It was July, one of the hottest times of the year in the Colony. Sophian was once again in Close Square, wandering the vendors. Only there was something different today. For at least half an hour, he had been trailed by a pair of hulking, black-clad men. The half elf watched them inconspicuously as he continued to meander, apparently totally unconcerned. But his shoulder muscles started to tighten. They must be from the Malcion, he concluded. But why now? It�s been at least two months since Aulaire first ran into trouble. And why me? Well, that last had an easy answer. They were after him because he was the easiest to catch, going out and about as he did every day. The rest of the family stayed closeted behind their walls and armed guards.

The men began to close in, and Sophian frowned. He could use his magic to get himself out of the situation, but that could mean hurting innocent bystanders. No, he�d rather simply use his wits and outrun them. He began to weave his way through the crowd, heading for an alley he knew was a shortcut to home. Never thought I�d be running towards home, he thought with sardonic humor. Well, any port in a storm, as they say. Quickly he ducked into the alley�s mouth and dashed for the end� and nearly ran into the brick wall that blocked his exit. For a panicked moment, he froze. Oh no! Now what? He whirled to find himself backed into a corner, and the thugs slowly stalking closer. He clenched his fists, trying to think of the best cantrip to use�

But before any of them could make another move, two figures dropped down from a nearby rooftop. In a second Sophian saw they were a male elf and a female fox anthro, the former brandishing a longsword � I didn�t even know you could still get those! � the latter with her fists up.

The goons burst out laughing at the sight of them, and Sophian was hard-pressed to conceal a smile himself, considering the desperateness of the situation. But all traces of amusement were wiped away as the pair attacked, using his pursuers hilarity to their advantage. They were good, and obviously professionally trained. The half elf danced back a few steps, trying to stay out of range. But one of the large men managed to slip past his opponent, the fox, and made a grab for him. Before he could react � before he could even dodge � Sophian found himself forcibly shoved against the wall by the long-legged elf while the woman administered a powerful roundhouse kick to the thug�s head, knocking him out cold.

Sophian looked up at his male rescuer, and his eyes got big as saucers. For a few moments all he could do was think, over and over, It�s him it�s him it�s him it�s him. It was the man from his dreams�

The redheaded elf, whose eyes were as brown and deep as Sophian remembered them, gazed back down at him, as if entranced. Sophian licked his lips, trying to think of something to say. But just then, a throat cleared nearby reminded him they were not alone, and the spell was broken. The taller man colored and stepped back, saying, �Oops� Sorry� I didn�t squash you, did I?�

An Irish accent� It�s just like I imagined� He�s even more perfect than I thought� Aloud, the half elf replied, �N-no. No� I�m fine.� He swallowed. �My name� is Sophian� and� thank you�� Without thinking, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around the elf�s waist. The other patted his shoulder somewhat uneasily, and Sophian realized that this man must not recognize him. I should have known� he thought, somewhat sadly. But maybe� I can get to know him�? Carefully concealing his blush as well as his disappointment, he moved away again as the pair proceeded to introduce themselves.

�I�m Ciaran Kemennaur,� the Irish teenager said, �and this is DeLeena.� The vixen nodded a greeting.

Gathering his wits once more, Sophian smiled and made the appropriate sounds. Pleasure to meet you, Thank you for saving me, and all of that. Then he proceeded to explain what had happened, ending with, �I thought this alley was open all the way through� but someone�s sealed it off since the last time I was here.�

DeLeena�s sharp jaw fell open. �Shi-lah,� she exclaimed, �what�s a rich kid doing wandering around these alleys?�

Sophian glared and snapped, �I�ve been taking care of myself since I was old enough to leave the house. And besides,� he added, growing a little sad, �there�s nobody to care about me anyway��

Ciaran spoke up. �Well, for not caring about you, they seem to have sent an awful lot of people to track you down...� He gestured to the alley�s mouth, where searchers dressed in Malliux livery had gathered, but Sophian dismissed them with a wave of his hand.

�Just for show,� he assured. �My two step-brothers are the only ones they care about � eldest and next-eldest. Mustn�t lose them�� He spat this last with disgust.

�At least you have brothers,� the swordsman murmured. Sophian�s elegant head tilted in mild confusion, and he glanced towards DeLeena, who shook her head.

�We�re Jump Hunters,� the fox explained. �Trainees, anyway.�

Sophian couldn�t contain a gasp. Oh no� No� �And you�re� partners?� His pale green eyes darted from one to the other, wishing for a negation he knew wouldn�t come. The pair nodded.

His gaze flashed with pain, then hardened, and he didn�t say another word. He couldn�t, or he might have broken down right there. He simply walked away and exited the alley, waiting for his family�s searchers to find him.