((sorry, only got 2/3 of my post done in time.))<br/><br/>The collar suppressed all of Masakoâs spell-like abilities, so the blinding burst of light she hoped for never came. What did happen was the evening sun pouring through the small window at the front of the bar reflected off the spearhead and into the eyes of the nearest assailant, temporarily blinding him. By the time Masako was out the backdoor, the six men were close behind her.<br/><br/>Serantoâs alleys were more twisted and winding than its streets. The narrow lane behind the Golden Goose was barely wide enough for three average size men to stand across shoulder to shoulder. One of the men told the others to pair off and go find where the slave had gone. Masako could hear the footsteps running off down the stone paved paths.<br/><br/>A minute passed, and then suddenly there was a ripping sound and Masako fell through the cloth she had been laying on and landed hard on the ground. One of the armoured guards stood with the man she had blinded in the tavern. The guard was holding a five foot long zweihander, and it was clear he had cut the awning. The other man bent down and picked Masako up. He held her wrists behind her back.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#606060">âYou put up a good fight, I like that in a girl, but itâs over for you now. No more running, and you donât got that barbarian here to save you.â</span><br/><br/>-------------------<br/><br/>Sean walked over to where Lynise was trying to recover her sapling from the ground. He stood over her, apple still in hand.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00bf00">âI donât understand you. You were too weak to move and I bring you here where youâre safe, but do you thank me at all? No.â</span>He finished the apple and tossed the core into the garden.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00bf00">âWhile you were unconscious, I got thinking. Most people would probably keep a dryad for a slave or pet or something, or maybe sell you to someone else who is looking for that sort of thing. But Iâm not going to keep you. As I see it, someone like me could do well to have someone like you for a friend.â</span>He squatted next to her, a trowel in his hand.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00bf00">âWhat say we make a deal. Iâll give you your tree and take you back to the forest if youâll help me when Iâm out hunting. Also, I want to see the wood elf city. I know that nymphs are friends with the elves.â</span>He watched the frantic nymph closely.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00bf00">âHow does that deal sound?â</span>