Virgil stared at the ceiling to the room before sighing quietly and turning on his side. It was almost three am and he had gotten pretty much no sleep. Not surprisingly sleep wasn't easy to come by when you're in a room with three people you barely know. Then again Virgil had never been very good at sleeping, his anxiety and his visions always kept him awake far into the night. It hadn't exactly gotten any easier the past few nights either. He could almost laugh at what Remy would tell him.

Remy. He had known the coffee addicted boy since they were tiny. If Dee and Remus weren't with him he was with Remy. They couldn't really hang out as a group, their schedules conflicted to much for that. Dee and Virgil were busy with princely matters, Remy had to help with things at home, and Remus was often helping the knights or squires with training. Still, Virgil loved Remy and luckily he hadn't been in the kingdom when it was attacked. Remy and his family were fairies and ran a very large and successful business making potions and magic powders. The night of the attack Remy, his father, and one of his little sisters were in a different kingdom on a business trip.

Virgil had no idea what he would do if Remy had also been caught up in the attack, though he did feel slightly bad for his friend. He had left the kingdom when it was put together, prosperous, and strong. But he was returning to what Virgil could only assume was a trail of destruction with its rulers missing. It would terrify anyone, Virgil could only imagine how it would be for him. Remy was due to return in a few days. Virgil had little time to try and make things better for Remy and everyone else that was on the boat with him.

"Ann?" Someone whispered. Virgil sat up a little and looked around the darkroom. Logan was asleep right in front of the door to keep Virgil from trying to leave, he hadn't been the one who called him. Roman was also fast asleep, so Virgil turned his head towards where Patton had laid down. They looked like they had just woken up, and had a worried look on his face, "Are you okay?" he asked as he put his glasses on again.

Virgil nodded, "Are you sure? You're crying." Patton said. Virgil lifted a hand to his cheek and pulled away when he felt they were wet. Oh, that was odd? Patton stood up and walked towards Virgil, his blanket dragging behind him until he sat down again. "Have you slept?" he asked with a long yawn. Virgil shrugged. "What are you thinking about?"

'Remy'

"Oh...whose that?" Patton asked. Virgil glanced over to the two other sleeping forms, "Don't worry about them, Roman sleeps like a bull and Logie cares too much about his sleep schedule... are you worried about them?"

Virgil shook his head again, 'He wasn't there'

Patton paused, staring at Virgil's hands and trying to get his brain to remember what the signs meant, "wasn't at the attack?"

'In the kingdom. He's safe' Virgil signed.

"is he your friend" Virgil nodded. "Why won't you sleep?" Virgil shrugged again, "Are you anxious? Like your name?"

Virgil nodded 'Are you tired?'

"Am I what?" Virgil put his hands to his head as if pretending to sleep. "I'm not tired I'm Dad," Patton said he smiled at Virgil who responded with a very small one in return. "I can stay awake if it makes you feel better. I don't want you to feel lonely"

'I don't get lonely'

Patton squinted their eyes as he thought before Virgil spelled out the last word, "you don't get lonely? But everyone gets lonely"

Virgil shook his head with a sad smile, 'Not everyone wants to be friends with a prince' Once again it took a minute for Patton to understand what Virgil meant but that was alright. It was a lie, either way, everyone wanted to be friends with a prince. If you're friends with the prince you're pretty much set, which always made Virgil anxious about who he can trust. Either way, the truth was that not everyone wanted to be friends with a mute. It was too much effort for them, at least that's what Virgil assumed.

"Do you not have friends?"

'I have Remy and Dee and Remus.'

"And now you have me. We're friends now, okay Ann?"

'Why?'

"Because you're really cool and nice and interesting. Is that okay?" Virgil paused before nodding his head. Patton smiled he moved forward suddenly their arms spread wide but stopped. Virgil stared at him with wide eyes, "Can I hug you? I like hugs." Virgil shook his head, he didn't like hugs or being touched at all. Patton frowned a little but respected his wishes. Virgil watched his new friend for a moment before lifting a fist. Patton smiled and giggled quietly before putting their own fist up to Virgil's, who knew a small fist bump could make Patton happy like that? "You should sleep Ann, you're gonna need it. Nobody here is gonna hurt you I promise."

Virgil nodded again. Patton gave him one last smile before going back to where he had been sleeping before, right by the large window. Patton said earlier it was because he liked the stars, Virgil knew that it was also because he had gone out the window earlier and they probably thought he would do it again. Which to be truthful he probably would if they weren't three floors high with nothing to grab onto, or to slow and or break his fall. Virgil was trapped in this room until the sun rose.

Patton yawned as they turned towards the window and for a second Virgil wondered if he was telling the truth about liking the stars. Virgil watched for one more second before laying back down and once again trying to go to sleep.

The courtyard was full of servants, knights, guards, and so on completing their chores and jobs for the day. Stable boys were hurrying to take the horses from knights and squires that were arriving while also bringing them back to anybody leaving. Virgil was actually really surprised, already the king and queen were briefing some of their best on the plan. Security had doubled around the castle and several groups of soldiers had been sent out to other parts of the kingdom.

A group of messengers came in to grab bags full of notices before running back out again to deliver the words to the citizens of the Light Realm. They wanted to be prepared for the attack, even if it never happened. They wanted their people to know so that if something did happen families would be prepared. It was very wise of the king and queen to spread the word, yes it would also spread fear but fear was better than ignorance.

Now, Virgil walked a step behind the king and queen as they spoke about what the plan should be. Roman and a translator walked next to Virgil while Patton and Logan walked in the back. It was once again another show of social hierarchy that was ever-present in the Light Realm. That was another thing that had surprised Virgil, it wasn't like this in the Dark Realm. Sure, they had traditions and things to show differences in class and such but it wasn't to this extreme. It was odd, but Virgil didn't mention it. He just listened to Logan's quick warnings about etiquette and did as Roman did.

"... Roman has requested that he and his two friends join you. They were all very close to Remus before his disappearance and would like to assist in finding him. We have already granted him permission but would like to know where you stand as well. If you feel uncomfortable we understand and the boys will remain here." The queen said as they rounded another corner of the castle.

Virgil glanced over at Roman, his jaw was in a position that Virgil had seen on his brother far too often. Roman wanted to speak but he knew it wasn't his place so he was remaining silent. His eyes were staring right into the back of his father's head. Virgil was quickly reminded of Roman's reaction to discovering that Remus was alive. 'That's fine. I can understand Roman is worried about his brother. If they would like to accompany me that is fine.' The translator quickly spoke for Virgil before they were silent again. Roman's face relaxed and Virgil could see him smiling from the corner of his eye.

"Alright, General Tafe and a group of his men will follow to assure your safety and-" the queen stopped when she caught sight of Virgil's hands moving again.

'General Tafe is the most hated man in my kingdom. If soldiers must come with us I'd prefer anyone except him.'

The queen seemed surprised but only nodded in response, "Mother," Roman began, his mother nodded at him to continue, "with Prince Virgil's permission I think taking the trip with no soldiers at our side would be better. A smaller group makes us less noticeable, doesn't it? And a large group of Light Realm soldiers may frighten his kingdom."

"Roman, your safety and the safety of Prince Virgil is more important and-"

"But we'll still be safe father. Logan is well trained with his magical abilities, Prince Virgil probably knows his land very well and I doubt his people would ever let any harm come to him. We can recruit their help if needed. Not to mention that you yourself have stated that I'm a talented swordsman and-"

"Prince Virgil, how do you feel about Prince Roman's suggestion?" The queen asked, interrupted her son before he could finish. Roman looked at the ground and shame passed over his face.

'I'd feel safer traveling as a group of four than I would be traveling with General Tafe and the men he commands'

Once again the royals looked surprised by Virgil's opinions on their general but they nodded, "I shall notify General Tafe that he will not be joining you then." The queen said

"Perhaps we could send him to the City of the Sun in the east than? They've always been more vulnerable after tornado season" the king suggested. The queen nodded and agreed to the decision as they continued through the castle, "have you thought any more about what your plan is Prince Virgil?"

'I would like to check on my people while I search for those who attacked. I figured I would go through the villages and follow the clues. Maybe something will lead me to them.'

"Excellent. Now if and when you find them please return here so we can come up with a plan to retrieve all of those who they have captured." Virgil nodded to show he agreed, "Alright then, now that that's all set I guess it's time for you to nearly depart. Let's give the servants and stable boys two hours to prepare everything for you. Does that sound appropriate?" they all nodded. "Logan, please return Prince Virgil's bag to him when you get a moment. Roman, we'll see you before you depart, alright?"

Roman nodded, smiling at his parents, "Yes mother. Thank you mother"

The king and queen left moment later, the translator walked away as well leaving the four in the courtyard. Virgil closed his eyes and let out a relieved sigh, a small smile formed. Two hours, that all that he had to wait before he was finally on his way to saving everyone. Just two hours.

Everything was going to be okay.