Approaching the cave, Ikuno was still far enough from the entrance to be hidden in shadow though he could see her glowing red eyes.“Go home, Kal,”...came a low growl from inside the cave, “Go home and don’t come back here. Wait for Perra to come of age, marry her, have a bunch of children and be happy on your farm.”Her words were like an arrow to the chest and as she spoke the weight of them threatened to drive him to his knees. He felt a tightness in his chest as pain and sadness washed over. At that moment I made to try and run away from the girls, but it wasn't long before, in my panicked state, I tripped up and landed flat on my front. The girls were in close pursuit, and honestly if not for that fall, they would have caught up to me in no time anyway. Their legs were much longer than mine. It all happened so fast, and with the shock of everything happening I didn't even realize at first, but they had already flipped me onto my back, and I had girls holding my arms and legs down. "He started up the stairs, stopped for a moment and said to a guard, "Send Aisha to my room."Lila hanged limp from her wrists, her back and her front a collection of angry red stripes and pink welts; she had long since stopped screaming. Only pure fatigue stopped Manu's arm. He poured a bucket of water over his head."What have I done?" He said.He rushed to release his beloved and took her unconscious body in his arms. Gently he took her to his bedroom and laid her down on his bed. He wiped her. I got yanked out of my musings when I bumped into Harok. The dwarf had suddenly stopped.“By the shrivelled dick of the Soul-Forger, elf. Would ye mind where ye’re bloody walking?” he spat.“Why did you stop in the first place?” I asked him.“Listen.”I cocked my head and strained my ears. Around me, I heard the noises of the city. People talking, children yelling at each other, the occasional cockerel, dogs barking... “City noise.” I said, shrugging.“What did I told ya about walking with me?” he.