As they entered the alleyway, Alana took the lead.

"I know these alleys pretty well," she said.  "Everyone, stay close.  All you really tall people, try to keep your head down."

She led them through a maze of dirty buildings.  Artz looked fairly horrified at the garbage and mess.

Anna wasn't paying attention to that, just making sure she got away.

There were a lot of people running and shouting nearby them, but Alana kept the group out of sight.  Finally, they entered into an odd little square created by tall buildings all around them, and she stopped to catch her breath.

"So," said Krovna.  "I'm happy to help, but why were they after you?"

"I know, but I also don't know!" Anna said, getting worked up. "They say I'm something called an 'ancient' but I don't know what that is!"

"You look way to young an' pretty to be an ancient anything," Artz opined.  Alana rolled her eyes at that one.

"Okay, but... no, wait," said Krovna.  "I think I heard something about that, from my old job... is there something that's supposed to let them recognize you as one?"

Anna pulled back her bangs, showing the strange crystal in her forehead.

"...yeah, back when I was a Blood Soldier, we were told that there was a reward for finding ones like you," said Krovna.  "I never found out why, though."