Silver wasn't exactly sure what happened next. It was all too fast. There were so many soldiers, but the on-looking crowd swelled in and covered the Guardian and Haven just long enough.

'Fate's bless them,' he thought when he reflected. In the flurry of motion, Conall grabbed Silver's arm, forced reins in his hand, and hoisted Haven up on the horse. Silver quickly snapped into action and mounted the horse behind Haven. "Take care of everything until I return," he said quickly. Conall nodded. The mare reared back and took off like a shot, mowing over a couple of the soldiers as she went.

"Where are we going?" Haven asked over the horse's thundering hooves. Her sweet voice was barely audible.

Silver tried to be comforting as the world whizzed past them in a frightening blur. "Somewhere safe. Everything will be fine."

Haven adjusted herself in front of him on the horse and leaned back into his cloak as they galloped on. "Yes, I know it will," was all she said in a trusting tone. Her faith in her brother was unwavering.

Hours passed, and Haven rode on without complaint. 'Such a special child. She deserves better than this life.' He thought sadly. The Guardian would never be able to give her what she truly deserved.

Silver rode through the night to escape his pursuers. The enemy had been caught off guard, and as Borit was the only one with a mount, they had been unable to make chase immediately. Still, Silver needed to be sure they were well and truly safe before he could stop. Haven slept against him as she swayed in the saddle. He was comforted by her presence, and he continually pressed on. The adrenaline of the initial dash had mostly worn off, but the words that had made his blood run cold still rang in his ears. "Kill him, the girl too."

The journey through the night was harrowing. A few times Silver had heard voices calling in the distance. Once a light had even appeared alongside them far off. But Silver's sight in the dark was keen and his heightened senses unmatched. He deftly navigated the horse along the terrain avoiding detection. The horse, for her part, seemed to sense the urgency. Even when her heart was near bursting, she did not stop, only slowed her pace slightly. Silver knew she was giving her all, and he hoped they would all make it long enough to find a place to recuperate.

As morning broke, Silver found a small copse of trees to rest the horse for a while. He lowered Haven from the horse and held her, still asleep. He thought about sleeping too, but could not bring himself to rest. Without the warmth of the horse beneath him and the urgent need for action, cold seeped into his exposed skin.

Silver gently wrapped the cloak around them both to keep out the morning chill and sat on the dewy grass. He stared at Haven. Her eyes were shut and her breathing soft and even. She was so young, and thanks to him her life was always far from quiet. What am I going to do? He thought quietly. A small rustle through the trees seemed to answer. Silver turned his head, and he could just make out the edges of a city in the distance. He wondered that he had not seen it before.

"Where are we?" a small voice said. Silver looked down. Haven's sweet round eyes were alert.

The doting brother smiled at his little sister and allowed her to sit up next to him, still sheltered in his cloak. "Safe. We are safe."

Haven relaxed a little and shrugged. She cast her gaze about the area and puffed her cheeks in an exaggerated sighed. "So, what are we going to do?"

'Good question.' "I was just asking myself that same question. Are you a mind reader?" he asked playfully. He poked her side, and Haven giggled. She pushed away his hand, knowing that he was only trying to distract her. Her brother did that often when he did not want to worry her.

"Stop it! And really, we need to figure out what is next. We can't go home," Haven said after a moment. Her young eyes were filled with wisdom from some unknown source.

Of course, Silver knew she was right. He pushed his hood back enough for Haven to see his face. He smiled at her. "We will be able to go home once the soldiers leave town. Until then, we will camp out in the woods somewhere. Think of it as an adventure."

Haven leaned in to kiss his cheek. "You are the best."

Silver's smile lingered for a moment before he pulled back up his hood. The bright oval of his face disappeared. He turned to look in the distance. "I think we will head to that city over there and get some provisions. Maybe we can even find you a new doll."

In their mad rush, they had left almost all their worldly possessions, including the doll from Haven's mother. Silver felt a pang of guilt that he'd left his father's belt on the hook that morning, opting for his small hunting satchel instead. He would have to be better prepared in the future. 'We'll be home soon enough. I won't be caught off guard again.'

Haven patted his arm gently, "I don't need a new doll."

Silver tickled her and then hugged her tight. "Oh right. You're practically a grown up lady now, aren't you?"

"More grown up than you, sometimes!" She said, her face serious.

Silver chuckled, "Too true, little one. Too true…Perhaps we both need to be grown up today. Yes? We need to be friendly and kind, so as not to arouse suspicion. Don't tell anyone your name, and for heaven's sake never mention my name!"

Haven nodded slowly. "But can I play with the local children?"

Silver could not repress a laugh. "You know what's important, don't you? Yes, you may play. But do not lose sight of me." He was always impressed by her resilience. It did not matter what life dealt her; Haven could make sunshine out of rain.

The girl scurried from beneath his cloak and stood. "Well then, let's go!"