The room was quiet and the sunlight kept out by blinds. Slowly a cool cloth ran over her face and she tried opening her eyes. Her vision was blurred and her head swirled. Closing her eyes, she felt the cloth slip over her face once more. It disappeared and she listened to the person walk cross the room.

A door opened and another set of footsteps caught her attention. Low voices approached her and she tried opening her eyes once more. Slowly her vision cleared and she sat up. The room moved around her and she leaned forward, propping her head on her knee. Her back ached and her head screamed in agony.

"You should be resting."

She looked up at the voice and saw an older man watching her. A woman around his age stood by him and her eyes narrowed. The woman picked up a cup and slowly handed it to her. Her eyes looked over the dark liquid and she slowly drank it. It cooled her burning throat and the woman took the cup.

The man pulled a chair up next to the bed and said, "You're lucky to be awake."

Her hand clenched as he spoke and she looked at the closed window. She saw her sword lying underneath the window with her boots and slowly turned her gaze back to the couple.

"Where am I?"

The woman smiled gently and said, "Out of harm's way."

Frowning, she turned her gaze to the room's details and tried to remember what happened. She remembered the three men and the injuries she sustained. Beyond the slaying of the two, she couldn't recall anything.

"We were barely able to save you. You kept fading in and out on us."

Slowly she turned her brown gaze back to them and asked, "How long?"

The woman's smile faltered and she said, "A month. I'm amazed you woke this soon."

The man frowned and rose to his feet. She watched him walk over to a table and write something. Silently he handed it the woman and she nodded. The woman left the room and he returned to his chair.

"You need nutrients replenished. She will bring them back and you must take whatever she gives you."

Slowly he got to his feet once more and walked to the door. She watched him stop at the door and take a deep breath.

Slowly he looked back and asked, "Did you know you carry a child?"

Her hand curled into a fist and she closed her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she looked back at the man and he left the room. Sighing, she looked around the room and threw the bedding aside. She looked at her ruined clothes and then turned her gaze to the room. Slowly she climbed to her feet and moved over to the table.

Her eyes ran over the maps and papers lying spread across the table top. She ran her hand over the name of the kingdom and the inscription at the bottom of each page. The door opened and she looked up slowly. Seeing the woman entering, she walked back to the bed and sat down. Silently the woman prepared a soup and she let her thoughts wander.

'They knew who those men were and took care of me for a month.'

Her hand went to her stomach and she closed her eyes. She knew something had been different inside her during the fight. Her body had more stamina and endurance than it was allowing.

"I want you to eat this and change into the clothes I brought you."

She opened her eyes slowly and took the soup without a word. The woman placed the clothes on the bed next to her and left the room. Silently she ate the soup and put the dish on the table. Her hands slid over the clothes and she slowly shed her ruined ones. Careful of her wounds, she pulled on the new clothes and looked at them.

They were cool and fitting for her journey home. The thought froze her to the floor and she frowned. Looking around the room again, she shoved a hand through her hair and walked over to the window. Slowly she slid into her boots and tied them. Picking up the sword, she fastened it to her side and looked around the room.

Nothing would work to hold her hair back and she picked up her bowl. Silently she left the room and walked down the small hall. She stepped into a little kitchen and the two looked up. The woman took the dish from her and the man indicated a chair next to him. Quietly she crossed the room and took the seat, grateful to get off her feet.

He looked at her and asked, "Do you plan on leaving so soon?"

"I have to get back."

His eyes moved to the table and he said, "You will have a long way back. I imagine you don't know where you're at."

Her eyes studied the woman as she worked on dishes and she said, "I'll figure it out."

He got to his feet and said, "I'll get provisions for the journey back."

She got to her feet slowly and said, "I need to go to the market as well."

With a frown, the man nodded and she followed him out of the house. Silently they walked into the busy market and he handed her a cloak. Slowly she slid it on and felt the sun already increasing the heat inside the material. She adjusted the cover to hide her sword and followed him into the middle of the market.

The man looked back at her and said, "I'll have everything ready. Be back by dusk."

She nodded slowly and walked down the streets. Her eyes looked at the detailed booths and the families enjoying themselves. Slowly she came upon a group of children sitting on a couple of old crates and talking. They looked up at her slowly and smiled. She gave them a quick bow and walked over to the nearest cart.

An elder man looked up at her and asked, "Can I help you Miss?"

She glanced back at the kids and asked, "Orphans?"

He nodded with a sad smile and she slid him some coins. His eyes brightened and silently she picked up some bread and fish. Quietly she carried them back to the kids and their eyes' brightened. She knelt in front of them and handed them each portions of the food.

A black-haired boy smiled and said, "Thank you."

Little hands caught hers and she looked down. A young brunette girl looked up at her and slowly slid her arms around her neck. Closing her eyes, she pulled back and rose.

"Eat it wisely. I'll bring you more tonight."

The smiles crossed each of the orphans' faces and she stepped back into the streets. Silently she walked back to the house and found the man adjusting a saddle bag on a grey. He looked up at her and she approached him. Slowly she relieved him of his job and finished adjusting the bags.

The man shook his head and said, "You really shouldn't do that. It's an honor to aid you."

Her eyes closed and she said, "I'm just a regular beggar. Please treat me no different."

He shook his head and said, "You best be off. The night is dangerous around here."

Slowly she slid into the saddle and looked back at him.

"How long have you have orphans?"

The man shrugged and held the grey's reigns. The horse shook his head and she ran her hand along his neck to calm him.

"They need someone to watch out for them. Please fill that position until I return."

His eyes widened and she guided the horse aside. Silently she guided the horse back into the market. The grey tossed his head as they moved through the streets and she stopped by the crates. Eyes looked out of the shadows at her and she slid to the ground. Silently she opened her saddle bags and emptied most of the food out.

The children stepped out next to her and she handed them the food. They each hugged her and she knelt in front of them.

"Take care of yourselves until I get back. I promise you won't have to keep living like this."

The brunette held onto her and said, "Please don't go."

She caught the child's head and kissed her forehead. The black haired boy pulled her back slowly and the children stepped back into the shadows. Silently she slid back into the saddle and guided the grey down the streets. Her eyes took in the people hurrying to get inside and a slow frown crossed her mouth. A crashing caught her ear and she looked up slowly.

A couple of men were wrecking a cart and one had the keeper on the ground. Silently she rode up to the group and watched one rip a piece of fabric. Frowning, she slid from her saddle and tied the horse down. Quietly she approached the men and one looked up at her.

He let out a small laugh and said, "Got a live one here."

The rest of the men looked at her and she walked past them. Knocking the elder man loose, she helped him to his feet.

He looked up at her and she said, "Go on."

Quickly the man ran into the safety of a nearby home and she turned back to the men. They sneered and chuckled as they surrounded her. Her hand itched to grab her sword but she held her arm still. One man reached for her and she sent him to the ground clinging to his nose.

"She's feisty."

Her eyes narrowed and she dropped to her knee as one man swung at her. He landed on his back and another man caught her arms. Her arms were pinned to her back and she let out a low hiss.

One chuckled and said, "Enough of this. You've gotten us all wound up."

She jerked on the hold but was shoved to her knees. Slowly she looked up at the man and saw his eyes glowing with a sick look.

'Did you know you carry a child?'

Her eyes closed slowly and she looked down at the ground. She had to get loose without harming herself. A hand caught her chin and she met the man's gaze. He ran his tongue over his bottom lip and she spit in his eye. His hand struck her face and she took a deep breath.

The man gripped her chin again and he growled, "You didn't want to do that."

He got to his feet and she looked down at the ground. The blow hit her head and she closed her eyes. Someone sent a kick to her back and she fell onto her hands. Forcing control to hold her still, she held her tongue and slid her hand around the hilt of the sword. Shoulders rolled her over and the man's eyes widened as the sword ripped through his stomach.

The men backed up with growls and she shoved the dead man off her blade. Silently she got to her feet and let her cloak fall over the body. Her hair blew into her face and she turned her gaze to the men. One man drew a knife and another pulled out a whip. Two more held clubs and one popped his knuckles.

'Great. Why can't my luck be any better?'

Her eyes flashed and she jumped over the body. Running down the street, she jumped into the nearest alley and moved up onto the top of the houses. Quickly she crossed the roof and dropped down below the roof. A man stood above her and she yanked him off the house. He hit the ground and she jumped down next to him.

Silently she glanced around the house and found the men split up and she slid out of the alley.

"Up there!"

Growling, she took off running again and headed for the grey. Something wrapped around her wrist and she jerked to a stop. Looking back, a man held the end of the whip and pulled it tighter. Her sword cut the whip free and she stepped back. A blow to her head sent her to the ground.

She rolled onto her knees and fell back against a house. Three men stood over her and she tightened her grip around her sword. Her eyes flashed and she let out a low growl. Something hot filled her mouth and she spit blood onto the ground. The men laughed and struck.