Natalie POV

When I woke up I didn't recognize where I was at first. I sat up with what little energy I had and noticed I was in the medical wing. Beside me was a very concerned looking lieutenant with familiar rectangular glasses.

"You're awake." I winced, Ferguson sat there with arms crossed. "Care to explain to me what happened?"

"Must have been heat stroke." I lied, "the uniforms are kinda heavy." I laughed nervously. He raised his brows and straightened his back.

"The physician had already declared that it wasn't heat stroke." He said leaning forward. "Try again." I honestly couldn't tell if he was worried or pissed.

"I don't know then!" I exclaimed frustrated.

"Nathaniel, Dr. Stokes had said that your heart had over reacted to an emotional trigger. You were fine all day, it wasn't until Lord Valerius was presented that you acted like this." My stomach sank, I didn't see any possible way I could get out of this. And with that, I let out a shaky breath.

"Do I really have to tell you..?" I asked as I looked down at my hands.

"The truth would be best."

"And if I can't?" He eyed me suspiciously.

"What do you mean you can't?" He asked.

"I-I just can't not here anyways." He sucked his teeth and stood up.

"Where are you going?" I asked. But he held out his hand.

"The commander had dismissed you for the day. I was given strict orders to take you back home." He said as I stood up.

"I don't have a home." I shot back at him, "I can still work! I'm fine now so let me go!"

"No! You have been ordered by both the commander and your superior officer that you need to rest!" He shot back. "Which is why I am taking you to my place."

"Absolutely not!" I pulled away from him. "I will go back on my own then." I argued walking out the door but Ferguson followed behind me.

I heard the scraping of metal and stopped dead the second I felt a sharp tip hit my back.

"I am in no mood to deal with your stubbornness today."

"What are you going to do? Run me through with your sword?" I asked as I glared at him.

"If I must."

"You wouldn't dare-" and with that he hit the back of my knees with the blunt of his sword, causing them to buckle.

"Don't test me Nathaniel." He said before drawing the blade back into its scabbered and held a hand out for me. Reluctantly I took it, and he pulled me to my feet. "Now lets go."

And with that I obeyed. We walked in an uneasy silence all the way until the town square.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to pull my sword on you, it's just that you can be so difficult sometimes. I only wanted what was best for you." He said as we stopped in the middle of a crossroads.

I dug my boot into the dirt. "No, I should've listened. I'm sorry." When I looked up at him he offered a smile.

"Tough love?" I laughed.

However, our moment of apologies were quickly shut down as two guards yelled down the street. In front of them was a boy who was running, looking back at his pursuers with something wrapped in his arms. I barely had anytime to react before the strong force ran into me.

"Hey! Watch it-" by my words were quickly cut off and a tan boy with large gray eyes and sandy hair. I didn't know who he was until my eyes grazed over the small scar on his lip. "Finn?" Our eyes went wide.

"No way..." He whispered. "It really is you!" That's when he jumped up, "meet me by the clock tower, tonight." He rushed to say before running off down the street.

Ferguson immediately helped me up as I gawked at the run away boy. Then two guards jogged up to us.

"Go on ahead Leo, I'll catch up to you later!" Cole said as he watched the other guard run after Finn. "Hey guys how's it going." He said casually.

"Been better." I eyed him as I brushed off the sand from my white coat.

"I see... Why are you out if the palace?" He asked with curiosity shining in his eyes.

"I'm taking Nathaniel to my place. We were granted early dismissal." He said as he started to walk off. When I was sure he was out of ear shot I grabbed Cole's arm to hold him back.

"Make sure he gets away." I said through gritted teeth. Then ran off after Ferguson before he can even question me, and only prayed to the two gods that he listens to me.

My heart raced at the thought of Finn, how he was still alive was one major question that tugged on my brain. Before we knew it we were in Ferguson's home, he closed the door behind me and and gestured for me to sit down.

When I did he sat across from me and I prepared myself for whatever interrogation was about to come from him.

"Okay. Talk to me." He said sternly.

"That lord...." I trailed off trying to recollect my thoughts. "He was responsible for my village's massacre." I said finally, feelinf a heavy weight on my shoulders grow more and more with each passing second. I searched his face for any hint of what he was about to say.

"Are you absolutely certain?" He asked. I nodded in response.

"But before I go any further." I ripped off the arm band that showed my rank from my bicep and slammed it on the table. "I formally resign as a formal palace archer of Astile." I glared at him, making sure he absolutely understood the gravity of the situation. He looked shocked, but nodded none the less. Silently approving my choice.

I finally had to face that I could no longer hide any more secrets from him.

I told him everything. How I was Fina's champion, to my family and Finn. How I ended up in the castle and why I joined, and I was careful to leave Audrey completely out of my tale. As I recounted the events the sun had started to set, the lanterns from outside casting an ominous glow into the window next to us. Feeling nervous, I slipped my hand into the pocket of what once been my palace uniform, fiddled with the ring Audrey had given me.

We sat in a heavy silence for a moment as I waited for my story to settle in.

"... And that's everything. I won't blame you if you report me to the palace but I beg of you to please keep this between us."

"Of course I won't. To be honest I had my suspicions."

"What? How?" I yelled, " and you never thought to tell me?"

"Calm down." He said with a smile. "It was only a minor thought. You were more flexible then others when I started training you, and then you do have your features."

"So you won't tell anyone?" I asked meekly.

"No-" I cut him off by enveloping him in a hug, catching him off guard. I was so so grateful, that words couldn't even begin to express my gratitude.

"Thank you." I muffled into his shoulder as he returned the gesture.

All though it was late the clock tower began to chime. Immidetly I pulled away. "You carry my life in your hands." I said, "But now I have to go.''

"Would you like me to come as well?" He asked, getting up from his own seat. I shook my head.

"No, I'm afraid you'll be of no help. I'll come back when I'm done." I reassured him with a smile and with that I dashed out the door into the empty night.

The streets were dark with only the moon and a few lanterns to light my way. Everyone was either asleep or at the east end of the town where the night life occurs.

I ran the final block before coming at the base of the clock tower. And there stood the boy I knew from my childhood, waiting for me.

"Finn!" I called out. He turned his head and smiled wide. He held out his hand and I took it, enveloping him in a small hug with my free arm.

"By the gods! It really is you! Its been far too long!" He said as he ran his fingers through his sandy hair.

"Agreed! What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I came to find you." He laughed.

"Why? Wait how did you even find me?" I asked baffled.

"Before I say anything... Care to explain the whole cross dressing situation." He snickered behind his hand.

"Not important right now." I said as I smacked him hard in the arm. "Why are you here? Why did you need to find me?" I asked, waiting in edge for the answer.

"I was told Lord Valerius would be here." He said with a grim tone, the name leaving an awful taste in his mouth. "We had to get you out of here before he finds you." I stepped back a bit, my eyes grew desperate.

"He already knows..."

"WHAT?" He screamed. I only nodded, he grabbed my shoulders and shook me as if to send me back to reality. Hoping this was just a wave of insanity, but it wasn't. "We need to leave. Now." He said grabbing my wrist but I pulled back.

"Where?" As a sudden doubt crossed my mind.

"Back home! Back to our village." I shook my head.

"Why would we go back there of all places? Our village is so close to his estate, he'll find us in no time!" I exclaimed.

"Because there are people there who are willing to help us, how ever I can't tell you now. We need to leave, every moment we stay here we risk-" he was cut off my a man who towered over us and looked none to friendly. His eyes held a malevolent glare as he looked down at us.

Instinctively we ran, and as predicted the man pursued us. Eventually we were cornered, we turned around and prepared ourselves for whatever fight may occur.

"Shit." I muttered. "Can you fight?" I asked Finn but he shook his head. Great. Just great. That's when a third party appeared. I could probably take the first guy on my self but two on one seemed ridiculous. Even I knew that.

That's when the second man spoke.

"Hello my little flower. We meet alas." a voice boomed with coldness in their tone. I looked up and I was speechless.

My stomach turned to ice water as so many questions ran through my head.

He should still be in the palace! Shouldn't he? I looked back at Finn who had turned white as a ghost.

There stood in front of is a cold blooded killer. And neither of us had the ability to escape from him.

We were trapped.