"Look around, we lost five men, and nine are injured." Ariyan scowled. "We have two people missing, so we can't afford any time wasted!"

"But we need time to mourn!" Jolene shot back. "It won't do us any good if our group's spirit is too low to make any progress anyway."

"Well, what do you propose?! I don't see you coming up with a way for us to stay on schedule!" Ariyan gritted his teeth. "We need to keep moving."

"Oh yeah? That's funny, because I think the exact opposite!" She yelled. "I may not have a plan, but me not having a plan is better than yours!"

Back and forth they went, it had already been going for a while. The meeting was taking place in Opal's tent, since she had called the meeting. They had everyone gathered around a foldable circular table, with the rebel tied up in a chair in the corner of the room.

"I think that we should sit down like civilized people." Sir Axel interrupted.

"Really, no one asked you!" Ariyan said, at the same time Jolene said, "Does it look like I care about what you think?"

They scowled simultaneously. Suddenly, Ainsley burst out laughing.

"Since we can't seem to come to a decision, we should address the elephant in the room." Ainsley said, still giggling, gesturing towards the unconscious rebel.

"Before we do that, Oliver, would you please check on the rest of our group. Take inventory, settle shaken servants; making sure everyone is calm." Opal sighed.

She's tired. Valencia thought. I wonder why she seems so tired.

"Of course, Your Highness." Oliver left the tent.

"Sir Axel, bring this man towards me." Opal commanded, her voice unyeilding.

He nodded and brought the rebel towards the middle of the tent. He pushed the man's chair into the table. Grabbing the glass of water next to her, Opal dumped it on the man.

He jerked awake with a gasp. With eyes so dark they were nearly black and extremely pale skin, he gave off a pretty freaky aura. Just looking at him you could tell he was dangerous.

"Hello." Valencia said simply, and yet, the man shivered slightly. She could unsettle anyone with her full voice and beauty. No one felt completely comfortable next to her.

"W-where am I?" He stuttered. Suddenly his eyes shot right to Sir Axel.

"Charlie? Why am I here?" He said, looking around nervously. It was almost comical how scared he was, considering his appearance.

Opal and Valencia looked towards each other, their eyes locking. Why did this man, who was presumed to be a rebel from Minsk or Niksm, know who Axel was? And why was he calling him Charlie?

The air in the room was taunt with confusion and suspicion.

"Um, excuse me? I am not Charlie. I believe you have the wrong person. My name is Sir Axel, and I am a knight for Altacia escorting the princesses to Ustrah." He said pointedly. "Right now, you are in our custody for attacking the traveling royalty."

The man's eyes widened ever so slightly. "Oh." he said simply.

Opal stepped forward. "What is your name, and who are you?"

"My name is Benji. I'm a part of Minsk's government. We was sent on a mission to intercept carriages on the road you were traveling on. We had no idea who was leading the group." He replied, still looking a bit shaken.

"Were you given any explanation to why you were attacking these carriages?" Valencia asked.

"N-no, just that they were a threat to us." Benji averted his eyes.

It was weird how he spoke, as if each of his words were carefully thought of. As if he didn't want to give something away.

"Well, I believe we only have one question left." Opal said, looking around the room for agreement. "Who is your leader."

Silence.

Benji was wide-eyed and his mouth was closed.

"Well?!" Ainsley blurt out.

Benji turned towards Ainsley, and his eyes widened further. "Y-you're the--"

"I don't care who you think I am. Answer the question." She snapped.

Benji refused to speak. He shook his head over and over again. Well, Opal thought, we shouldn't waste anymore time on this when he obviously won't say anything.

Oliver entered the tent. Light was streaming through the open flaps. They had been in this meeting for hours with no solution in sight.

"Your Highness, everyone is calm and ready to continue riding at your word." Oliver reported.

Opal knew what they should do.

"Oliver, I have come to a decision. We will go to the nearest town and those who would like to mourn will stay in a tavern. We will provide enough money for two weeks' stay, or until word reaches Danil." Opal finished, her decision made.

"A-are you sure that they will be okay with this plan?" Ariyan asked, a little bit nervous of the outcomes.

Opal ignored Ariyan. "Announce this as our plan and start packing up. We leave after breakfast."

"Of course, Your Highness." Oliver left the tent.

"Have Benji come along with us. We will have him imprisoned in Caltair." Valencia seemed ready to protest, but Opal spoke before she could. "Beosk's law will decide what to do with him."

Everyone nodded, agreeing with her decision to leave Benji in Caltair.

"Alright, this meeting is dismissed. Pack up your stuff and eat breakfast. We've wasted enough time here." She got up and left the tent, the perfect copy of her mother.

. . .

Everything was packed up and ready to go. The ground was muddy and gross from being stomped on after the rain. Luckily, the mud wasn't so deep that the horse's hoofs would sink. Hopefully it wouldn't rain any more.

They would be on the road for a little over two weeks before they reached Caltair. Caltair was known for being rich and exclusive. Those who lived there were favored by the crown and had extremely high standards. Because of this, their police system was top notch and their jail had the highest security in all the land.

Which was why they were leaving Benji there.

Because they usually left a dawn, the group was hours behind schedule. The later they started riding, the less light they would have when they finally stopped. The weather was nice, considering it was the end of summer. There were no clouds in the sky, it was warm, and there was not a lot of wind. Perfect for the horses, so they would make good time because they wouldn't have to stop as often.

The nearest town was hours away. It would be lunch by the time they arrived. Opal had everyone on their horses the moment the utensils were packed away. When Opal wanted something done, it was done immediately. Everyone got set to ride and then, they were off.

Things settled down around an hour later.

I'm bored. Valencia thought. I wonder what I- Oh! This is the perfect time to get to know Sir Axel.

She turned her horse to the side and waited until the company moved along so she could ride next to him, since he was in the back.

"Sir Axel. Why have I never seen you before?"

"Ah, umm, well I just recently became a knight." He looked nervous.

"Oh? What were you doing before that?" Valencia was genuinely curious about what he did before serving Altacia's crown.

"I worked on a farm. My mother and father own a large meat farm."

"Ah, I see..." Valencia was a vegetarian. She couldn't get past the part that her steak once was an adorable little calf. "What made you want to become a knight?"

"The opportunities and adventure. I want to be able to tell my grandkids all the things Grandpa Axel did. And the attention from the ladies isn't bad, either." He winked.

Valencia laughed. "I'm sure it isn't. So one day you just up and decided to train to become a knight?"

"My parents helped me come to the decision, and some of my friends are too. It is nice to see them around. My mom and dad are amazing and, I love them more than life itself."

"Oh-" Valencia was interrupted by Opal.

"Val! I have a question!" She yelled from the front the group.

"Coming! Excuse me, my sister is calling me."

"Of course, it was nice talking to you." He waved goodbye.

Valencia rode up to Opal.

"What was your question about, Opal?" She asked.

Opal looked at her for a few moments before realizing Valencia had asked a question. "O-oh, did you think that I made the correct decision?"

"I think that it would be greatly appreciated if we had discussed it before telling Oliver," Valencia gave Opal a pointed look, and Opal grimaced. "but, it solved the problem."

"Ah. Of course, next time I will be sure to speak to the group before announcing my plans." Opal saluted her older sister.

"Ready for the next two weeks?" Ariyan asked the girls as he rode next to Valencia.

"Ha! My backside is going to be as flat as a pancake by the time we're done with this!" Val giggled when Opal shook her head.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm sure it will be just fine."

"You don't know that!" Ariyan laughed.

"Yours was never round in the first place." Opal stated.

Ainsley chuckled." She got you there!"

Valencia looked at Ainsley's laughing face. She was beautiful. With her sparkling baby blue eyes, she naturally drew everyone to her. Her long, and curly hair was swaying in the wind, even though she had it up. It went way past her hips.

Ainsley loved her hair. She had been growing the brunette mass out for years. Valencia thought it was kind of adorable.

Valencia had always admired her for being smart, kind, and graceful. Ainsley had amazing manners and was flexible. Someday someone would love her exactly how she was born to be loved.

Valencia hoped they deserved her.

. . .