The night passed uneventfully, and the two started towards the town, not saying a word to each other. Cetus, too was oddly silent, not totally understanding the rift between the two-leggers but respecting it.

They reached Gepierreci just as the afternoon hustle and bustle started. People milled about on their daily duties, more than Anaphora recalled now lived in Gepierreci, making it more of a small city than a town. While there was a lot of activity, everyone was sullen. No kids ran around bringing cheer with their smiles and laughter. With barely a word to the other children, they hurried along with their chores or followed behind their parents watching their feet. Adults too were downtrodden; even the most basic tasks seemed arduous.

Breaking the silence that seemed to weigh even heavier on the travellers, Sojourn said, "It certainly looks like these folks could use some good old fashioned entertainment. I am going to find the busiest inn here to offer my talents and find suitable lodging for the lovely Mona. You coming?"

"No," replied Anaphora, "we need more supplies. It is going to be harder to forage for all of us now. Need anything?" Just as she started to think that this would be the perfect opportunity to slip away from the man who has forced his company upon her, he stopped the thought in its tracks.

"Feed for Mona, nuts and seed for Cetus; he would really enjoy that." The squawl confirmed this comment quickly to Anaphora. "Oh, and do not even think about slipping away. I will find you have no doubt about that. Tracking is just one of the many skills us elf folk are naturally gifted with. When you are ready to sit, put your feet up and relax, you will know where I will be"

Rolling her eyes, Anaphora turned on her heel and disappeared into the crowd. It did not take long before Sojourn lost sight of her. "I guess she picked up some skills in the hidden movement department hiding for years," the jongleur commented to himself. He patted Mona's nose, looking after the girl lost in thought.

Mona snorted impatiently, breaking Sojourn out of his stupor. "Okay, okay, we will get you a nice warm stable, old girl. It won't be long." The two moved quickly with the crowd, most parting a bit to give the lead horse some room less they be trodden on. It did not take long for the pair to find what they were looking for.

A sign handing over the door showed a stylized bird in flight; under the bird was written The Swallow. From within wafted mouth-watering smells of a hearty lunch being prepared. Upon entering, Sojourn immediately went to the landlord, informing them of his need for two rooms and a stable. He struck a deal, agreeing to pay with a night of performing. Sojourn's name was well known in these parts; the people he would bring in were more than worth the costs. With the deal struck, Sojourn retired to his room after putting Mona away for the night. The Swallow indeed was a fine establishment. His room was clean and well furnished, sporting a fluffy bed, finely carved writing desk, and even a plush couch. That was more than most inn's typically furnished.

Though he hadn't told Anaphora where he was making accommodations, he was confident she would be able to find him. He didn't know when that may be, so Sojourn took a seat at the desk and began composing a story. Before he knew it, time flew, and it was time to put on another show. With a skip in his step, he left his room and set up in the tavern. The news of his arrival had travelled fast, resulting in a packed room. Sojourn smiled; he loved nights like these. It was always a great crowd. The smile never left his face as he began his show.

***

The hours blinked by, and before he knew it, the tavern was closed for the night. It had been a spectacular night; the only damper was that Anaphora had not returned. With a sigh, Sojourn returned to his room. However, something was not right when he arrived at the door. It was slightly ajar. Someone had broken into his room. In a flowing movement, Sojourn's blades slid from his sleeves into his hands. He carefully nudged the door open with a toe, peering in, ready to attack if someone came at him. Soon, he was inside the room, closing the door behind him with a click. Nothing had come out of hiding yet. He relaxed his guard for a moment, before sheathing one of his blades to set the lamp alight. When the flame flickered to light, he noticed a figure. It was Anaphora. She was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling with her hands behind her head.

"I would have thought you'd pick an inn that had better locks. It was child's play to get in here," Anaphora stated, monotone.

Sojourn was stunned, "I thought you had skipped town, my dear. Though I must say, I am grateful you did not, but I truly thought I'd have to track you down in the morning."

"I considered it," she replied. "I really did, for I have no need nor want of companionship beyond Cetus. However, you did save my life, and for that, I'm grateful. So, for the time being, I'm entertaining the possibility that you could further help me. As payment for the help I already have received, I will help you a touch longer with the story you so want."

Sojourn raised his eyebrows; it wasn't often that he was rendered speechless.

"Well," Anaphora began again, getting to her feet and brandishing a key. "Supplies are in the corner there. I'll be off to my room now. Thanks for the accommodations."

With a wink, she left the room and Sojourn was left alone.

***

"Ana! Ana! Wake up!" The small squawl tried desperately to wake up his human to no avail. A familiar smell had woken him up. What made him so desperate was the strength of the scent. It was much stronger than before. "Please! Ana! Must wake!" Changing his tactics, he jumped smoothly to her hand and bit. Cetus's beak was sharp, and blood welled up where he had pieced skin.

With a jolt, Anaphora leapt out of bed, throwing the poor creature across the room in surprise. "Ouch! What was that?" Her eyes adjusted to the gloom of the room and fixed on the half bird-like creature who had caught himself mid-flight by stretching his elegant wings. "Cetus! I am so sorry! Wait, why did you bite me?"

"We must go! Now! Bad smell. Strong. Lots of them!"

Without another word, the champion swept up her meagre belongings and raced across the hall, breaking through the flimsy lock that held the door shut. Not bothering with discretion, Anaphora yelled for Sojourn to get up and grab his things.

She found him already awake, sitting at his desk with his lute, "what's happening?"

"Cetus smells shadow creatures. Lots, he says. We need to go. Now."

Hands flying, Sojourn was soon packed, and the trio fled the inn. Sojourn motioned for Anaphora to follow him, and they began weaving through the city. From her years of travelling and hiding, she had learned that Shadow creatures were fantastic trackers. Despite this, every time she had a run-in with them, it had taken them a while to find her again. They had never found her this quickly. These thoughts flooded Anaphora's mind as she blindly followed her companion.

"Are they still following us," Anaphora asked Cetus?

The squawl chittered, "yes. Not gaining. Smell not getting closer."

Sojourn took a moment to look back at Anaphora. He saw that her golden eyes were wide with alarm, chestnut brown hair streaming in the wind as they ran. Furthermore, as an elf, he was usually faster than the average human. However, even running close to full speed, he found that Anaphora kept up, seemingly not even breathing hard from exertion. He ran a little faster.

Weaving through the streets, they eventually shot out of the confines of the city. Surrounding Gepierreci was farmland, no different than any other city or town in the region. This was the moment of truth for the small group. If they could breach the trees that grew on the farm's border, they had a chance, for Sojourn had an idea. He pushed harder, moving his long legs even faster, hoping they'd be faster than the creatures that pursued them. Sojourn risked another look back. They were almost halfway through the land when he saw them. There were five. Each creature, black as night, absorbed all light that touched them. They were lean and dog looking, except for the hulking noses that dangled to the ground like an anteater. From one glance, he knew that these creatures would have a powerful sense of smell, but minimal, if any at all, sight. However, at the distance they were, he didn't think they'd make it to the tree line. Still sprinting, Sojourn took in his surroundings. To his left, Sojourn saw a herd of cattle. This gave him an idea. Veering from the trees, he headed for the cows. Soon, they had reached the edge of the waterhole they were drinking from. The bovine shifted nervously as Sojourn and Anaphora barreled towards them.

"Ana," Sojourn gasped between breaths. "Catch your breath at the edge of this pool. Let the shadow creatures get closer; the cow's smell will confuse them. When they get closer, take a deep breath, and we'll jump into the water. Hold your breath for as long as you can, and hopefully, they'll leave and try to find our trail elsewhere."

She nodded in reply, taking long, slow breaths as her heart slowly stopped racing from their run. Cetus leaped from her shoulder, his wing having fully healed and took to the air, circling the pond, "don't worry. Fly here until gone."

Another nod. The pair watched as the creatures drew closer, their noses snuffling along the ground.

Sojourn put a hand on Anaphora's shoulder, "ready?"

A third nod. With a deep breath, the two jumped into the water, just before the cows began to stampede towards the shadow creatures, nervous.

Anaphora knew she could hold her breath for at least a minute. It was an odd skill that she had practiced to build up her endurance with running. She hoped it was enough.

The water was cold and stagnant, causing Anaphora's muscles to seize up in retaliation. She fought to not float to the surface of the shallow pond, barely deep enough to crouch and keep her head submerged. She counted the seconds, her lungs slowly feeling like they were going burst. A minute passed, her body was screaming, crying out for oxygen, but she forced herself to stay submerged. Ten more seconds and she couldn't do it. Her head broke the surface, gasping for air as quietly as she could. As she regained her breath, standing on the bottom of the slew, she took in her surroundings.

The animals had scattered at the approach of the shadow creatures; Anaphora could see the faint outline of the herd huddled around the barn in the distance. Other than the small grouping, she could see nothing else but empty pasture. She sighed with relief, looking to Sojourn, who was busy pulling himself out of the freezing water.

He held a hand out to her with a smile, "now, do you see how helpful I can be? I just saved your life for the second time."

"Let's just get out of here," Anaphora scowled back at him, accepting his hand out of the water. "We'll go back to the tavern to warm yet, but leave right after. Don't want to be endangering the people of Gepierreci any more than I already have."

As they started back towards the town, she started shivering, muscles tight and devoid of warmth. She had to will her legs just to move, and quickly; hypothermia would be the least, but most urgent, of their worries. While they walked, Cetus swooped down and perched on Anaphora's shoulder, saying something about how cold she felt before snuggling into her neck. Anaphora smiled at the little warmth that Cetus provided for her.

Before long, they were back at The Swallow, a fire raging in Sojourns room, changed into dry clothes, their wet ones set out to dry. The trio sat in silence for the longest time, simply staring into the dancing flames.

It was a while before Anaphora finally spoke, "so, Sojourn. You said you know where the weapons of the champion are, didn't you?"

Sojourn nodded, eyes not leaving the thrawl of the fire. Once again, silence prevailed. Anaphora couldn't believe what was going through her mind. She didn't want the weapons, but she also didn't want to endanger innocents. While it hadn't been a pervasive thought, over the last few months before meeting her companions, she had noticed an increase in the activities of the darkness. Time between attacks was becoming more and more frequent, and she was spending less time in towns resting. The time between the creature that attacked Cetus, to the spider-like monster, and finally, the hounds that chased them out of town was the least she's ever seen. She wouldn't be surprised if in the next couple hours or day that they'd be on the run for their lives again. It wouldn't be the same creatures either, nor would there be a pond they could jump in to survive again. She didn't want to be the champion. They always died in such tragedy. That wasn't what she wanted. But, she also didn't want to be on the run for the rest of her life either. It would only be a matter of time until something did claim her life, and then what would she have died for? Anaphora didn't want to die.

The silence prevailed more until Anaphora stood. They had planned to stay one more night, and she thought it may be one of her last in an actual bed. She sighed, collecting her now dry clothing before leaving Sojourn's room. Just before she closed the door, she stopped, then spoke, "let's go get those weapons.