Alissa looked down both sides of the ally and tried to think of somewhere to go. They couldn't go back to the inn because Celestra was there. They couldn't go through the woods again because that guy Kale might be there. She tried to think of some place to hide for a while. "Where to go, where to go, where to go.....?? Any ideas Hans?"

"What about Ria's house? Doesn't she live around here?" said Hans.

"Yeah, but her place is hidden because of her job."

"What does she do?" asked Tiara.

"She hides kids. Orphans actually. They have no where to go, so she hides them from the guards. That way they won't be taken away to become servants for anyone," said Hans.

"I can help you," said a soft voice.

The group looked around and saw a little boy standing down the ally. "I know where she lives. Miss Ria is really nice. If you're her friends, I can take you to her."

Alissa grinned. "You must be the Toddster. Remember me? The girl with the mouse?"

The little boy gave a big smile. "Ah! I remember you now!! Miss Ria is going to be really happy to see you! I'll take you to her right now! Follow me!!" He led the group down the ally.

~~~~~~~~~~

When they got to where they were going, a young woman came out to greet them. She was slim, had dark skin, long black hair, green eyes, and wore a long dark blue silk night dress and a black robe. "Alissa! Hans! What brings you two here?"

"Hey Ria!" said Alissa. "We need a place to hide for a while."

"Fierstyrian soldiers are everywhere!" said Hans.

"Oh I know," said Ria. "Isn't it terrible? Well you uh...." She counted the group. "You five are welcome to stay as long as you want."

"Six!" said Aenea. "You didn't count Auri." She held up the cat.

Ria giggled. "Okay then. You SIX are welcome to stay for as long as you like. I'll set up some places for you to sleep."

~~~~~~~~~~

Alissa woke up early the next morning. She got up, stretched, then made her bed. Then she started heading toward the door. She tried her best not to wake anyone up.

"Hey!" said a whisper. Alissa turned around and saw Hans laying awake in his bed. "Where are you going at this time of morning without me?"

She snickered. "Sorry. Transform and you can come along too."

"One moment please!" He covered himself with some blankets. A few moments later, a mouse emerged from the blankets. "Okay! I'm ready!" He jumped off the bed and climbed up to Alissa's pouch that she had bought especially for him. It was his favorite place to stay when traveling.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ria stopped Alissa just as she was about to leave. "Are you crazy?!" she scolded. "There are Fierstyrian soldiers everywhere! They'll find you and kill you for sure! Then what are your friends going to do?!"

"No they won't Ria," said Alissa. "Soldiers will capture me. Celestra will challenge me. But they won't kill me. Not until I accept the challenge. Then I fight, then I die if I lose. I just keep making the mistake of letting her live each time."

"You ARE crazy!! Where are you going to go anyway at this time of day?! You don't even wake up till noon at the least!"

"I've been getting less and less sleep lately."

"You're gonna get yourself in trouble again."

"Remind me of my mistake when all that happens, kay?" And she left.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Outside, Alissa started looking for a place to get some food. She was sure everyone was going to be hungry when they woke up. It was still pretty early, so she wasn't sure if any place was going to be open.

"Where to get food...........?" she said to herself.

"Why not like in the forest or something?" said Hans from his pouch.

"I could do that. But it would be a bit of a risk," she said. "Where would I look?"

"I could find something," said Hans.

"Fine! As long as you stay in the pouch while we're in the town. Okay?"

"Oh all right!"

"I mean it too. You are not to come out until I say it's okay."

She kept walking towards the gate to the forest. When she got there, Celestra was waiting there for her...... with Kale.




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