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were surrounded by a high, oppressive looking fence for good reason, she thought. Panting hard as they neared the buildings, she could make out people—men—standing in front of the gates gesturing at them to hurry. She mentally rolled her eyes at them; it wasn’t like they were going slow.
    The buildings are a strange design, she observed as she pumped her arms harder.
    We so aren’t in Wellington anymore .
    'Push it!' shouted Sian.
    My body screamed in protest as I forced longer, quicker strides. Men armed with cross bows, spears, and swords, stood by the gates waiting, watching the things behind us. We shot past them, straight into the arms of others who rushed us into a nearby building. I staggered, bent over my knees and gasped for breath as my head spun. The sense of relief was insane.
    We’re safe. Safe.
    My knees buckled and strange hands supported me, leading me to a bench. Kassie was next to me with Loi and Sian beside her, all gasping for breath. Audi was under the bench, waiting. Finally, we could draw normal breaths and sat up, looking around.
    At least sixty people, mostly woman and children, stared anxiously at us. The few men in the room were armed and kept a close watch out the windows. I went to slip my sword back in its scabbard but my hands shook. Kassie guided the sword in.
    'Thanks.'
    I swallowed hard, willing away the tears that threatened.
    It’s just shock Cat, breath, relax. You’re okay. You’re safe. The words echoed in my head as I looked the others over. All red-faced like I must be, with the fear slowly fading from their eyes, accompanied by the realization that a room full of strangers stared at us.
    Kassie gulped. No one seemed to look at them in a bad way, most just looked concerned. A strange sound caught her attention.
    'Lucky,' she gasped.
    Loi’s eyes went wide.
    'Oh shit!'
    Loi hastened to open the pack and Kassie wrenched the top of it wide. They peered in. The cat was huddled at the bottom, her eyes wide in fear. She whimpered at Kassie.
    'Ooooh Lucky,' whispered Kassie her heart going out to her tiny, normally feisty cat.
    Easing the cat onto her lap, she wrapped her arms around the shivering animal. Loi draped her cloak round Kassie’s shoulders shielding Lucky from everyone’s view. The cat relaxed a little and stretched; now she was on her mistress's lap. Kassie winced as claws dug into her thigh but didn’t scold Lucky; just cuddled her until she started purring.
    Loi leaned over.
    'Kass, is she okay?'
    Kassie nodded as she hummed, soothing the cat.
    'She’s starting to purr, so I think she’ll be fine.'
    Cat and Sian leaned over, reaching under the cloak to stroke Lucky’s head, which made Audrey creep out from under the seat to see what everyone was looking at. The dog gave her friend a gentle poke, causing the cat to purr louder.
    A voice piped up.
    'What are you doing?'
    Turning away from Kassie I saw a little boy, his eyes wide, trying to see what we were up to.
    Smiling at him, I explained, 'Our cat was in one of the bags when we had to run and we’re checking she’s okay.'
    He crept closer.
    'Why did you bring your cat?'
    He reached Lucky’s side and gently stroked her, she purred up at him through half shut eyes, adoring all the attention.
    Kassie gave a light laugh.
    'Well we didn’t intentionally bring Lucky; she just snuck along with us.'
    A few people tittered when they heard Lucky’s name and the little boy smiled broadly at Kassie.
    'She really is Lucky. 'Cause if you hadn’t seen her she could have been eaten by the elgrids.'
    Ahh, so that was what those things are called. I could see the same thought pass through Loi and Sian’s faces. Everyone in the room stared at us still.
    They’ll want to know why we’re here, what do we say? I gave Sian a soft nudge. Our eyes connected and I twitched my eyebrow at her.
    Sian stared at Cat.
    I don’t know what to tell them , wailed the silly voice in her head.
    Man up, snapped her rational voice, no, it