"It's perfect! If we can get onto The Adalia we can hide among the supplies until we reach Snaerheim. Or stay with the supplies and get all the way to Glixja or even Aziron," Fiona whispered the plan enthusiastically to Kiana as her friend fiddled with the hem of the dress she was making for Fiona.

The pins in Kiana's mouth rolled as she thought over Fiona's plan. "I don't think we want to be on a ship going against the Arch Mage, but if we can get to Snaerheim, maybe you can send your message."

Fiona nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly. Plus I did some investigating on the side and The Adalia is a fast ship. Even if they set out right after us, they might not catch us before we got there."

"Hold still," Kiana chided as she set a few pins into the dress, "how do you plan on getting the king out to the docks?"

Fiona waited until Kiana placed her last pin and waved for her to step off the box. The wavy patterned fabric looked vibrant under the broad gold belt on her waist, but Fiona ignored the new outfit and used the mirror to triple check the door was shut and no one would be able to hear her but Kiana.

"I was thinking we could use Zeke's wagon. You said he went to the docks sometimes, do you think you could lead it down with me and my dad inside?"

Fiona bit her lip as Kiana's eyes grew wide but the seamstress slowly took the remaining pins out from between her lips and stabbed them into a ball of cloth in her tailoring kit. She stepped over to Fiona, fiddling with the sleeves of the dress which puffed up a bit at the shoulders and were made of a thin sheer fabric. As she worked, Kiana whispered, "I could do that, but how will you get the king out to the wagon?"

Now came the part of her plan that made Fiona feel a bit sick. "Remember the queen's garden, how all the plants are poisonous? Well I think I can make something to take care of Julien. If I time it right, I think that'll be enough to get Father alone. Lately, after the evening reports, he's sent away all the stewards on assignment and it's just Julien who walks him to dinner where his evening guards are."

"Once you're alone, you'll still be in the middle of the palace," Kiana pointed out but Fiona reached down and took her hand, pulling her to the window.

"I've thought about that," she explained, "my father's bedroom isn't far from his office and he doesn't retire until late into the night so no one will expect him to go there. Look, my window is hopeless since it's right between the watchtowers but the king’s is over there." She pointed to the left and up. "Right on the other side of that wall. I've checked and it's definitely a blind spot for the right toward and really far from the one on the left. The sun is setting pretty early now and if we wear dark cloaks I don't think anyone would see us going down the wall."

Kiana gave a nervous glance out the window and pulled Fiona back. "Doesn't this side of the wall drop down a cliff?"

"Yes but then it's practically at the docks. My uncle took me and Libby cliff climbing a few times and I'm pretty sure I could rig a rappel line down from the window. You could meet us at the bottom and take us to the dock, then it's onto The Adalia and we're out."

The princess watched her friend's face eagerly, looking for approval. Kiana was smart and careful, if she thought it was possible then Fiona would have the courage to go through with it. In truth, the idea of stealing her father was terrifying.

If she'd been on her own there was no way she'd be able to pull this off but Fiona also knew she was asking a lot. Kiana was only a tailor, a merchant's assistant, if anything went wrong she would be killed for sure.

Each second Kiana thought over the plan, her steady hands slowly winding a spool of thread, Fiona's guilt grew. She shouldn't have asked Kiana for help with this. If they got caught...if her mother found out...

Fiona shifted and reached out and took Kiana's hand. The girl started as the princess’s fingers curled around the warm hand. "You don't have to do this. I shouldn't have asked, it's too risky.” Fiona bit her lip. “I-I don't want anything to happen to you. Just forget the whole thing."

Kiana pulled her hand away and Fiona looked up, pained. When she met Kiana's dark eyes, they were looking at her with such intensity. Kiana's mouth opened and then closed before she leaned forward and put her hand on Fiona's arm.

"Never," she said, "I won't forget because it's a good plan. Don't pretend like this isn't a huge risk for you either. Just give me tonight to think everything over and make sure it's possible. Meet me in the garden at sunrise tomorrow."

Before the princess could answer, Kiana turned away and tucked the thread in her bag and clicked it shut. With nervous energy, the two girls got Fiona out of the dress and back into her regular clothes. Kiana folded the garment and tucked it under her arm before going to the door.

She gave Fiona a last glance and encouraging smile over her shoulder before leaving, the guards outside giving her a wary glance as passed.