Bastian turned, consciously forgetting everything he left behind. Relieved that Elizabeth hadn't witnessed what happened, relaxing his clenched paws. Heading back outside through the door and walking up toward her. The warmth of the fire crackling from the fireplace reminding him, that he had left her out in the cold weather for far too long. Stepping down then without warning sweeping her off of her feet. Holding her close to his chest, still radiating heat from his thick fur, dashing forward toward the stables. His ears picking up sounds of parading metal clashing footsteps, soldiers approaching where they had departed...

[center]* * *[/center]
They had arrived to the stables, nobody was around besides someone different than the usual assistant that he hadn't recognized, wearing typical stable boy attire, with a distinguished scar across his right cheek and just above his left eye, attentively watching over a couple horses. However his wagon and horse had disappeared from sight. Bastian quickly approached the man.

[color=0072bc][i]“After the many times I've been to these stables, I can't remember seeing the man that actually lived in the stable house...”[/i] [/color]Bastian recalled.

[color=gray]“Your horse is safe and sound.”[/color] The man assured with a heavy accent, clearly not speaking his first language. [color=gray]“Do you have the pass?”[/color] Bastian nodded in response, revealing the pass. Heading over to one of the barrels of hay where Bastian had previously chased away those men. Shoving the barrel forward, Bastian hearing a subtle click, witnessed the piece of floor behind the adjacent barrel opening, revealing the path of stairs that seemed to stretch out a great distance. He blinked only coming to a stark realization, glancing back the assistant who had a sinister smirk.

“Please, watch your step Bastian.” He said nonchalantly. Bringing a chill down Bastian's spine, he had never mentioned his name...

[color=0072bc][i]“I guess I didn't know very much about my friend after all...”[/i][/color] Bastian thought, without further hesitation traveled down the stairs, hoping he wasn't about to bring Elizabeth into more danger. Hearing the door shutting behind him, making it too dark to see for Elizabeth. [color=0072bc]“Are you alright?”[/color]