say. Good riddance to you, Lilly.”

Windham again straightened his posture and steeled his resolve. He took a deep breath and took a single step south.

Then he cursed loudly, turned, and followed Lilly, calling after her the whole way.