The fist knocked again.


    The noise pounded softly and with a slight pause in between them. As if it was a warning before something else. The air stiffened. They encountered countless times like this before, but somehow this time felt different.


    White walked over to open the door, Jalems stepped in front of her. “What do you think you’re doing?” he said in a low voice, but she could feel his fury. She noticed blood splattered on his face, she took a step back. “I’m opening the door, clearly they need help.” White asserted, she regained her composure.


    Marie slowly walked closer to her father, ensuring her footsteps did not attract too much noise. She had never seen her father so wild-eyed and panicked, something was wrong.


    “Father what happened to you?” Marie asked, once she was close enough she noticed his face. It looked like messy red paint, she was disgusted and horrified. She grabbed a piece of fabric, and patted it over his face. Before she could finished, he stopped her wrist. Marie found herself always taking care of her father, be it his old age that worried her, among many things. He didn’t make it easy for her. He had a tendency to go off, then return in worse shape than he left. She feared one day he wouldn’t come back.


    A sight left his lips. There was no way he could tell his daughter that because of his actions, that both of them were in serious trouble. The guilt was too much to handle. His one job was to keep her safe, how could he bring himself to admit he put her in danger.


    He released her wrist, she lowered her hand she could tell something was wrong. He wouldn’t make eye contact with her, whenever he didn’t want to tell her something he could never bring himself to look her in the face.


    “I was attacked down by the river, but I’m fine, it’s not my blood,” Jalems said wanting to control the situation. Marie covered her mouth. “By who?” she asked, fear filled her words.


    “I don’t know, I didn’t recognize them. Stop with the questions so I can think” Jalems shouted. His voice echoed in the small space, no one said a word. The silence only heightened the intense situation.


    Marie feared there were more Crimson Guards, her muscles tense, but then she thought, they would have already burst through the door. Maybe it was another attacker sent to finish the job. If these people were after her father, were they after her and everyone else as well. Questions flooded her mind. She buried her knees into the solid floor. Fear hovered over her like rain clouds.


    “I mean no harm, I’m here to help” an unknown voice cajoled from behind the door.


    “We should open it” Tek’mer advised. He didn’t feel they were in any immediate danger. He would usually hear that awful noise cut through his pointy ears, but in this moment he only heard silence.


    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    White snuck past Jalems and swung the door open, her eyes met with Garett’s. When Garett looked at White, he became speechless, he grasped for words.


    “Hello, are you lost?” she said. They locked eyes, he didn’t know what to think of her. “Um yes, I mean no, I’m looking for I think... you” Garett fumbled. Confusion painted across her face. “You must be cold come in” she let him pass. He cleared his throat as he stepped through the doorway.


    “When I heard a white-haired petite little lady had slain a dozen Crimson Guards, I had to find her,” Garett said, he removed his gloves. He was intrigued, she was thin, her hair fell to the floor. Something about her looked mythical like she was a walking piece of long lost history. He eyed her once more.


    Garett the observed their shared space. A small fire illuminated the room, their shadows were tall black giants against the walls. The floor was dirt and hardened soil, the smell was retched. He felt everyone eyeing him, even his tiniest movements.


    “I did not slay anyone, I heard they had turned against one another” White said. She stared at Garett intensely.


    “Smart, that would work if there wasn’t an eye witness who saw what you did, and if that same eye witness wasn’t a Crimson Guard. Now the King will be looking for you,” he warned. Her muscles tensed, she knew he was right, she wouldn’t be able to handle an entire army.


    His attention turned to Marie standing close by, they all continued staring at him unsure of his next move.


    “And tales of a fire priestess have not been far from my ears” he said, Marie’s cheeks turned soft pink. She rubbed her elbow awkwardly, for some reason when he looked at her she became nervous.


    As Garett talked his dimples sank into his cheeks. He wore his hair shorn on the sides and back, but long up top. His dark loose curls complimented those emerald green eyes. Marie had never felt this fluttering in her stomach before. Her heartbeat quickened slightly in his presence. He scanned the room,


    “You all have made names for yourself for better,” he saw Gale off to the side, “or for worse” he stated sorrow hid behind his eyes.


    “What do you want?” Jalems commanded, his jaw clenched when he spoke.


    “I’m a part of a movement, to overthrow the king, he’s ruled long enough,” Garett argued, his muscles flexed under his pale tunic, as he balled his fists.


    “Yea, right, good luck with that” Tek’mer scoffed.


    Garett shifted his eyes to Tek’mer. “Tell me, what brings a wealthy elf such as yourself, to the poorest side of the realm?” he retorted. Tek’mer darted eyes at Garett.


    “What makes you think I’m wealthy?” Tek’mer smirked, he began reading, ignoring Garett’s presence.


    “Please, I’ve never met a poor elf in my life,” Garett jeered. Jalem and Marie both looked at Tek’mer, he was obviously uncomfortable.


    She thought about how much she actually knew about Tek’mer, he traveled with them for a couple years now. He always knew so much about the items they were confiscating, but she knew next to nothing about him. They shared countless nights where sleep was their supper, she could not help but wonder why anyone would choose this life.


    “Perhaps you should travel more” Tek’mer jested, he licked his fingertip and flipped onto the next page. “I plan on it, but not by running from my problems” Garett retorted.