The cold wind howled through the mountain range, nearly picking Sonhu up off his feet. The tattered cloak he wore flapped wildly like it was desperately trying to escape. He stumbled and almost lost his bearings. He looked over the edge of the path that cascaded down the steep drop off of the mountainside, down where a river lay far below.

Sonhu's heart quickened and his chest tightened as he clung to the wall. He stood there motionless for moments. The narrowing path is ever more daunting. Four other figures continued their way along the path ahead of Sonhu.

All four of them were Talmari. Tall, broad figures, with a full coat of white fur and black tiger stripes. The two in the front were full-grown Talmari. The two following adolescents were the most recent litter of the first two. All four were trudging their way through the snow-covered trail. Behind all of them, the runt of the litter.

One of the adolescents turned back. Upon seeing Sonhu clinging to the wall, she began trudging back, stumbling through the wind and snow. The other adolescent turned. He then shouted,

"Leave him!" His voice was a frustrated growl fighting the wind. Barely audible, "He's not going to make it."

Still, the other adolescent made her way to Sonhu. Myeo finally made it to Sonhu and wrapped her arms around him comfortingly.

"We have to keep going." She told Sonhu. The wind crashing against the mountain nearly drowned out her words.

"I can't!" Sonhu cried out, clinging to his sister tightly. He dug his face into the comfort of her shoulder.

"Yes, you can." She told him, "I know you can."

Sonhu looked up at her. Despite being the same age, both his siblings were already so much bigger than he was. Sonhu saw tears well up behind her eyes. She's the only one who will miss me when I'm gone. Sonhu thought to himself as he dug his face into her shoulder again, seeking her comfort, her warmth. She leaned into his ear and whispered to him,

"Be strong… for me… and above all else be strong for yourself."

She then pulled away from the embrace and began making her way up the mountain once again. Sonhu closed his eyes. A momentary blink, but when he opened them again, he was alone. Lying on the cold stone floor. He sat up and stretched. His muscles were tight and sore.

A few days had passed in this… void. Ketra came every so often, bringing food and water. Conversations were sparse, but Sonhu knew she watched him. Whenever he began to grow hungry, give it an hour, and she would return with some bread, or on one occasion, she brought a small basket of apples. Sonhu wondered where she got the food, but figured a question like that would cause a strain on this odd, tenuous peace that he had maintained.

She had also brought him a cloak in one of her latest appearances. It was a soft, gray cloak. Far nicer and cleaner than any he had owned in his entire life. He wrapped himself in its warmth now. It was the one comfortable thing he had in this cramped space.

The confinement had begun to get to him now. His imprisonment in this room was maddening. There was nothing to do. How many hours had he already spent staring into the depths of the mist? Imagining what lay beyond their cloudy walls.

Sonhu's ears twitched, and he raised his head. He could hear her footsteps approaching. Her rhythm already memorized. Distinct from the slithering of what Sonhu assumed to be the tendrils. The mist parted, and she strode into the room eloquently. Stopping just a few feet from Sonhu.

Sonhu noted she held nothing. This was the first time that she had come without a gift. Is she finally done with her farce? No. She's hesitant. She has come with intention, but not confidence. Sonhu smirked slightly, amused, then quickly extinguished the emotion in hopes she had not noticed.

Ketra tilted her head at the reaction. Slightly puzzled, but mostly curious. She studied him for a moment, then,

"We're leaving." She told him. She extended her hand out to him. Sonhu considered it for a moment. He then took it and allowed her to help him up. He looked up at her. This was the first time he had been able to actually compare their height standing up, and she was almost a foot taller than he was. She was probably six feet four, and she loomed over Sonhu.

"Where are we going?" Sonhu asked slowly.

"Into the city."

"Alkrun?" Sonhu asked, shocked.

"If that is what you call it." She replied.

The city? He was puzzled. He could not guess at her goal, but above all else… Would it be safe? For him? For others? A spiraling tingling sensation shot through his nerves. Is this a good idea? He wondered to himself. This place was uncomfortable, but there was still some predictability to what Ketra could and would do. This would be a whole new environment… and that was dangerous.

Ketra turned and, as she walked towards the mist, it parted again, but the path stayed open as she made her way through. Sonhu reluctantly followed the path through the fog. Something about it felt wrong. As he walked along the stone floor, it slowly became less like the floor of the temple and more like the stone of the streets of Alkrun.

Sonhu sped up his pace. Walking just a few steps behind Ketra. Eventually, the fog opened up, and they were in an alley. Sonhu noted that they had not passed any of the doors that he had been brought through when the crusaeders took him to the basement. 

Strange. That was all he could conclude; after all, it was futile to discern reason behind the things that seemed to follow. Permeate? Exude from Ketra's presence.

It was night. The moon and stars hung high and beautiful in the sky. Chilly air nipped at Sonhu's nose, but playfully. Fresh, unlike the stale, suffocating cold air of the basement.

From the alleyway, warm, soft light peeked in from the street ahead. Vendors could be heard haggling with customers. Alkrun's famous night market. Buzzing, alive, comforting. Sonhu felt his heart beat back to life. Excitement and longing flowed through him, but he remained composed.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Ketra's face don a soft, contented smile. Something born of a warm pride. She had clearly caught onto his emotion. She had an unnatural ability to sense emotions, but did not seem to be able to fully discern thoughts. How much can she tell? Or read, or whatever it is she does? She then began making her way down the alleyway. Sonhu looked back towards the mist, but it was gone. All that remained was the dead end of the alley. Sonhu turned and followed Ketra. 

As they entered the main street, they were immediately enveloped by the vibrance of the market. It felt like… life and color flooding back into the muted dream Sonhu had been living for the last few days.

I could slip away. The thought seemed to jump at him. He had the opportunity. He could slip away in the buzz of the market. Ketra was somewhat distracted by the life of it, looking confused and out of place amidst the crowd of the market.

No. Even if I manage to escape the market, she'll find me again. She's clearly persistent, and if I leave now, who's to say what harm she could cause here, looking for me?

An aroma wafted through the air, enticing. Sonhu's stomach growled, betraying a hunger he had not even realized. He turned. Meat. He approached the vendor, his mouth beginning to water. It was a small booth. Selling all sorts of appetizing meats. The cooked lamb caught Sonhu's attention the most. He reached to his side, only to realize he had no copper on him.

Disappointment settled upon his stomach. Teased and unsatisfied.

"Something caught your eye, boy?" The vendor asked with a smile. He was human with a big bushy mustache, chubby arms, and a hearty laugh.

"I'm afraid I don't have the money." Sonhu said, giving a melancholic smile, "Maybe next time."

He responded with an understanding grunt. Turning his attention to another customer who had appeared.

"Is there something you want, my kitty?" Ketra's voice whispered to him, sending shivers down his spine. Sonhu turned, and there she was standing above him.

"Uh…" Sonhu had never seen how she acquired things and was concerned with what she might do to the vendor. "No… I'm fine."

Ketra stared at him. Her gaze piercing and uncomfortable. She then turned to the vendor and said,

"Excuse me, Mister." Her voice a chilling purr.

"Yes, Ma'am?" The man said as he wrapped something and handed it to the other customer. Turning, he asked, "How can I help you?"

"I would like some of the…" She pursed her lips as she scanned the selection. She then glanced at Sonhu quickly and then pointed at the lamb he had been eyeing and said, "That." 

She then lifted a bag and set a gold coin on the counter.

"That'll be enough for it, won't it?" The vendor looked up at her, a little shocked.

"Why… yes, of course." The vendor took the coin, quickly wrapped up the lamb, and gave it to Ketra. Sonhu watches in surprise. Ketra handed the lamb to Sonhu and then continued to wander the market. Sonhu looked over the lamb in his hands. He took a bite out of it.

Warm. Juicy tenderness graced his tongue. When was the last time he had had a warm meal? Even before the priest, he had still only had the occasional jerky. This delicacy was a welcome comfort.

Sonhu found a barrel off to the side of the market. He sat on it and ate the lamb. Each bite was another taste of heaven. His meal was interrupted when he heard a familiar voice.

"Sunny?" A slightly high, but rough voice called out in confusion. Sonhu's ears perked, and a smile dawned on his face. He looked up, searching the crowd, and then beside him, the tiny goblin appeared.

"Gyl!" Sonhu cried out, happy to see his friend. He was shocked to be greeted by a grim expression on the yellow goblin. Sonhu smile faltered

"How yeh a'live boy?" The goblin said, punching Sonhu in the thigh. "Thouchu' wer dead."

"Oh, the crusaeders were just checking up on the job. You know, making sure it was complete so I could get my payment." Sonhu said quickly. Diffusing the situation quickly, not wanting to cause concern or get Gyl'dr mixed up with… Ketra.

"Chekin' on yer job?" The goblin replied, confused and exasperated. "D'yuh spect me to believe it takes six moons to get payment?" The goblin said, crossing his arms.

"Well… I was also doing other stuff…" Sonhu began. Six months? I don't know how to explain this one away, but I can't let him get entangled in my situation. "I went to—"

"Don' lie tuh me, Sunny." He interrupted with a seriousness Sonhu had never seen in him. "I know yuh too well tuh fall fer yer cheap words. Give me the truth." He said sternly.

"It's a delicate situation—" Sonhu started.

"Yer in trouble. Wit who? Crosses?" 

"Maybe. I don't know, I'm not sure." Sonhu said his tail twitching.

"Yuh don know? How don yah know?" Gyl'dr's questions sharp and pressing.

"I don't know, it's complicated!" Sonhu snapped, standing up. Gyl'dr took a step back. Guilt stung Sonhu's heart. "I don't know. I have bigger issues than the crusaeders, and as far as I know, the ones after me are dealt with." He added softly.

"Dealt wit how? An wha bigger issues?" Gyl'dr's eyes pleading, "I wanna help yuh, Sunny. Rea'ly, I do."

"I'm afraid this is something too big for you—" Sonhu felt a sudden chill run down his spine, and then,

"What's going on here?" Ketra's voice was soft but piercing. She stood over Gyl'dr, towering over the small goblin. Gyl'dr turned and looked up at the woman. Taking a few steps back and bumping into the barrel Sonhu had been sitting on moments before.

"An' jus who are yah!" Gyl'dr said to Ketra, startled by her presence. Ketra tilted her head and studied the goblin. Then she turned to Sonhu and asked,

"What is this thing, Sonhu?" His name sounded strange coming from her. She had only repeated it back to him when they first met. Before Sonhu could respond, Gyl'dr was quick to interject.

"Sunny yah know this wo'man?" He asked, looking at Sonhu.

"I—" Sonhu began,

"Sunny?" Ketra repeated Gyl'dr's words, eyeing Sonhu.

Gyl'dr's glance shifted between the two quickly. His mouth slightly agape, his eyes narrow.

"Who are yah?" He asked Ketra directly, skepticism soaking his words. Ketra's posture shifted slightly at his words. She stood a little taller. Her face became stern.

A chill ran down Sonhu's spine. His neck fur stood on end. Sonhu noticed a distant mist began to rise from the ground, thin and wispy. Sonhu looked between the two. He then jumped between the two. Facing Gyl'dr and blocking the path between him and Ketra.

"She's my traveling companion," Sonhu told Gyl'dr.

"Travelin' companion?" Gyl'dr said, stopping in his tracks, "Since when?" He asked

"A few months ago. She got me out of the mess with the crusaders." Not technically a lie. Sonhu thought to himself.

"Yah mess wit duh crosses?" He asked, perplexed. Disbelief and concern stained his face. "How?"

"I failed the end of my deal with the crusaeders." Sonhu answered quickly, "She was able to compensate the church for my freedom."

"Why'd she wanna do tha'?"

"She… We have a complicated history. I've known  her for a while." Sonhu replied. Gyl'dr's eyes narrowed once again. He then tried to walk past Sonhu towards her, but Sonhu blocked him and held him back. Gyl'dr withdraws, shocked and hurt.

"What's she got on yah?" He asked, hurt. "This ain—"

"God dammit, just leave!" Sonhu shouted at him. Knives stabbing at his heart. "I don't need your help. For your own good, just… go."

Hurt. Confusion. Fluctuated and clouded Gyl'dr's face. He opened his mouth to speak. Then he closed it, shaking his head. With one last painful glance, he turned away from his friend and then disappeared into the market street.

A few people who had started to watch the fight turned their heads and went back to what they were doing.

Sonhu, with heavy dread weighing on his shoulders, turned to face Ketra. Her face was strewn with conflicting thoughts and emotions. Her stern eyes watched the crowd, undoubtedly following Gyl'dr. Sonhu moved close to her, hesitated, and then said to her,

"Please don't hurt him." His voice cracked as he pleaded. Her gaze did not falter. "Please… He's not a threat. He won't do anything." His pleas were seemingly unheard. Tears welled in his eyes as his voice hitched. "I'll do anything, just let him live." Slowly, she turned to him and considered. Finally, she asked,

"If I let him live, you won't run?"

"Yes… Yes, I won't run." Sonhu agreed desperately. Hope bloomed in his heart. Even if he had hurt Gyl'dr, it might not be all for naught if he could keep him safe. She pondered for a moment.

"We will need to go far… disappear from here." She said quietly, "You will follow?"

Sonhu hesitates. Then said, "I will follow." Ketra nods approvingly and says,

"Let's go, my kitty." She then turned and walked down the street. Sonhu took one last look back towards the city market before he followed Ketra down the road and out of the city gate.