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She looked out the doorway for an opportunity to sneak out while Seraphia grabbed Arto's sword and claimed some of his more wearable clothing. Syra did the same with one of the many dead guards. She saw a few remaining guards from the barracks, lead by Raven, fighting the now freed prisoners. A naked man with a large bone ran over to one of them and smacked him across the face with it. It nearly took the man's face off as he spun around and fell in a heap. She also saw Scorpio the trainer, whom she thought had escaped, the blacksmith Stone, and that storekeeper Skip fighting the guards with the stranger. With everyone occupied she signaled to the other women that they should make a break for it.

Quickly sneaking around the corner of the building they made their way to the ladder that lead to the door. The key she had retrieved from Gomez opened the door and they quickly passed through each of the rooms. When they passed through the last door they paused to look for anyone who might notice them. Apparently all the commotion in the castle courtyard had drawn everyone to the north gate.

They quickly jumped down to the roof of a ramshackle hut and then climbed down to the ground. Then they made their way to the south gate, all the while taking care to hide in the shadows. With weapons drawn they ran up to the now unguarded south gate. They could see the guards on the other side were dead. They could tell from the strange burns that the guards had obviously been killed by the stranger. She and Seraphia quickly raised the gate while Syra watched with a readied bow for anyone who might approach.

As soon as the gate was raised they walked through cautiously. She crept out a little beyond the entrance to see if anyone was around while Syra and Seraphia quickly searched the guards for anything else that was useful. She spotted a man a little ways off. He was the same man that she thought she had recognized when she was first brought to the camp. He was standing there obviously waiting for something. Syra and Seraphia soon joined her and looked at the Shadow.

"Do you know who that is?" she asked the others.

"I think that's Diego. He's the leader of the Shadows," Syra replied as she fidgeted nervously.

"Diego?" she said wonderingly as the name sparked an old memory. "I want to speak to him."

The other women looked at her like she was insane. "Have you taken leave of your senses?! He's the leader of the Shadows!" Syra whispered harshly.

"I think I know him," she answered back.

You think?! That's too little to risk our lives and freedom on!" Seraphia shot at her.

"Look you two. You can do whatever you like, but we will survive longer if we have allies. Besides, we outnumber him three to one. We can kill him if necessary," she reasoned.

"Alright," Syra agreed. "We'll talk to him. But if he tries anything I'll put an arrow through his heart so fast he won't have time to blink!"

They slowly approached Diego with weapons drawn. He looked a bit nervous as they came closer and he saw their weapons. "What do you want?" he called to them.

"Are you Diego, a member of the Shadow Thief Guild in the capital city?" she queried.*

"And what if I was, girl?" he asked as he strained to get a closer look at her. "Do you not recognize me?" she responded when she was close enough for him to see her clearly.

"Velaya!" he exclaimed as his eyes widened. "I thought that was you when they brought into the camp, but I couldn't tell because you were surrounded by so many guards. How was the old guild before you got caught?"

"We were in a bad way," she answered as she quickly told him what had happened to the Guild and how she had gotten caught. "Why did you hide in that hut when they brought me in?" she demanded.

Because if you saw me and called out to me, that would have created a very compromising situation. Especially after you tried to kill Gomez. Someone might have tried to link that to me. Besides, there was nothing I could have done to help you. I'm sorry Velaya," Diego said as he sighed regretfully.

"I don't think I'll be able to forgive you for that, Diego. But that is beside the point right now. Gomez is dead and I need an ally," she stated flatly.

"Can't say that I'm sorry to hear that. I know a place where you can stay, but right now I'm waiting for some friends," Diego answered. "Do you see that cave over there in the cliff-face," he asked as he pointed. "Wait for me there. After I've helped my friends I will meet you there."

She nodded her agreement then she and her companions headed for the cave.

To be continued...**

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*My tribute to BG2.

**Don't you just hate that? :-D

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