Katherine slowly opened her eyes, they were aching and sore. She lifted her head slightly to see herself, she was wrapped in a small thick blanket, and her feet were under a warm cloth. Everything blurred and spun. She was in a small tan tent, occasionally a small breeze kicked in a bit of sand, she rested her head back, and scrunched up into a ball. Promptly a man came stomping in with another boy behind him with long red hair down to his shoulders. She opened her eyes fully, they stung and the light burned bright. The man, Darion, sat down next to her on a stool and pushed her hair back.

“Are you well?” He asked, his words were mixed into all the thoughts and memories. She couldn’t focus on his face. The room spun and his words were like a whisper in the wind. “She’s still sick, bring me a wet cloth.”

The boy ran back out of the tent and came back with a damp cloth. Darion put it on her forehead and fixed her blanket. Her limbs were like liquid, she couldn’t move them, and her brain was like a fried eggs.

“What?” Her voice cracked and hoarse. “How… am I here?”

Darion shushed her. “You’re not well, you need to sleep.”

“How did I…?” Katherine lifted her head but a bolt of agonizing pain went up her neck and into her head. She let out a groan and sniffled.

“I saved you,” he said calmly as he took her face into his hands. “It’ll be alright.”

Katherine pulled away and pulled the blanket up. “Are you cold?” She nodded. The other boy got her a blanket.

“How long was I…” Katherine halted abruptly and started hacking until she threw up blood onto the sheets. Darion wiped the blood away.

“Ya’ were asleep for several days now,” the boy paused. “You’ll get better, sleep.”

*

It was several days since she had woken, the sun was in full bloom, and the moon still in the sky. Heat beamed down on them and the sun beat on their heads. Katherine sat up on her bed and dressed in a thin sky blue dress. She covered her feet with sandals and brushed her hair. Around her eyes were slightly purple and strained; bruised and faintly puffy. She had cuts on her forehead and bruises on her temples.

She ducked out of the low tent and into the sandy desert city. Darion was over with the red haired boy in a blacksmith’s house. The front had a large pit of fire and a forge in the front. Rows upon stacks of weapons and armor lay along the walls and floor. The little shed with the fire sat on the left side of the house. A stairway led up the left side of the house and into the second floor.

They followed the man inside. Katherine slowly walked down the sandy roadway and towards the house. She could hear their voices vaguely, she lifted her dress, and went up the stairs. Inside was a simple house, a small wooden table in the middle of the room and a few chairs. Darion and the boy stood in front of the blacksmith at the entrance.

Darion turned around with a surprised look on his face.

“Oh, Katherine, what are you doing?” He questioned her. “You should go back.”

“What’re you all talking bout’?” She asked them looking back and forth between Darion to the boy. “Darion?”

Darion turned and took the boy by the arm. He signaled for Katherine to go down then nodded back to the blacksmith. “Maybe another time.”

They walked down the stairs and into the street.

“What was that about? Darion speak to me,” she commanded.

“As you wish princess,” he teased and put his hands up. “Quick, go to the tent.”

Katherine strolled into the tent. The boy stayed outside keeping watch for any people to enter. Darion sat her on the bed and sat next to her.

“Listen,” he began.

“I am,” she snapped.

“We are here for a reason, remember?” Darion said and Katherine nodded. “Ser Tiagon, you, and me were the only ones to survive the waters. We’re spies, we do our job, and right now you need to listen very carefully. That boy is from the Wild Lands, a prince, you can tell him nothing. You and me are going in the castle to get some papers. Books.”

“That's like committing suicide,” Katherine gasped. “You can’t walk on in.”

“You can, you’ll be my disguise,” Darion continued. “I’m Darion Ryrie, the bastard son of King Amapheil and Queen Ella... You didn’t realize?”

“You… you’re a betrayer,” she realized. “You’re betraying your own family, they will have your head for this.”

“You don’t know my family like I do,” he said. “I was getting us weapons, I’m a prince.”

Katherine nodded and turned from him. She couldn’t bare to think of him, of his fate, if he was caught. He was a betrayer and a bastard, which was even worse. She could hear Darion get up and leave. The boy came in, took off his belt in the corner, and put on a leather vest. He turned to leave but stopped at the entrance.

“He’s a good man,” he said. “You’ll realize.”

“I know,” Katherine spoke. “Who are you.”

“My name is Flayr Claimond,” Flayr replied. “Who are you, my lady.” No one ever said that to her, a servant girl, from the North. She sat there stunned for a second then turned to look into his green eyes.

“My name is Katherine,” she said. “From the North.” She smiled and got up.

“If you would walk with me,” Flayr added. “I'd love it.”

"Gladly," she replied as she took his arm and they walked down the sandy roads. The scent of burnt bread and dry fruit soaked the air. They walked past the market and into a busy road. People on camels passed them, some of them held goods of all sort, and some dragged servants. Katherine turned away quickly and continued to walk with Flayr. They couldn’t hurt her when she was with the princes. She marveled at the weird birds fly above them and dirty cats sitting in alleys.

Flayr led her to a small building and sat her down at a round table in the corner. A long counter covered the back of the building and the smell of oil and butter lingered in the air. There was only a couple other people discussing in another table. A server came and handed them a pot of herbal tea and some sort of desert animal.

“You like this place?” He asked.

“Yes, my lord,” she replied.

Flayr scooped up some of the creature and tasted it. Katherine followed. She took a little piece, it tasted as if she drank some ocean water with a bite of sheep. Flayr quickly grabbed the cup of tea and took a big gulp. Then spat it out onto the floor, he smiled at her, and wiped his mouth.

“I advise you not to eat that,” he said. Katherine smiled and let out a subtle laugh. “Shall we go already?”

“Lets.”

He directed her back to the tent where they found Darion laying on the bed. Flayr looked at Katherine and pushed her outside. The sun was going down quickly, days were short, and nights long. She followed Flayr as he walked over to the blacksmith’s house. He picked up a sharpened blade and ran his hand down it. Katherine came to his side and watched him inspect the sword.

“Fine work,” he said. Flayr picked up another one, a black hilt with a dragon head at the end, and a long thin blade. Katherine picked up a sword with a brown hilt and a long gleaming blade. Flayr came up behind her, she could feel his hot breath on her neck, and his stare on her. She turned around quickly.

“Excellently crafted indeed,” she said, swiftly turning around. Flayr nodded and gently took the sword from her. He did a circle parry and twisted his wrist making the sword swing in a figure eight. "You're a good swordsman."

"I thank thee," Flayr said and smiled. Showing his surprising white, straight teeth.

Katherine turned towards the armor. There were chest plates on the ground, gauntlets, and head armor. "Fine workmanship," Katherine muttered. She picked up a diamond wooden shield, a dragon painted on the front, and metal spikes lining the edge.

The sun was lowering, the streets were getting dark, and people were exiting the roads. Flayr took her by the arm and pulled her to the tent. She wished she could have stayed longer but staying out after dark was dangerous.

Darion was dressing in a fine robe and coat. He tied the silk purple robe around his neck. Flayr cleared his throat, Darion turned around and straightened out his shirt.

“You look excellent, sir,” Flayr said and Katherine nodded.

"Mine eyes doth take interest in thee," Darion said softly and took her hand.

Darion took Katherine by the arm and lead her out onto the dark streets.

“The days are only a few hours and the nights several,” he said. “We must go. Flayr? Watch the tent while we’re gone.” He nodded a sign of envy on his face. Katherine waved back at him. She could see a smile spread across his face.

A small horse and buggy was sitting across the street. Darion opened the door and Katherine stepped in. He sat next to her. Flayr stood outside the tent waving and smiling at them. She waved back again as the carriage headed towards the castle.