“Where is…?” Lyaria doesn't think twice and walks away from the commotion caused by the soldier who was still vomiting what little he had left in his stomach.

After a few meters of suddenly increasing incline, Lyaria is finally greeted by the port that was bigger than she expected. Although this did not mean that it was populated, on the contrary, only a few people and small boats were visible except for a single large ship in the distance.

The smell of fish was very strong and Lyaria perceived it better than anyone, it was something she wasn't used to. One could see a few makeshift stalls made of wood that served to display the catch, and in one of them, she recognized the person she was looking for.

"Did you manage to find out anything?" It was Grige's brother, who seeing Lyaria can guess a thing or two.

"They're moving him down the main street and..."

"And my brother suggested a distraction."

“That’s right…”

"Fire, isn’t?" He interrupts Lyaria taking advantage of the times she stopped to breathe. It was clear that both brothers understood each other very well, it didn't take much explanation for him to get going.

“I don't like the idea, it's too risky and rushed. Maybe it's best to wait and see where they take him first... but if that's what my brother wants... there's no other way.”

“What's your name?” Lyaria asks, snapping him out of his doubtful thoughts.

“Eh? Oh... Right. My name is Dartan, sorry for the late introduction.”

"So Dartan, where do we start? There is no time.”

“There's no doubt that Grige is already working on the distraction, probably in the barn or the cellar… maybe both. I'll talk to a few friends to join this... riot.”

Lyaria is slightly surprised at the magnitude the distraction was beginning to take on. Not only that, but Dartan's calmness and ability to plan his movements. she wishes everything would be as easy as he seemed to say.

"I'll go check where he is." Lyaria immediately suggests.

“Good idea, all this is useless if, after all, we lose sight of him. But remember, don't act alone. No matter how strong you are, you will not be able to fight against a battalion of soldiers. If you find him, wait until we regroup.” Dartan quickly walks away after warning Lyaria who instantly goes in the opposite direction.

Grige had explained to Lyaria what the old man told her in their short conversation. According to the old man, they were taking Ezer down the main street, which at that time was almost empty, he had described it perfectly except for the deplorable state in which he was now. His body had bruise marks and an arrow pierced the flesh of his leg, no wonder the three soldiers had to practically drag him away. However, thanks to this, their progress was slow and Lyaria believed she could intercept them.

“Hey! You see it!? It is not normal...”

"Is something on fire?"

"Maybe... it's better to go look."

A thick column of smoke began to take shape in the middle of the city followed by a couple more that could easily be confused with those released by chimneys of homes. This soon draws the attention of the people around who rush to the spot in concern. A simple fire could be a catastrophe in a city like this where the houses were next to each other. This was added to the fact that, with the exception of a few, all were built with wood.

People weren't the only ones worried, very soon, several soldiers passed Lyaria's side who was now walking slowly trying not to attract attention. Of the dozen who saw her pass, one or two stops to watch her momentarily.

"Excuse me...Would you let me see your face?" Everyone was focused on the smoke and she was the only one walking in the opposite direction, that was what managed to trigger the soldier's curiosity.

“I'm in a hurry.”

“It will only be a moment.”

"Ahhh…" Lyaria sighs and turns around letting her face show.

"...I don't recognize you. Just arrived? Can you show me the proof of your entrance?”

Lyaria watches as the soldier slowly lowers his hand to grasp the sheathed sword. Despite being tired and that each time she did this it increased, she crosses her gaze again with that of the soldier who feels how his legs lose strength for a moment. However, he clears his mind almost instantly and regains his composure, but by the time he does, Lyaria is already lost in the throngs of people and alleyways.

After recovering from his sudden discomfort, the young soldier decides to leave in the direction of the column of smoke. If the fire was as big as it appeared to be, it would take many hands and water to put it out; that is why he decides to ignore Lyaria for now.

"It was weaker than I expected…" Lyaria leans back against one of the alley walls, regaining her breath and her sense of balance. It was exhaustion or maybe the soldier had a heart without turbulence, or too many, to be affected by his eyes. Whatever the case, Lyaria knows she can't use the same trick for the rest of the day, not if she wanted to stay on her feet in the process.

"I hope I haven't lost him." Putting aside her doubts, she gets up and runs again hoping not to be stopped once more.

After several twists, turns and narrow places, the other end of the harbor is finally visible, the place where the only ship of size was moored. In that place, at the end of a long line of people bound together by chains, was where Ezer was. Lyaria only needed a quick glance to recognize him and know that he was not in good condition.

"So they decided to sell him into slavery." It wasn't good, but at least it wasn't out of her reach. She could buy him or maybe... rescue him now.

The wait was killing her and she felt like every second her chest tightened more and more making the whole body weight. He was so close, she just had to get rid of a few guards and run. She knew how to get out of the walls through that back door, even if he couldn't run, she would carry him on her back and if necessary, she would use her other form to do it.

Lyaria didn't realize that, as she followed her train of thought, so did her footsteps that brought her closer and closer to where Ezer was.

“It's not the time yet.”

However, a hand on the shoulder stops her, feeling a strong sense of déjà vu that makes her look back.

“Then when then? So what was all the distraction for if not for this moment?” Lyaria replies to Grige who has stains and a strong smell of smoke, apparently there was also a hint of blood.

"Do you see the man over there? The one who is entering the ship last.” As the two spoke, the line of people began to move towards the interior of the ship as well as the guards who watched them.

“Yes...”

“His name is Breno, his swordsmanship is... impeccable. I honestly have no idea where he learned it, but that was enough to quickly rise through the ranks of the army. I'm not confident I can rescue him, not if he's around.”

“Then… Buy him?” By this time, Lyaria regains her composure.

“Yes, it is rare for Breno to get on that ship. We'll buy him when it's sold on the island, I refuse to think that sword demon will be there at the moment.”

"Okay... All we have to do is cross the sea."

Lyaria accepts it with regret, something in her being told her that she had just lost the best opportunity and the future would prove her right.