Our horses greets us as we emerge from the forest. Stroking Justice's silky hair I hear Kane making elaborate proposals of his horse not being the traitor he thought his horse was. Wolf stays silent almost blending into the shadows- I couldn't help but feel as if though the shadows were his comfort zone. Maybe they were.

"Wolf will have to share a horse with one of us." I say casting a perfunctory glance at Kane.

"Brilliant." Kane replies morbidly.

Shrugging I turn to Wolf who graces me with his predatory smile.

"I would love to ride with you Drevial." he bows dramatically.

"No she won't." Kane suddenly says.

"If you want Miss Drevial to ride with you, you should've said so." he smiles, "After all a pretty thing like her needs protection."

His tone is husky and low. I almost feel like some sort of prey when I'm around him though everything he says seems to assure of my safety.

"She doesn't need anyone's protection." Kane snarls,"Just because she's a girl doesn't make her weak. Drevial, we got to get going."

"The decision is yours." Wolf adds suggestively.

Sighing I make them both share Kane's dappled grey stallion. I have no time investing myself in their petty fights. Maybe it was also because I think Kane's right. I shouldn't let Wolf make me loose sight of what's important. Faerliss. Faerliss. Faerliss.

I mount my steed and ride off into the sunset.

                                                     *****************************

The tavern reeks of beer and other alcoholic beverages. Big brutish men chugs down brimming glasses of alcohol accompanied by drunken singing and colossal belches. I cringe at the sight of them. How nauseating.

Kane looks even more uncomfortable. Figures considering that he spent his life in the midst of luxury. I actually feel sorry for him. He's sacrificing so much to save his sister. I pat him on the back smiling encouragingly. Fixing a grin on his face, we both follow Wolf to the bar.

Seating myself on a chair Wolf offers me, I wearily observe the bartender. A loud, brusque man with a ratty mustache cleaning the glasses with a dirty clothe. Definitely not Kane's or my kind of place.

"What can I get for ye laddies and the lass?" he inquires.

"Beer for me Arthur." Wolf smirks.

I raise an eyebrow questioningly at Wolf. He actually knows this man?

"As usual." Arthur laughs," what about 'cha friends, lad?"

"Umm, I guess something that's not poisoned." Kane shrugs trying to look as manly as he can.

I sigh as both Wolf and Arthur lets out a peal of laughter. Kane reddens before adding that a beer would him fine. Before they could pressure me to order anything I say that I'll have what the boys will be having. Finally satisfied, Arthur pours three mugs with the bubbling yellow liquid.

I've never drunk before. Wolf looks so accustomed to the drink while he gulps down the concoction. Beside me, Kane takes a dainty sip along with me. The smell is overwhelming while the liquid feels like fire as it went down my throat leaving a bitter aftertaste. Kane meanwhile chokes.

"Are you alright?" I ask thumping his back while Wolf looks very amused.

"It tastes like piss!!!" Kane exclaims suddenly his face flushed red.

Wolf snorts into his drink and I laugh wondering whether I should tell him that I thought so too.

"Well, then you clearly are a city boy." a seductive tone drawls.

I stare in distaste as a gorgeous fiery-headed girl sits between Kane and Wolf at our table. She is everything I'm not: seductive, graceful, looks good in those tight fitted long dresses that were the latest fashion statement.

"May I propose a toast?" she asked setting down her beer mug.

Wolf grins in agreement while Kane shakes his head childishly. I purse my lips I glare at her. I might kill her.

"To the four of us!" she exclaims.

"To the four of us!" we chorus bringing our mugs together in a melodious clink.

i crinkle my face as I take another sip and so does Kane. Is it just me or is she staring at Kane a little too intently.

"Beer isn't really my forte."Kane admits sheepishly.

"It really isn't, isn't it?" she purrs.

"That's what he said already." I mumble.

"I didn't know that you could be defensive." Wolf smiles thoughtfully.

I shrug both him and the girl ,who occupies herself giving me a momentary death stare.

"Anyways," she continues," you don't fit in here, do you?"

Kane gulps. I clench my fists together. If she makes a move on Kane I'll gut her myself.

"So tell me what's a boy like you doing in a place like this- Prince Kane?'

Our faces go white. How does she know?