It was worse than bad.

The Golden Guard was out in force, raising the alarm and looking for the princess. People were coming out of their houses to see what the ruckus was about, which gave us a little cover to cut through.

We stopped at an intersection and Garm was looking north and east.The port was to the east, but there were also a lot of guards clustered around the gate. They were thoroughly checking each person who was trying to leave.

“What do we do now?” I nodded towards the gate. “There’s no way we get through that with them.”

“There’s always a way.” Garm started walking north, further away from the center of town where the castle stood.

The old castle, the one that the princess’ father had ruled from had been destroyed in the failed human coup fourteen years ago when the rebels blew up the tower and it had collapsed on the royal family. Only the princess had been pulled from the rubble alive. Rather than rebuild the tower, a new tower had been erected, one that was golden in color to represent the Golden Senate’s dedication to the city and its rightful ruler.

“You should be worrying less about where we’re going and worry more about where we came from.” Starna nodded at two guards that were looking our way. “I think we’ve developed a following.”

“Then let’s hurry up and lose them!” I shooed the two women after Garm. I glanced to my right as we rounded a corner and saw that the guards were still heading our way. They couldn’t know that the two women with us were the ones they were looking for because they weren’t blowing on their whistles to alert all the other guards. They probably just saw two women together and wanted to check them out.

I groaned as I realized what we were going to have to do.

“Dad!” I hurried around Starna and the princess.

“What?” The Dwarf touched the ax on his hip.

“Guards are going after pairs of women to check them.” I looked at the pair behind us. “We’re going to have to split up.”

“No.” The brunette stepped in front of the princess. “I am NOT leaving her side.”

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“If you don’t we’re going to be caught.” I looked at my father. “You know I’m right.”

Garm was stroking his beard. “The boy has a point.” He looked at the disagreeable woman. “You two double back and make sure we didn’t pick up any curious eyes.” He held up his hand as Starna started to protest. “I’m in charge young lady and you’re sworn to do what’s best for the princess. This is what’s best.”

Starna looked at princess Alessa for support, but the princess nodded her head. “If sir Garm thinks this is the best way, then we should do it.”

“What’s the plan for getting out?” I glanced over my shoulder.

“Gladstone’s Jewelry.” My father nodded to the northeast part of the wall. “Make it there and you’ll be set. If you get there before I do, tell Gladstone who you are and that you need out of the city. If he fusses, remind him who your father is.”

“Gladstone’s Jewelry, gotcha.” I motioned for Starna to follow me as I started back down the alley.

I heard her light footsteps behind me and her grumbling under her breath. I made one more alley turn and almost ran right into the two guards that had been interested in us.

“Whoa!” One of the white eyed Elves reached for his sword while his partner held up a hand.

Starna came around the corner and stopped behind me. I tried to put a stupid look on my face and grabbed the woman around the waist.

“If yer lookin’ fer a gewd time, ‘iss ones mine.” I faked a stumble as I leaned closer to her.

“You’re a dead man.” The tanned woman whispered in my ear.

“Where is your companions?” The guard with his hand on his sword eyed me.

“Finden a quiet place…” I held up a finger to my lips. “Shhh!” I started laughing as I pulled away from Starna.

“We’ll need to verify your identification.” The other guard held out his hand. “Cards please.” He nodded at my companion. “And take that off your head.”

What he wanted were our cards that identified who we were. Everyone on the planet was supposed to have one and keep it on them at all times. I could easily fish mine out of my pocket, but I wasn’t sure if Starna had a fake one or not.

I started patting myself down and continued to slur. “I know ‘iss here sumhare.” I turned my back to them so I could look at Starna. “Do you have it?”

The subtle nod was all I needed to know that she didn’t have a fake one.

“I got et!” I took a step forward as I spun around, bypassing the guard with his hand out and getting closer to the one with his hand on his sword. “It’s right here!”

I was able to draw my sword before the other guard. One horizontal slice was all it took to take him out. I spun around to see that Starna was sitting on top of the other one, a dagger in her shoulder and one in his throat.

I shook my head. “Well, this isn’t going well.”