Lexy rushed to the mansion, Varikin shortly behind. She made it just an hour before sunset. Lexy stepped cautiously through the large front doors of the mansion. Varikin Followed her and did not display any fear. Lexy however, was terrified. After taking a few steps inside Lexy sighed, relaxing her shoulders.

“What's wrong, did something happen while you were in the forest?”

Lexy screamed and almost dropped her box of knives. not expecting Thokath to be by the door,

 “Oh my gosh, don't scare me like that. I thought you were away doing your job thing again, but no I just got carried away again sorry I’ll try not to do that again”.

Thokath softly chuckled,

 “It's quite alright Lexy, I two used to find sanctuary in that forest. Tell me did you see the white-tailed deer? They are very breathtaking are they not?”

Lexy gave a soft smile and scratched the back of her neck,

 “yah me and him did see the deer”

Thokath eyed the box in Lexy’s hands,

 “what’s that?”

Lexy gave a sheepish smile and held up the knifes,

 “it’s a box of knives I wanted to see how they did it’s also why I was out there so long, sorry”

Thokath shook his head.

“don’t be sorry I am your guardian. I know with a little guidance you can achieve anything you put your mind to”

Thokath ruffled Lexy’s hair,

 “Now let’s go eat. I believe they're making macarons. I think you will enjoy them.”

*****

The next day Lexy woke up to Varikin barking at her door,

 “I’m coming” with that she gets into a gray hoodie and black cargo pants. She grabbed her knives and put them in her side leg pockets on her pants. With this, Lexy walked out of her bedroom and looked to Varkin “alright let’s go I’m skipping breakfast.” 

Lexy then made her way out of the mansion and out into the woods. Lexy leaned over to Varikin and put a hand on him while she began to think of the desert and the doorway to the rebellion base. Lexy opened her eyes when she felt sandy winds against her skin. She looked to the doorway and went through with Varicin shortly behind. The two made their way through the stone town where there were people going about their day. 

Lexy and Varikin entered the base to see Alcore coming up to the two “hey are you two coming?”

Lexy nodded and Alcore smirked. Alcore quickly rushed away in a blur and then came back with a cloaked figure behind him along with an extra cloak. Alcore handed the extra cloak to Lexy. Lexy eyed the cloaked figure with them while she put on the cloak. She couldn't see any features besides that their whole cloake looked wet yet no water was dripping from them. 

With that, the four left the base and headed for the city. When they enter Lexy could see the crowd that has gathered around the hallows and the slummers. Upon entering the square Lexy could see the huge line of slummers better.

The slummers consisted of mothers, children, and men of all ages. Their hair matted and even from here, she can count their bones. They had bruises littered on them like smallpox. Blood and dirt caked on so much it looked like it was a part of their skin.

Lexy could see their hopeless faces. Their eyes were dim in life and their heads low. Alcore turned to Miko,

“make sure she doesn’t stop me.”

Alcore said, referring to Lexy. Lexy looked at Alcore confused,

 “Wait Alcore, what are you” but it’s too late and he disappeared into the crowd.

Lexy’s attention was then brought to the guards upon the gallows coughing to get the crowd's attention.

 “attention you are about to witness the hanging of these scum who have refused to be a part of our community and serve our great king any who try to stop this shall be-“

He was suddenly interrupted by Alcore saying with utmost confidence,

 “Excuse me.” The guard stops and everyone looks at Alcore.

The guard turned sharply,

 “what?”

Alcore smirked, “I have a proposition if I do not die on the gallows then you have to be released every single summer here on death row.”

The guard along with a few others bursted laughing. “oh, you must be joking?”

Alcore shook his head. “no, I mean it, you can hang me here and now.”

The guard smirked “alright looks like we have a jokester here let’s see how happy you will be when you die. I accept your proposition.”

With that two other soldiers grabed Alcore and brought him up to the gallows and placed a noose over Alcore’s neck woven with barbs. The guard smirked and stepped off the drop platform and nodded to the executioner.

Lexy’s eyes widened and went to shout but were stopped by her feet being sundely covered in ice and Miko covering her mouth. To Lexy’s surprise Miko’s hand is grey, wet and webbed. Lexy looked from Miko to Alcore just in time to see the trap door underneath Alcore open and Alcore be hanged.

Tears had begun to escape her eyes. Lexy turned her head to see some of Miko’s face and a soft smirk on him. She feels left out here how he could be smiling when their friend just died.

The guard chuckled,

 “Not so cocky now, dead man?”

Alcore smiled,

 “eh I think the noose could be comfier, but beggars can’t be choosers. It’s kind of fun though not standing. I’m doing fine, how about you, you're looking rather pale?”

The guard was in fact pale and he staggered back “what kind of magic is this? Not even a dragon-blooded man survives being hanged!” 

He exclaimed with shock.

Alcore’s smirk growed,

  “good for me I’m not a dragon blooded.”

Lexy heard this but didn't believe it. Her eyes still wide and mumbled 

“how?” along with the crowd who is just as confused.

Alcore gripped the rim of the platform and pulled himself up. The guard just staggered back terrified,

 “just what are you!”

Alcore standed up on the platform and pulled out the barbed noose from his neck. Holes from the barbs began to heal while he turned and faced the guard,

    “I'm not a ghost or a demon, I'm only human.”

This sent the crowd into an uproar and two other guards came up to the first,

 “sir what do we do?”

Alcore chuckled,

 “I can tell you what to do, you uphold your side of the bargain. I didn’t die so it’s only fair, otherwise good luck stopping me and my friends.”

The guard’s eyes widened “there’s more of you?”

Alcore smirked deviously and placed his hand on his hip,

“Oh of course there are many of us hidden around and they aren’t nearly as kind as me, but I bet they will be far more willing to let you go if you hold your side of the bargain.”

The guards look at each other terrified as Alcore nears the three. “w-we will not need for violence. I've heard stories of what happens to those who don't side with humans.” And he quickly turns to his two other companions,

  “you heard the human go!” and the two quickly scrambled to get the chained slummers free.

With that Alcore hopped off the gallows and the crowd parts like the seas.

The expression on Lexy's face immediately changed from sadness and shock to frustration when Alcore gave her a quick bow. 

'Do you enjoy it?’

He only received a slap to the face,

“Jerk what the hell is wrong with you!” her voice was in an angry hushed tone.

Alcore rubbed his cheek,

 “ok yeah I guess that’s deserved.”

Lexy huffed and her gaze narrowed,

 “You guess? I thought you died up there, I cried!”

Alcore smiled,

“oh so you care?”

“Yes I care. I care for your mental health.” Lexy nodded painfully. “Is this the first time you've done this?”

Alcore smiled at the thought of the situation “no, it's not the first time I've done something like that for them but for this particular city, yes, it's the first time.”

Lexy shook her head and pinched the bridge of her nose.

“you’re hopeless.”

Alcore chuckled,

 “Well I like to think of myself as hopeful and with that out of the way I need your help getting these people to the base. I don’t think it would be good for them to stay in the city. But I’ll let that be their choice.”

Lexy glared at Alcore “ugh fine but next time tell me at least.”

Alcore smiled and nodded “ok fair enough I’m sorry.”

Lexy snorted and rolled her eyes, “apology accepted.”

With that Alcore turned on a dime and headed to the growing group of freed slummers. “Excuse me but just curious, do any of you have places to stay?”

Some of the slummers shook their heads while others just stayed quiet. “alright if any of you would like me and my friends can take you to our place and give you food and decent clothing in return for some simple labor of course.” The slummers glance at each other and then one after another they all step up.

Alcore gave a kind smile and began leading the group of slummers. He now joins back up with Miko, Lexy, and Varikin with the large crowd of slummers behind.

Lexy gazed back at the crowd watching for any unwelcome persewers when they entered the desert. To her surprise Alcore’s tricks must’ve really scared the townsfolk more than Lexy was willing to give Alcore credit for.