Annabelle and Elise rose early from their comfortable beds at the inn; together, they devoured a light breakfast before they prepared to set out. The sun had not yet peaked over the horizon, but they wanted to get on the road early as they had a long journey ahead. They each slung their kit bags over their shoulders and then made their way back to the carriage.

While Elise set off to settle the account with the innkeeper, Annabelle joined the driver as he got the horses from the stable and then hitched them up to the carriage. As Annabelle waited for her Aunt, the young woman stroked the hair of the horses along their backs and sides. Her touch was firm enough to be felt but gentle enough to show the tenderness the horses would rarely have known. "Thank you for your service," she whispered to them. "You've done enough."

The horses neighed in response as if they understood her words.

Annabelle was so lost in thought that she didn't hear her Aunt until Elise was beside her. "Ready to go, Annie?"

Annabelle turned to look at her Aunt before she nodded a few times, "Yes, Elise. I'm ready.

But don't you think we could tour the city a bit before we go?" Annabelle asked genuinely.

"What? No, we must get on the road if we want to make any time today."

Annabelle sighed but didn't press the issue. It would take a lot more to convince her Aunt to change her mind about the timing of their trip. Once he could tell the women were ready, the driver climbed into the upper driver's seat, taking the reins in hand and giving them a gentle snap to get the horses on the road.

As the sun rose, Annabelle was quickly met with the harsh realities of life under the Kirral Empire. The conditions in Vycspear were strict, to say the least; guards and foot soldiers were posted all over as if they were at war -- this despite the relative peace and cold war with the Commonwealth for the last few years. The people who lived there seemed angry, resentful, and paranoid, unlike those she grew up around in the Commonwealth. It was a far cry from what she knew and loved.

This particular region was controlled by the Apruria dynasty. The leader, Sovereign Tarquin Aprurus, was a cruel and tyrannical ruler. It is said that he treats his subjects as if they were cattle or tools to his end. He taxes them heavily, enforces strict laws, and has been known to execute people for the smallest of infractions against the state. The people here live in fear of their leader and his regime -- but they have nowhere to go.

Elise would not make it obvious, but she was on edge as they travelled within the Apruria dynasty, as relations between them and the Dominion had grown sour since the end of open hostilities with the Commonwealth. Any number of the Kirral within the Apruria dynasty would not hesitate to backstab Elise, given a chance.

Vycspear took Annabelle's breath away as she gazed up at the high polished onyx towers of the capital of the Apruria dynasty. The regional center of politics and commerce buildings imposed a dark shade on most of the city. Despite the early hour, many people were in the streets on their way to the city's shops, factories, markets, and government buildings.

Elise could tell that Annabelle was uncomfortable with the life she was starting. Annabelle's move to live in another land after the loss of her mother could not have been easy for anyone.

Annabelle forced a small smile as she turned back to her Aunt; she appreciated Elise's desire to care for her. Elise returned the smile and reached out to give her a friendly head pat as she tried to reassure Annabelle, "I know you can fend for yourself, Annie; I have no doubts about you. But as you read those journals you found, you will learn just how tight the VanIsle's are. Those who came before us believe in legacy and strong bonds, so I would take you in. No VanIsle should be alone."

"Thank you, Elise… it's not that I am unappreciative; it's just so much, you know? Mom's death was so hard and sudden – I could barely keep myself together. It's not fair, she is gone forever, and there is little I can do. But now my home is gone too. I promise, though, Elise, I am grateful…I am just so, so, sad."

Elise gave her niece a light smile, then reached over and retrieved one of the journals from Annabelle's bag and passed it to Annabelle, "Go ahead, kiddo, it's a long ride, and you may as well pass the time."

Annabelle graciously took the journal and flipped to a bookmark she had made from some green and white patterned cloth she had found in the closet at home. She was able to get immersed back into the past following Myra in the days after Erida had left Daeyl Brook. Myra never sought solitude, so with her parents now dead and Erida missing, Myra was not doing well. So she closed the farmhouse and headed to the Capital of Hisperidia, Lium.

"Excuse me. Would you spare some change? That's alright, have a lovely day." Myra asked a passerby on the street of Lium, who ignored the girl barely surviving on stolen food and the rare charity of others. "Excuse me. Would you spare some change? Thank you. Bless you, Sir." Myra graciously accepted the change from the next person who passed her, enough to provide her with a warm late-supper. Myra was losing faith that the scales would balance in her favor – she was a good person who just wanted an ordinary youth. But that was not in store for Myra VanIsle.

What began as any other miserable day for Myra ended in one that would change her life forever. She was about to embark on a new path, and she had no idea.

Myra took her time to savor the warmth and taste of the hearty stew that a passerby had allowed her to have…it was not much, but it was hope in this dark place. Once she was warm enough to brave the cold night ahead, Myra searched for a warm place to sleep. Myra decided to try a spot near the Lium Memorial Center for the Knights of the Commonwealth. She had a long day and was so tired that she just wanted to sleep. She missed daeyl Brook and Erida – but she walked the streets every day, hoping to steal a glimpse of her sister. It was very late, and no one seemed to be around, so Myra walked towards the stables at the Memorial Center, hoping for a straw bed out of the wind.

As Myra got closer to the stables, a dark figure caught her attention for a moment before disappearing – she believed she must have been hallucinating. But then the hairs on the back of her neck stood straight, and her heart began to race as her mouth went dry and hands clenched. She did not know how, but Myra could sense danger. She sped up, trying to walk away without alerting the threat; a provost or Knight had to be nearby. A dark figure moved behind her in a blur and grabbed the frightened girl.

"Hel-" Myra's cries were suddenly muffled as she was thrown against a wall and then forced to the ground. Myra was petrified, and tears had already formed on her face. The dark figure flipped Myra over onto her back - she fought back with all her might, but the man was far too strong. Myra screamed and kicked, but it was no use – he dragged her away into the night.

Then in a moment of panic, Myra was overwhelmed and let out an intense scream while from within her core, a pulse of energy released from her body into the dark figure, killing him instantly. She did not know what had happened and immediately started to freak out – one moment, this man was trying to hurt her, and the next, he was dead.

As Myra tried her best to squirm from under the man's weight, a Commonwealth Knight ran in her direction, having heard the scream.

"Miss…Miss…are you alright? What happened?" the Knight asked Myra, who was just now getting up on her knees – she was shaken and filthy, her face covered with tears, scratches, and dirt.

"I don't know-" Myra replied. "I don't know what happened, Sir."

The Knight examined the body of Myra's attacker until he found the man's papers. He let out a solemn sigh and walked over to Myra with an empathetic, soft smile on his face. He brushed some of the dirt and straw off Myra's face, unclipped his sword, and held it off to his right side as a few tears rolled down his cheeks.

It's my solemn duty to inform you, dear, that I am High General Alexis Sumner of the Hisperidia Battalion of the Commonwealth Knights. That man you killed was a Kirral Dark Knight, and as part of the peace treaty, he is protected from all harm that befalls him. What I must do breaks my heart, but I must maintain the peace."

Well, at that moment, Myra put together what was happening. She didn't panic or flee. The poor young woman just lowered her head in defeat. She had signed her own death warrant. "I understand."

High General Sumner embraced Myra and held her there as they both cried – the General more than Myra. The General was in tears about what he had to do, and Myra was crying because she believed she had been spared – she would be free to go. Then the High General spoke the scariest words Myra had ever heard, "Just close your eyes, and focus on me."

As the Knight held Myra, he placed his sword on the ground and replaced it with his dagger, which the Knight had to Myra's back against her heart. But nothing happened; the Knight seemed to hold this young woman lovingly and tightly. Myra understood what was happening, figured out what the Knight would do, and whispered, "I forgive you."

As Myra calmed down, she understood that peace was more important than her life. So she forgave the Knight for what he would do to keep the peace. Myra would let the Knight kill her; it was the only way. Myra was sad, but being held by the High General was all she wanted at that moment: someone to have her when she needed it most. So as the Knight held his dagger against her back while his other arm held her tight, she just cried. Myra sobbed. She understood that this was it; she was going to die. As the Knight began to apply pressure, Myra resigned herself that this was her end.

Suddenly, High General Alexis Sumner let go of Myra and instead led her towards the Commonwealth Knight Embassy to Hisperidia, "Come with me; I am going to help you. What's your name, child?"

Myra was confused; she had no idea what was happening – one moment, she was about to be executed for a crime, and then rather than kill her, she was being led towards the entrance of the Commonwealth Knights Memorial Center. "Myra," she paused for a moment as they walked. "My name is Myra VanIsle."

"Are you from around here, Myra? Myra VanIsle."

"No, I grew up with my family in Daeyl Brook, but they are gone now."

The Knight stopped Myra and turned her to face him as he put his hands on her shoulders, "Well, I am High General Alexis Sumner, Myra. You are an extraordinary young woman, you know that? Someone like you shouldn't be alone." The Knight smiled reassuringly towards Myra, waiting to gauge her response.

"Thank you…but no one should be alone. What do you mean by extraordinary?"

The Knight took a deep breath, then smiled once more before responding, "Back there, what you did defending yourself. Only trained Knights and Squires of the Commonwealth should be able to do that. Now I know you're afraid and confused by what happened back there – both what you did or were able to do and what I was about to do. I want you to know – I am here to help you. I am going to take you inside and get you cleaned up. I'll contact the provost and explain you were attacked and I was the one who killed that man. But you must promise me one thing, no matter what happens…you do not tell anyone it was you who hurt that man. Understood?"

"But, I–"

The Knight cut Myra off before she could continue, "No… no buts. You absolutely will not tell anyone what really happened here tonight, understood?"

"I understand, High General," Myra replied, trying to sound formal in this solemn moment.

The General reached up with his right hand and laid it upon Myra's head, scrunching her hair and scalp, which drew out the widest of smiles from Myra – she loved head pats more than anything.

Dropping his hand down to Myra's, he took her hand within his grasp and led her inside. Myra was in shock. She couldn't believe she had just killed a Kirral Dark knight and nearly paid for it with her life.

Annabelle closed the journal, seemingly confused, after flipping through it several times. She looked up to her Aunt, almost annoyed, "Elise. I don't understand. In Myra's journal, she talks about the Knight who found her. But then it just stops. She doesn't seem to mention him again – not in this journal, at least.

Elise nodded a few times and then turned to face Annabelle, "I don't know how true this is, but your Aunt Myra was never one to talk about how she was found. But, I did hear many years ago, when you were so small, that the person who found Myra was executed for killing a man who attacked her the night she was found. You see…I visited her once when she was pregnant with you, and she told me the story of the man who found her. I think she was trying to get some weight off of her soul. Because the way she told me was that when she visited him, Myra was left alone with him in his cell, and she apparently asked him, 'General...please tell me. How can I help? What can I do?' She told me his reply was simple; he held Myra tight in a loving embrace and whispered into her ear, 'Earn your redemption.' Myra said she broke down in tears at those words and cried as the provosts took the High General away for his punishment."

"He died to protect her–" Annabelle whispered to herself.

Elise squeezed Annabelle's shoulder in reassurance. "Imagine the weight someone's sacrifice puts on you. I've lost people close to me, and I have killed even more…but I have never had someone die for me like that. I don't want to know what that feels like."

"I know I don't, Elise." Annabelle grew quiet as she stared off out of the carriage as the pair continued their journey towards Lithna.