I had a hard time keeping my face above water. Curses went on in my mind as my arms tried to support my body. Curse you, Gideon for locking the room and leaving so fast. What type of people lived here? Wasn't there some security mechanism? My gaze fell on the water that seeped out of the room from the creaks of the door. The endless stream of disaster surely couldn't stay hidden from people.

I couldn't choose which one was worse, I might drown in this hazardous water of the river or Derrian's people might save me but then, ofcourse I'd be dead.

"Hey there," a voice called out. Was that guy back? The voice didn't sound like him.

I took a deep breath as more water swallowed me.

"You need help." Well, duh! I looked around, trying to spot the source of voice. "Uh...up here."

I raised my head and shrieked at the ball of water in the water was smiling down at me. The mysteries of this place. I choked on the water that entered my mouth.

"Oh, hell," that thing said. "Guys, she needs help."

The water spinned and many more water balls emerged, similar to the thing hanging over my head.

The more I tried to comprehend what was happening, the stronger my dizzyness became. My body felt light, all of the sudden.

"So, you're leaving?" I heard Erin. She laughed. "You're leaving me here? You lied!"

My head was spinning.

'Derrian, please. Help.'

My eyelids began to droop. I felt my body shift and I submerged in darkness.

*****

Derrian sat patiently as the king spoke. He was satisfied with everything, at least for the time being. Everything was being taken care of. He just needed to convince Wenson and Moito about the human. He stole a glance at Alfred and wondered if it was fine to tell him. His gaze fell on Wenson. The old man had been more help than anyone else.

'Maybe, tell no one,' he thought.

The buzzers cut Moito halfway, stunning everyone. Red light flashed in the golden hall. Derrian's fists clenched and he hoped it didn't have anything to do with Roe.

Rodrigo got up and gestured the guards to follow him. The crowd was ushered out as many began to whisper.

His phone went off.

"Derrian," Gideon said in a short breath.

"Stay in my room only," he said and cut off the call when Alfred gave him a pointed look to quiet it. He was in luck that Alfred didn't pay any attention.

A guard came running to them. "The water... basement...i-"

Derrian didn't wait for him to finish and rushed out of the hall. Once out of hearing range, he dialled Margaret's number.

"Hello?"

"Did you get your cloak back?"

"Yes, he just gave it. What are you both doing?"

He didn't answer.

"Derrian, why did you need it?"

"Hide the cloak. Rodrigo will come, searching the rooms. Keep it away. Burn it but don't let him have it."

She gasped. "That isn't the answer I required."

"Margaret." He looked around to see if anyone was there. "We just helped an Erde escape."

Silence.

"I'll-"

"Get yourself and Gideon out of this mess. I'll take care of the cloak."

The line went dead and he opened the door to his room. Gideon sat on the sofa, his head hanging low. When Derrian entered, he looked up.

"Explain," Derrian said.

Gideon shrugged.

"What does that mean?"

He shrugged again. "I don't know. Everything was fine. I saw her go. I locked the room."

"Was anyone there?"

"Not a soul."

"Did you ex-"

"Yes, I explained her all right." Gideon huffed. "How did this happen?"

"When did you find?"

"I heard the glass break," Gideon muttered.

Derrian sighed.

"Will they catch her?"

"I hope not," Derrian answered. "The water shouldn't harm her. It partially depends on her swimming capacity too."

"Partially?"

Derrian tapped his ring. "Taken care of."

"Headle," Gideon muttered.

"'Swin' is preferred."

"Oh, I forgot. Your little pet fire-water ball has a name." Gideon smiled sweetly at him.

He glared at him and gestured him to get up. "We need to get you out now."

"Please, I'm sick of being here."

As they stood at the door, Gideon turned. "The cloak? Won't they-"

"Taken care of." He waved his hand. "I asked Margaret to look into the matter."

Curt reply meant no elaboration.

"And she didn't question? That's not possible."

Derrian said nothing.

Gideon narrowed his eyes. "Derrian."

"Let's go."

"No," Gideon replied, pushing his hand away from the door. "You told her, didn't you? You told her she's an Erde."

"Keep your volume down," he hissed at him.

"You'll get her in trouble."

"No, I won't." Derrian glared harder, if it was possible and pushed Gideon out. Seeing the guards out, Gideon turned, wanting to go back, only to be pushed again.

"Act normal."

Thankfully, nobody questioned them and they went out safely.

"Thank you," Derrian said a little later, "for helping me with this."

"Your welcome. Just check on her and your pet later."

He nodded. "After this calms down, I'll do." He gestured to men going to and fro from Desail.

"She wants answers, Derrian. Her mind won't shut up until you explain this to her. If you don't someone else will. We never know how that goes, but it won't go any better than tonight."

He nodded again. He knew he'd have to explain it all. Her curious mind was a ticking time bomb and strangely it reminded him of Anacia.

Gideon's movements pulled him out of the commotion going in his mind. He stepped back as his friend changed into the dark brown coloured bird.

"You take too much area." He snickered, taking many steps back.

Gideon looked up and Derrian could almost imagine him growling. He preened his feathers, fluttered the wings and flew away.

Derrian's smile disappeared and he turned back to Desail. This mess...A sigh escaped his lips. He moved with difficulty, each step taking twice the force than the previous. He felt like a snake, slithering through the people. The idea of bringing Roe seemed stupid now, too stupid to make him wonder why he thought about it in the first place.

He paused near the staircase, their flight adding to his exhaustion. He moved slowly. When he reached his room, he hoped Roe didn't leave behind any traces.

The room looked clean. 'Thank Ares for this'. He sat on the sofa and blew out a breath. He simply had to draw away suspicions from Roe, keep Alfred away from Moito or Wenson and find what Roe knew about Rodrigo. Who was he kidding?

His mind wandered to Anacia and he smiled at the thought at his sister. Just then, his gaze fell on the box. He frowned and got up. It had been moved.

His door opened and a stream of Palace guards came in along with Rodrigo who smirked at him.

"It's story time," he said with a smirk.