"Souri, if we're lost, I'm sure we can ask someone for-"

"_No_." Souri adjusted his hood, making absolutely certain his face was obscured. The marketplace buzzed around him, completely unaware of him and his companion. "Do you know what these people would do for a sliver of the Imbrolis' money?"

"But they don't know who we are," Aurinel pleaded. "We don't know _where we are,_ Souri."

"As if they'd help strangers." Souri ran a hand down the leg of the wooden signpost that shaded them from the sun, drawing in a breath. His legs ached from days of walking. "We can't be seen by anyone. We don't want to match descriptions when the guard comes asking."

"Will they really remember us if we just ask directions? Surely _you_ don't stand out that much."

Days of stress and anxiety were making Souri irritable. "Aurinel, it may have worked that way when you were prince back home, but these people are not your loyal little subjects. These people _want to kill us,_" he hissed.

"I think they just want to live." Aurinel was being impossible. Why wouldn't he follow Souri's lead? He knew _nothing_ about this place.

"Aurinel, if you trust these people, _you will end up back with Raktorda!_"

Aurinel stiffened. Souri felt guilt creep over him. He hadn't meant to mention the name. Aurinel stood silently, frozen.

"Do you understand why we can't- why we can't risk that?" He just wanted to keep Aurinel safe. He just wanted to keep him out of the hands of these people, because he _knew_ they couldn't trust them. If he failed, if he lost Aurinel- It would all be over.

Aurinel nodded stiffly, and it was clear he didn't intend to argue any further. Souri pushed the guilt gnawing at him down and began to walk. He wanted to move past this as quickly as possible. The arguement, the town, everything. Since this was his idea, his plan, he had to figure out what to do next. He had to know where to go. Aurinel followed him as he walked.

Souri looked at the sun. It was early afternoon, so the sun would be going down. He thought for a moment. As long as they went South, further from Delshkya, they would be safer. It would drive them into the heart of Tarona, where no one would expect Aurinel to be. Where Raktorda's forces wouldn't go. If they got far enough, maybe... maybe they wouldn't expect a witch either. He found a rough South based on where he thought the sun was and set off in that direction.

They walked for several minutes, until the buzz of town was behind them. Soon, they settled into the silence of the uninhabited landscape. Souri's face still burned with shame. Eventually, Aurinel spoke.

"Souri?" he asked tentatively.

"Yes?" He tried to keep his voice measured despite the stress bearing down on him.

"Where are we going?"

"South. As far away as we can get." The answer seemed to relieve him. He sighed a little, tension lessening. It gladdened Souri, to see him calmer. He could do this. They would be okay.

"I'm... sorry for arguing," Aurinel added after a few seconds. "You were right. I don't know anything about the provinces, or Tarona."

"No, don't-" Aurinel looked at him questioningly. "It's not important."

"But-"

"Don't worry about it." Souri couldn't believe how innocent he was. How could someone so gentle come from the frigid, war-hungry north? How could he survive living as a fugitive? Without Souri, he'd be...

"Thank you. For dealing with me, and all of this. I don't know where I'd be, if you hadn't come with me." He was being earnest, but something in his face told Souri he did know. Something in his eyes.

"I made a promise," was all he had to offer in return. A promise to Ms. Majaumahada, and a promise to himself. He would keep Aurinel safe, for all three of them. He had to.

"Well, thank you." Aurinel turned his blue eyes downward, nearly as dark as the cerulean sky before them. Souri kept his gaze fixed straight ahead, toward the fading horizon. The horizon they would cross, together.

"You're welcome."