Ryan stayed there for a while, until he noticed an figure approaching the wall. The cloak was different, but it wasn't hard to recognize her - when she glanced around he caught glimpse of blonde hair, unlike anyone's who lived here naturally. And, no one else had even attempted to come close to the palace. So, that was his cue. Quickly, he got off the roof and moved after her. The invisibility shield remained, still faint so if anyone would actually carefully observe the scenery, he could be noticed as a blur, but the man avoided such situation, by keeping behind corners and plants just like Sophie did.

She knew what she was doing, it seemed. Most likely, not first time sneaking into places, then. Not that it was surprise. Wanderers often had similar means of getting by. He wanted to get her in a quieter place, where the struggle couldn't so easily be interrupted by a guard - it was really too bad he had been too far when she had arrived at outer wall, they could've dealt with it back there otherwise.

He was on her heels when she found the oasis in the center of palace and would've pursued his plan of capturing her, if not a coming guard. The man had noticed the open doors and already pulled out sword, seemingly ready to shout alarm. Ryan had to linger to knock him out and because of that, he nearly lost his 'prey'. She was quick and the darn place was huge!

In truth, he didn't understand the charm of owning such grand places. In his opinion, if the high and mighty of all worlds wouldn't guard and hoard their riches so greedily, there would be many less attempts for their heads, making them much more safe with what they would keep. The treasures attracted people like him, or perhaps more those of Sophia's kind. Girls liked shiny things.

As proven with how she was drawn in by that magical-orb thing. The girl didn't notice, but as soon as she set foot in the room, a soft click resounded and apparently somewhere alarm went off. As expected, guards came in not long after and Ryan lingered behind them, taking in the situation.

It was when the first guarded began dragging her towards exit that with sudden groan another guard fell to floor, as if he had been hit with something heavy from behind and the third guard was grabbed and crashed into wall forcefully, most likely losing his consciousness as well. Something grabbed final guard's wrist and squeezed so painfully, he had no choice than to let Sophia go - her hand was grabbed by another hand at the same time though and its grip was no less firm - and as the invisibility shield shattered, revealing the white haired man, he landed a strong punch on guard's jaw. It would be no wonder if it was broken, and kick in stomach that followed would probably throw guard on floor.

"Come on!" Ryan hissed at the girl, looking so odd in the scenery as it could be, with his pale complexion and hair, no shirt under the cape and baggy jeans to finish the look. Perhaps she got a chance to move towards the altar and grab the orb, perhaps not. In any case, moments later, he dragged her out of room and around the corner, behind some potted plants. With a soft buzz, a new sphere surrounded now both of them, his hand clamping over her mouth in familiar manner if she attempted to talk or yell.

Mere seconds later, guards came rushing around next corner at the end of corridor, running towards them. If she had any sanity, she wouldn't try anything funny now, or at least so Ryan hoped. If she really didn't do anything stupid, like trying to get away, biting his hand or something along the lines, he would pull her down the corridor, then stairs some more corridors and another staircase until they were on first floor, all the while maintaining some invisibility. He didn't go for the main exit to the outer yard, instead he chose the large arch that served as window of sorts, moving beside the potted plant and hopping over the low barrier and pulling her over it as well, if she wasn't quick enough to jump. Few more moments later, they were behind the tall trees that bore fruit she had distracted guards with not that long ago. Not a blink too soon, too, as a guard patrol moved their way, perhaps noticing a blur or just alarmed by other guards.

Her wrists probably now had bruises, it was not intentional, but in the rush and his attention occupied with keeping her in grip and shielding them (which had saved them at least that time when the duo and guard group nearly crashed in each other in doorway to staircase), he couldn't control how much strength he was using. He leaned against the tree, breathing a bit shallowly form all the running and power-using, but the grip didn't lessen. Most likely, she would attempt to escape now, this was a bad spot for a fight, but he had to be prepared and he would be.

OO C: Argh, I'm bad at writing action scenes! I don't really have practice with them. I hope I didn't take it too far and you can respond to it. If you feel that she would try to get away sooner, go ahead and ignore some ending part of my post and I will adjust, okay?