"I gotta find my own place", I mumbled to myself walking through the crowded streets, "unless we're leaving".

Someone bumped into my bad shoulder on the busy Wednesday morning. The streets were packed like they were normally in the mornings. All this shipping and I'm surprised the town isn't more wealthy.

"Okay", I said to myself, looking back for whoever bumped into me.

He was gone now whoever it was.

More people were walking by me as I walked to the bridge to the mainland. Tom was working at the farm until he fixed up the gate and wall be broke, which is how he got out Scott free.

Tucker wanted us all to meet up at the guest house later, and I decided to volunteer to get Tom. Anybody else later would have to wake up Hope and that's a suicide mission.

A guard in the same golden armor with the blue tint swiftly walked past me and pressed an envelope in my chest. I continued to walk more confused then ever.

I probably wasn't supposed to look suspicious so I tucked the envelope in my coat pocket and continued to walk to mainland where it was a lot calmer. I could look over whatever was in this envelope then.

The envelope was a parchment tint of yellow and had a blue wax seal keeping it shut.

Okay so this is royal.

I stopped infront of the farms entrance and tore open the envelope.

There was a letter, that had coffee or tea stains on it. I couldn't tell the difference. I unfolded the letter that had neatly been folded three times.

Then there was writing. A lot of writing. In cursive.

What kind of person writes with cursive anymore. Congrats Mianite you win. You still confuse me.

I stood in the shade and started to read the letter.

Dear Sparkles,

I would like to apologize for what had happened in the court yesterday. You see my plan was for you and Ms. Firefoxx to be put in some sort of community service like your friend, but things got out of hand. I am so sorry Steve and me's rash behavior. Please relay this message to Ms. Firefoxx.

We haven't got much time to know each other, but I would like to remedy that by sitting down with your group for a chat.

I heard you speak the word Mianite. I have heard of a god named Mianite, but not a land, which confounds me.

I know of the god Mianite because of his empire. He is a name that many of citizens speak around here if they speak of a god.

Still I am curious of what your group knows. Do you have old gods in your world of Mianite? What has brought you to Ruxomar, anyway?

Many questions that I hope you and your friends will be able to answer soon for me.

While our town would appreciate your cooperation in the fair and honest handling of resources, we will also seek to understand any customs your bring from your world which my differ from ours.

With respect,

Prince Andor

P.S. Please don't tell my father, King Helgrind about our conversations. You're not likely to see him, anyway.

"Huh", I whispered to myself.

There was a silver coin at the bottom of the envelope.

I held the silver coin between my fingers, "apology accepted".

My hair was finally brushed. I stood up from the bed putting my hair up as I do. It was to long to do anything else with.

I stopped midway to the door when I heard shuffling downstairs.

I had heard Sonja and Tucker leave. Tom had left before them, and Jordan just left a few minutes ago.

I don't think Wag would step foot in the town.

Everyone was gone and not due to come back in a long time, so who was downstairs.

I tiptoed over to the bed and grabbed my bow and quiver.

Getting an arrow out and loading it in my bow I slipped open the door with my foot.

The shuffling continued. It sounded like someone was going through the cabinets.

I took two steps at the time, trying not to make any old wood creak.

Then I saw who was rustling through the cupboards.

That little bastard.

I brought my bowstring back making the prince flinch at the noise.

He hit his head trying to get up to look at me or run away or whatever he was planning.

"What are you doing", I kept a straight face. I wasn't too excited so I hoped I looked as threatening as I could muster up.

"I- uhh", The prince stammered, now sitting on the kitchen floor.

"Answer me or I won't hesitate to shoot you thought the arm", I snapped.

The prince continued to give me that stupid blank stare. I was trying to be threatening god dammit!

"I don't have to kill you to make your life a living hell if you have a death wish", I continued.

"I'm so sorry for just barging in", The prince finally caught his tongue. "I thought you were still sleeping and I came to apologize and give you a gift".

I sighed, "what the hell is it?"

"I saw your friend made you another bow, but it got kinda mishandled so I had the blacksmith make another type", the prince slowly stood up and I could now see that he was holding a brown package behind him.

I put my arrow back in my quiver and walked over to the prince and grabbed the package. Sure he was tall, but I could fight him.

I opened the package, to see a exact replica of my bow from Mianite. It was even wooden.

I sighed, not out of anger anymore. "God dammit, I'm a bitch".

Prince Andor still looked scared, "Pardon?"

I got the wrong idea about everything, but your just an awkward potato like Jordan was that doesn't understand how to fight and is hella annoying at first.

"You said that aloud", Andor said.

Well shit.

"That too", I could tell now that he was keeping back a smile.

"Maybe I'm a little awkward too", I let out, hitting my heels together.

"I didn't mean for your friend to get shot and I'm sorry that I wasn't able to save you faster before", Prince Andor sighed. "I'm not good with pressure".

I turned around to face him, "it's fine. We get ourselves into shitloads more trouble than we have here".

He laughed alittle, "that's oddly reassuring".

I smiled too, which was weird. God this is so awkward. "Thank you for the bow Prince Andor. I'll try to keep Tom and myself out of trouble".

"Funny you saying that and you were the innocent ones", he smiled brighter. "Just call me Andor. I'm not a fan of the prince title".

"Planning killing off your father or something", I laughed that way Sonja does, trying to make it sound like a joke.

"No", Andor shook his head. "I just- it's nothing".

Oh

And I didn't pry, because I think I understood how he felt a little. How it's like to have confusing ideas and thoughts about your life you just don't want to dwell into.

"Maybe we will get to talk more. I have a meeting to get too", he reached through his pants pocket.

Dear god not another gift. I don't need to feel more guilty.

"It's the house key".

I grabbed the golden key, that looked about like every other key around here.

"Stay for as long as you need", he nodded his head, walking out the door.

The door shut and he was already gone until I finally waved.

"What a weirdo", i said surprisingly smiling, because I meant it in a good way.

"Tucker why did you bring me here", Tom glared around at the guest house, "in this shitstack of a town".

I sighed rubbing my head, "I was going to speak about something".

"Was it really fucking worth it", Tom continued, "couldn't we do this at the farm or something".

"Well Tom this notice might make you happy", Jordan interrupted, clearly tired of me and Tom's whining.

Tom squinted his eyes at Jordan, "What are you going on about, boy?"

"We're leaving town", I stated. "Were getting Wag and were leaving".

Hope looked up with disappointment in her brown eyes, "wait what? When did we decide this?"

"Tucker did", Jordan answered, without looking up from his little brown journal. "How are you planning on doing that anyway?"

"What do you mean?", I questioned, "we're just going to walk out of here".

Jordan pushed his glasses up his nose, "you can't. That blight is surrounding the town. You can only leave by boat".

I wasn't sure where he learned that or why Jordan was so snippy all of a sudden. He was always a generally polite guy, maybe even more polite then Sonj.

"Then", I stammered, "we will steal a boat-"

"Oh no", Sonja stopped me from continuing, "That is way to dangerous and we have gotten in enough trouble".

"Says you", Tom scoffed. "What did you get arrested for anyway?"

Sonja marched over to Tom, "For lying to one of the merchants, buying your stupid axe". Sonja jabbed her finger at Tom's chest, "so don't even try to remark about that".

"Can we stop fighting", Hope let out with a shaken voice. She seemed really dazed lately, "we won't get anywhere with fighting. I think we've learned that the hard way".

Sonja backed up, crossing her arms. Not looking guilty in anyway, unlike Tom who was shocked by Hope's sudden quiet tone.

Jordan looked up from his journal finally and stared at Hope's lap. "Where did you get that bow, kid?"

"Huh", her face went to an even more parlor shade, "oh um. It was an apology from the prince", her nose and cheeks went more red than there normal pink, "he gave it to me, because the one you gave me broke when Sonja ran off".

A smirk grew on Tom's face, "Your blushing".

She stared at Tom straight in the eyes with a normal face. "No I'm not", she said calmly. She didn't give out her normal lisp or an 'of course not'. No normal signs of her lying.

Hope felt her face, "am I?"

I think she believed herself that she had a normal reaction.

Tom puffed out his cheeks, "alright then". He jumped off of the counter from where he was sitting, "I'm going back to fixing up that wall".

Jordan growled to himself, back to looking down at the journal.

"What is it Jordan", Hope asked.

"Still can't believe you got out Scott free", Jordan grumbled.

"Hey", Tom opened the front door mid sentence, "you will never be able to strike a better deal then me and that man did, alright", Tom saluted us off, "bye bitches".

I hit the pencil up the counter and watched it slowly roll down. Then I flicked it up with my fingers again, and felt the small rumble from the counter under my arm as it rolled back down.

I was so bored I was actually going to die if I didn't get to do something soon.

Jordan was out with Hex's journal, probably having the best time he has had in awhile trying to think up of new inventions. Tom was paying off his debt to the farmer, and Sonja and Tucker were put probably being suck ups, trying to get a boat.

God, there's nothing to do.

I glanced at my new bow, with the polished wooden handle and all the arrows there, just sitting at the door.

"Screw it", I got up and grabbed my bow, not caring if the town felt like arresting me or not.

The afternoons were a lot calmer in the town, which was the up side of being a person who sleeps in until twelve.

Everyone was gone from working, and the fishers were out on water.

It was basically the fishers wives, the few kids here, the farmer, my team, and the prince. Sometimes the priest would roll around and joke about if we were going to build ourselves a house. Other than that, I hate to admit it, the afternoons were quite peaceful here.

I was now on mainland, trying to not sneeze over the dandelion pollen. The weather was weird here. In the mornings it was nippy like late fall, but later in the day it got to be like early spring with flowers and a nice breeze.

Tom was sitting on the newly built wall, that had splinters sticking out of it and begged to be polished down.

To my surprise Andor was right there, passing a can of wood polish to Tom. He was struggling trying to lift the bucket up to Tom, but he was helping.

"Hi", I greeted myself to Andor.

Andor turned to meet my gaze shocked. "Hey", he wiped his hands on his pant, "what are you doing here?"

I shrugged, "just being bored".

I stood there awkwardly by Andor as Tom jumped down from the wall and ambled into the farmers house.

"So you know the farmer", I asked, "or is this some sort of citizens come first thing".

Andor laughed a little, "no Steve is a family friend", the prince caught his words, "well not really family friend, my father puts up with him". Andor sighed, "and not really a friend, more than that".

I smirked and Andor looked more flustered then before.

"He's like that weird uncle, that you don't know where he came from".

I smiled, not really being able to help it, "okay I won't dwell into your fucked up family drama".

Andor smiled, not answering to that comment either.

"Just bored, eh", he answered, continuing to wipe his hands on his pants. I wasn't sure if he was nervous or he was literally trying to clean the blisters off his palms, which wasn't going to work.

I sighed, "look your kinda the only kid I've ever met that's close to my age".

He didn't answer me, just stared up at me with that blank look again as I continued to explain myself.

"I was going to just wander around in what part of the woods are safe", I shrugged, "would you like to join me and show me around".

A smile grew on Andor's face, "Really?"

I nodded my head, "yeah".

I heard shouting from inside the farm house, "bloody dog!", the farmer yelled.

The same dog that I found the night of the day we came ran out from the dark house. His ears were drooped down and he hid behind Andor's legs.

OH MY GOD IT'S THAT DOG AND I'M CAPABLE OF PETTING IT NOW!

I had to practically glue my arms to my sides not trying to freak out. I had never had a dog or seen a dog. I just had Scarlett.

I really missed her.

The farmer ran out of the house, holding a peace of lumber with slobber all over it. His face softened when he got a look of Andor by me.

Andor smiled, not awkwardly, like normal, just like I would to Jordan. "Sorry about that Steve".

The farmer sighed, dropping the lumber on the grass, "just take your damn dog with you".

I glanced at Andor's dog who was no longer scared and now scratching his ear.

Andor was staring at his dog, giving him the same face Jordan gives me sometimes. It's that internally embarrassed look.

He flashed his eyes back to me. "Are we going now?"

"Mhm", I answered, still smiling at the dog. "Let's go".

"Hey Tom you need any help there", I asked, stopping from my searching.

He moved his eyes toward me, with a shocked look on his face, "really?"

"No", I scoffed, "go screw yourself".

Tom chuckled, which any other person would have found threatening, but I had known Tom for too long. His tone changed to the normal loud pitch, "what are you doing here, anyway?"

"Looking for supplies", I examined the leather cover of the notebook more, "I kinda want to make the moars again".

"Hm", he sighed. I didn't have a doubt that he truly wasn't paying attention.

"Hey we were looking for you guys", Sonja's cheery voice cracked through the silent noise and her and Tucker's footsteps neared towards us.

"Hope went out with the prince!", Tom yelled out, not turning around to face any of us, just continued to put the wood polish of the wall.

Sonja oohed in the backround.

"Excuse me", I questioned, "when did this happen?"

"Just a little while ago"

I must have made a pretty confused face, because Sonja was trying to stifle laughter the second she caught eye of me.

"I thought she hated the prince?", I said more to myself.

"Oh you know squirt", Tom threw the paint brush in the can, "she's putty in people's hands if she sees a good bribe".

Sonja crossed her arms, "Tom maybe you should give Hope more credit-"

"Why else would she hang out with him?", Tom interrupted Sonja. "Look as sad as it is, Hope's too oblivious to notice that the boy likes her, so whatever imaginary relationship you got goin' on for them in your head is not going to happen".

"Oh snap!", Tucker yelled in.

Sonja had a firm face, not taking no for an answer.

I was still trying to wrap my head around Hope's new behavior. "Wait she hates royalty".

"What if he makes the first move?", Sonja debated, "what happens then, hm".

I continued, "That's like her thing".

Tom sighed long and hard, then tossed the paint can over to the farm house door. "Look here Firefoxx. If you are so confident about your theory, lets place a bet".

"You know what?", I hit my head out frustration, "I give up caring".

"A bet", she observed, "okay lay it down".

"Oh god Mianite", Tucker cringed, "Sonja no!-"

"If they end up together or the prince makes the first move, you win and I loose", Tom suggested.

Sonja paced around in a slow stroll, her arms still crossed, "okay I like that".

"But there's a catch", Tom lifted his finger, "when you loose then you have to flash the town herald".

Sonja scrunched up her face, mildly confused, "flash the town herald-"

"Show EM your boobs!", Tom interrupted. "Take it or leave it".

Sonja sighed, obviously not wanting to take the bet. Tucker didn't seem to happy either.

"Ugh", Sonja groaned, "fine".

Tom smirked, "great!"

Sonja continued the discussion, "But when I win", she stopped talking and thought about it for awhile. Trying to figure out a suitable punishment for all the things Tom has ever done to us. A good fresh taste of karma, "you have to blow up your tree".

Tom gasped out of pure horror, "not my baby".

"Yep your tree", Sonja grew a smirk on her face, "but that won't be a problem since your going to win, right".

Tom squinted his eyes at Sonja, very perturbed, "right".

We were halfway to the edge of the taint, inching forward in the forest and the prince hadn't said a word.

Shepard, Andors dog, would stop every few seconds to pick up a stick, and then run in front of us and drop it. Shepard dropped his fourth stick a few feet in front of us when I thought of a conversation starter.

"Where did you get your dog", I asked.

Andor stuttered, "my- what?"

"Shepard". Shepard perked up his ears hearing me speak his name. "Where did you find him, because where I came from we don't have tamed dogs".

"Oh right!", Andor looked up from the grass at his dog, who was now sitting on the forest floor waiting for us to catch up. "He was Steve's when I was younger because my father didn't want him in the castle".

"How did you find him?", I asked.