Are ya deaf or something? Yeah, I‘m your guard I always been there haven’t I?”

Though I guessed maybe he hadn’t seen me lately, but I had to let him know that I was there for him. I stayed to keep him safe, I got this injury cause I wanted to make sure nothing, even Halcyon’s stupidity, got in the way of that. That got me here now. Now I was able to show myself around him without having to really threaten him. Of course I tried to drop him the odd piece of food now and then real quick, but I know he was scared. Things changed to fast to help him and Aranck was quick to put his paws on the old prince. Monster… Lazarus was clearly a child, clearly not a threat yet he kept him around anyway. I hated him, but it seemed my games had finally worked out into my favor I was here now trying to get him out without getting much suspicion. It was my job now to be here as his jailor, no one really could be suspicious of me lurking around his den. I found the real magic word though. Aster.

His expression changed from something to pathetic confused and helpless to something akin to hopeful. I doubted he was ever told of her new queenship, of her good health. For all Lazarus knew for all this time… she was dead. It probably didn’t give much for hope to the boy, he knew his mother was dead, probably knew his father was too knowing SOMEONE was out there probably was a big relief. But I don’t need him crying right now. I need to get us moving. I move towards his slight figure, drawing myself next to him and giving a few nods as he spoke.

”She’s in Asteraia. I know where we are going,” I lied, “you just gotta stick close to me and we will be with her in no time… Promise.” I would do my best at least, even in pain it just drove me to want to get this done faster than before. I want to get moving, get out of here, but I was far less important that the tri-colored prince that finally got his little face out of the dark confines of his den. I don’t want to linger here and I certainly don’t want to get us into any trouble. I can tell he’s not steady and that already is not a good start. I could carry him maybe…. But strong as I was I wouldn’t be able to get us far. He actually wasn’t that much smaller than me anymore. He had grown a lot from the runty boy I had met, though he was still clearly small and thin with his lack of being well fed and his sickness I couldn’t trick myself into thinking I could get him far on my back…. We would have to make do.

My mind snaps out of it when he asks if I am okay looking at my injured eye. I give a disregarding Tsch sound before turning my head away from him. ”I’m fine… let’s worry about us getting to Asteraia. Don’t mention it though if someone comes near us. We are going for a walk. That is what you tell anyone who asks you. Try to let me do the talking though. Okay?” I don’t even mind as he draws close to me. Touching me, it’s where I want him. Right next to my hip. I keep him on my good side, if he stumbles and falls I can catch him if anyone tries to hurt him. They die. Simple as that.

I get us moving, so far so good. The border isn’t far now, and once we are across that we are home free.