Kari sat on her bed facing the window. She slowly chewed on some meat and kept her eyes on the sky. The clouds were a soft gray and growing darker by the hour. Cool gusts of wind circled the castle slipping into any crevices available.

She was enjoying her freedom, but she knew the next day would be different. Everything was going to change, and she wasn’t sure whether she was going to enjoy it or not. She, of course, was excited, but she was also very aware of the obligations attached.

There was a light knock on her door,

"Come in."

She said, still dazed, staring out of the window.

Jeplin opened the door and saw her sitting at the window. She was wrapped in a velvet blanket creating an image of grace and comfort.

He shyly greeted her with a wave but she was still facing away from him. she saw his action in the reflection of the window and turned to look at him.

"It's weighing on you isn't it?"

he said. She nodded. He exhaled, relieved he had someone going through the same thing.

"How damaging would it be if we escaped now?"

She said, joking.

He laughed.

"Oh, you most definitely understand how I feel. This has been haunting me for years, I think it's time I own up to it, but I can sneak you out the side door, looks like you're interested in the forest out there."

She smiled.

"Hey, if you can suffer through it, so can I."

She stood up and walked over to him.

They sat next to each other on the side of her bed.

"There is no reason to expect the worst yet." He said, "We don't know what is going to happen." She grabbed his hand and smiled "It might be fun."

They laughed.

The sun was high in the sky and she had just finished attending an enormous banquet in honor of her and Jeplin when three women came bursting into her room. She was uncomfortable, especially without Harota. As they pulled various dresses and jewels out she asked.

"Where is Harota?"

The ladies looked at each other nervously

“She was needed somewhere else.”

One lady said timidly.

"Tell me."

She said somewhat sternly.

One lady began to tear up,

"prince ..."

She stuttered.

Kari's rage boiled to the surface and she without hesitation grabbed her sword and ran out the door. The ladies stood, stunned.

Kari raced down the hall, she saw nothing, she only had her sights on one target. She reached the hall where she saw him last and ran right into the door. She broke a bit of the door off with her sword. The guard was taken aback and did not stop her. He knew what the prince was doing and he did not approve of his actions. Kari stood in the collapsed doorway and saw the gross image of Richon's son standing over Harota. He had a whip in one hand and held her hair with another. Harota looked relieved that Kari was there, but also scared, not knowing how she could handle herself. She pulled the sword out of its sheath and pointed it toward him. "Tythian. Move." She said angrily. The man laughed. "What are you doing to her?" She demanded. "She is being punished for your actions, obviously this is all you're doing, she should blame you not me. This is her punishment for your actions. "No!" Kari yelled,” she shouldn't be punished at all, if you want to punish someone, punish me." "You know I can't do that, my father would find out." "How courageous of you beating servants who can’t speak up." She slashed her sword across his hand and he dropped the whip. She swung again, cutting off bits of her hair that were being held captive by him. She fell onto the ground. She was wearing a brown dress but there were still visible trails of blood coming up from her back.

Kari stepped closer to Tythian. You are lucky you are the king's son or I would kill you on the spot. "I don't think it's lucky, I think it has to do with skill." He picked up a huge staff and shoved it at Kari's chest. It struck her and she flew back. She jumped up and was able to maneuver in between him and Harota. She knelt down to her and whispered in her ear. "When I give you a nod run out of here and to my chamber."

Kari stood up and slowly put her sword back into its metal cover. She looked to Harota, and she got up and ran out the door. The guard stood silently and motionlessly. Tythian angrily yelled at him but he didn't move. Tythian came at Kari with a large sword of his own. He was much weaker than the average man and could barely lift it. His eerily white almost translucent skin glowed under the candlelight, almost in the same manner that his sword did.

She didn't even bother to draw her sword, she reached out and punched his face again. He collapsed into a pile of papers. She ran out of the room. Stopping at the doorway she thanked the guard and offered him protection if he needed any. Though she knew he didn't just by looking at his huge muscular arms and legs.

She ran as fast as her slippers would allow her and returned to her room. When she opened the door all the ladies cheered for her and hugged her. Then they apologized for being familial. Harota was now sitting on the bed in her undergarments. One of the ladies tended to her cuts. Kari sat in front of her.

"How long were you stuck in there?"

She asked.

“Not long.”

She said gratefully.

“He brought me in and stuck me in a cage and only a few moments later he pulled me out and started hitting me, you came in just as he was getting momentum.”

"Oh, I'm so glad."

Harota began to cry,

"What am I going to do now? I can't stay here as soon as you leave he will kill me and possibly anyone who helped me.”

She looked at the other ladies

. "Don't worry about it,” Kari said if you are not comfortable here you can come with me."

They all were stunned.

"Really?" She said, smiling.

"I'm sure Richon would not mind, I will let him know. Pack your belongings, though keep it under wraps for now."

There was a knock on her door, they all jumped.

"Yes?"

Kari answered.

"Are you ready for your briefing?"

Kari looked at them and started laughing at the fact that she forgot about the coronation.

"I'm not quite ready."

She said,

"There was an issue, but don't worry we are back on track.

"Good,"

Robert said in response.

"I will return within the hour."

The ladies had already pulled everything she needed. The ladies covered her skin in oil, then helped her step into a red dress. It was vibrant and powerful looking. They laced it up and began the long tedious job of placing jewelry on her. Though she enjoyed all the lavishness, she also felt odd wearing all of it. She kept her green jeweled slippers and was then led to a chair where they fixed her hair. Their spare time was spent talking and getting to know each other. Kari learned that the ladies' names were Joshea, Conn, and Shanna.

There was another knock on the door, she knew it was Robert returning. She got up, and they helped her to the door. Her train was longer than she was tall and it was made of very heavy fabrics. Before she opened the door, she strapped her sword to her waist.

Robert stood regally in the hallway. He was wearing his kingly outfit and draped with an unnecessary amount of weapons.

“Wow, you look ready for war.”

She said.

“Too ready.”

They laughed.

She turned around to shut the door and leaned in to address the ladies.

“Lock this door after me."

She said.

"Do not make a noise, Tythian should be with us for the ceremony but I don't want to take any chances."

She shut the door and heard them lock it and turned back to Robert. He looked at her with one eyebrow cocked.

"Harboring fugitives?"

She laughed

"Kind of."

She looked at him very seriously and said,

“Don't tell anyone."

"You can do whatever you want; you're the queen."

The sentiment was very odd to her. Her mind left the ladies and was drawn to the scene in front of her. Dozens of guards lined the hallways and bowed to them as they passed. Robert had linked their arms and escorted her through the chaos. she had no idea where they were going but as they went, Robert began to answer the questions that lingered in her mind. He explained how the ceremony would work and what she needed to do and when. He explained his role since he was, in fact, the first heir to the throne. “I know you told me your reasoning behind giving up the throne, but I still don't see why you can't be king and rule the army."

He smiled, by only allowing the corners of his mouth to move slightly. "There are many reasons why I shouldn't. Trust me. I will rule the armies, the soldiers trust me, I am needed there. The war is our focus and I can not be pulled in any other direction. I cannot give my heart, mind, or time to rule, so you must take my place. It's the right move for the safety of those fighting and those living without defenses. You will be able to reconstruct cities and cultures and you will not have to worry about any war logistics. You are here to bring hope and help to those fighting for and with us."

Kari remained silent. Before she could finish processing her thoughts, they reached the two large doors of the enormous balcony. They opened and Robert held her in place as several soldiers marched out. She stood in the dark.

"I must go out."

He said leaving her side.

"Jeplin will instruct you further."

Before she could look around for him she felt his hands grab her arm. She smiled. He was wearing his royal armor, black clothes, and a green cape, a very simple ensemble. She looked away towards the balcony, she watched Robert as he was presented with something she couldn't make out.

Jeplin admired her grace and beauty. He was truly taken aback by how gorgeous she looked. Kari looked at him. There was a loud bellowing sound of a deep horn that filled the thick air. Jeplin held out his arm, and he escorted her through the doors.

The balcony floated above thousands and thousands of people; like the grass, they covered the ground before them completely. It was the first time, in most of the audience members' lifespans, that the leaders of their kingdoms stood in their rightful place.

At first, the crowd was skeptical of the rumors that they had returned, but that was short-lived. They started screaming and cheering when they appeared. Jeplin walked her to the edge at the urging of Richon. they waved to the sea of bodies below. The roar of cheering was so overwhelming Kari wanted to faint. Silence fell as Richon approached the edge of the balcony by stepping in front of them.

"Today we revive two kingdoms. This is the beginning of the revival of your homes. Your kingdoms are reborn here and with that, the darkness will be vanquished. We have officially rebuilt the alliance of your fathers to defeat the darkness that plagues us.”

He finished loudly and everyone cheered.

“I present to you Queen Kari Severan Celussewen of Asiroth and King Jeplin Etharen Costello of Edeagar.”

She was overwhelmed at the awesome grandeur of the event. Richon spoke of their loyalty and dedication until the sun began to set and the ceremony ended. Kari and Jeplin stood in front of the people, animals, and the sky and were officially crowned.

The day opened on the old line of rulers and a strong sense of hope. Another deafening bout of cheers from those below and as it reached its peak they were escorted back through the doors. Kari felt uncomfortable in her elaborate outfit, she wanted to change but was stopped by a flood of citizens, who were residents of the castle. She greeted them uncomfortably. She knew that changing wouldn't be the proper thing to do, so she continued on her way down the hallway with Jeplin

."It's over."

She said laughing.

He grabbed her hand. Her head felt fuzzy and seemed like everything in the world had slowed down considerably.

The celebration within the castle was elaborate and chaotic. Jeplin was pulled away and Kari was left with two guards on either side of her. She looked up at them hoping they would tell her what she was supposed to do. They continued to look straight ahead. They were much taller than her. They stood on a platform above the ballroom. She could see all the chaos before her. Many passed behind her on their way down the stairs to join the masses. She turned around to look at the guards again, though this time they noticed her lost eyes.

"We must wait here until your official guards are introduced to you." "Official guards?" She asked.

"There will be two people assigned to travel with you and protect you at all costs."

She felt that that was unnecessary since she had Jeplin.

Two men draped in blue, unlike the others who were only wearing silver, approached her. They had masks on, made out of thin metal. They excused the other men and stood in front of Kari. The one-man was a bit shorter than the other. She looked at their armor and felt like she had seen it before, she felt at least their stature seemed similar. The first man bowed and removed his mask. It was Marcel the other Thomas. She was elated and dropped the proper protocol and hugged them. They placed their masks back on and led her down the stairs. Thomas spent the brief moment chatting as he always did, quickly and unintelligibly.

She looked for other familiar faces within the sea of people in the ballroom. She reached the last platform before the final staircase to the floor. Richon stood with his private staff and, Jeplin, and Robert. She stood beside them as a chime rang out loudly. The people froze then turned to them. Richon began to walk down fist. Someone was speaking in another language, a language she was not versed in, though it sounded familiar. As Jeplin approached the stairs they announced something she was able to piece together that it was an introductory announcement of some kind. Robert escorted her as her title was introduced. They reached the thrones on a platform at the end of the hall. There were five seats. Richon sat in the middle, Jeplin sat on his left, and Kari on his right. Next to Kari was Robert and next to Jeplin was Tythian. She felt the rage burning in her throat as she saw him sitting there smugly. She held herself together. The royals sat there as the other higher-end citizens celebrated in front of them.

Plates and plates of food circled the hall. Those on the platform were given their own table piled with elaborate and delicate delicacies. Richon dug into the chicken, Kari joined him.

He lifted up his arm and signaled the musicians. They began to play their instruments. Kari's attention was caught by the viola. The long sad strokes sluggishly pulled back and forth slowly across the strings like a crying bird. The sound was a beautiful, but a depressing ode. to the fragility of nature.

People began to dance. They flung each other around the room. She looked at Richon wondering if they were able to dance. Taking that as a cue he stood and allowed the others to do the same. He grabbed a lovely old lady that stood near his side and began to slowly turn about the floor. Kari looked to Jeplin. He bowed to her, and she took his hand. Soon they were swarmed with hundreds of bodies following their lead. She was caught up in the movement that she was not paying attention to her time with Jeplin.

"Kari."

He said softly but powerfully.

She turned her head back to face him very quickly realizing her mistake. They locked eyes. And she smiled.

"It can be a lot."

He said.

"It's better to take each tiny moment as they come."

She lied her head on his shoulder and they continued to sway.

As the dancing continued into the night, Kari escaped to her room. She tried to open the door, but it was locked, at that moment she remembered why. She knocked three times and yelled "It's me" loudly. Conniea opened the door a tiny bit, and when she saw her she opened the door, smiling.

"I'm so sorry you had to stay here for so long,"

She said,

“I could not get away.”

They laughed.

“ you are too kind to think of us. We are grateful to be safe here, it is much better than celebrating down there in fear."

She summoned Thomas and gave him the task to protect the women in a room near hers. She put him in charge of their well-being and safety. He was very excited and gladly stood at their door. Marcel hearing of the gesture ventured to her room. Kari was struggling out of her dress, and by the time he knocked on the door, she was standing in a plain pair of pants and a white shirt.

"Um ... Just a moment."

She said.

She threw a brown cloak around her and responded:

"Who is there?"

"Marcel." He said.

She let him into her room.

“How can help you?”

She asked.

He mentioned the task she had given Thomas.

"Though a simple easily ignored issue you saved some nice people, I am glad I get to serve you and Asiroth again."

"Again?"

she said, partially smiling from the compliment. "

That's where my family is from, We have always been loyal even after we had to flee."

"Do you know if there is anyone left there?"

"Yes."

He responded

"Thousands of people and soldiers are still there defending the kingdom."

"Where?"

she continued.

"There is a mine that was carved into some mountains inside the boundaries of Asiroth. I was told not long ago, that is where everyone lives."

Their conversation veered off to other topics but that one topic remained in her mind was that there were others still there. She immediately left to look for Robert. She found him sitting by a fire pit with several soldiers.

"Robert.”

She interjected can I speak to you privately?"

He stood up and followed her to a dark corridor.

"I was speaking to Marcel, and he said there are thousands still in Asiroth."

Robert nodded his head.

“It is Geron's son Horace who leads them now. When Geron died, Horace did not want to take any chances fighting, so he took anyone willing and hid them in the mountain, in the west of Asiroth."

"How long do you think before the attack here?"

She asked.

"I am not exactly sure but I believe by the end of the week. The enemy troops are not aligned yet."

"What if we get some men and ambush our castle in Asiroth?"

Before he could answer she continued.

"It would cut the troops coming here and we could get our home back.”

"I don't think that would work as well as you think, we need most of the troops here; that was the point of the alliance."

He continued

"Though you can do whatever you want.”

She left Robert to look for Jeplin. She tried to make her way through the crowd there were hundreds and hundreds of people drinking and trying to get close to anyone royal they could. She caught his attention, and they knelt under a back stairwell.

"I have an idea she said enthusiastically."

Jeplin looked at her with questioning eyes.

"We could send word to the mines within the Asiroth mountains and gather all of the troops and then ambush the castle at Asiroth."

eplin smiled.

"Let's go. "

Shocked, she opened her mouth to ask if he was serious and he grabbed her hand and pulled her to a dark passage. They ran to Thomas who was guarding the ladies' door. She looked at Jeplin and smiled knowing what he had thought of.

"Thomas!"

He said, stepping closer to him. He looked up at the two of them,

"Good evening.

He said smiling.

"We need you to ride."

Thomas smiled and grabbed his pack as if he had been waiting his whole life for an assignment.

Jeplin opened the door and walked quickly to a shelf in the corner. The ladies all stood worried that there was a danger but at the sight of them, they returned to their seated positions. He spent only a few seconds writing a message. He walked to Thomas and whispered instructions to him and he ran off. Kari stood still partially in the hallway and watched Thomas as his boots smacked the cobblestone floors violently. "We have two options now, we could get ready and leave for the mines now, or we could wait until we hear word from Thomas and then leave." He paused, "Honestly I'm not sure how many we can get from the mines." She answered, "Let's wait a day then head out, maybe we can recruit some people from here. She gestured to the inside of the castle. "Anyone who is able to are dedicated to holding Redponn down."

"The only hope for the ambush are those living in the mines. I doubt Horace will help, he is a peaceful person and is against fighting, that's why he left the castle." Kari nodded in acknowledgment. "Too bad his father was killed, he was one of the most powerful and skilled fighters." " That would be ideal but I can't hate Horace for choosing peace, he is protecting thousands of people."

The women were whispering to each other in the corner then Harota interrupted Kari. “What about us?” She asked. “What do you mean?” She asked. We want to join the fight with you.” Kari smiled and Jeplin looked surprised but proud of Kari. “You don’t have to fight to stay with me.” She said. “I will protect you either way.” “We really want to fight. Honestly, it’s the adventure we are looking for. Kari smiled. “I would be honored to have you join us.” The girls yelled excitedly. She turned to Jeplin. “Ok before we go we need to find them some armor and weapons.” “I’ll send someone on that.” Jeplin said leaving the room to send one of his men on the errand.

Only a few hours later Kari was pacing in her room. She tripped a bit over the empty plates of food she just finished. She caught herself on the bed and decided to stay seated there.

She gave the women their own room. It was the room Thomas had used before he left. She was excited but also nervous to start her journey. She began to grab her possessions and place them into a large sack. She placed several items from the room, dresses, jewels, and shoes. She did not know what she needed, she did not want to be unprepared.

There was a knock on her door. She ran over and opened it. Robert stood there silently. She could tell he already knew the action she had set into motion. They said their goodbyes.

She got everything ready and after they ate dinner, Kari, Jeplin, Harota, Conn, Joshua, Shanna, and Marcel set off on their horses.