After dealing with the six guards outside the holding area I break in and start freeing the slaves. The humans I let run off as usual, the elves I send straight to the pier once they are freed and healed. It is close enough that I am sure they can get there on their own without any issues.

After healing and freeing the last of the elves, I follow them down to the pier. Things seem to be going smoothly but I don't see Silverstream anywhere. I was expecting her to be here taking charge, just like the last two times.

Elven Warrior says "Sir, we kind of have a problem!"

"Of course we do, why would everything go as planned?"

Elven Warrior says "Uh, what?"

"Nevermind, just tell me what happened."

Elven Warrior says "When we were on the last pier one of the guys who worked on that pier told us they had moved some oil that morning. We decided to split up and spread the oil around. We figured a nice big fire would help cover our escape."

"Not to mention give you a chance at a little payback?"

Elven Warrior says "Well, yes. Anyway our plan was to all meet up at this pier. Everyone else has returned, but Silverstream is missing."

"Alright, which way was she headed?"

Elven Warrior says "North. She should have been the first one finished."

"Not if she tried to get the shipyards! Alright, I will go after her. You, get everyone aboard the ship. When the last rowboat is leaving, light the oil."

Elven Warrior says "If we do that how will you get to the ship?"

With a smile I spread my wings making his mouth drop open as he just stares at them. Once he pulls himself together and gives me a nod, I turn and head north along the docks. Now that I am looking for it I can smell the oil everywhere, I wasn't paying attention before.

Instead of flying over, I stay on the ground and follow the trail of the oil to the north. This way I am less likely to miss her and it gives the others time to get to the ship. However, I soon hear a scream and take off running, with my speed I cover the distance in under a minute.

What I find is Silverstream surrounded by a group of guards and it looks like they have been beating her. At least that is my guess from the line of blood coming from her mouth. There are nine guards in total, two holding her and one questioning her while the others stand around.

If I were to attack like I normally do, then Silverstream might be in danger. As I am hesitating the guard doing the questioning punches Silverstream in the face. Instantly I stop hesitating and step up behind him, then I grab both sides of his helmet and squeeze.

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The helmet crumbles between my hands like a tin can, no need to say what happens to the guard's head. The other guards panic, a couple charge at me while the others run away. Luckily, the two that were holding Silverstream are among those that run away.

With Silverstream safe, I don't hold back and quickly kill the guards running at me. Then I chase down the other guards and kill them all before I return to Silverstream. As I am healing her I notice a red glow in the distance, it soon grows into a visible fire.

Silverstream says "Thank you! Thank you for coming back for me!"

"You're welcome. Like I said, no one is getting left behind!"

Silverstream says "If they lit the fire, how are we supposed to get to the ship?"

"We fly!"

Before she can respond I sweep her up into my arms, spread my wings, and launch into the air. Silverstream lets out a cute little scream, then she closes her eyes and hugs me as if her life depends on it. As I fly out to the ship I can see that the fire is spreading fast, about half the harbor is already on fire.

At the rate it is spreading the entire capital will be in danger if they don't do something. That isn't my problem though, for us it is a good thing if the place burns to the ground. At the least, I doubt anyone is going to be worried about chasing us for the time being.

When I land on the ship and set Silverstream on her feet she gives me a death glare. Luckily, a bunch of elven warriors gather around us wanting to know what to do next. Everyone else is safely below deck, but there is no one who knows how to work the sails.

"Don't worry, I will be towing the ship."

Silverstream says "What do you mean towing? Are you going to swim and pull the ship behind you?!"

"Exactly!"

Everyone just stares at me like I have gone insane, which just makes me chuckle. Ignoring them, I walk over and start pulling up the anchor, but I don't coil up the chain. I let the chain fall back into the water and once I have the hook in my hand I walk around the bow of the ship.

I attach the hook to the railing on the other side of the bow, with the chain in the water. This way the chain is hanging down and I should be able to grab it to use to tow the ship. Then I dive into the water and with everyone still watching I shift to my meg form.

Even in the water I can hear the gasps and screams from the elves watching me. As I swim under the ship I see the anchor chain hanging down beneath the ship just as I hoped. After snagging the chain with my teeth I start swimming slowly forward.

At first the ship doesn't want to move, but it slowly starts moving after some effort. Once I get it moving it becomes a bit easier, but it is still a lot of work. The meg wasn't designed as a beast of burden, but at least my plan is working.

The speed isn't what I had hoped, but with the harbor on fire I doubt we will be chased. It takes me several minutes to tow the ship out of the harbor, but then it gets harder. Normally I can ignore the waves because I am under them, but the ship isn't.

Everytime it gets hit by a wave I get pulled upwards as well, which messes with my swimming. It is still working, but it is a lot harder than I thought it would be. Still, as long as I manage to get the elves away safely then everything will be worth it.

However, after a few hours I am completely exhausted and I have to take a break. After switching back to an elven warrior I climb the anchor chain to get back on the ship. As soon as I climb over the railing I just collapse on the deck, too spent to move.

Silverstream says "Tell me, just what are you?"

"I am a shapeshifter, among other things."

Silverstream says "What are you planning to do with us?"

"Take you back to your people, just like I said."

Silverstream says "Are you even an elf?"

"No, but I didn't have time to try and convince you to trust me."

Silverstream says "If you are not an elf, what are you?"