Sage stood and hurried toward the kitchen before he could respond. She lingered briefly, peeking over her shoulder before disappearing. Her eyes were wet; he was sure of it.

'We are not done talking, but I see we cannot do it here.'

Picking up on her cue, Silver made an exaggerated stretch and turned his head toward the direction Sage had been constantly focused. A man sat in the corner casually nursing a hot beverage. Too casually, Silver noted.

He was tall and lean and had the distinct mark of someone who could never fully relax—a soldier perhaps. Silver did not know the man, but that in itself was not suspicious. Travelers passed through all the time. They weren't the most marked road to the capital from Lakyle, but they were certainly a road toward the many cities of Birle. What was suspicious was that the man had his gaze trained on the kitchen.

'He is watching Sage.'

Sage exited the kitchen, and the man followed her with his leering eyes. Silver stood to confront the man, but Sage must have sensed his intention because she cut in between them. "Please don't." she said desperately. "You have got to get out of here."

"Is that man bothering you?" Silver indicated the man in the corner.

Sage gave a weak smile. Her eyes were sad. "I can handle him. Now go to your training session. You'll be late."

The Guardian hesitated. Every part of him wanted to thrash the man in the corner, but without Sage's support he would be causing a scene for no reason. He sighed. "Please be careful."

"You too. Don't do anything foolish." Any other day this would have been a tease, but the tone of the brunette was even and serious.

Silver nodded and, on an impulse, hugged her tight. She awkwardly balanced the undelivered plates in her hands as he did so, but she couldn't hide the smile that bloomed on her face.

"Ew!" a small voice rose over the din of conversation.

The tender moment gone, Silver rolled his eyes beneath his hood. He motioned toward the boy to come. "Let's go, Ethyn, we have got things to do."

Ethyn hopped down from the chair where he had seated himself to chat and watch Lily work. The blonde waved cheerily as he departed. "See you soon!"

Her smile faded as Ethyn turned his back. When the pair had left the tavern, Lily caught Sage's attention and motioned her near. "We need to talk," Lily said seriously. The concern was etched in her face.

"Why does everyone 'need to talk' today?" Sage responded sarcastically. She hooked a half smiled and guffawed. "I must be the most interesting woman in the world for so much attention to be lavished on little old me. Or all of you are just so bored you have nothing better to do than bother me."

On any other person, the jab would have stung enough to make them think twice before continuing. However, Lily would not be cowed. She looked the brunette steadily in the eyes until Sage could not stand it.

The shapely waitress yelled above the noise. "Everyone! We will be taking a short break while Launce here plays a few ditties on his mandolin." Sage slapped the man on the shoulder at the table closest to her. His eyes lit up as he grabbed his instrument in the chair next to him.

"Do you mean it?" he asked anxiously. Launce always brought his instrument on these mornings in hopes he would be asked to play. Usually he left disappointed.

"Sure," Sage said with a smile-turned-grimace. She had heard Launce play. He was neither terrible nor great, and she hoped he would not chase off the patrons and anger her bosses. "Knock yourself out."

Launce heartily took up his instrument and, without waiting for further encouragement, launched into a rousing tune about a maiden and her lost love. The two ladies made their way through the kitchen and out back as many joined in heartily on the tune's chorus.

When they reached the stable, Sage turned to her friend and opened her hands wide. "What was so important that you needed to interrupt service?"

Lily hesitated. Her eyes were uncertain, and Sage could see three or four words form on the blonde's lips but end without a sound. "I know you don't trust people," she said carefully.

"That's an understatement," Sage responded darkly.

Lily ignored her. "And I know you like to do things on your own."

Sage could not argue and saw no reason to respond, so she merely shrugged.

"But is there anything you want to tell me?"

"What do you mean?" Sage had a feeling where this was going.

"I talked to Ethyn." Lily spoke softly. The blonde knew that her friend and the boy did not get along. Although Lily felt that their mutual love of Silver should bring them together, it seemed to only wedge them apart. Sage placed her hands on her hips.

"Ugh, Same song, second verse. I suppose he told you some crazy story." Tapping her foot with irritation, Sage sent a small cloud of dust into the air.

"He did tell me quite a tale," the blonde affirmed.

"And do you believe him?"

"I do." Lily responded without hesitation.

Sage's face grew red with anger. Her beautiful eyes darkened into a quiet fury. "You would believe a child over your best friend!? How could you?"

Anticipating this response, Lily remained calm. With a quick temper, the feisty brunette had a reputation for going on the offense. Lily held up her hands with her palms facing out. Her face was a sad smile.

"I remember the angry, scared and elegant woman who entered town over three years ago. She was quick to judge and would have rebuffed our attempts at charity if she hadn't been so desperate. You only stayed with my family and me after I begged you to come in out of the cold. It was obvious you were running from something, but I never asked. So when Ethyn says…"

"I am not a princess," Sage said coldly.

Lily nodded. "Very well," she conceded the point. "You may not be a princess, but you are someone very important." The blonde took her friend's hand in hers. "And I think you are in trouble. I want to help."

Lily's soft tone caught Sage off guard. Growing up had only held accusations of shortcomings, not offers of assistance. At first Sage thought Lily's family was pretending to like her to get something from her, but each and every day Lily showed that she merely wanted to make the world a better place. Today was just another example of why Lily was set apart in Sage's mind. This is why she had to be protected.

However, the brunette could not share the burden without endangering her friend. Without a doubt, Lily would try to fix it and get herself killed. There was no way Sage would risk Lily's innocence.

"I can handle it. I'm just trying to keep everyone safe." Sage answered vaguely. Unable to meet her friend's eyes, she sighed.

Lily could see the conversation was closed. She hugged her friend tightly and whispered in her ear. "But who is going to keep you safe?" Tears rolled down both ladies' cheeks. No one, Sage realized. No one could keep her safe.

She squeezed her friend tightly. "I'll be fine," she lied. "Everything will be fine."

-------------

Launce's third song was finishing when the ladies rejoined the dining room. Plates and cups were empty all over and needed to be cleared. Thanking Launce and paying him a few coins, they went to work and finished clearing down as people filed out to the street. Sage had never been so glad for a midday break. She had packed enough emotion into the morning for a whole week and then some.

Deciding to avoid the road, Sage exited out the back of the inn to head home. In her mind, Sage had already planned her escape to the country of Marek. Even if she went through with the captain's evil plan, Sage would never be able to stay. The town of Rynnlee would hardly forgive her for turning over their hero to be punished. A more vengeful town might even stone her for it. These people would merely turn their backs.

Though this realization stung, she could not blame the villagers. The brunette would still work to protect them, all of them. Sage just needed to grab her money, a little food and a change of clothes and leave before the captain could carry out his plan. No one would know she was gone until it was too late.

Entering her house, Sage feverishly grabbed a few items, including a knife. She would need it for what she planned to do. No one was going to save Sage except herself. There was only one way out.

The woman was going to fake her own death.