A/N: As usual, I would recommend putting the video on loop.

Light flowed in from outside. She could see the closed door from before, but she wouldn't stay on the fish long enough to find out whether the fish could open it or not. The other issue was the two guards standing by it. Her dagger had been lost in the fight from before, and she had no arrows left to string. All she had was the bow.

Currently, the guards were having a conversation with the other. It didn't take her long to figure out that they were discussing Tarhuinn's and her fate. They hadn't seen her yet, and if she had the arrows, it would be the perfect moment to strike. She couldn't make up some story about the other guards either. Blood painted her clothes and skin.

There wasn't anything to hide behind either; there was just snow, but there was no possibility of surprise if she stayed on the fish. Deciding on a plan, she leaped off the fish and to her left. Snow puffed up into the air as it surrounded her. She rolled onto her back and quickly pushed snow out of the way to create some distance between the water and her. The fish tried to grab for her, but she was out of range. Unfortunately, the guards had witnessed her action.

They darted towards her. She grabbed a fistful of snow and formed it into a ball swiftly. (F/n) threw it at the one's face and stunned them for a moment. Standing to her feet, the other reached for her, but she dodged their hands in time.

Extending out her right foot, she tripped the one and turned back to the other. As they went to grab her, she stepped to side before she stood behind them. With the bow, she placed it around their neck and pulled. The string pressed against their neck, and they were already starting to become weak from being out of the water. They reached up to try and break the string, but they didn't succeed; however, the other guard had recovered.

Closing the distance, they grasped her upper arms and tugged her back. She lost her grip on the bow, but she managed to elbow the guard holding her in the midsection. A gasp escaped their mouth before she wrenched her arms free and pushed them down. (F/n) noted the other one about to remove the bow, but she grabbed it once more and tugged towards herself again.

Slowly, the guard on the ground began to get to their feet again, but their balance was poor. They almost fell again while the other could only hold onto the bowstring. Their life soon vanished from them, and she pushed them away from her. (F/n) looked back to the other one. The guard was directly in front of her, but they could barely stand. Before their hands reached her, she kicked them in the midsection.

It appeared as though they were trying to call for help in the process, but their voice was too hoarse. Figuring that they wouldn't be a problem for much longer, she went over to the other one and searched them for anything. Surprisingly, there were no weapons on them. Thankfully, she had avoided their hands, then. Like the spy Phiinae, the guard had probably used them as their weapon.

Peering back at the other one, she noticed that they had stopped breathing. Cautiously, she went over and examined them. Like the other guard, they lacked weapons. Annoyed, she combed her fingers through her hair. A chill took over her, though, as she calmed down from the fighting.

With the day beginning to fade away and becoming colder, she needed to get inside. The tree and the fighting had kept her warm, but she needed to get by a fire to dry off. She was soaked, and she didn't want to be shivering when she was freeing Tarhuinn if he hadn't managed to escape already. Finding a fire, though, wouldn't be easy, and it was probably too much of a luxury in her present situation.

She directed her gaze over to the windows. They would lead into that mage's room. Would he be in there? There was also the problem that all the windows were closed once more. Breaking one was out of the question; it would draw too much attention. (F/n) saw the fish waiting for her by the edge of the water. It would seem that she would have to go through that door.

(F/n) picked up the bow again and readied herself. "You're not going to accept another surrender, are you?" she asked quietly. In response, the fish only continued to reach its arms out towards her. Steadily, she walked towards the door while she kept her eyes on Icniss's minion. If the door was locked, that would create another issue, but she would solve it if it came to that. She wouldn't accept failure.

The cold bit at her skin, reminding her to hurry, but she would only rush once near to the door. Step by step, her heartbeat quickened. She started to countdown in her head. After one, she charged and jumped into the water. (F/n) grasped the handle and pulled. It opened! Instantly, she closed it behind her as quickly and quietly as she could. Water splashed against the other side, but she was still standing in water.

To her right, there was a land path. Hopping onto it, she walked speedily along it. The fish could grab her easily if it caught up, but she didn't look behind her. Sadly, though, she couldn't run. Her feet were wet, and slipping would only give the fish more time to catch up to her.

Up ahead, she saw another door. Water splashed behind her, and it only grew louder. Cursing, she wished that her feet were dry, and she decided to risk walking a little bit faster. When she reached the door, she pulled it back hard and went into the next area. Again, she closed it behind her. Like before, the fish crashed into it.

Before her, there was a large pool, and bath supplies rested on shelves. There was a small room off to her left, and there was a door ahead of her. She traveled on the dry land around the pool and stayed close to the wall. The fish luckily couldn't reach her if she remained pressed up against it, but it had matched her pace.

Close to the door, she wanted to shout in frustration. The fish was now blocking it. She watched its hand movements and timed them, however. When she thought that she had the pattern down, she moved closer and brought down the bowstring. It severed the fish's hands, and water splashed all around.

That giving her the time that she required, she opened the door and shut it afterwards. To her surprise, she was back in Alpontus's room. That might mean that her daggers from before were still inside, but the fish would be a problem again soon. The next door, she couldn't charge through either. If she was going to avoid capture, the fish would have to be dealt with.

Thinking on what she could do, her attention turned to the bed. Swiftly, she went over and grabbed the sheets. She ripped one from the bed and returned to the door that led to the bathroom. Already, the fish was forming in the area. (F/n) stepped back a little and held the sheet out. Once the fish was fully formed, it raced towards her. It hardened itself to grab a hold of her.

Using that to her advantage, she draped the sheet over it and wrapped it around the creature. She lifted it up and tied it off. The fish struggled inside, but the soaked blanket was beginning to drip. (F/n) went back to the bed and secured the other sheets around it before she set the mass on the stone. It would escape eventually, but she had some more time now.

Rubbing her hands against her upper arms, she started to go to the next door. Her eyes landed on the dresser, though. She didn't wish to wear Alpontus's clothing, but it was dry. If she changed rapidly, it wouldn't delay her too much. Besides, it would keep her warmer.

Once there, she opened the drawers and pulled out things that might fit. Getting out of her soaked, outer clothing, she shoved it into the drawer. She changed into some black pants and tied the drawstring at the waist tight. (F/n) slipped on a long-sleeved, black shirt as well. The clothes were quite big for her, so she rolled up the sleeves and pant legs.

Now, by the door, she pressed her right ear to it and listened. No voices sounded on the other side, but she remained cautious. Had they already taken Tarhuinn to that dreadful room? She hoped not, but she would have to advance to find out. Slowly, she opened the door and peeked out into the main space. It was empty.

After she checked the above area as well and noted that it was clear, she headed out into the open. She closed the door softly after her and made her way for the upper space. Once up the stairs, she hid in the shadows and overlooked the space once more. Amtoma's room door opened, and the three authors walked out. Icniss made himself known as well, and he was dragging out Tarhuinn by his hair.

His clothes were torn, and long red marks covered his exposed skin. Some were bleeding as they were deeper. Burn marks were on his wrists and ankles as well. Her hands covered her mouth as a sob threatened to expose her, but she could feel tears at the corners of her eyes.

Icniss lifted him up and roughly set him down on one of the chairs. The mage held him up against the chair by his hair while Amtoma walked up to Tarhuinn. (F/n) was tempted to call out and tell her to go no closer. In her shock, though, (f/n) collapsed to her knees on the land path and leaned against the wall for support. She was about to lower her hands, but she held them there when a shout nearly left her lips as the sound of skin impacting skin resonated throughout the area.