12 ~11~

Don't look down don't look down don't look down. Prim had to repeat this to herself over and over for half of the ride over to the next town until she was ok enough to even open her eyes.

It was terrifying...But even she couldn't deny the magical feeling it gave her. It was as if she were living a fairy tail.

"There's the next town right there" Dolion said pointing to a bunch of buildings crowded together.

"It's tiny" Benjamin said.

"It's called Seren. It's the smallest town in the Astral Plane"

Dolion tapped the dragon in the side with the heal of his boot and then they began to descend fast.

Prim gripped the back of Dolion's coat for dear life and shut her eyes.

It felt as if they were free falling, but it was over as soon as it had began.

"You can open your eyes now Prim" Benjamin said helping her down.

Even when she found her balance on the ground Prim didn't want to let go of Benjamin's arm in fear that her legs would give out beneath her and she'd collapse against the rough dirt.

"Dolion!" A man huffed as he sprinted toward them.

"Who are you?" Dolion asked demandingly.

"I....I am called Alastar Grey. Word has spread of your arrival. But only I and a few other's have took notice of this rumor. I assumed you would be fleeing Niran and would be either coming here or heading east to Eos"

"So you want to help us?" Prim asked.

The man's yellow eyes flashed to her and he nodded. "precisely"

"Yeah well, so did the lady back in Niran, and look what that got us" Said Dolion.

"Almost killed, that's what that got us" Benjamin told the man.

"Forgive me" The man said. "I understand you've been through so much in these last few hours. But I swear to you. I've come to help. If you need shelter I can find you shelter. If you need food I can get you lots of that. If you need-"

"We get it" Dolion interrupted the man. "But I'm sorry, we can't accept your he-"

"Wait" Prim blurted, then suddenly all eyes were on her.

"He said he could provide us with food and shelter. Maybe we could hide out here, then we could figure out a plan"

The indecision on Dolion's face was clear. But eventually he agreed to let the man help them. "But if you betray us" He told the man, "You'll pay with your life"

"I completely understand. Come, come. This way, to my home"

Dolion gave Prim a cautious glare then he followed the rest of them down to the small village of Seren.

"Is your home far?" Benjamin asked.

"No, not far, just a ways"

"What about Nyx?" Asked Prim.

"Nyx will stay hidden, she'll come when we need her" Dolion said.

"But how will she know?"

"So long as we need her she'll be around. Trust me"

Prim nodded.

Finally they arrived at the man's home. It was a small house made of grey cement. Prim noticed how the glass in the windows had been replaced with ragged sheets.

She saw that all of the houses looked like this. 'These poor people' She thought to herself as she stepped inside the grey house.

It was dark, because all of the windows had been covered. And there was dust everywhere.

"Is this what you had in mind?" Dolion asked Prim as he stopped in the middle of the tiny living room.

"No," Prim admitted. "But it's better then nothing"

"Agreed" Benjamin said as he plopped himself down on the couch.

"Food is in the kitchen, help yourselves to whatever" Said Alastar. "You can stay as long as you'd like"

"Thank you Alastar" Prim smiled.

Alastar nodded, Then headed for the door. "I must work now" He told them. "I'll be back before sunset"

Once again Prim thanked him, then he was on his way.

When Alastar was gone she turned back to the two boys resting on the dirty couch. "You two are being very rude" She scolded.

"I only give my trust to people who have earned it. And he has not yet earned it" Said Dolion.

"You could at least be respectful and thank him for helping us"

"We didn't need any help. We were managing just fine on our own"

"We are wanted fugitives here and on earth"

"We were still wanted no matter who runs out of the woods and offers to help us"

Prim turned to Benjamin for help but he pretended to not notice her. She let out a loud exasperated sigh and sat down between them.

"I'm not saying you have to trust him Dolion. Just be nice"