Dragon's Fire

When the news came that Zane was dead, Rynna was heartbroken, as was Eliza. Mikhail came home briefly for the funeral, and he seemed upset. Chrissa didn't really care, she was married, with children of her own, and had almost completely turned her back on her family. David was mildly happy, because he inherited everything from his father. David then decided to take care of those affairs he felt his father had been neglecting, mainly Rynna's lack of "proper behavior" and a husband. According to David, Zane had been too lax in Rynna's discipline, allowing her to learn things no lady should know and go places no lady should be allowed to go. The man David chose as Rynna's husband intended to put a stop to her inappropriate behavior and tighten her leash, at Davids requ'est. Maurynna heard about this, and tried to find someone to help her stop her brother.

Eliza told Rynna that although she sympathized, there was nothing she could or would do. Even though her husband had wanted Rynna to continue on with her work for the King, Eliza had never approved of her daughter's uses for the magic, or her chosen profession. Eliza felt that women should leave the work like that to men, and that women should get married, stay at home, and care for their family. This left the King as Rynna's only possible ally.

The King had also heard of David's plans, and although he truly wished he could do something to help Rynna, there was really nothing he felt he could do. A man was sovereign in his household affairs, even if he had only received that household recently. It was one of the kingdom's most important laws, and one that the King had supported heavily until now. He felt that if he made an exception in this case, he would have every woman who didn't like something their husbands had done complaining to him and expecting him to do something for her as well, and he was simply too busy to deal with all of that hassle.

Having realized she had no real allies, Rynna acted as though she was going to cooperate to honor her father's wishes (according to David). The night before the wedding, however, a dark figure moved silently through the house. David had locked everything that Zane and Maurynna had used in a closet, but the lock took Rynna mere seconds to open. She chose only a few important items, including her father's master thieves' kit, an adamantine dagger that the King had presented to her, and her disguise kit. She then slipped out and left her home.

The next morning, before anyone even knew she was missing, she sought the head of the local thieves' guild.

"Marcus, I need help," Maurynna stated in a low voice.

"What can I do for you, Rynna? If it's within my power, it's yours." The leader of the local thieves' guild, Marcus was a thin, wiry man of about 50 who had aided Zane in Maurynna's instruction, and had always had a soft spot in his heart for her.

"I need sanctuary. There are a lot of people looking for me, but I really don't want to leave town yet."

"Granted. I'll make sure all my people know that reports of your whereabouts are to be suppressed."

"Not suppressed, Marcus. Misdirected. They're more than welcome to say they saw me leave town, as long as my brother doesn't find me."