5

Siarah got to her feet and watched as the elf ran back into the forest.

She somehow got the feeling that this was her fault. She pulled her cloak over her head and followed after him.

Liron didn't even look back at her.

"MOM!"

Liron entered a clearing, and Siarah hid behind a tree and watched as tall figures attack people.

Werewolves.

Siarah gasped and ran into the village to help. She raced toward a mother huddled behind a bush holding a little boy in her arms.

"Hello. I'm Princess Siarah, come with me."

The woman scowled. "So you can hand me over to your father?"

"I would never do that. I'm trying to help you and your child escape." Siarah said. "If anything I want to help you find a new home."

"I don't know why I'm saying this, but I trust you." the woman glanced back. "But I can't leave my people on their own. I'm a warrior. A warrior never surrenders."

She planted a kiss on her son's head. "Take care of Embry."

Siarah sputtered when the woman shoved her child in her arms. The woman got to her feet. "You, Princess, will correct this wrong. You will bring everlasting peace among us."

Siarah blinked, confused. "Wait. What's your name?"

"Brenda." she pulled out two short blades. "It means warrior."

Siarah watched as Brenda ran towards the fight.

When the fight ended, Siarah helped rescue five kids and two families. Liron stood in the thicket of the trees staring at his now destroyed home.

"Where will we live now?" Embry whimpered, wrapping his arms around her neck. "The woods are no longer safe for us."

Siarah glanced at Liron. "Well, chief. What's the plan?"

Liron flinched. "Don't-Don't call me that. Please."

His siblings looked at each other with tears staining their faces. "I'm not a chief. A chief would have been able to save his village and protect his people. He would've been able to drive the enemies away." Liron balled his hands into fists. "I'm no chief."

Siarah made her way to him. She placed a hand on his shoulder. "You did save your people. Maybe not all of them, but some is better than none." Sirah looked around at the small crowd. "You went back for your people, Liron, and that's all that matters. It shows that you have heart and courage."

Liron looked up at her.

"My father has an empty villa a good distance from the palace. I know it's not quite what you're accustomed to, but you'll be free to move about of your own accord. And please, don't try to break anything." Siarah said. "I don't want you getting caught. Do you think you could follow my scent?"

Embry took a long whiff of her hair. "Ooh. Vanilla." he licked her face.

Siarah giggled and put him on the ground.

"Liron make sure everyone stays in the shadows. I don't want anyone spotting you and trying to attack you." Siarah glanced in the direction of the palace. "I need to be quick before anyone misses me."

Siarah left the forest and pulled her hood closer around her. She walked through the village with her head down.

When she got outside the village limits, she spotted the villa in the distance, but suddenly a man jumped from the shadows.

He wore worn clothes, and he had tan skin, his hair was long and greasy. He smiled, revealing yellowed broken, and missing teeth.

Siarah tried to take a step back, but he grabbed her wrist pulling back her hood.

"Woah! Looky here, boys." the said.

Siarah got a whiff of his breath and she tried not to gag. She scowled as two more men joined them and started circling her.

"Aren't you a long way from home, pretty?" said a short fat man. He reached out and pulled her hair. "Wonder how much we could get for it, yeah?"

The tall skinny man laughed. "She'll set us up for a few years."

Siarah started to struggle. "I'm not an it. Release me."

"Or what?" the tan man taunted. "You going to cry for your daddy?"

"My dad doesn't care about me. I can handle my own." she reached into her cloak and pulled out a small knife, stabbing the man in the wrist. He howled and released her.

The fat man tackled her, and she yelped, dropping her weapon.

"If I were you, I'd step away from her. Now."

Siarah turned and saw Liron approaching them with a sword drawn. The fat man grabbed the back of her cloak and pulled her to her feet. The skinny man had already turned and left.

The fat man and the other man clutching his wrist followed suit.

Siarah picked up her weapon and tucked it away. Liron sheathed his sword.

He raised a brow. "You ok?"

"Fine. I'd better get back." Siarah pointed at the house. "But, that's it. If anyone comes knocking don't answer. I'll probably be the guards making their rounds. Usually, this house is empty, so they won't be expecting a response." Siarah brushed the dirt from her cloak. "Also, don't make loud noises, it'll attract attention we don't want."

Liron nodded. "Thank you for your help."

"Anytime."