[Sarah]

Mikaela felt flattered and nervous. “What are you saying?” she asked.

“I’m saying that we’re making decisions for you,” Lanette said. “Jerrim’s been absent, you know this. He found another city and now wants to conquer it. You will go there and help him,” Lanette informed her.

“Before you react,” Lanette cut Mikaela off. “Before you react know this. Your movement must be seen as a punishment. the guild must not know what you're working on or where you're going,” Lanette warned.

[Sarah]

“Why?” Mikaela asked. A new wave of emotions threatened to engulf her. She would definitely need time to digest what was happening. She had come expecting to get thrown out of the guild, instead she was being moved to another one. One that would probably be better for her in the long run.

“Because Jerrim is leaving this guild behind,” Lanette said simply.

“What about you?” Mikaela asked hesitantly. Her breath caught in her through slightly as she asked. The two had been together and had been so loving to one another, but Mikaela feared she already knew the answer. Jerrim had been faithful to Lanette for their marriage, and there never seemed to be a crack in their relationship.

[Sarah]

Lanette smiled sadly and looked away for a moment. “He uh, well you know,” she stuttered out. “I can tell by the face you're making,” she said with a sudden laugh.

“I’m sorry,” Mikaela choked out. She felt like she was sadder than Lanette was about the situation. Whatever the crack had been it developed into a full size fissure when he moved out of the city, or even before then. Mikaela had never really made a note of their personal life.

[Sarah]

Lanette shrugged. "I've had time to get over it," she said. "It was still hard, but I knew it would happen eventually," she sighed.

"What do you mean?" Mikaela asked. She didn't want to pry, but she was incredibly curious.

"Our marriage was arranged when his father stepped down from the guild. He gave me everything I could ever want, even now, but our relationship never felt right," she tried to explain.

[Sarah]

"Now I'm wasting time," Lanette said with a strained laugh. "There's a horse waiting for you. Good luck," she snapped.

Mikaela nodded and left quickly. Her heard pounded as she walked through the halls of the guild. No one knew and no one could know where she was going. She did her best to act as she normally would, but she was jumpy as hell.

"Hey!" zhie hollered from the end of the hall.

Mikaela stiffened for a moment. "Hey," she called back. "Glad to see you made it back," she told him with a smile.

[Sarah]

"How was your meeting with Lanette?" he asked. Zhie looked remorseful. Mikaela was a strong member of the guild, but no one trusted a deserter.

"It didn't go as expected," she told the truth. Along with the whole guild thing Mikaela had not expected to learn that Zhie was alive.

Zhie narrowed his eyes at her. "You thought I was dead?" he asked.

"Of course I thought you were dead!" she snapped. "I wouldn't have left otherwise," she mumbled.

[Sarah]

Zhie smirked. "Cute," he growled.

Mikaela shifted awkwardly. "I should go now," she said before walking on.

"C'mon now. You're name is famous around here," Zhie said. He reached out and grabbed Mikaela.

"What does that have to do with anything?" she asked harshly. Mikaela did her best to remove his grip, but he was stronger than she thought Instead of breaking his grip Zhie put more pressure on her arm and backed her into the wall. She let out a gasp of disbelief when her back pressed against the wall.

[Sarah]

Zhie held her against the wall, but said nothing. Mikaela felt helpless because she didn't want to attack him. The guild already knew she left him for dead, and starting a fight would only make things worse. She glared at him and refrained from spitting in his face. She had a feeling he would love nothing more than to humiliate her.

Someone shouted at the other end of the hall. Zhie broke eye contact with her and let her go. He considered her for a moment and Mikaela made sure she showed no weakness. A wicked smile crossed his face before he moved on to meet up with whoever had called for him.