Thankfully the dragon-forged was more interested in its creator or something else than a moving target, allowing Kleris to rally the students to a retreat, following Elmira.  When Derrick popped out of nowhere, Kleris was more shocked than surprised like the others, worried his whole double- or triple-life might be revealed, even in the midst of this current crisis.  Fortunately there wasn’t time for any of those questions, Kleris just nodded, “He can help us.”<br/><br/>Looking into the box of humanoid golems, with its unbreakable lock, Kleris felt a new sense of dread rather than the previous fanged terror, but nevertheless took position first, crawling in and trying to sit comfortably inside the crate.  “Just get us out of here as soon as you can, then, and let’s get comfy…”<br/><br/>Eventually the box was loaded and transported somehow, gently rocking them inside as Kleris snuggled with Elimira, trying not to knock knees against wood.  “B-boyfriend?” Kleris asked, remaining neutral.  In front of the prefect, deny everything, at least involving<em>those</em>extra-curricular activities.  “No, no, just a magewright I know.  He helped me acquire Ari…”  A carefully worded denial and half-truth would be sufficient, since their relationship certainly wasn’t a traditional boyfriend-girlfriend relationship.<br/><br/>Filomena was right, of course, the Headmaster needs to know what happened, though Kleris didn’t relish the thought of once again fleeing a former ally of Redhurst, forcing them to cut relations.  “It’s going to be okay Adalene.  Yes, they’re scary, but we’re actually too small of fish to catch, we’ll just disappear, and be safe back at school…” he tried to reassure the girl, and to prevent too much hysteria in the crate.<br/><br/>When another familiar voice wormed its way into the crate, Kleris just closed her eyes in the darkness and shook her head.  Of course they would end up wherever Rachel was “working.”  Stumbling out into the new light and taking stock, they appeared to be in some loading dock in the city, and Kleris could make a good guess of what sort of establishment was inside.  Usually it was best to not even address the situation, but Filomena was getting more curious now that they were out of immediate peril.  Next was acting dumb, or only admitting half-truths; outright lies often backfired.<br/><br/>“Well, sometimes students get part-time work or internships outside of school, right?  Anyway, Rachel, is there, like, a quick way back to school, or could you hail a skycoach?  We kind of need to get back from a field-trip gone all wrong.”<br/><br/><em>For Heavens' sakes, please don't let there be an orgy on the other side of that door...</em>Kleris forced a smile trying to focus their attention on getting home rather than precisely where they were and why Rachel was there.