William

This kid was slightly agitating, not that we wouldn't have been best friends under different circumstances. He was just, well, getting in the way and rather obvious about it. I could understand somewhat and that eased my frustration toward him. He'd been raised, as far as I could see, thinking of Bonita as a fellow warrior and to see her so close to someone and being so tender and loving would be, uncomfortable for him to say the least.

He wanted to come with us, I personally thought it would be a mistake but I wasn't going to stop this kid from coming along since I knew he'd just follow us if we told him he couldn't.

We were approaching the gates into Westport, we had to stop for supplies before continuing on to the cache, that and I hoped to find Randy and bring him. Anuja looked a little concerned.

"Are you sure it's safe to go in there?" He asked. "I've heard stories of this place."

I glanced over at him, "It's safe as long as you are with me and we are gone before nightfall or at least not in the dark district, but if you're too scared you could make your way around the city and wait on the other side."

My comment made Bonita's face pale but Anuja just tried to look unafraid, "I'm not scared."

I smirked, yes he was just a kid trying to play warrior but maybe I could train him too. He seemed like Randy a little but less serious and more devoted to mischief. My father found a way to train Randy, perhaps I could teach this kid. I knew Bonita would appreciate it.

"Stop there, what's your business in Westport?" A man asked.

I knew a little more than I had let on about what had been happening to Bonita's people and I let it slip so we could get back in, security seemed abnormally tight today and I'd need a good excuse.

"Can't you see I'm transporting slaves for the market?" Anuja didn't currently have his staff but now he looked like he wished he had it. I turned back and whispered, "Just don't say anything and if they come back don't look them in the eye, I'll explain in a minute."

Bonita looked confused but only because she evidently didn't know the extent of slavery her people were in.

The guards came closer and Bonita easily passed off as a slave since she'd been running and hiding with me more. Anuja wanted to defy it and attack, so I had to act. I hit him across the face, much harder than I intended, and knocked him clean from the carriage. I jumped down and put my dagger to his throat before he had a change to recover.

"Give anyone a look like that again and I'll slit your throat," I said menacingly. He didn't move, he didn't speak. I was afraid for a moment that he wouldn't stand back up, but he did and he sat down without fighting.

Bonita whispered something in his ear and he visibly relaxed. The guard looked shocked but believed it, "You can pass." The guard started walking but to his post but turned back, "On second thought, take the kid to the slave market but bring the girl to the polital ball tonight. I'm certain some of the delegates there would love to have her," He chose his word carefully, "Entertain them."

I laughed with him and continued inside the city. Once out of ear shot I spoke to Anuja, "Sorry about that. They would have killed you without a moment's hesitation whether they thought you were a slave or not giving them that look. The only thing a slave did for you was make it less likely cause they'd have had to pay me for my losses. Don't worry we aren't actually going to the slave market."

We made our way to the market district and to a good friend of mine's office. I walked inside and smirked.

"William!" The man exclaimed. Vahn Grey was in excellent physical condition, considering he was such a wealthy merchant. "What brings you back this way? I'd heard you left town."

I nodded, "I had before that let me introduce you to some friends." Bonita and Anuja walked in, "This is my g--," I was going to say girlfriend but I caught on this word because of the brother. "Good friend Bonita and her brother Anuja." Everyone in the room, including Anuja, knew what I was going to say so it had done little good.

Grey smirked, "Very nice." He shook each of their hands.

"This is a very old friend of mine, Vahn Grey," I continued. "I need supplies for--" I was interupted by the door opening and I didn't turn around.

"Vahn Grey," I recognized the low, deep voice. "I need some information. Who are they?"

I knew the voice and I wanted to turn around and stab him through the heart but I calmly turned around and he looked half in shock, "Shilon, it's good to finally meet you again."

"William?" He was not sure his eyes told the truth. "So you were the shadowed warrior that killed the Keilranny(sp?) king."

I nodded, "Maybe we can help each other."

He tried not to look like he cared I was alive, "What could you possibly offer me?"

"My skills," I said calmly. "You know I'm better than you. I just wasn't using a sword last time we fought."

He gave no argument but made a face of disgust, "And what can I give you?"

"Mira's location."

"Never."

"Then I will never help you recover your precious daughter," I turned back to Grey.

A strong hand fell on my shoulder and spun me around, "Why do you want to know where she is?"

"She is where Randy is," I answered. "Like you were with my father, I and Randy are. I fear they might be in danger as well."

"From what?"

"I don't know exactly," I spoke quietly. "All I know is that if the seekers call someone master, they are not likely a good person."

Shilon didn't answer, "I'll tell you where they are likely to appear. They have been pretending to be people other than themselves."

"The polital ball," Bonita and Anuja said in unison.

Shilon nodded, "I do not know for certain they will go but they might. Other than that I have had difficulty playing my role for the Order and keeping tabs on her."

"I'll be back Grey," I turned to walk out.

"Wait," I stopped and turned back. Grey tossed my a small whistle. "If you need help blow on that."

I handed the whistle to Bonita, "She needs it more. Let's go."

We left and made our way to the place we had been staying when I was a noble, the place had been paid for several months so it should be mine still. Better costumes and identities needed to be worked out.

(Pardon if I made any incorrect assumptions.)