???

"Hey! You scummy brat! Get back here!" A multitude of footsteps pounded on the cobblestone as they chased a swift smaller character through the winding stone streets. "Stop running, pipsqueak!"

I know what you'll do if you catch me. The swift figure briefly shivered as he continued to run with his tattered hooded cape fluttering in his wake. The same thing you did to Paa. I have to escape and get this food to my family. If only stealing from the night market was less risky, but safer than the day market. He clutched the bag close to his chest, feeling the frozen fruits bounce in their cloth container with each stride. I wish I knew a spell that could help me get away from these thugs!

His mind searched his limited magical knowledge as he sharply rounded a corner and through a narrow alley. Hopefully, this will slow them down. He mentally cursed as his mind once again turned up empty of useful spells or charms. If only we didn't have to sell Paa's spellbooks!

He victoriously grinned at the angered voices behind them as they struggled to navigate the clustered alleyway. The benefits of being small. He looked forward as he burst out of the narrow passage, then nearly stumbled as he realized his mistake. Not the docks! There's nowhere to hide here!

In a panic, he glanced behind him, but bolted the second he noticed the six quickly-approaching silhouettes. He gritted his teeth as his steps noisily rang through the wooden planks beneath his feet. They'll catch me if I don't hide! But there's nowhere to hide where they won't find me!

After a brief hesitation, he bolted in a random direction down the docks as the first person emerged with a stumbling gait.

"There he is! Get him!" The man yelled as he spotted the fleeing figure and pounding footsteps once again chased the teen. "Don't let him get away! We'll make him learn what happens when you cross the boss!"

The lone figure wide eyes scanned large dock pilings and sealed crates as he passed beneath the sleeping dark shapes of docked boats. His ragged breath and the footsteps at his heels filled his ears. Maybe those crates beyond the white ship? He squinted at the distant objects as they slowly became obscured with the sea mist. The fog rolling in, great! I may get away with my life! He grinned as he dashed down the dock, even as his red-faced pursuers were on his heels.

Almost there! The teen grinned as he approached the white ship, which was almost invisible in the slowly thickening fog. He yelped as hands suddenly grabbed his shoulders and hauled him up. "Hey!" He yelled, only to feel a third hand gently cover his mouth. Nonononononono! He struggled against the four hands holding him as he dangled from his captor's grasp and clutched his bag of food.

One of the hands moved off of his shoulder and gently touched his forehead. His eyes widened as he sensed the sleeping spell cloud his mind. He resisted, but he quickly succumbed and fell asleep.

PARAGON

Paragon sighed in relief as the boy in her claws succumbed to the sleeping spell. Thank you, Captain Starport, for helping me, even now when all I have is your memories. She readjusted her grasp and cradled the boy as she pulled him on the deck, willing the fog to thicken and obscure her movements.

"Where did that brat go!? Fan out! He couldn't have gotten far!" A deep growl nearly shook the magic mist as the burly men spread out, searching the area, and only got frustrated as he failed to find their target.

Eventually, a slow voice spoke with drawn-out syllables. "Wait, whom were we chasing again?"

"I don't remember..." A third voice hesitantly droned in the mist.

Paragon nearly giggled like a child as the five men below her bow succumbed to her magical mist, but quickly recovered and looked at the person in her arms. I need to get their attention farther away from me. She hesitated, then slowly shifted the sleeping form in her grasp from four hands into three. Then, the liveship summoned a small cannonball into her freed talons.

This is a lot of metals to use, but... Paragon glanced down to the sleeping form as he leaned against her shoulder. ...it's worth it. She threw the metal sphere down the docks, where it landed, and bounced several times against the wooden planks like pounding footsteps.

"Over there! Get that little brat!" All five men chased the sound and consumed by the magical mist. Soon, their memories relating to the boy in Paragon's arms would fog and fade.

With the men distracted, the liveship briefly debated waking Travis from his slumber but shook her head at the thought. I can handle this. I'll put him in bed and explain everything in the morning. Paragon paused slightly as she looked down at the sleeping figure in his arms.

Paragon recognized the boy as a Stellan, with his hood-covered ears and orangish skin. She didn't recognize the indigo and purple wave-like pattern on his cloak, but she knew the young Stellan needed help the second she grabbed his shoulders. His thoughts were filled with fearful thoughts, both for his family and his own life. The white ship knew she should help.

In the brief moment when she first grabbed him, she had seen his fears of being captured and forced into slavery in Hoshio, just like his father. His family was struggling to make ends meet on their small little farm, every day was a struggle to even keep the property. To feed his starving family, he had to resort to thievery. At the same time, she saw his hopes and dreams of being a real mage, and how he put all of that aside to help his family.

The silver figurehead gingerly ferried the sleeping Stellan below deck and entered the clean officer's quarters, then placed him into the bed. As she gently removed the sack of food from his grip, the liveship paused, then grinned as an idea formed in her mind. He won't mind if I add a bit more food to this.

Paragon placed the bag on the floor and magically filled it with fruit, vegetables, and a loaf of bread from her food stores, then gleefully sprinkled in a few gold and silver coins. Paragon barely contained her grin as she tucked the Stellan on the cusp of maturity with the care of a loving mother. "Sleep well, Myrllen." Paragon telepathically whispered into his mind like a parent. "I'll see you in the morning when the spell wears off."

He made no response as the sleeping spell whisked him into adventures in the dreamscape.

With a soft smile, Paragon left the room and silently closed the door. I'll have a lot to explain to Travis in the morning. I hope he agrees with my idea.

Author Notes!

I know this is a short chapter, but it is one that I have been excited for a while! I honestly almost wrote this chapter early, but ended up not having time.

But, what do you think of our mysterious cloaked new character, Myrllen?