10 Find Her

He crosses his arms and sulks. I withhold another sigh, barely. I pick myself off the ground. Trying to pat the rooftop grit off of me, instead, I spread more dirt.

"Well, regardless of your age, you did help me," I said. "So thank you, I wouldn't have gotten away on my own."

He continues to sulk like he didn't hear me. I pinch his cheek to get his attention.

"Ow!" he rubs his reddening cheek and glares at me. I have to stop myself from laughing at his pouty red face. I don't hide it well. He pouty face deepens when he notices the laughter in my eyes.

/So cute!/ I resist the urge to pinch his other cheek.

"Truly, thank you. You helped when no one else would. It takes bravery to do what you did."

He still pouts, but his chest slowly inflates with pride. It's too cute, and I bit my lip so I wouldn't say something to ruin his boyish pride.

I put a hand on a cocked hip and say, "You plan on telling me your name little hero, or should I keep calling you kid?"

His shoulders slump, "I'm not a kid," he insists. I raise an eyebrow and keep staring, "And I'm not little," he grumbles. When I continue to say nothing, he gives in, "Ivo."

I hesitate, choosing to use my actual name, "Call me Emma. So Ivo, why did you help me? From the way everyone ran for their lives, it's not the first time something like that happened. You would have been better off leaving me at their mercy."

His expression turns thunderous but clears quickly. He shrugs his shoulders, "It's the right thing to do."

I didn't believe him for a second, but I wasn't about to push him on it. For someone so young to make such a dark expression; his story isn't a happy one.

The shadows on the trees stretch as the day nears its end. I'm about to tell Ivo I'm leaving when he blurts out, "you can stay with us. Those guys control the people here. They're probably looking all over the place for you. Since it's not safe, how about you stay with us for the night."

"Who's us?" I ask.

He smiles, "A few friends. Come on. You will like them."

I look up at the slowly darkening sky uncertain.

/Well, it's not like I know the way back./

"Wouldn't it be worse to stay in the town they are looking for me in?"

"It's fine, we are not staying in town," he says mysteriously.

____________________

Irvin finishes a round of sparring with Lark when Scias comes tearing toward them. He is panicking and doing a lot of hand waving that tells Irvin nothing. Irvin resists the desire to yell at him to speak. Instead, waits for Scias to collect himself.

/I do military tactics. People are too erratic and irrational to bother with them any more than necessary./

"Pri-Prin-Princess!" Scias shouts.

Irvin tenses, "What about the Princess?" He looks behind Scias toward the wayoc. The cubed room's door is gapping — the inside empty of anyone.

Irvin head pounds in a fury. He clenches his teeth to hold back a string of curses that would make the most veteran warrior proud.

/I'm Commander of these men; I cannot lose control./

He presses down his fury with difficulty. He rushes over, enfolding his large frame through the doorway, he tries to figure out what happened to her. He knew at first glance she voluntarily left. Nothing is out of place. Leaving no sign of a struggle happening. He, once again, wrestles with anger.

/Of all the stupid...how did she even?/ He cuts off the thought. There is no time to evaluate how a mageless woman ran off without three highly trained Elite soldiers noticing. Rather, focusing on the next plan of action.

The cheep gora stone is only useful when close enough to the target. As it currently lays silent, they have no other option than to search until it reacts which is an ineffective and time wasting method. Irvin fears she will run into danger before they find her. This is the territory of the akumon, a long reptilian beast that scuttles on the ground with six legs. A long flowing neck used to strike and even longer tail used to strangle the life out of prey.

/If we return to the king without his daughter in perfect health than our head will roll./ Irvin quickly gathers everyone at the thought.

"The Princess is missing. Lark, Andri, and I will look for her immediately. Scias watch base."

"Yes, Commander," Lark and Andri respond at the same time.

"This servant understands," Scias replies.

Without further wasting time, they climb onto their pleos and leave in search of the Princess.

/I will not lead my men to their deaths because a sheltered princess fancies herself an explorer./