MY eyes fluttered open as I took in the surroundings.

I had been laid on a pallet on the ground, sheltered under a wide tree. It was early morning, the rest of our group — all seven of us — laying down, fast asleep.

I sat up slowly, glancing at the others. White bandages wrapped around them — Terran's leg, Pecan's temple, the white cloth peeking out from under Aiden's shirt. Even around my arm.

I pushed the sheet off me and stood up. The sun was barely out, the birds already chittering in the leaves. I walked to a nearby lake and washed my face before returning to the others.

I sat down on my pallet and leaned my head against the tree. The vision I'd seen...

First, Ivy and Rowan were happy and in love and trying for more children. Then Ivy had turned to Branch — what had happened in that time. She'd mentioned that all the children were girls — was that it?

My eyes turned to the side when Maple started turning in her sleep, muttering intelligibly to herself. Her face was distraught, frightened. I crouched beside her.

"Maple, wake up." I shook her shoulder gently. Her eyes fluttered. "It's just a nightmare, wake up!" I said, shaking her harder. Maple's face twisted once before her eyes shot open and she bolted upright, her head slamming into mine.

"Ow!" I cried, stumbling back. I reached up to my head, grimacing at the sharp pain, before turning to Maple.

"I'm so sorry, El!" She cried, holding her own forehead.

"It's fine," I sighed. Maple looked from side to side before standing up and limping over to me. "Are you hurt?" I asked.

She winced. "A bit. The Guard were well-trained."

"That they were," I said, sighing. "Did you make it through safely?"

Maple nodded. "Remember that village where everyone introduced themselves?" I nodded. "Aster remembered their names, so we used those. We still had to plead a lot to get through — " She stopped and winced at this point, like by plead she meant something else.

"But we made it through. We went to the town and got weapons before coming back. We watched while you tried to cross. When they attacked — "

"You came." I finished, nodding. "What happened after I fainted?"

She sighed. "We ran away and hid here. Everyone was tired, so we just wrapped up the wounds and went straight to sleep."

"They'll be looking for us now," I said. I was sure the Guard knew how I looked — they'd know I was alive and where I was.

"We'll make it," Maple said softly. I only nodded.

The two of us waited for the others to wake up. Terran and Aster were up next, brushing off our concern for their wounds. Soon, Arden and Pecan woke up.

Aiden, of course, remained blissfully asleep.

We ate breakfast, exchanging stories of what had happened.

"So, that's why you were half-naked when we came," Aster murmured, her eyes flitting to the boys.

Pecan and Arden turned bright red. Terran, though, maintained his composure. They'd put on some clothes, at least, once we'd returned.

Maple stifled a laugh, and both Pecan and Arden shot her offended looks.

"I'll wake up Aiden," Arden said, once he'd finished. I watched, pursing my lips, as he shook Aiden hard — getting no response.

"May I try?" I offered. Arden looked back at me and shrugged. I stood up and grinned, curling my fingers into fists. Water from the lake seeped out and flew through the trees, landing with a satisfying splash on his face.

Aiden bolted upright, his eyes shooting open. He seemed to understand what had happened when the rest of us started laughing. He glared at me and shook his head violently, water droplets flying out of his hair. "I'll get you back for that."

"If you say so," I grinned.

"We have to move," Terran said gruffly, his smile fading as he picked up the pack.

We'd restocked on weapons, thanks to Aster, Aiden and Maple. Only our supplies were left behind, but we'd pick up new ones in the village.

I sidled up next to Aiden as we walked. He glanced at me curiously.

"What exactly happened when you tried to cross? They didn't give details," I asked quietly, glancing at Maple and Aster, who were far ahead.

He sighed. "Nothing, they — it took a lot of persuading to get across."

"What kind of persuading?"

"They made us beg. Get on our knees and — " Aiden looked away, running a hand through his hair. "Then I had to spar with one of them. I lost on purpose. He gave me a good thrashing."

I pressed my lips together, looking down. "If we win, I'll change all of them. The Guard won't be so cruel."

"I'm guessing things will be very different in your reign, Princess," Aiden said softly.

I nodded. "They will."

***

After days and days and days, Terran informed us that we were reaching another Territory Guard.

The way we'd get through this one was through a tunnel in a shop in a nearby village.

It was eerily similar to the time we'd traveled from the first camp — when Acer had died because of me.

We changed our appearances, splitting up again. I pulled on a dress again and went with Terran and Arden.

This time, we'd go first and wait in the tunnel for the others. It wouldn't take as much time, though.

"See you soon," Maple said, smiling. I nodded at her.

"It'll be different this time," Aiden whispered. I blinked at him. How had he seen I was worried?

"Come," Terran said.

I nodded and we walked away, slipping into one of the narrow, dusty lanes between the small houses. We got a few glances, but we'd covered our heads with scarves.

We entered the small shop. It was empty, the shopkeeper probably gone out, his wares — little trinkets and jewelry — displayed in glass cases.

Terran crouched beside a brick wall and slowly pulled a few bricks out, creating a hole big enough for us to crawl through. Luckily, the tunnel widened and was large enough for us to stand in.

When we went inside, he put the bricks back in. They were chipped, so I could just barely see inside the shop.

Only a little time had passed before the other four entered. We crept back as Aster walked up to the wall and did the same thing as us.

They were in a hurry. They crawled in quickly as we moved back to make room.

"The Queen's soldiers are taking over the village," Maple hissed as Aster shoved the bricks back in.

Just then, there was a loud crash from outside. We froze. Aster crouched, bending to look through the hole, and straightening up. She mouthed something at us.

Soldiers.

Terran held up a hand. I glanced at Aiden, who nodded at me. He meant to wait.

Soldiers' voices filled the area — talking, laughing, jeering. Their armor clinked — they were moving around.

They didn't know we were here.

"That shopkeeper was so frightened," One said. I could sense the amusement in his voice.

"Aye. I say we take what we want," Another replied.

"Let's rest here for a while," Another said.

The conversation quieted for a while. We didn't move.

Then a soldier's voice, louder than the rest, caught our attention. "Why are we even here?"

"Queen thinks the Princess might come through here. Apparently, this village supports the rebels. Useless, if you ask me," One grunted.

"We have to do our duty," a soldier said.

"The Queen's duty. Sometimes I don't know why," the first voice said, quietly.

The room fell deathly quiet.

"We do her work because she pays us. The rebels won't," a new voice said dryly.

"She's making a bloody mess of our Forest. Sometimes I think we should join the rebels," the first voice said.

"Watch it!" Another soldier hissed, sounding alarmed.

"Talk like that could get you killed," one warned.

But another soldier piped up. "Anyhow, there's no chance the Princess is going to pass through here again."

"Why not?" A soldier asked.

"Heard the news lately? Rebels taking over plenty of towns and villages near here. They've almost covered the territory guard. Won't be soon they take over this place, too. Princess can walk right through."

"For Nalvia's sake, keep your mouth shut!" A soldier cried — and there came the sound of a loud boom.

"You worthless scoundrels!" A new voice yelled. I exchanged an alarmed glance with Aiden.

Aster pressed his eyes to the hole, then turned around to us.

A general.

"You dare to speak of you Queen like this! You've signed your own death warrant!"

There was the sound of a sword being drawn from its sheath, and, a moment later, a horrible yell and the sound of something falling.

"Anyone else?" The general boomed.

Dead silence.

The place shook with the sounds of his heavy footsteps leaving the shop.

"Let's go," Terran whispered.

We walked on, away from the village. It was a long time in the dark, so stifling that I grabbed Maple's hand and held it tight.

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