After Loreley and Aran finally finished baking the apple pies, she was sent out to their humble little baking stand to sell them. Aran got to work on preparing the other dishes that Loreley had not mastered well enough to help with. When she neared the door, she grabbed her jacket and slung it over a shoulder. She let herself out and closed the door behind her.

“Try to be back in four bells,” Darius called to her from the vast yard he was cleaning Peril in. She gave him a nod and ran to the stand across the street. She still didn’t understand why she had to be back so early all the time. She could sell so many more pies if she stayed for seven bells but she wasn’t one to argue.

“Restocking?” A regular buyer asked, hauling five full grocery bags with her. Loreley slowed down to a jog. Even in the fall weather, the running was making her boil.

“Yup!”

“I’ll stop by in a few. Have to drop these off at home first.”

Loreley gave her a quick wave, continuing with her fast pace. When she finally reached the stand, she practically collapsed, setting down the load of pies on the counter. She slumped into the chair, letting herself catch her breath. She was still breathing heavily when a middle aged man came up and held a silver coin. It was hard to muster the self control to not snatch it from him and gawk at it. Instead, she took it slowly with a pleasant smile. The fallen king and queen had been stamped into the pretty silver and was in stunning condition. She pocketed the coin, not wanting anyone to steal it from the coin box she had on the desk.

“Thank you. How many, sir?” She asked.

“Just one will be fine,” the man said with a smile, his eyes sparkling.

“I’m sorry, just one? But- but this could cover all of them. It’s simply too much. I cant accept it,” she shook her head, pulled the coin back out, and held it out to the man who took a step back.

“No, I am well off. I simply enjoy giving to small family businesses like yours. You people are in need more than some others,” damn this man was kind, too kind for his own good. The amount of people who would take advantage of his generosity had to be somewhere in the thousands.

“Thank you again. But are you sure you don’t want any more than one?” She tilted her head.

“No. Me and my wife won’t be able to eat them all before they go bad. One is enough,” the man confirmed. Loreley picked the pie on the top and handed it to him over the counter.

“What is your name? I would like to remember you. And, of corse, to suggest your services,”

Loreley hesitated. Names were precious in the town. Giving yours could either mean your success, or your downfall.

“Lillian. My name is Lillian,” she lord. Actually *lied* she didn’t do it often, hated it in fact. After the man left, Loreley set to organizing the stand, but stoped short when she heard Darius’s voice.

“Holy shit, you have no idea that you just saved your ass by giving that man a fake name,” he said, clearly out of breath. He never swore, not unless it was for something important.

“What?” Why was *she* of all people significant?

“I’ll explain on the fly. Come on, we have to tell Arab and then haul ass out of here,” he said, grabbing her by the hand and leading her behind the closet building where she found Peril sitting patiently. She hauled herself up and held on to Darius as they took off, letting go once they were airborne.

…

“Aran, saddle Kaida. We need to get the hell out of here,” Darius slammed open the front door, Loreley too steps behind him. She reached into her pocket and held the coin out to Darius.

…

Her face was stern as she held the coin infront of Darius. He watched her closely, standing completely still and silent. The eyes of Ellowen stared back at him, not Loreley.

“Why do I recognize them,” she asked in a low voice too much like her mother’s.

“Because they’re the fallen king and queen. Everyone recognizes them,” he tried. He could keep it a secret for a bit longer.

“No! Why can I hear a siren’s voice when I look at queen Ellowen? And why do I hear a warm, weak coming chuckle when I look at king Dannon!” She demanded, waving it in front of him.

Shit. Shit. Shit!

“Why can I see their faces as if they are looking down at me, wearing pleasant smiles? Why do I *know* them!”

Aran had walked in after hearing the yells. she stared at him. And he caved.

“You know, you sound just like her. And look like her too. You have Dannon’s stern look though,” he laughed to himself. Loreley seamed to real back her temper and looked down at the portrait of her parents on the silver.

“That’s why we’re running, isn’t it?” She asked, her voice small.

“To keep you safe,” Aran confirmed.