Vlad's gazed went back and forth from Kaya and the Elven King. Even though it was right in front of him, he still could not believe it.

The silence in the room was deafening. No one spoke, no one moved, the Elves hardly even breathed. The quiet dragged on for several minutes.

"Take him away," said the King finally. "I wish to speak with Kaya alone."

The guards began to obey the order, but Kaya got in the way. "He's not leaving," she said defiantly. "If you send him away, then I'm leaving as well!"

Everyone in the room looked at her. The guards seemed unsure of what to do. Vlad was amazed at Kaya's willing to stand up to this man. Even her father seemed appauled. He looked at her with wide eyes. Finally, he regained his kingly appearance.

"You wish to stay with him? Fine! Guards, take them both back to the duneon. Let's see if my daughter will be more willing to comply tomorrow." The guards obeyed silently, taking a hold of Kaya's arms once more.


The guards threw Vlad and Kaya into the same separate, wooden-barred cells. The silence in this room was worse than that in the throne room. Vlad could think of nothing to say, and Kaya seemed to have no wish to speak at all. They sat there for what seemed like an eternity, the awkwardness between them building.

Kaya pulled herself into a sitting position, sighed, and placed her arms on her knees and her forehead in her arms. Her back leaned against the bars of the cells away from Vlad. He looked at the top of her head and felt worried.

"Are you okay?" he asked. No response. All Vlad could do was wait.

Kaya took a deep breath and pulled her head out of her arms, facing Vlad. "Yeah," she said. "Let's just figure out a way out of here. I dont' want to spend any more time in this city than I have to."