"Because it usually doesn't act up," Laila snapped, not appreciating how he spoke to her. With those at the castle, she had to put up with it. Out here, where no one was around - thanks to Griffin, she realized she didn't have to put up with it. She took a breath and looked at him softly, apologetically. "Look, can we start this over? I'm not perfect, nor are you. We've gotten off to a very bad start, and I realize most of it is my fault. I was none too happy about being picked to come, but I can't change it now. The least we can do is make this trip the least miserable as possible. Alright? Please... we both have a disability that's going to slow us down, apparently... thanks to the fact that my condition is deciding to act again. Honest, it hasn't done this in... years." She stopped there. She didn't want to say too much.

Griffin sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know what your problem is and I honestly can't say that I care. If I hadn't chosen you you would be at the castle watching your mother slowly slip away. Actually you would be working while your mother slips away. I've given you a chance to save your mother from dying at the king's hands. I need to know that your capable of helping me. We don't have a lot of time. A month isn't long. At the end of the month we both lose our freedom and the people we love lose their lives. My disability will slow us down. However I am use to the pain. I will keep moving no matter how much it hurts. You can say the same."

"I'll cooperate," Laila told him, standing tall again. "It's what I've been trained to do - so I'll cooperate. I'm sorry that I got us off to a bad start."

"Its alright I probably didn't help much. We need to try and communicate. If you tell me what you need I'll do the same. I don't expect you completely trust me. But we do need to work together. Together we have a better chance at succeeding. Failure isn't an option for me. I will succeed even if I have to create the items myself." Griffin told her.

"Agreed," Laila told him, struck with new found confidence. "I do want to save my mother... and even if it means sacrificing my own freedom, I want her to experience living freely before she dies. And maybe, like you said, maybe we both could be freed?" She looked over at Griffin, "And I hope you get whatever it is you seek out of this quest..."

"Thank you." Griffin told her. He hesitated. He wasn't sure that he could trust her but he thought maybe it would help her understand why he was so serious about this quest. He couldn't bring himself to look at her. He sat under a tree and began rubbing his sore leg. "I'm sorry for snapping. I'll try to be more patient. It's just that this quest is my only chance. If we succeed my son will be freed."

Laila sat next to him, listening. She didn't say anything at first because she was surprised. She dared to ask, "What happened?"

"I don't understand." Griffin filtered his head at her. "What do you mean what happened?"

Laila looked at him, puzzled for a moment. She asked, "What exactly do you mean by 'freeing' him? Is he a slave...?"

"Not exactly. He us more of a prison. My father keeps him hostage to ensure that I do what he wants me to do." Griffin told her. "With my son free I stand a chance of finally having a life of my own. But if I fail I become my father's slave for the rest of my life."

Laila looked at him, puzzled for a moment. She asked, "What exactly do you mean by 'freeing' him? Is he a slave...?"