Zander watched the last Guard find their beds, some in tents and others around the fire. It felt comfortable for him to chat with those who accepted him for what he was, Kelsie's Guard. It had surprised him when she had fallen asleep on his shoulder. It was explained that often new rulers felt overwhelmed and clung to one thing they knew would anchor them. Apparently, for Kelsie, it was himself. She cuddled closer until he thought she would be more comfortable in her own bed. There had been offers of assistance, but Zander's overwhelming sense of protection toward her had him declining any help.

He smiled while remembering trying to rouse her. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and lay her head on his shoulder. She was lighter than he expected. A path formed as he carried her toward the tent supplied for her. Rumbling complaints about being cold while he covered her sent warmth through his limbs, settling in his chest. Now, he sat outside guarding her, watching for anything or anyone that would disturb or attack this night.

"Does she sleep?" a draped figure asked, sitting next to Zander outside the tent.

"She does," he breathed deeply before smiling, "father."

"You knew I was alive and at the cave," the voice said, pushing the front of his hood up, revealing his face, "I am so proud of you, son."

The two men smiled at each other.

"Did mom ever find out you were an instructor at my school?" Zander asked.

"Yes, eventually she did," Cal murmured, sadness in his voice, "Zander, your mother ..."

"I know," Zander said, gently clasping his father's shoulder, "Connie told me."

"If I could have stopped her," Cal shook his head, "changed her mind ... done anything except what I did."

"Then I would be without either of you," Zander sighed, "Without roots and an anchor."

Cal looked at Zander, love in his eyes, "Son, you have an anchor," he indicated the tent, "there is movement. She is your anchor now."

Cal rose, pulling his hood over his face, whispering, "I love you, Zander," before moving off.

"Love you, Dad," Zander replied as the flap opened and a fully dressed backpack toting Kelsie stepped out.

"Oh," she gasped, "I didn't expect you to be out here."

"You are my responsibility Kelsie," Zander said, rising from the ground. He stood a foot taller than her, but he would kneel at her feet if she wished it.

"Why are you looking at me that way?" Kelsie asked, taking in the clearing.

"What way?" Zander frowned.

"As if you care," Kelsie said, shifting from one foot to the next and glancing at him sideways.

"Would that be so bad?" Zander asked.

"No," Kelsie whispered, shaking her head, "it wouldn't."

"Then know that I do," Zander said, stepping toward her, "where are you going?"

"Jezebel's house," Kelsie said, meeting Zander's gaze.

"Alone?" Zander asked, locking his gaze to Kelsie's, "without anyone. Not even me."

"Zander," Kelsie sighed, "according to Jezebel's instructions, this part needs to be done alone."

"What of my promise? My pledge to keep you safe," Zander asked, "you would make me a liar, a dishonourable guard?"

"No," Kelsie gasped, "never that ... I've wanted to tell you, explain, but I can never find the right time or words."

Zander stared at her, hurt slicing through him, cutting deep, "You accepted my pledge and protection."

"I did," Kelsie nodded, "that is why I don't have it in me to tell you to stay, but I know if I'm to get to Jezebel's House, it has to be on my own."

"What would you have me do?" Zander asked.

"I ..." Kelsie stumbled over the words, "I don't know. Part of me wants you to come with, but another tells me I'll lose everything if I do."

"Then you need to do what you need to," Zander whispered, stepping away from her.

"Zander," Kelsie whispered, "please ..."

"It is important the order has a Queen," he said, gazing at the tree line, "I wish you well."

Bowing, he turned, walking toward the tent he shared with Jason. Anger rolled through him, hurting, slicing at his heart.

"How dare she," he hissed, entering the dark tent, "making me a liar, proving me dishonest and unworthy."

"Kelsie, off to the house?" Jason asked.

"Sorry if I woke you," Zander said, "yes, she tells me I will stay here while she completes the journey alone."

"That sounds like something Jezebel would put in place," Jason said, sitting up and turning up a low burning lamp, "if Kelsie is to lead, she needs to depend on herself for answers. Up to now, she has had you and me, but you made a pledge."

"I did," Zander said, "and I intend to keep it."

"Zander," Jason frowned, "you are defying your Queen's request."

"Not if she doesn't see me," Zander said, emptying his backpack on the stretcher and attaching his weapons to his utility belt. "I'm trained to track, protect, fight and be invisible."

"Yes," Jason said, "but why are you doing this?"

"I made a promise," Zander said, meeting Jason's worried gaze, "I intend to keep it."

"It's dark," Jason said, "how do you know which way she went?"

"There is an entire camp of Guard here," Zander smiled, "someone would have seen where she went."

"But Zander ..." Jason frowned, his words going unfinished as Zander left the tent, retracing his steps to Kelsie's tent.

He found it lit but empty, a note with his name on the pillow of her made bed. Pushing it into a pocket near his knee, he left the tent, scanning the nearby tree line. He caught her scent; like a bloodhound, he followed it to the edge of the clearing and to the left. It seemed she was circling the clearing, perhaps looking for something. Near the back of the clearing, the scent stopped. Crouching, he scanned the ground finding a barely seen path. Sniffing the air, he knew she had gone down the trail. Stepping onto the track, he found his way barred by two fellow guards; they pushed back their hoods so he may know them.

"It's good to see you two," he whispered, "please let me follow, I know she needs to do this alone, but I pledged my protection. I am no liar, nor am I dishonorable."

"She cannot know, and you can only interfere if she is in imminent danger," they whispered, "you cannot be seen."

"I understand," he said, "thank you."

They stepped aside, whispering, "We tracked her to the curve in the path," and he was on his own.

Quietly running down the path, he entered the surrounding forest, taking to the trees when he heard her up ahead. Careful not to give away his position, he kept to the shadows watching her move carefully down the path looking at the paper Jezebel left in her possession. Moving to another tree when she was a little further ahead. She hesitated at a fork, looking at the map and back at each path. The flashlight moved between the two before taking a right. He sensed her fear, anxiety and worry. Closing his eyes, he fought against the overwhelming sensation of dropping to the ground and wrapping his arms around her. He breathed in her scent. It was moving. Eyes snapping open, he watched the flashlight bob in the darkness. Running along the tree branch, he leapt to the next until he was behind her. Was that sniffing? Was she crying?

Swallowing hard, he continued to follow, "I'm here, Kelsie," he whispered.

Suddenly she stopped, swiping at her wet eyes before tilting her head to the side. Dousing her torch, she broke out into a fast run.

Zander followed her while keeping an eye for whatever she had heard. He could smell another group of humans somewhere, but he was unsure from which direction. Dropping to a lower branch, he kept up with Kelsie as she ran faster, looking for a place to hide. Suddenly she slid on her side, causing a dust storm and revealing a thin wire pulled across the path between two trees. The dust storm showed two others. Kelsie crawled below them, crouching and listening again. Quickly she dashed into the undergrowth, concealing herself.

Zander settled on a branch directly above her hiding place and waited.