Myron, Dakini, Mery, and Syl followed Marissa down the opposite way to the stairs that led below. They went up, into a small bell tower that overlooked the Stump, the part of the city sequestered atop the growth on the Great Oak. From there, they took another set of stairs down, and into the gap between walls.

They moved in a single file down through the dark maze, only the sound of their breaths and their footsteps in their ears. Myron begun to grow sweaty and stuffy as time passed, the maze of turns making his head spin. Until they truly begun to spin down a set of spiral stairs that seemed to go on forever.

That forever lasted for about five entire minutes, which seemed short in retrospect but had Myron holding the wall to keep himself standing. They came to an underground tunnel that went in a mostly straight line, lit up with small mosses and mushrooms that shone blue and green in the absolute darkness.

They walked for a long time in that tunnel until Marissa stopped in a cubed space that fit them all side by side, standing tall. Myron stretched his hands above his head and barely avoided touching the ceiling. His back cracked from the top to the bottom, in no uncertain terms informing him that despite his increased attributes, his muscles needed to get stronger, and quickly.

“This is as far as I go. Step through this little room and take a left if you want to go South, take a right if you want to go North and East and go Forward if you want to go to the West.”

“Thank you for everything, Marissa.” Myron said and moved forward with Dakini and Mery, scouting the path ahead, which grew more narrow and shorter, making Myron truly question if he should not spend his free attribute points just yet. His body had already grown a lot in a week, of little and haphazard rest and diet, if he got into a routine he would make it flourish. He persuaded himself. What was a little discomfort and pain?

Syl was left behind with Marissa, to have a talk as private as they could make it.

“Thank you so much. You’ve re-ignited hope within me.”

Marissa’s eyes dropped, as did her ears to the sides. “It’s unfortunate what happened to your Trainer. Damien I think. The Guild didn’t manage to protect him.”

Syl hesitated. “It is heartbreaking. I haven’t gotten over it. But Life is interesting as of late. I don’t want to give it up just yet.”

“I am gladdened to hear that Syl. Truly. It’s not easy to lose the ones you love.”

“It never is and yet we’ve all experienced it at one point or another.” Syl nodded. “But we live another day. Who knows what we may come to experience if we keep taking breath, keep stepping forward, keep getting out of bed every single day.”

“Those are fighting words Syl. I’m happy for you. As a Priestess of Ilana, with you as one of my Children. I can say I’m glad to see such the mindset you carry yourself with. Keep a close watch over Myron, he’s an unpredictable fellow for sure, but I believe he will make it far.”

“I’ll do my Absolute Best as his Sword. I won’t fail another, not ever.” Syl’s words held a cool; cutting edge to them. A seething anger held back from pure Control and self-awareness at those that hunted her trainer once. With the knowledge that when they found out she still lived, with the Clan’s secrets and heritage still out there, they would come again. To take everything from her, or worse try and corrupt it.”

“Myron won’t be corrupted into giving you away. He is not that kind of Human.”

“I know he isn’t. Yet even those most Loyal to their beliefs may one day fall if they are betrayed, if they are heart, or if their life loses meaning. I wonder what would Ilana do, should her Loyalties be put to question. Guide me, Marissa with a Prayer. Keep me strong for the Land of Baron Gummie is not a kind one.”

Marissa did not anger at the slight to her Goddess, nor did she see the message that Syl so desperately tried to convey. Maybe she would one day in the future. She took Syl’s hands and kissed them whispering words in a tongue long forgotten, taught to her by the Goddess herself, or passed down through word of mouth. No written Text had survived the Ancient War that brought the word to Heel.

When Marissa finished they said their goodbyes, Marissa had taken too long. As Syl was about to leave the room she turned around. “White Priestess.” She called out and the Woman turned around.

“I met Kumara, Protector of the Kitsune in the Forgotten Temple of Great Oak. She came upon Myron while he initiated his Class ceremony. She warned me, that the Gods where divided. Spoke of a Long standing friendship and rivalry to the Goddess I worship. As their lives both dealt with Trust, and Love. If you ever wish for more support, or more knowledge. Pray to her too. She is not unkind.” Syl scampered off and after Aimon heading forward into the darkness of the Tunnel.

Marissa halted. Confusion flashing across her eyes before she shook it off. She rushed back to the Guild. Davosh would require her to get those Guards to truly return to their Palace. They had all been saved by her at some point and such debts could never be repaid. If she said that there was never a Myron in the Guild, then there never was.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Myron pushed open the wooden doors and they snapped, slamming on the floor away from the staircase and letting light finally fill his vision once again. He stepped out into the small shed, empty and left in disrepair.

Mery, Dakini, and Syl followed.

“I wonder how they found out that we where in the Guild.” He finally said as he stepped outside and sprawled himself on the soft grass growing just a few steps away from the opened doors of the shed.

“Unfortunately for us, your name and our appearances had been made clear to half the Craftsmen in their District the night before, moments before the kidnapping.” Mery was the one to answer.

Dakini picked up. “If the investigators had half a mind to find the truth they would have matched the times, and realized that we could not have been at the palace at the same time.”

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“So they found out we where in the Tavern. How did they know where we went afterwards with what we pulled?” Myron scratched his head.

“They could have special investigation methods that we don’t know about? Aimon are very versatile creatures with infinite possibilities if seen in their entirety.”

“Dumb Princess.” Myron punched the grass and moaned.

“HARRUMPH!” Came the snort and Myron snapped his head back. Syl brought out her claws while Dakini transformed into a bulwark with two massive stumpy legs.

“It’s actually Rhamon, who placed helped me place a simple tracking device on your you people who divulged the information. For a while we thought that something had broken, or that you were simply splitting up, hoping that the Aimon wouldn’t be recognized.” The Princess was there, in all her arrogant glory, with Rhamon standing by her side, one palm resting on the pommel of his blade.

Myron stood, now looking at the both of them right-way-up. “What are you doing here?”

“Using the chance you created by going to the Guild of all places and hiding somewhere within it, to escape that horrid fate once and for all.”

“Very forthright of you to answer truthfully. Not worried about the relationship you have with Rhamon getting out?”

It was the princess’s turn to be shocked.

“Stay away from us, Cow-girl. And you Lover Bull. Don’t you think you’re going too far with this stunt? What are you doing here? Are you so adamant to lock us in prison? And you, Kentauros, You have a job to protect her, don’t you?” Myron said, stepped slowly behind Dakini, in between Mery and Syl.

Rhamon flared his nostrils and snorted a gust of hot air, his grip on his sword tightening.

“That’s right. We’re going against the will of everyone. My Royal Father and Mother, my brothers, sisters, cousins, my betrothed and his father, all the allies of the Court. We’re breaking every rule, hiding it under the ruse of kidnapping, thankfully my oldest brother couldn’t resist the temptation and tried to have me assassinated, giving me just the excuse when Rhamon was there to stop his attempts.”

“You know nothing, and that which you do know changes nothing. Your words won’t hurt me. I love Rhamon. And I have want to live my life with him. Neither the Royal Palace nor the Ducal Palace are what I want. I won’t be caged, I won’t be held down. I’ll live my life the way I want to.”

Myron crossed his arms in front of his chest. “I can respect that.” He grumbled. “And yet what I can’t respect is, you, implicating me and my people into your problems. If you want to live a life of freedom you should be the one making the sacrifices, not others for you.”

“I know. I was escaping. That was my one shot, but you where there. With your Aimon all out of their Tether. I just assumed you knew who I was and what I was doing, or that you were there to kill me, another one sent by my brother.”

“Were we so threatening? Did that momentary delay, truly destroy your chances of escaping? Be honest here.” Myron pressed and the Princess retreated half a step.

“Alright. You’re correct. I won’t try and excuse my actions further. It is unbecoming of me. I was caught off guard, the quickest decision I could make was throw you under the bridge and save my chances for another day. I’m sorry.”

Myron nodded. “It’s fine. I’ll take it as a learning opportunity and move on. Apology accepted.”

The princess shook her head and bowed deeply. “No, I’m truly Sorry. Please Kidnap me.”

“EH!?”

“WHAT?”

“Hahahahah!” Dakini howled in laughter while Myron leaned on Syl for support, but she was tittering on the edge too.

“Say that again? No actually, fuck that. Don’t say it again. Don’t speak.” He collected himself.

“Rhamon you in on this?” He asked the bull swordsman and he nodded. “You’re being chased as we’re speaking aren’t you?”

“Maybe. They don’t check on me that often. But it is nearing noon, and lunch will be brought to my quarters soon.” The Princess responded, her eyes earnest as she looked at Myron.

“You want to use me, even more. You want to make me a national fugitive essentially. I don’t mind specifically, since I don’t know the level of cat and mouse hunts that entails. But more than anything. What are you offering?”

“Myron!” Syl snapped.

“You’re right.” Myron raised his palms defensively. “We should talk about it before hand. Give us five.” He said and huddled up with the other three.

“I get it that you’re apprehensive of this deal.” Myron talked to Syl.

“No, I don’t know. I’m conflicted.” Now it was the turn of Myron and the rest to be surprised out of their skin once more. Syl twiddled her thumbs, and looked sheepishly to the ground. Embarrassed and a bit shaken.

“I see.” Myron nodded.

“You do?” Mery turned to him.

“I understand. You relate to him, but don’t want to take on the danger.” Myron nodded.

“Exactly. Myron, we can’t do this. It’s wrong and bad decision making on every level. But.” She hesitated. “I would’ve done anything to protect Damien. I understand Rhamon perfectly. He has found a chance to align his goals with those of another Trainer, who seems capable if looked at externally.”

“Hey.” Myron frowned.

“Not that you aren’t. Just speaking about the rarity of your Aimon. People know we are rare, it speaks to your credit that you have us all. ‘Captured’.” Syl explained.

“So what do you want?” Mery asked Syl. “Because I want to go with them. I hate it that she is being forced into a life she does not want.” She said and Dakini nodded along.

“I agree. I am willing to support Rhamon and Hana’s love. I think, it’s naive, and romantic, but… I want more of that in my life. I can’t turn a blind eye to the injustice that her family is doing to her.” She said her peace and it was time for Myron to take the stand.

“I for one, think that it’s a very rash decision. One that will set in stone our future in this Empire at the very least. If we ever want calmer more steady lives we’d have to travel to the Champion’s Empire, because to Jupiter’s I’m not going, or maybe out in the wild somewhere. This is big, and we don’t have too much time to think.”

“Yet you are not denying your interest in it.” Dakini caught on and smiled.

“Can’t say I am. I am terribly interested in other details that may come out of this grouping.” Myron nodded.

“What can they offer us that will make this deal sweeter?” Dakini asked with a knowing frown. Mery did as well as they all caught onto what Myron was thinking. Mery specifically turned serious as she turned to Rhamon with beastial hunger in her eyes.

“Exactly right you two. Davosh’ words still ring in my head even now. This is an opportunity, to claim it we need to risk something.”

“But what can they truly offer, Myron?” Syl asked. “Is it worth the potential of death? We will be Fugitives. Who knows what they’ll send after us!” She argued.

“Too many things. If she is willing to betray her family completely and divulge all the secrets they have, related to skills, training methods, Abilities, Aimon traits, habitats, political information. Rhamon’s swordsmanship, dietary information, recipes, and who knows what else?” Myron responded and then he stopped speaking, turning to the Bonds.

‘And of course. If she’s willing to give us all that. Then she’ll truly have betrayed the Emperor. The Petulant anger of a young wife forced into a marriage for political reasons is a good enough explanation for patriarchal nobles to accept I feel, but divulging state secrets? No, the ruse will be over the moment we clash blades with the enemy. They will know she has broken confidentiality. She will be a criminal just as much as we. She can’t just abandon us and go hide somewhere in the country side them, for her poster will be one those walls as much as ours. I hope so at least.’ Myron added, speaking those words deliberately through the Bond.

They broke the huddle and turned around. Myron faced them with his chest held high. “You got all that Rhamon?” He asked and the bull raised his brows, nodding.

“What do you say then? Princess?”

“I’ll give it all. I don’t care what the Empire thinks of me. Every little secret, from Training, to treasures, to techniques, to battle tactics, to swordsmanship, and riding. Everything that me and Rhamon can offer, in knowledge and training. We will. For you and your Aimon both.”

“Alright! Now we’re in agreement Princess.” Myron clapped. “Royal Secrets can’t really be denied if given so freely. Nice to meet you then. I’m Myron.” He offered her his hand.

“I’m Shinka Hana. Fourth Princess of the Shinka Empire.” She shook it.