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Heading to the capital by carriage took two days in its entirety. The duration of the ride had followed in silence after Rosemarie's argument with Sanae. She slept as much as she could to pass the time. She thought that the time would have passed with her dreading the approach of their destination, but it hadn't.

The sound of the wheels moving across the dirt roads irritated her and caused her head to ache as well. Somehow she managed to endure the painful ride. She was draped across her charge's lap, passing the time as easy as she could.

The pounding of hooves, and rattling of wheels, against cobblestone was enough to stir her from her sleep. Rosemarie straightened herself immediately as they entered the premises of the capital. Her hands moved to her dress and she smoothed out the creases before fingers darted self consciously to the tiny plaits. The hair was braided so that her hair pulled on her scalp until it reached just past her ears and was gathered together. The plaits seemed undisturbed though she ran her fingers through the loose hair to rid herself of the knots.

She figured that she looked presentable, but her entire body was sore from having been in the carriage for so long and she was in dire need of a bath. She pushed her selfish thoughts out of her mind and she pushed the curtain at the side of the carriage out of her way to get a peak at her surroundings, absorbing the view since it was her first time catching a glimpse. Her eyes widened to take in as much as possible in a manner that suggested she might have thought she would never get the chance to look upon anything like it.

The stone walls were foreign to her, considering that she was from a smaller city. In fact, the place she called home was shameful in comparison. Her home consisted of nothing more than tiny peasant homes. It was ridiculous that her presence was requested in any major city, let alone the capital. She was suddenly curious as to what sort of endeavors her mother went through to finagle for anyone to court her. She expected that nothing less than a noble resided within the capital.

The fact that Rosemarie was from such a town and there was no way to rent a carriage there had already keyed her in on the fortune it cost for her to be in the vicinity of where she was. If it weren't enough that her mother had sent for a carriage, another thing to consider was the length of the journey and the fact that the trip had been taken without pause. She couldn't imagine how tired the two drivers were.

Rosemarie watched as a guard stepped towards the carriage when it slowed. She saw his mouth moving, but she couldn't hear the exchange between him and the two that had brought them to the capital.

"Sit still," Sanae scolded her and pulled on Rosemarie's arm as she continued to try and get a better view of her surroundings. A scowl formed on the blond's lips before she shifted back onto the bench.

She could hear the gate being cranked up and the horses started forward once more, continuing to move along and taking random turns along the streets. They were finally in the capital. It took every fiber of Rosemarie's being not to stretch herself through the side of the carriage to spy the difference between the city and her home. She was curious and ardent in regards to the change in location while equally anxious and irritable about the reason she was there in the first place. Not much longer and she would be in front of her suitor's home.

Rosemarie resisted the urge to tap her foot in an impatient rhythm while she waited for someone to move to the door. The woman who had answered before returned and bowed her head in an apologetic manner. She was able to get a better look at the servant. Her hair was a russet orange mismatched with dark blue eyes.

"Forgive my rudeness. I'll show you to your rooms and get you settled in." There was a pause before she added. The woman turned around and started inside of the building, "Come along now."

Rosemarie admired the wooden floor before she consumed the assorted furniture. The room that she stepped into was large with three couches forming a U shape, a square table was situated in the middle of it all and a piano was against the far left wall. To her immediate right was a spiraling staircase that the woman started up. She followed after with her charge and the man brought up the rear while attempting to drag both both the chests up behind them.

"Actually," Sanae started to explain quickly, "It would be much better if Miss Guthale and I were to share a room and it's her first time here in Lenore City... Do you think it would be possible to get a room with a view?"

Rosemarie scowled, she was so tempted to swat Sanae for having the audacity to make such a request. It was one thing for them to share a room, considering that it wasn't too rude of a query. Women shared beds with their charges all the time when they were being courted. She felt compelled to offer an apology on Sanae's behalf. "My cousin is only thinking of my selfish desires... You'll have to forgive her." She paused and quickly added, "If the room doesn't have a view then that is perfectly fine. I'm sure that I can do without it."

The woman shook her head vehemently, "I'll make sure that you are as comfortable as possible." She took a right down the long hallway. Three doors lined each side of the hallway and she paused in front of the middle one to the left. The knob was turned and pushed aside to reveal a large room. Two king sized beds sat beside each other. The walls where white while the furniture was washed in crimson from the bedding to the couch that sat on the opposite wall of the bed. There was only one dark brown armoire off at the back wall against the only part of the room that wasn't covered with windows.

She could share the wardrobe with her charge, considering that neither of them had too many dresses with the family's lack of funds. She stepped further into the room and moved out of the way so that the man could set down the chests. Sanae was the one who ended up speaking to him, "That will be all. You may go now." A polite nod was exchanged with her words before he began his way out.

"I'll give you two ladies a moment to settle in," the apron-ed woman said before making her leave as well and shutting the door behind her.

Rosemarie started her way down cobblestone roads, moving slowly to appreciate the sight of her new surroundings. The differences between the capital and home were so easily distinguished for one who had hardly seen the world. For instance, the streets were completely clean of filth. It was ironic though... That in a city so large, the likelihood of crime was much higher. Everyone back home struggled yet thievery and such was almost unheard of.

It was also why she tried to sidestep the man that bumped into her in an attempt to move past him, assuming it was an accident instead of a way of assaulting her. His hand grasped her wrist and fingernails pierced her skin as he tried to hold her still.

"Unhand me," she ordered as she tried to pry herself from him. Her arm jerked wildly as she tried to fight him off. She didn't even get a good look at him because his appearance was the least of her concerns at the time. "Get off." She could feel her eyes brimming with tears as his nails dug deeper yet. She turned back towards him, attempting to return the favor with her own nails and bit down into his arm. He was not letting go yet. He hadn't even made clear what he even wanted. She certainly didn't have anything to steal.

Her eyes were wide and helpless as she tried to look for someone in the near vicinity, pleading that someone would come to her aid.

"We do not take our women by force, Raul." She didn't know where the voice had come from and she turned to try and spy the figure. She heard something hit the one she could only guess was Raul and his grip loosened. "Get out of here." Her assaulter released her immediately and moved away.

"I apologize for my friend." He reached for her wrist, holding it almost tenderly as he moved closer and shot her a charming smile. It was hard not to notice the way the grin reached all the way to his gray eyes. "Allow me to do something for you..."

"No," she jerked her arm away and stared at him warily. Her mother and charge had specifically told her not to take anything from a stranger, no matter who it was. She would not relent no matter how persistent he was. She couldn't trust him. If she left with him... She shook her head, "I have to be back in time to get ready for dinner."

"I owe you something, I insist." He said while she avoided his gaze.

"I'll think about it," Rosemarie decided and wish he would drop it.

"May I at least have your name?" He inquired all too hopefully. She figured he was desperate or something.

"Rosemarie Guthale..."

"I'll find you," he vowed before he turned and took off.

She really didn't want him to seek her out, but there was only so much she could do. He was very strange. She couldn't possibly tell Sanae she had been attacked like that and how the man had spoken to her. Her charge would never let her out again during the rest of her stay in the capital.

She decided it was a good time as any to make her way back towards the building she was staying at and was careful not to make a sound as she slipped through the door and upstairs. She moved her way back into the room she was sharing with Sanae and lifted her gaze to search the area for the familiar woman, easing the door shut behind her.

She could never have anticipated what would come from her visit to the capital. She certainly never guessed that Brom DeGrey would be as suave as he was. Everything went more smoothly than she had ever hoped. It was almost as though he were hiding something and that daunted her, but she suspected it wasn't enough to worry over. She had no choice in the matter. Her mother had already betrothed her to the older man, the only thing that would change the turn of events would be if he decided she were an unfit bride for him. That was the main reason for the initial visit after all. Sanae would have pitched a fit were she to purposefully screw the whole thing up and she might have tried it had her mother not already put a lot of money into it, money that Rosemarie knew they didn't have. Well... they did have the money, but they were much tighter on it when it came to everything else.

Mister DeGrey had offered to visit them in the small cottage where they lived, but it was hardly suitable for a man of his standing to stay with them there. Rosemarie hadn't realized just how true that was until she had seen the place where he lived. It also made her realize that Sanae and her mother were right, she was lucky that he had even considered someone of her standing.

She had already made it back home, her own room wasn't nearly as extravagant when compared to the guest room she had shared with her charge. She pulled her blanket up to her chin and then rolled onto her stomach. It wouldn't be much longer before Mister DeGrey sent for her. He intended to send a courier with the details of the wedding. Her mother had already begun bringing in a seamstress to fit her for a dress, she was letting her take over everything that was to be decided to her.

Her stomach was flipping and flopping with tumultuous waves of anxiety. She still hadn't met the other wives and she really didn't want to. She had no idea how she would feel about encountering them and she wasn't quite sure how to react either. It was all so confusing and strange.

It wasn't more than a couple days later when she finally received news of the marriage. Well, the marriage had hardly been mentioned in the letter that was received from the courier. She had been impatient with her mother upon its arrival though because it was the elder woman who acted as though she were more privy to the contents of said letter. Rosemarie had tried to crane her head in order to peek at what was written on the page and received an index finger in her face for all her efforts.

?He's asked for me to accompany you this time,? she informed Rosemarie with a smug expression. ?I have no idea what I should wear though. I'll have to look my best though. We wouldn't want to give him any reason to reconsider no matter how small.?

?Of course,? she muttered quietly in acquiescence.

?Relax,? the chiding tones escaped her mother followed by reassuring ones. ?I'm not going to steal him away.?

She could only wish that were the case. The man might have seemed somewhat alright, but she really didn't like the thought of marrying a man who already had four wives to speak of. An arranged marriage was one thing, she probably could have handled that without any problem.

She learned not long after that the trip in question wasn't so much about the marriage as meeting the aforementioned wives. She wasn't entirely sure as to what was supposed to happen upon arriving at the capital. Her lips were drawn together and pressed tightly against one another. ?I'll need some new dresses before we go... I've been pulling some of my funds together from the work at the bakery and I think it would be best if I were fitted before we leave.? She had to strive to please her mother, but it didn't take too much effort. As long as she feigned an interest in the betrothal then she was sure to be seen in good light.

?That sounds wonderful... Oh, what time is it?? The woman began to ramble on for a while, but Rosemarie tuned her out for a while. ?Go get your cousin and we'll go right now.?

?Of course,? she said a little too eagerly as she was dismissed. She maneuvered her way through the cottage and into the room she shared with Sanae.

The bed was pounced and arms encased the other woman in a tight embrace which elicited a startled yelp from her victim.

?You nearly killed me,? she hissed out though she calmed immediately. ?What are you so excited about?? A curious brow lifted. Sanae knew her all too well that a letter from a certain suitor was not likely to cause this sort of reaction out of her.

There really hadn't been much of a reason though. ?I just wanted to scare you because I love you,? she teased and tickled Sanae's sides for a moment before lying her head on the woman's chest. ?We're going to get fitted for new dresses, won't you come??

?If you'll get off me, you're crushing me.?

Rosemarie could hear the smirk in her cousin's voice and she withdrew herself before grabbing a hold of Sanae's hand and began to pull her towards the door of the bedroom. ?Let's go then.?

The first visit had gone better than she anticipated, the second one hadn't done much to sway her expectations. It wasn't worse nor was it better in any way. She had spent the entire time seated in the dining room with the four women she was supposed to share her future husband with. Meanwhile, her mother was working out the details of the wedding with Brom. It was so nice to know that she wasn't a part of the decision making. It wasn't like she cared one way or the other, but she would have liked to have been asked for her opinion.

The four women were named Saveli, Alexine, Kaia, and Rowena. Saveli was the eldest and nearly matched Brom's thirty six years. She was only two years his junior yet she was still a vision, all of Brom's wives were. Saveli didn't seem to smile much and she was one of the three that was apparently unable to produce children. Rosemarie could tell that Brom was a man to have his brides displayed as trophies of some kind. Every single woman would have given birth to lovely children. She was sure of it.

Saveli and Alexine were both similar in looks, both with dark hair that possessed a shade similar to a raven's feathers and paired off with bright blue eyes. The only difference was that Saveli was lean and angular while Alexine was curvaceous. Both were gorgeous in their own right.

Then there was Kaia, the third wife. She was the only one who had managed to grant Brom a child, but it wasn't what he wanted. Kaia had been blessed with a beautiful daughter, but not an heir. The girl was only four years old and sported her mothers curly red locks though her eyes were blue like her father's while her mother had chocolate brown orbs. Those child's eyes... Brom's eyes were one's that she would grow to resent in time. Rosemarie still had trouble recalling the girl's name every once in a while even though she spent a great deal of time living around her.

Rowena was the most recent addition to Brom's collection before Rosemarie came along. Like Kaia and Kaia's daughter, Rowena was graced with scarlet locks. Ro's strands were straighter and darker, paired off with a set of emerald hues not unlike Rosemarie's. Just because Rowena shared one similar characteristic when it came to her features was not the reason that Rosemarie though her more of a dream than the other two.

Rowena was pretty in that natural sort of way, she didn't seem over groomed like the others. She didn't need to try when it came to her appearance though, she was simply breathtaking.

"I told you that I would find you, Rosemarie."

The voice sent chills up her spine. She didn't know who it was and she was almost too afraid to turn around and look at the person who had said her name. Really... He was like almost directly behind her to the point that he was nearly touching her. She could feel his hot breath on the back of her neck and her hold on Sanae's arm tightened.

"Who are you?" She asked, she didn't stammer or stutter really. Her voice quivered with something akin to fear though.

The man moved to stand in front of her and her companion with someone else. The man she recognized was the one who had assaulted her during her last visit. He'd been called Raul. The one who had spoken to her was the one that pulled him off her without a doubt.

"You do not know me, you should not say my name so casually. You should only call me Miss Guthale." She bore a scowl for him. She didn't like being treated so intimately whether with proximity or the usage of her first name.

"I apologize, Miss Guthale." He bowed his head and reached for her hand. He drew the back of it up to his lips and placed a kiss to it. "Please allow me to make it up to you. I shall be your servant for the rest of the night, the rest of the week even. Whatever shall make you happy."

"That is very admirable of you," she began only to be cut off by her cousin.

"Miss Guthale is to marry Lord DeGrey soon."

"I'm sure Lord DeGrey wouldn't mind me spoiling his wife to be since I upset her so," he argued confidently. "I am sure he can spare to have another take care of her for at least a night."

"I don't think that's such a good idea," Sanae countered quickly.

"Of course. Why didn't I think of it?" He seemed to be talking to himself at first, but his arm was thrown over his friend's shoulders. "Raul will spoil Miss Guthale's sister. It is only fair."

"I am not so sure that is such a good idea either..." It was the first time Rosemarie realized that her cousin didn't sound like she was set in her decision. She sounded uncertain which was very rare.

"My cousin could use a suitor," she piped in helpfully. "Raul, you'll show Sanae a good time and treat her like a lady, won't you?"

"Of course," the man mumbled quietly as though he were embarrassed.

She didn't have a reason to trust Raul's intentions and she wasn't pawning her cousin off on him for selfish reasons. She didn't try to get rid of Sanae often, she just wanted to give the woman a little push. Sanae was older than she was so her cousin was obviously in need of finding a suitor or something. Rosemarie didn't want the woman to wind up like her mother or worse... At least her mother had been blessed with a child even if she didn't have any help in raising it. At least she had somebody. She wanted Sanae to have somebody all that much more because she cared about her cousin more.

"Have fun, darlings." Her arm loosened it's hold and she offered Sanae up to the man in front of her before she turned to the only one whose name she didn't know.

The night wasn't all that pleasant and she had spoken with Sanae that night, apparently Raul wasn't all that wonderful either and it was clarified that he hadn't tried to handle her cousin inappropriately. The time before the wedding was ticking away quicker than Rosemarie could have hoped. The dress she was fitted for was picked by her mother and the wedding was much larger than she wanted. She only wanted those few people who mattered present, which really wasn't anyone other than her mother and Sanae. Instead, people she didn't even know were there.

She engaged in conversation with those who did business with Brom and forced a smile for them, acting as polite and lady like as she possibly could. Some of them turned their heads away as soon as they discovered she was from Lagoir, but she hadn't really expected anything different. She would have traded the expensive fabrics and the rock that adorned her left hand for her old life, but it was out of the question. All Rosemarie really cared about was that the most important person in her life still lived in the same household as her.

In fact, she realized that Brom kept a room by himself and that each wife of his happened to share a room with one of the others which made it all that much more convenient because she ended up being moved into one of the bedrooms with Sanae instead of receiving her own or having to squeeze in with two other women. The thought of having to share a room with one of Brom's other wives didn't sound appealing at all.

The fact that the room had only one bed didn't really matter to her. It wasn't like she'd be able to spend that first night of her marriage in it anyways. She'd been sitting around in there nervously the entire week prior to the wedding because time continued to tick away quickly. Rose's constant pacing wasn't caused by any excitement of any kind. In fact, she had dreaded the occasion.

So the hours passed by after the reception and she seated herself on the couch, sprawled out on her back with her head in Sanae's lap while she waited. ?I don't want to go,? she whispered quietly and she was sure she saw some kind of sadness in the smile her charge offered her.

It wasn't much longer before Brom came knocking out the door and Rosemarie moved to her feet with reluctance and then turned to press a chaste kiss to the other woman's cheek before she opened the door and slipped out into the hall.

When Rosemarie returned to the bedroom, her lips felt swollen and rubbed raw. Her hair was a complete mess and if she were one of those women who might have preferred to save her wedding dress than she might have had a reason to be upset about the large tear in it. Neither her or Sanae said anything while she stripped herself and prepared to sleep, but she crawled under the covers and curled herself as close to the other woman's chest as possible and allowed the embrace of her charge's arms to comfort her.

Rose had never despised another person so much in her life. Her hatred for Brom was nearly overwhelming. For the most part, she was restricted from leaving the home she lived in and was only allowed leave when Sanae was to accompany her. She could have gone either way. It would have been nice to go by herself, but she never complained about having her cousin in her company. Despite her mother's protests and the strange looks she received, she held her charges hand and clung to her arm while maneuvering her way through the streets.

"What are you doing?" The dark haired woman inquired.

"Looking," Rose answered vaguely.

"For what?" Her charge prodded accordingly.

Before an answer could be provided and further questions asked, Rose broke free of the other woman and walked swiftly towards a male figure. Her hand reached forward and seized his wrist. "I have a request of you."

She watched as his brows ticked up with her words and he turned to glance at Sanae who exchanged looks with him as though he knew more than she did. Her hand released him while she waited to see if he intended to hear her out.

"Enlighten me, Missus Degrey."

She wasn't sure why she was surprised that George had remembered her name when she still knew his. She had only encountered the man twice, but she had so few exchanges with people that the one before her was no trouble at all to recollect.

"I want you to sneak my cousin and I out of the city," she informed him. "Do you think that you can do it?"

"I want to know what's in it for me first," he said instead of answering her one way or the other. Of course, when someone wanted another person to do something for them there was always a catch.

"Name your conditions or your price and it's yours." She watched Sanae and offered her a reassuring smile. She was thankful that the woman didn't object to the idea of running as Rose had assumed she would.

"I don't need money. I think..."

She watched while he scrunched his brows up thoughtfully and rested his hand against his chin, holding it while he mulled over a suitable payment. His index finger tapped against his cheek for a few moments.

"I want you for one night," he decided at last. "You come find me when you're ready. I'll be waiting."

Rose watched George walk away and turned towards Sanae, "We can go back now."

"You're not really going to go find him and... you know... just so we can get out of here?" Her cousin hissed her disapproval, keeping her voice low so as not to draw attention.

"Of course I am," she insisted. "It's just for one night and then we'll be free and we can go into hiding for a while. Everything will be much better, you'll see." She reached for Sanae's hand and brushed her fingers over the other woman's knuckles. "Just go with me on this."

She wasn't exactly sure how she was supposed to find George. Rosemarie had stepped outside her home and pulled her court shoes onto her feet finally, having carried them until she was outside so as not to risk the loud noise they made when she walked. Rose made her way out into the streets and began walking towards the area of the city that was lit up with gas lights and candles.

In Lenore, the cities were darker because the country was one exclusive to humans. The Specials and those born of magic really weren't all that bad. Lenore was a prejudice country though and Rose was only open to the thoughts of Specials because she had a past with them.

If she hadn't been preoccupied with her thoughts about lighting and Specials, she might have seen George approach her before he was suddenly standing in front of her.

"You ready?" He asked.

Rose figured she would have felt less awkward if the man hadn't said anything. She nodded so that he was provided with an answer even if it was an inaudible one. The man turned and began maneuvering his way through the varying streets and alleys until they finally reached a tavern.

"I own this one," he informed her before pushing his way inside and holding the door open for her.

Rose followed close behind, thankful for the hood on her ermine robe. It would not bode well with anyone were she recognized.

"Boss," someone spoke to the man in front of her, "Come here a minute."

"Not tonight," George said, "I can't tonight."

"In the morning then."

A surreptitious glance caused the vaguely familiar voice of the one exchanging words with George to be placed with a face and a name. So it seemed that she never saw the man she was with without Raul.

Her gaze diverted away and she made her way up the stairs after George's disappearing figure. It wasn't long after that they stood outside the man's room. Her hands were clammy and she felt that familiar wave of nausea. The feeling may have been entirely too familiar for her own comfort, but for once it wasn't coupled with the fear that she associated Brom with. as of yet, George had given her no reason to be afraid of him.

If it was difficult to sneak out of her home without notice, sneaking in was even more so. On the way back in, those that might catch her could easily be standing on the other side of the door. On the way out, the chances of someone being on the other side were much lower.

Somehow, Rose managed to make it inside of her room without detection. She climbed into bed with her cousin who was still awake and employed Sanae's chest as a pillow before she fell asleep.

She didn't get to sleep undisturbed as she did most nights for she usually dozed off and slept like a baby until the maid came to the room in the morning. The person who came for her was not the maid and the skies were still dark. The person also found it unnecessary to knock and barged in instead.

It was impossible not to jerk awake when the door busted open and smacked the wall loudly. She lifted her head abruptly and began to look around frantically, but she wasn't able to really get a glimpse of Brom before he was burrowing short nails into the skin of her forearm. Tears immediately began to brim over her eyelids and she attempted to pull the limb away from him.

"What were you doing out last night for?" The man barked at her.

Rose wasn't sure how Brom could have discovered she left. Rowena could have informed him which made her regret leaving instead of returning to her room and trying at a later time. There was the possibility that someone at the tavern had recognized her, or that George revealed her plan to him. Or one of George's partners for that matter. Even still, Brom could have seen her through the window in his chambers. He might have even managed to follow her to see where she went.

"Nothing," she mumbled. "I was just getting some fresh air."

"It won't happen again," he ordered her and his fingers dug deep for emphasis while his other hand smacked the side of her face.

"It won't happen again," she repeated solemnly to satisfy him enough to leave the room.

Rose was able to look on the brighter side of the situation. Had Brom managed to learn a little more about her leaving the home then he would have hounded her as to why she planned to escape and would have been much worse about the punishment he gave her. She wasn't able to keep face with those thoughts for long and most certainly found it difficult to meet Sanae's eyes. Her cousin had been awake when Brom entered the room. How could she not have been?

However, the rough manner her husband had treated her in was the first time that her charge witnessed such behavior. It may not have been the worst, but it was when she thought about Sanae having to see something like that.

The ride in the carriage was actually far more comfortable than when she had rode beside Sanae, but she assumed that was only given the fact that she was lying down and not sitting up for two days straight. Even with her being more comfortable, the feeling of claustrophobia was not so easily taken away from her. If that weren't enough, there was also the fact that it was impossible not to feel flooded with anxiety.

Rose couldn't exactly hear much with how thick the chest was and it unnerved her. The rattling of wheels and thud of horse hooves would have been welcomed if she were able to be clued in on whether or not Brom was on to her, or anyone associated with him for that matter. The chest jostled her around somewhat and only when it stopped could she be certain that it was because George and Raul were conversing with the guards. The same thing had happened when she'd come to the capital and left before.

Her ear was pressed up to the side of the barrier between her and the outside in order to catch what was being said, but she could only make out male voices and not the conversation. She wasn't sure if it was because she was inside of the chest or because they were talking low on purpose.

Even though Rose hadn't slept the night before, finding sleep was more difficult than it had ever been. Eventually, she drifted off a couple hours into the travel.

She didn't know how far they had made it or how long she had been out either. The person who awoke her was the last person she expected as well. An unfamiliar man with a crooked nose gripped her by the shoulders and pulled her from where she rested. She didn't have much time to study his face because she was looking around frantically. The carriage was gone as was Sanae.

The fact that she was in the middle of the forest, alone with someone she didn't recognize mattered little to her. What had George done and where had her cousin been taken?

The voice that escaped her captor made it sound like he was talking through his nose, "Mister Brom won't appreciate ye runnin' away, no sir."

Rose cared little for what her husband thought of the matter. The expression she offered the stranger was full of anger. How could she not be beside herself? George had given her his word that he would help and now her charge wasn't anywhere in sight. She squirmed against the other's touch, particularly when long and bony fingers smoothed out her hair.

"Where is Sanae?" She asked calmly. She hated the way her voice sounded and wish she'd forced her resentment into it completely.

"Sanae's well. She's been taken back t'Mister Brom's." Thin lips were spread to reveal a set of teeth that looked like they might have been coated in margarine.

"What about me?" She asked precariously because it didn't make sense at all. Why would Sanae be returned and not her?

"Mister Brom will be here soon, wanted t'see ye by himself first." The grin on the man's face widened for all it was worth. "Said if ye do anythin' else that he's sendin' Sanae away t'live somewhere else."