"I know more about every day life than you will ever be able to learn, Princess, locked up in your golden cage. Don't delude yourself. I certainly don't. I became an assassin because it was the only option left to me. I have no expectations aside that I will die one day by the hands of someone just a little bit stronger than me, a little bit faster, a little bit smarter."<br/><br/>He glanced at her as he spoke, bitterness lacing his words. "You are right, I will never be able to settle. I spend my life being hunted just as much as the ones I am contracted to kill. I doubt I will live a day after the day I give up my daggers."<br/><br/>He got to his feet. "Stay here. I'm going to check on the horses." He didn't have to add that he would be watching the cavern entrance. He stepped away from the fire, disappearing in the absolute darkness of the caves. After a moment, his disembodied voice reached her. "You should know I never agreed to kidnap anyone before you. But some reasons are more powerful than money." The soft scrape of stone against stone was the only sign that he was gone.