"Do Lycan's just walk everywhere?" That must be how they are in such good shape. They don't have the brain wattage to get tired.

It's a mile or so to the city from here, I curse my father for his attention to solitude and landscaping. It is the beginning of fall and I'm grateful for the cool breeze. The path is more worn than I remember, I had just traveled through here and the land now feels foreign to me.

The heavy trees remain intact but the path is widened from many foot soldiers going in and out. "Where is everyone?" I dare ask. 

Tonic appears confused for a moment but then shrugs. "Working?" I must baffle him. How could I possibly not know the ins and outs of his existence? It's the only thing he knows. "We travel in small groups, it's not safe to stay completely together."

I find myself anxious to see the city. How much had been destroyed? It's beautiful out, the mountains look especially clear and the leaves are threatening to change colors. I inhale the scent of fall and embrace the crisp air. My own room might as well be a prison compared to the beauty of my country.

Chilled, I wrap my arms around myself, rubbing my forearms through my sleeves. It reminds me of my training, the discomfort of the outdoors brings back harsh memories of the climates we were forced to survive in.

"Cold?" He sounds sympathetic.

"No. Just lost in thought." My feet are already aching, he reassures me we are almost there. I can see the trees start to thin and as we crest a hill the city reveals itself.

I am struck with relief. It looks totally unharmed. I quicken my steps and I hear Tonic following close behind. My city. My home. I rush until my feet hit the stone pavement of her streets and freeze as I take it all in.

Tonic skitters to a halt at my side, surprised by my abrupt stop but I'm off again, making my way through the familiar streets and brushing my fingertips of whatever they can find to re-familiarize myself with a city I have so longed for these past few days. "How?" I ask Tonic finally.

"What do you mean? We said we weren't going to destroy the city."

What am I supposed to say? I didn't believe you? I give him a sideways glance and close my eyes as I lean against one of the stone walls of a building. I press my palms against the cool rock. "I thought it would be burned to the ground."

Tonic rolls his eyes. "The place is made of stone Nicolas, which would be quite a feat."

I laugh. A real laugh. And it rolls out of me until my sides hurt and I'm gasping for air. I don't know quite why it's so funny but it hits me in such a way that I just can't help myself. It's something different. It's joy, for my people and me.

I make my way into the bakery and snag a loaf of bread to gorge myself on the sweetness. Hearing his sharp inhale, he shoves me back into the bakery as we exit which almost causes me to drop my bread. "What the hell?" I demand but he holds his hand up to silence me.

Tonic curses under his breath. "We are being followed." 

It doesn't surprise me to hear that someone lurks in the shadows, I'm the last heir to the throne and one of the invaders appears to be holding me captive. It would concern me more if people weren't concerned.

"Are you sure someone isn't just going the same way we are?" I feel ridiculous hiding in the bakery but it doesn't stop me from taking another bite out of my bread. I push past him, irritated, as I peer out the window. "Look, there's the book store. Let's go over there and if we are followed there, then I'll worry."

In the store, I pace through the shelves and I'm disappointed that it's true that they have burned most of the spell books though I do find one thin copy of a healing book and slip that into the page keeper in my vest. 

"They are waiting for us to exit." He reveals and I eye him, how can he possibly know that?

"What; are they talking to you?" My voice drips with my lack of faith in his ability to predict our situation. He doesn't notice, he's in full alert and I'm certain he will alert my captor if we don't solve this now.

"They are in that alley; I imagine they will approach when we are outside."

I truly lack the ability to comprehend one of my own people standing against a Lycan, especially considering they had just executed the royal family. They can't know Tonic as a pushover, from a distance he might even look intimidating.

"Let's go see what they want." I press.

Tonic's expression cracks and he gives me a nervous look. "I... " He's afraid. He's a baby sitter, not a fighter and he doesn't want to risk his life for something that would assuredly get him in trouble.

"We can't just hide in here all day." He can. I will not. It has never been in me to value my own life and do what I am told.

He knows that I will leave; I can see it on his face. I won't stay here and he can't allow me to go off on my own.

Sighing, he watches out the window. "Ok... here's the plan. We're going to go out there and see what they want. If anything strange happens, I will change and you will climb on my back and then we head back towards the castle. We should meet up with one of the patrols there and that will keep us safe. Understand? I can take one or two but I'm not experienced enough to take on a whole group."

"How many did you smell?" Is that even correct to say? Could that be considered offensive? Do I care?

"Just one.."

One? What are we worrying about? I shrug and gesture for him to lead the charge. Huffing, he leads me out of the book store to the side alley where we spot our shadowy figure. They are hooded, in an oversized black coat. We can only see the lower half of their face and their hands. The remainder of the figure's body is covered in garments, meant to conceal one's identity. How did I not notice this person?

"What do you want?" Tonic demands. The figure smiles to reveal beautiful white teeth. No fangs. That makes me breathe a sigh of relief.

"I've been looking for you Nicolas, there's been talk that you were slaughtered. When we saw the smoke, we figured as much. The lycans must be brave to have let you out of the castle.. Though I see you've brought a mutt. Have you turned sides so easily?"

I scoff. I didn't realize I was in such high demand. "Hardly the case, he is my guard. I am surprised there is room for gossip when the royal family is still fresh in their graves, idle tongues should spend more time in debt to their country rather than entertaining gossip."

I don't appreciate being followed but it must look strange that I'm in the company of one of the creatures who has put my city on lockdown and murdered my family. My chest tightens and I force the feelings down, I can't crack now. This person can't know I'm a captive. "I believe we asked you a question, what do you want?"

I hear Tonic growling and it makes me shiver as images of my father's death flashed through my memory. My mother screaming and the blood- so much blood.

The figure takes a step forward and Tonic stiffens. I put my hand on his shoulder to assure him I want to hear what he has to say. "I'm with the rebellion. I'd like to take you there and show the people you are alive, we could use the morale boost. It's been hard biding our time; the Lycan's have this place shored up pretty good. We are-" This voice is male. He seems to be looking towards Tonic. "Is there any way we can send this one away? The rebel leader urgently wants to meet with you."

 Tonic would surely return home and Alpha would tear this city apart to find me or worse, kill all of those who have ties to me in the castle.

"Tonic is with me... anything you say can be said in front of him. He is here to keep me safe. These are trying times, good sir, one can't be too careful." I reassure this hooded figure.

The man sighs and removes the hood to reveal long flowing honey-colored hair and dark eyes.

"You can see why I don't want to discuss matters with him?" He is an elf. His long pointed ears make it painfully obvious. The rebellion is made of elves?

A snarl comes from my wolf bodyguard. Maybe I should send him back? But I feel conflicted to keep him here, what would the others do to him if he lost me? I decide to revisit, later, why I'm so concerned for Tonic's life. I must vouch for him, I must insist. "Tonic is a good man. I know you don't want to give away your position but he doesn't want this either... he's on our side."

I hope Tonic has a good poker face or really, I hope that I'm telling the truth and that I haven't been wrong about him. He glances at me but then sighs and nods; I squeeze him in gratitude. The elf regards us both as I press on. "I need to be back before nightfall, I'm on a pretty strict schedule."

This appears to disturb the elf. "We need to get going then. Once night shift shows up this place gets a little- well, I'm sure you know." I ignore that; gesturing him to guide the way. I feel as though something should be going off in my head, telling me not to follow this elf but I can't help but feel a sense of security in these familiar streets.

Arriving at the rebellion brings a whole new mixture of emotions. I am in a dead run before I know it. They're here, I'm not as alone as I had feared for these borders are filled with other magic users. I feel tears threatening to run over as I count in my head what faces I recognize. There are healers and shapeshifters; a couple of those with gifts have managed as well.

I'm thrilled and, at the same time, I'm devastated. I'm coming up short; there are some I don't see- a medicine woman, a few of the gifted, and some spell casters. But the wolves have been mistaken, they have not killed nearly as many as they thought.

Tonic appears painfully uncomfortable and they don't seem too thrilled with his presence either.

I see plenty of new faces, elves, and even a few mortals are among them. There are more elves than I could have guessed. All and all the rebellion stands fifty strong and I'm impressed but also I'm concerned, they stand no chance against the army.

I'm preparing my speech when the crowd begins to part and I'm greeted by a tall man who is in white silken clothes. His long platinum blond hair has the front braided into an intricate crown around his head while the rest falls to below his waist. It's so well brushed that it almost looks translucent as it sways behind him. His light eyes are locked on me and he pulls his full pale lips together in what could be a smile.

"Nicolas." I introduce myself. He takes my fingers and bestows me a polite half-bow, bringing him down to my height. The motion conveys the heavy scent of perfume to my nose and I resist the urge to cough, he bears quite the odd scent of a man.

"Oh, I know who you are. I've been dying to meet you once more." His voice is smooth like a fine wine, his hair slips from behind his back as he lowers and rises. His angular features make him almost look alien, to perfect, as if it was carved and polished onto flawless marble skin. I think of my own marred skin and retract my hand from his silken touch. 

"Haryek." He introduces himself. "Prince Haryek, son of Taryek."

I raise my eyebrows. "Son of Taryek? The Elf King?" Haryek doesn't give the shy smile I would have expected. He looks proud yet I'm not impressed, more so surprised he would be out of his cozy castle. "What finds you at the head of the rebellion?"

I knew of Haryek faintly, from a few dinners and parties in my youth. He was a political figure more than he was heir to the throne. He handled most of the outside dealings in trade, wine, and slaves, his father must be furious at his absence. Without Haryek, how was Ziduri fairing for trade?

The elf shrugs a slow rise and fall of his shoulders as if he was taking a deep breath.

"I decided this would be a better route for me. What the three kingdoms have done to the Lycans was not something the whole of society agreed upon. It's time for a change. I wish we could have spoken about this alone but I suppose now as good of a time as any. I want to find a way to de-throne my father without murdering hundreds of elves.

We do not have history books; we have certain people who remember these things as pass them down through the generations. Those would be critical losses for our society along with the other royals who my father will, no doubt, be hiding behind. With your abilities and my tactics, I feel we will have a fighting chance to get through this with little bloodshed."

I take this all in and watch him cautiously. What does he know about my abilities? Perhaps just what he's read. I'm not sure I want Haryek to be in charge of anything, let alone a kingdom, a close neighbor, and a valued trade partner. I think to Alpha sparing Elven lives and almost laugh but if nothing else; my royal training has taught me to stay serious.

I can't show him my doubts, I must keep him happy for the time being. "We have similar wants for our people; I don't want anyone else to have to die." This brings a smile to the elf's face but I don't smile back. I don't find this politician very sincere.

"My father will not hold back for long. The lycans have done the dirty work of removing your father, Lord Darrius; there is a chance at restoring balance to this world. I want to put good people in place, I want to form an alliance between the kingdoms once again and restore peace to this world. There is a time for the elite but where it stands, we cannot continue in this way. We must act quickly before someone comes and seizes this moment and destroy us all." His eyes flicker towards Tonic.

I glance at Tonic who looks uncomfortable. "I believe we do agree on that. I'm grateful for all you're doing for my people and I would love to repay the favor. I want to help in any way that I can. When I find my book, I will be of more use to you. I'm afraid right now I'm rather limited to what I can contribute."

Haryek allows a massive smile to come over his face and with a gesture, a small woman comes forward holding a bag. She hands it to me and I can sense it before it even reaches my fingers. As I shove the bag hurriedly out of my way, my book reveals itself and I clutch it to my chest as if I hold on to the very lifeline that is my true self. "How?"

"I saved it." Her voice is small. I stare at her; I feel horrible that I don't recognize her. My eyes travel over her burnt hands, my book is not meant for anyone but me to hold. I reach out and touch her hands, focusing my thoughts as her burns vanish. She smiles a small, grateful smile of which I return. It's such a small gesture but it takes more out of me than I expect. I haven't used magic very much since I've been home, my energy reserve is low.

"So you will help?" Haryek presses. I know what he's hoping for. I lack excuses.

"As much as I can." I allow. We haven't been here long but I feel ready to leave. This is a lot to process and I was enjoying the day in the city. "I will return in a few days, I have a lot to think about and I need to build my strength." Haryek takes my hand once more and half bows.

"Till next time."