“I think I know that voice…” said the princess, peering around my shoulder. In a blur, a figure stood before us, and I threw up my hand, creating a force field to stop the rapid silhouette from moving any closer to us.

“Blackbird!” screamed the princess as the invader smashed into the force field face first. He was thrown at least ten feet backward and landed hard on the ground. He clutched his nose in both hands.

“Ow!” he whined. He rolled onto his knees, holding his bloody nose in his hands. The blood seeped through his pale, thin fingers. He looked up at us with angelic blue eyes, his golden blond hair a ruffled mess.

“Benny! Are you alright?” the princess called out. She abandoned my side and ran towards him. I normally would have reached out for her, but I hesitated at his name.

“Benny? The palace florist?” I murmured, following behind the princess.

“Blackbird! Put down the force field!” she demanded. She had her hands up on the opalescent wall, looking at me with confidence. I shook my head.

“I’m not sure that would be wise,” I told her.

“Come on, he’s my friend, and he’s been to the palace over a hundred times. I command you to put this force field down at once!” she said. I hesitated, but I had to do as she asked. Benny looked up at the both of us, waving feebly with one blood inked hand.

“Good evening, your Highness, Agent 5260,” said he, his usually perky voice nasally from behind the clutch of his hand. He clambered to his feet and bowed hastily, then looked between us. The princess was smiling at him despite that sadness in her eyes.

“I’m so sorry, Benny, did you break your nose?” the princess asked, taking a step closer to him.

“I’m not sure,” said he. Eloise took his wrist and lowered his hand.

“I think it is,” she said. She pulled a silk handkerchief from her pocket. “This won’t hurt too much," she said. She rose her hand and covered his nose with the pink handkerchief. A pure white light glimmered underneath it. That white light would spread warmth tingling through his skin as it healed the broken portion of his nose. Benny winced at first, and then his taut expression relaxed.

“Thank you, your Majesty,” he said, his voice returning to normal. “Your healing touch will never cease to amaze me.”

“It is my pleasure,” said the princess, letting Benny take her handkerchief so that he could clean up the blood. His eyes flitted between the princess and I.

“What are you doing out here?” I asked, suspicion creeping into my voice.

“I should ask you the same thing. The entire city is under attack. Have they taken the palace already?” said Benny.

“Yes. It is a pile of rubble on the ground now,” I responded. Eloise looked to the ground, once against wringing her hands together. “Can you tell us anything else?”

“Not much, really. I got out just at they began ransacking the streets. I don’t know who they are or what they’re doing here,” answered Benny.

“Is my dad still alive?” asked the princess suddenly. Benny nervously bit his lip.

“I don’t know,” he responded.

“We shouldn’t remain out in the open like this,” I said.

“Yes, of course, you’re totally right. Were you going somewhere in particular?” Benny questioned. Neither of us said anything. Even though Benny was a friend, we couldn't reveal the location of the safe house.

“Well… I don’t know if it is far or not, but if you need a place to stay, even for the night, I have somewhere that will be safe,” said Benny.

“Absolutely not,” said I.

“Why not?” said the princess, her hands going straight to her hips.

“Your Highness, we must continue on our path,” I said. The princess excused me from speaking with a gentle wave of her delicate hand.

“You know that I trust you with my very life, but this is Benny, who I have practically been raised alongside. Benny and I played in the palace garden as children. I am exhausted, and I’m not sure if I can do any more walking tonight. I say we trust him, stay at his place, and continue on in the morning,” said she. Her eyes were determined as they looked through the screened eye holes of my mask. I knew she couldn’t see through them, but it felt like she was glaring at my soul.

“Your Highness,” I started as protest, but her steady gaze grew fiery.

“If I have to make it an order, I will.”

“Yes, your Grace.” The princess turned gracefully on her heels and faced Benny again.

“Benny, I’d like to formally accept your offer. Lead the way.” Benny grinned at us like a fool, but somehow I found that silly smile easier to believe than his own words.

“I’ll try not to go too fast,” he said.

Benny lead us through the thick trees of the ancient Abeline Forest with haste. It was not long before we came across a large tree. Benny pushes on it a couple times, and then he manages to get it open. There were several steps down inside the tree until there was another wooden door.

“After you,” said Benny politely. The princess took my hand and looked up at me, and then I saw that fear was back in her eyes. I gave her hand a squeeze before stepping down into the tree and pushing open the door at the bottom of the stairs. The door slammed behind us, and Benny appears ahead of us in the doorway, tapping on the glass of a wormlight lamp. It slowly awakened, surrounding us in a dull light.