''Help! Heeelp!'' you screamed your master plan, and many heads turned your way. ''These men want to imprison an elf without cause! They are spitting upon the sacred friendships and sacrifices of our ancestors!''

''Don't get excited now, girl!'' your pursuer said as he slowly but inevitably got closer and closer. ''Nobody wants a pretty lass like you opening her skull on the pavement so- kuh!?''

Something smashed into his armored shoulder. The man grunted in surprised pain and immediately lost his footing from the impact, but by the grace of Mother Earth he managed to hold onto a part of the roof strong enough to halt and maintain his weight.

Four men lay on the ground in a confused daze where Shigeko had once stood. Aryel had pivoted to put his body between the lowered halberds of the mercs and Augustine.

''Rey!'' Shigeko stood below with open arms. Father's Eye, she's fast! ''Jump!''

Eichenwald's streets weren't an isolated forest; the men could have tried to intercept her, but clear hesitations rooted them in place. The more you waited, the likelier it was that one of them would be motivated enough to ram his halberd into your blue bodyguard's spine.

One last look back the way you had come revealed Jules's intensely blue eyes glaring at you.

So you jumped. You didn't even have time to scream before landing in Shigeko's arms.

''Ooof! H-Hey!?''

You caught a glimpse of multicolored pantaloons from nearby men behind your savior, then she took off in a desperate sprint that sent the nearby houses and storerooms whizz by from your blue savior's unnatural speed.

''Shii! Aryel and Augustine!'' They'll be fine! Tonight we have to contact Olin!

''I promised your parents!'' the reminder forced her to slow; she had sprinted down the minute-long street leading into the village in a single bound. Aryel, Augustine, and an increasing crowd of onlookers disappeared when she rounded a corner.

''But-''

''I promised your parents!''

There wouldn't be any convincing her. Her hardened expression made it obvious.

>Go into the church, surely Augustine will find you here. She has no idea where you live, after all.
>Run straight home. There's no telling what can happen after this confusing mess. Go where it's safe.
>Finding the militia headquarters shouldn't be difficult. Go report this incident immediately.
>Free.