Kate wanted hold him her arm and be with him in private. He had intelligence his eyes that spoke volumes. He was cautious with his words. It hurt Kate to think the hard punishment that he endured with each word he spoke to his mistress. Malora taught him well. His eyes and shaking revealed he was uncomfortable. Kate would challenge that comfort for him to find his voice and express his wants, needs, and desires. The young mage adored her elf. He was beginning to find is voice and express his like and dislikes. Kate blushed as he told her that he liked "sleeping on a bed next to" her. She loved being close to him too.  Affection came easy to her and he was so easy to like…maybe love. She noticed she was kissing him more often. It was easy with his sweet scent that drew her to him. Not that it was his doing; he was becoming more than a friend.<br/><br/>Over the last few weeks, she learned his expressions and feel of his heartbeat. She could tell when he started to shake, his eyes would close tightly, as his lip quivered a bit Trey would claps his hands as he mentally conversed with himself. Kate would lean on him or hug his arm when around the sailors and he would hang his head. Gradually, over the weeks, the tears that flowed freely were fewer, and his moments of panic and fear lessened.<br/><br/>She rubbed his arm as she led him from the clothier to the carriage. Kate had let her guard down as she was thinking about these thoughts. She was woken to reality when the men approached and Trey stepped in front of her. Kate frowned and her beat faster for she barely had to time think. She never saw these figures and caught a glimpse of gold chains and well groomed hair under their hoods. Their language was too good to be peasants.<br/><br/>The mage had to thing fast and let Trey save face. She could have easily changed the men to rats and let the town fat cat give them chase. Kate whispered a spell and an unseen force tipped the cart of melons and they tumbled to the ground. The men had to jump back as they toppled and rolled between the two peasants and Trey. Kate grabbed Trey's hand and ran with him to the nearest shop.<br/><br/>A crowd had see the commotion and Kate ran into a tackle and leather shop. She pulled Trey to the back of the shop. They were surrounded by buggy and bull whips. Kate placed her hands to her lips. She looked for the back exit as the men followed and fanned out once inside. Kate looked at Trey and his eyes closed and he was shaking. She grabbed his arm taking control of the scimitar. "Do not let go the sword. Papa has taught me to use a sword in secret. You are going to get us out. I will explain once in the carriage. Run!"<br/><br/>Kate followed behind Trey as they ran through the middle of the store as there was not back exit. She grabbed a buggy whip and held on to Trey's coat tails. As they ran out of the store, one man slashed at Trey's left arm barely cutting him. The other man's sword was blocked with Trey's scimitar. Kate forced the man to drop his sword with the whip. He gave small cry not expecting the sting of the whip. The other man back away from the flaying whip, he held his arm over his chest.<br/><br/>Kate held on to Trey as they ran out and she spoke a few spell words and waved her hand in the direction of the men. As they tried to follow, guards seized the men. The two men pulled one skinny, hairy, rat-tail from their backside.<br/>Kate handed the buggy whip to the shop-keep when he ran out to the street, and he laughed seeing the men with rat tails. "Ahh tis you Lady Katherine. Are you both alright?"