Anya was almost out of breath when she finally got to the child, more than pleased to have found the boy alright. It had only been a short while, but in that time she'd gotten herself in such a frenzy about it. She thought of Att as her own child, and she'd protect him as such. No one would go near Att, and no one was going to hurt him. She'd said that to Sage at some point... promised that no one was going to hurt him, and she could only wonder if she'd managed to keep that promise, if he was alright still. Att gave a stupid giggle when he said Anya was his mom... the boy had never actually called Anya his mother, she was always just... Anya. But Anya didn't seem so amused by it. She was still worried as she looked the boy over. Whoever he was talking to, he didn't seem like he had an awful lot of energy... so she trusted well enough that this person hadn't hurt the boy, as she was great full for that. She took the child's wrist as she kneeled down in front of him. "You can't be running off, alright? It's not safe here," she told him firmly. The boy just blinked at her, which admittedly worried her... she couldn't tell the boy just how dangerous it was, but he needed to understand how serious running off like that was. "Do you understand? You could have had something awful happen to you, and then what would I do?" The child just nodded to her, a slight frown on his face. "Tell me you understand," Anya ordered quickly. The child gave his reassurance he understood, and Anya pressed a quick kiss to hug forehead and let him know she was more worried than upset. She looked to the man who was really just covered in dirt, a look of complete and utter pitty on her face. Though, something in his voice sounded somewhat familiar... like she'd heard it before. Maybe in a dream or something, and now her brain was tricking her about it. He looked about her age, just so much smaller... not in height, but he was skin and bone. She looked thoughtful for a moment before picking Att up heading back to Luther for a stride, then her good nature got the better of her. "Can I get you a room for the night?" She asked quietly as she turned back to the man. She should have just left him be, but she didn't have the heart to do that, especially considering she had the ability to help. "In the tavern. And some food? You can get cleaned up," she murmured with a bit of a groan.

Sage watched Anya and the boy interact, relieved that she seemed to really care for the child, and that he would be just fine. Well, as long as he didn't run off and get hurt, but he doubted Anya would let that happen. The boy hadn't been away from her for very long, after all, and she'd found him pretty much right away. And Luther was there too, now, so they'd be alright. He stayed quiet as they talked, and as Anya picked up the boy and turned to leave. He almost asked her to wait, though he kept his mouth closed. What he even say to her? He couldn't tell her it was him, or what had happened...and especially not with Luther here. He didn't know how the boy felt about him, but it definitely wasn't friendship anymore. If it ever really was. The chances of him just being nice because Anya liked him was...pretty high. It was the same as the current queen. He'd saved her life, and he hadn't even seen the woman since. Whatever, it wasn't like they'd gotten along anyway. He broke out of his thoughts when Anya spoke up, and he had to take a moment to think about what she'd asked. To process it. Eventually, though, he shook his head with a slight chuckle. "Thanks, but I'll be alright, miss," he told the girl. He hoped that if he added the miss in, it would really just seem like some random guy, and not someone she shared so many memories with. Of course, he called her miss when he first met her too...though if the girl hadn't recognized him by now, she wasn't likely to remember that. Besides, that was their relationship now...he was the tavern boy who shouldn't even be talking to her, and she was the soon-to-be queen. Really, he should have stood up and bowed or something, but he couldn't do that, and the girl didn't seem to mind. He winced slightly at the look of pity on her face though...he supposed he still trusted that the girl would make things better when she was queen, but he wouldn't see those changes. Even if she suddenly became queen tomorrow, he wasn't likely to see it. The thought of food made his stomach roll again...he supposed he'd been starving for so long that his body had turned away the idea of food, since filling his stomach up wouldn't take very much at all, and it wasn't enough to give him what he needed. So really, what was the point? Though, he still dug for worms or insects in an attempt to eat something, even if he wasn't sure why. Maybe it was why he still had the dagger...to try and convince himself he wasn't just some pathetic boy who could no longer do anything when at one point he was healthy and...well,....strong. To convince himself he was a fighter and could keep going. He didn't want to keep going, though, and he wished he'd stop. But something deep inside him pushed for him to try. He hated it, but he supposed it would all be resolved soon anyway. Gosh, why did it hurt so much to have the girl not recognize him? He'd almost wished she'd have recognized his voice, though of course it was better she didn't. It sort of confirmed it though...the girl had liked him for a phase, and that was it. She had a better toy now, and he had been forgotten. It hurt to think about, so much, but it would all be gone soon. He'd been foolish to go with the girl, to allow her to press that first kill to his lips, to let it go past higher up and guide. Servant. He should never have raised his head to look her in the eyes, never allowed her any sort of friendship other than keeping her safe while showing her around. He'd been so stupid, about a lot of things, but this one hurt the most.

Atticus wrapped his arms around the girls neck as she spoke to the stranger. She asked him again if he wanted at least some food or some money, but the answe was no again. It was so strange... anyone else would have lept at the chance for a roof over their head and some proper food. She'd offered him money, too, and he man had turned that down. She was admittedly a bit confused as to why that was the case, and why he refused to take anything off of her. She had to say there was just... something about him that seemed so completely and utterly familiar. Like she'd seen him before, but she could wrap her head around where she'd seen him from. She looked the person over one more time before spotting a slightly rusted knife falling from his pocket. It looked so familiar, decorated with fine jewels and messily engraved on the middle. It clicked after a moment where she'd seen that... it was a gift to Sage, something from his first and only Christmas he'd celebrated with her... with her family. It'd really felt like he belonged that night. Like he was meant to be there, with her. Her brows furrowed slightly as she looked at it, reliving that night in a matter of moments. It made her think about the little tavern he'd gifted her, and how much effort he'd put into it, and how guilty she felt that she didn't even know where it was. She didn't know why this person had the weapon... but if he had it, then Sage has either discarded it or it'd been fleeced from his corpse. She didn't particularly care, but she found herself wanting it back.. it was a wonderful memory, and she didn't want that memory to be lost with this person. But whatever... she could come back for it later. It didn't look like the man was going to be moving very much anyway. She turned away after a moment of silence before wandering back towards the market, where Luther was waiting for her. He looked like he had a lecture ready for the child... again, he was only about four, and there was so much you could tell a four year old without scaring him. "Why would y-" He started, though Anya held a hand up to cut him off before shaking her head. "It's alright, I've already told him," she murmured lightly before looking towards the tavern it was about noon by then... people would be filtering in for lunch, but she doubted there'd be an overflow of drunks about now. "Look why don't we go and some food then go? That's enough for today, I think," she murmured softly before heading in to the tavern. They are quickly before wandering back out to the square, where Anya paused for a moment. "Can you take him? I just need to pick something up from the tailors. It's busy so I should be safe. I won't be more than a few hours," she prompted gently. Luther and the guard looked worried for a moment before she shooed them away. She didn't need to go to the tailors, at all, really... but she did want that knife back. It represented something that actually seemed... important in her life, and she didn't want it to be lost with some malnourished stranger.

Sage let out a breath of air when the girl finally turned and walked away, though he didn't know if it was a sigh of relief or a whimper. Maybe it was both. He didn't really know, and it was too much work to try and understand his brain. He was so tired by then that he ended up just closing his eyes and attempting to sleep. It only worked so well, but he was really coming in and out of consciousness anyway, so it didn't really matter. He could stay there with his eyes closed, it was easier that way. Besides, the girl was gone, and so was Att, though it was nice to see the boy happy and healthy, with a good family to take care of him. He supposed that was as good as he was going to get it, and he was thankful he'd seen the boy. He'd grown up so much...so well, and he felt the start of pride grow in his chest. But really, what role did he have in the child's life? None. The fact that the boy was the way he was was all because of Anya and Luther. The pride turned to ice in his chest, sharp and jagged. Anya. Gosh, the girl hadn't even recognized him. She hadn't cared he'd left, not after a few days. Well, at least he knew. Liz was still the only person in his life he could really ever truly rely on. He'd thought Anya and Luther were good people....and maybe they were, but once he was gone, they'd forgotten about him. Anya had given him a look of pity and offered food or money, but really, even he was able to take it, it wouldn't have done much good. He sighed slightly, shifting slightly and then hissing at the burst of pain that shot up, starting lower and rising up his back. He stayed still after that...he looked asleep, and if anyone saw him they may even think he was dead by then. But no matter. He'd be dead soon enough, he supposed. He could hear the squeaking of the rats again, as they slowly formed a rough sort of circle around the small space he was currently curled up in. He started coughing, and spat up more soot and mud, then wheezed for a moment as he grabbed his side and tried to catch his breath before leaning back against the wall and closing his eyes wearily again. He didn't expect to open them again. At least he'd seen Att.

Anya gave a slight wave to Att when he walked off with Luther. The boy really was perfect... after a few months of having him in the castle, he'd really started to grow on her. After a while, he'd become her purpose and pride, and she really couldn't be prouder of the little man. Every little milestone, weather or not it'd been his first time crawling around of the first time she'd seen him run... that child had become her everything. And that was down to Sgae... she would never have met the boy if it wasn't for him, and she hadn't even been wanted anything to do with the child at first. Now the child was her every joy... and she wished Sage could see him now. Though, right now she wanted the boys knife. The knife, although small, held so much joy in it... and she wanted it back. The man that had it would either hand it to her or she'd rip it from his corpse... it didn't seem like the man was going last long anyway. She sighed after a moment before going to the market and getting a small loaf of bread, to trade, she supposed. Then she wandered back to the little alleyway, where she saw the man before, though, he wasn't looking very... alive. Rats were closing in on him, and it didn't look like he particularly cared. She sighed and kicked a couple of rats away before crouching down in front in the man. His chest was still raising up and down, and there were soft breaths coming from him. He looked like he was ready to slip away, but the man had one more thing to do. "Excuse me," she asked quietly, glancing to the knife that'd pretty much fallen the whole way out of his pocket by now. She didn't get a reply... so she gently patted his shoulder before getting his hair out of his face to make sure he hadn't paled just yet. Hopefully, the soft breeze would to the man some good... though, when she examined his face, she slowly slowly started to register why he seemed so familiar. Sage... god, this was Sage, and he really was on his last legs now. "Sage," she whispered softly before patting his shoulder again. If it wasn't him she was going to look like such an idiot... but it didn't matter, not at all. If this was him, then he was dying, and he really was this time... if it wasn't, she'd want to help anyway, at least get him comfortable.

Sage hadn't noticed when the girl first knelt down by him, and he barely noticed when she patted his shoulder, or moved the hair out of his face. He didn't know who it was, or what they wanted, but if he just stayed still maybe they'd go away and leave him alone. Though, when he heard his name, his brows furrowed slightly as a million thoughts raced through his head. At least, they traveled as far as they could go. After a moment, he let his eyes flutter open, though he immediately regretted it when he saw Anya crouched in front of him. So she'd finally figured it out and recognized him. There was something written on her face, though he couldn't tell what. Did she even care? She had only just recognized him, so really she'd be helping anyone. And what did she want? She'd left...why had she come back? Especially to some stranger. He wasn't a stranger, of course, but she hadn't known that. Not then. Then he realized he had to say something to the girl...but what should he say? What was there ever to say? He had to admit, hed dreamed of reuniting with the girl, and none of the scenarios looked like this, not even close. He'd figured they were fantasies though...he definitely hadn't panned on seeing the girl again. Finally he sighed and shook his head slightly. "What," he asked, not really knowing what else to say. He didn't want to say too much...what if the girl just didn't care anymore? He still cared for the girl, which was why he'd stayed away for so long. But what if his feelings were unmatched? Her expression held more shock than anything...and there was no trace of any kind of affection. He hadn't expected there to be, but it still hurt. She'd been his world for so long, and then he'd torn himself away from her. He'd thought he'd at least have some good memories, but they were all so bitter now. And he honestly didn't see how they could be good. He didn't regret his decision to guide the girl, to get to know her...she'd helped with Liz, and helped with him a bit too. He did regret the decision to become friends, and he most certainly regretted the decision to let him stay after Liz died. He should have disappeared that night...she'd have known what had happened when he wasn't there. It would have been better then. For both of them.

Anya stared at the boy a moment, realising she didn't have a single clue what she wanted to say now. She wanted the knife... but she didn't want to take it from Sage. She just didn't want it lost with some stranger... but now, she didn't know what to do, nor say. He looked so... feeble. What on earth had happened? He was in such a state. When they'd first met he wasn't even in such bad state. She didn't know what to think, or feel as of then. She'd forgotten about him. It was hard to admit, but she had. Someone she claimed to love with her whole heart, and yet there was a point when she just forgot about him... it had only been recently when he'd come back to mind. Even so, there were so many thoughts about him running around her head. She wanted to be happy to see him, but all she could feel was a type of... anger. They'd promised each other that once the boy had left they'd still keep in contact, that they'd still see each other. But Sage just left her, and she didn't even get so much as a goodbye. And he'd left her and Luther with Att. They both loved the child, but it had been so hard at first, especially considering neither of them had particularly liked the child at first. "I just..." she trailed off slightly, furrowing her brows slightly, "can we get you out of here?" She finally asked, clenching her jaw slightly. She didn't want to be sat there with the rats... and she didn't want Sage sat in the dirt. She briefly wondered if the boy had ever thought of her... ever wondered if she was alright or what she was doing. She couldn't say she still had the same affection for the boy she had when he'd left, but that didn't mean she didn't wonder from time to time. It had been nearly four years. Did he have any feelings left for her? Or had he just forgotten, the same way she had for s short while? And why on earth did she care?

Sage watched the girl for a while as she stared at him awkwardly. He supposed she was trying to figure out what to say, too. When she finally spoke up, though, all he could do was sigh and shake his head slowly. "I can't walk," he admitted softly, dropping his gaze as a blush crept over his face. And not in a good way...he was angry at himself, for being so weak, so... pathetic, to put it quite plainly. He couldn't walk? It was so rediculous he almost didn't believe it. He knew the girl probably wanted to go talk somewhere like civilized people, but he was stuck here. And, well...he wasn't exactly a civilized person. She'd claimed to love that part of him...no doubt she hated it now. Hated everything street about him. But, at least she cared enough to keep talking to him. So, maybe...maybe the girl still cared, at least a little bit, about him. He didn't hold much hope for it, and he was definitely afraid to hope, but....part of him longed for her soft touch to wrap him up in a comforting hug as he slipped away. But she wasn't going to do that....he'd probably gotten his last hug years ago.

Anya gave a small nod before biting down on the inside of her cheeks. She wanted to get him out of the mud, and just make sure he was.. alright. "I'll help you," she murmured softly as she offered a hand to him. God, she seems so... awkward. It was like she was talking to a complete stranger, and she supposed they were strangers now, to some extent... strangers with memories. She wondered what was going on in his head as of then... what if he just wanted her to leave? Well, in truth she didn't care if he wanted her to leave him or not. She was going to get him somewhere less... dirty and help clean him up a bit. She couldn't be long, though... she had a family to her back to. A messed up, unofficial family, but they were hers all the same. The rats were still closing in on him, and she wasn't going to leave him to be eaten alive by them, either. She gave a soft sigh before brushing his hair back again, then cupping his cheek gently as she gazed at him. "You look exhausted..." the woman murmured before shaking her head. "I'll book you a room in the tavern and you can chill out for a bit and get some food. That'll do you some good." He wouldn't want to go... she didn't expect he would, at least, but she wasn't really giving him a choice in the matter.

Sage blinked up at Anya, his breath hitching in surprise when she cupped his face in her hand. Man....he'd forgotten what a soft touch had felt like. It was sad, really. And he would much rather stay here, but Anya was never one to let him just stay in a bad spot. She to care at least a little bit if she was helping him this much...booking h a room, getting him out of the mud. "Anya, I don't.." he trailed off and sighed, knowing it was really no use to argue with the girl. And besides, dying in a bed did seem better than just sitting here while the rats picked at him. "Fine," he sighed, reaching forward to take a hold of the girls hand. It was weak, and really he wasn't even sure if he'd make it to the tavern, even with her help, but he supposed it couldn't hurt to try. No, wrong saying...it would hurt like hell. But it already hurt, so there wasn't much worse things that could happen. Unless Luther found him and decided he wanted a new punching bag or something. Though he did trust the girl enough to not let that happen.