[color=goldenrod][u][h2]Aliseth[/h2][/u][/COLOR][hr][COLOR=#C0C0C0]Outskirts of town[/COLOR]
[hr]
[color=goldenrod]""[/color]

Aliseth was two steps away from vanishing from the towns lantern light, two steps away from becoming lost into the darkness of the forest, when a sudden call came out from behind him halting his steps.
"[b]Royal guard Kain![/b]" 
Hurried footsteps crunched through the snow, gradually growing louder. 
Aliseth paused, frozen at the lanterns edge. Half in shadow-half in light.

 "[B]Aliseth, finally.[/b]" said a young man on laboured breaths, as he came running up and stopped. Folding over as he fought to catch his breath, creating small ghostly clouds with every warm exhale. He wore the leathers and fur of a messenger and had the tell-tale satchel of one strapped over his left shoulder.

"[color=goldenrod]What is it?[/color]" Aliseth demanded, his curiosity quickly growing impatient.

"[b]... Was told. Give this. To you.[/b]"
The young man said, pulling out a sealed note from his satchel and handing it over. Only then finally finding his breath. 

Aliseth took the note and stepped towards the nearest lantern where he inspect the seal under the dancing firelight. Once satisfied or convinced of it authenticity he quickly tore it open. As his eyes scan the parchment a serious frustration grew across the features of his face. 
The messenger instinctively took a step away.

Aliseth's fierce eyes leapt from the note and fell upon the poor young man. His gaze held there for drawn out moment, then snapped away.

"[color=goldenrod]Tell him it will be done.[/color]" with that flat reply Aliseth politely handed the note back and started walking back the way he came, not offering the man a single coin for his hard work, no matter how good his theatrical display of effort was. 
[i]'choices'[/i] Aliseth thought to himself. [i]'What was it he had said about them only hours ago? why was he still letting others make them for him?'[/i] 
Then he thought of Elara. [i]'Where was she now? What choices had she made?'[/i]

It was so far beneath his station that this letter was a deliberate insult. Guard duty. Him. A royal guard. At the prison of all places. He couldn't believe it.