“Everyone can have as much water as they want,” I shouted before leaping down and pushing through the crowd in the direction opposite from the one Rodric had arrived. He would never get through this mob, but I also couldn’t easily get out.

I elbowed my way through the crowd as quickly as I could, though it was several minutes before I found myself in an empty alleyway leading away from the square. In the chaos, I’d also lost sight of the boy, and I still hadn’t gotten any water. I’d have to hope I could find water somewhere in the desert.

Three guards appeared behind me.

I darted down an alley and merged onto a larger street. I ran along it, searching for any direction that looked like it led to the desert.

I skidded to a stop as I ran past one alcove. In it, two guards had the Desert Boy I was after backed up against the wall. The boy had a knife out, ready to attack.

“Think we’ll get as good a reward for bringing this one back in as we would for the princess?” one guard asked the other.

They both had their swords raised.

The other three guards were catching up behind me. I only had a split second to decide.

Letting out a cry, I forced myself down the alcove. I sliced my sword along one guard’s arm before he even knew what happened. The other guard barely got his sword around before I cut him across his leg, sending him sinking to the ground.

I was just about to tell the kid to run for it when shadows fell across the mouth of the alcove. I placed my hand behind me, hoping the kid was smart enough to stay plastered where he was.

I scanned for a way out.

Two windows were built into the side of the house forming the alcove. The upper one was open, but the window below had its wooden shutter closed tight like a flap. I’d never pry it open before the guards reached us.

The guards who’d been chasing me advanced, pushing me back toward the boy.

“Rodric wants to talk to you,” one said. They all had their swords drawn and pointed at me.

I pointed my own sword in response. That slowed their approach.

“Just come with us willingly,” the first one said. “No one needs to get hurt.”

“Let us pass, or I’ll have no choice.” I tightened my grip on my hilt. My palms were sweating.

“Go get Rodric. Let him know we’ve got her cornered,” one of them said. The third guard nodded and dashed off. The other two spread out to clog the only exit.

My heartbeat sped up, blood pumping faster as I prepared to fight.

My odds were better with two, and since I wasn’t sticking around until Rodric appeared, I attacked. I brought my sword up and swung at the first guard. He fumbled with his sword but raised it in time to block the blow.