Aside from a few minor interactions with Norori, Rosa was not successful in extracting any information from the pack. She didn't know if Calandiel was called Hobin just in disguise, or if that was her new name. She also didn't imagine how far those people's knowledge went about the past of the two and about Cali being a princess. She wasn't even sure if her ransom would be held, or if the Minstrel had succumbed to her blackmail.

And the only one who - thought Rosa - could give her a straight answer, was lying down, trying to recover from an injury she'd caused her.

After the deer girl and the bat man joined the fire, Rosa couldn't even talk to Norori anymore. Those two didn't seem to like her and had gotten the others to eat separately from her. At least the dwarf's food was surprisingly good.

As she watched the pack from afar, she focused her attention on the girl. She hadn't had much opportunity to look at her. Valorie was very tall for a woman, she was slim, had a cute face, and looked like she was the youngest one around. The group together was bizarre, there was no doubt Calandiel had her reasons for choosing those folks, but she couldn't imagine how a group like that didn't call more attention.

Right after the meal, Domenic and Rocco went to bed. According to them, they were the ones who slept the least in the last 24 hours. It left Valorie and Norori to keep watch over the queen and place.

Rosa didn't feel the slightest bit sleepy, she had been put to sleep twice, by a mysterious force that she still didn't understand and that filled her with curiosity. She was also desperate to know if she was a captive or escort of that group. She took advantage of a moment when Valorie went to take food to Calandiel and walked over to Norori.

- Since we're going to spend a few hours here, we could exchange some infos, don't you think?

- Hehe! Of course, sweetie. What do you have in mind?

- Well, as I passed out a few hours ago, I don't even know when we left that fort. And now I'm not tied down, what's my situation?

- I don't know much more than you, hahaha. We're not going to ask for your ransom, if that's what you've been meaning to ask. But you're not free either, at least not yet.

“Some good news… kind of?” thought the queen. She felt a twinge of joy as she realized that Calandiel would not ask for her rescue. "But does she care about my life, or is she just not willing to risk me telling Evelon her secret?"

Rosa had no real intention of giving Cali away. She knew that could mean the death of her ex-lover and the guilt of her disappearance was already enough for the queen. It was a bluff at the time, but one that now, she imagined, would make the other angrier with her. “Why do I have to be like this?” she thought with a sigh.

- Is Cal... Hobin the one who makes these decisions?

- Hobin is our leader, yes, but decisions are made democratically. You as a queen may not be aware of this concept.

- Haha! Indeed, in my kingdom I rule, but I know the meaning of the word.

The queen's laugh came more out of nervousness than amusement at Norori's remark. If they voted, how did she get out of her blackmail alive? Perhaps the group was less cruel than rumors implied, no wonder Cali was its leader. That eased her mind a bit. Each new piece of information made her heart race with excitement, even the ones that provoked fear and anxiety, she was finally on an adventure.

Taking advantage of Norori looking relaxed, she launched the second question.

- Does Hobin have some kind of magic?

- Where did you get that from?

- It seemed to me that I was enchanted twice, the first time I could've sworn that she put some substance in that gag, but the second time she just ordered me to sleep and I fainted.

The dwarf frowned and muttered:

- Usually she's more discreet about it...

- So it is true? Is that what they mean when they say the Minstrel enchants his victims?

Norori looked very uncomfortable. Apparently she had crossed a line.

- Why are you asking that? - said a voice coming from behind Rosa.

Calandiel, or Hobin, as it seemed to be the right way to call her now, was approaching the fire with Valorie at her heels.

- What are you doing here? Didn't you have a headache? You have to rest! - scolded Norori.

- I can not - she said heading to the fire and sat down.

Rosa watched Valorie and Norori having a silent discussion, through looks and gestures, behind the leader. Hobin resumed the subject.

- You two can go to sleep. I'll stay awake and watch over us .

- Oh, heck no! More than anyone else here you should be the one sleeping - scolded the deer lady.

- I am not sleepy. It's no use for me to lie down if you all can rest.

- Hobin! Why are you this stubborn? Since you're like this, if Norori wants to sleep, I'll stay up with you.

- Well, Norori does wanna sleep - Said the dwarf - Nothing better than a nap after eating. Good night, or rather morning, ladies.

The dwarf hummed off in search of fabrics and a corner to lean against. Hardly had he walked away, the elf continued.

- Go to sleep, Val.

- No, and you can't make me.

- Actually, I kind of can. - Said the elf letting out a giggle.

- You! You wouldn't dare! - Valorie seemed to be torn between disbelief and laughter.

Hobin let out a laugh. Rosa watched the deer woman sit beside her, giggling and pushing the other, as if in a private game where no one else was watching. The queen felt the need to look away.

What was she thinking? Seeing Cali's face in that forest, all she wanted was to hug the person she once loved, to live a new adventure. But reality hit her, more in that moment than in all the fear and anxiety before. Seeing Cali so different, interacting with these people, was strange, both in a positive and negative way. How many things had Calandiel experienced in those years when she was busy with court affairs? How many things could she have experienced herself?

"The court! What am I doing?" The queen involuntarily gave a start, as she stared into space. She had acted on impulse, in a way she hadn't done in years, and now, the consequences of what that could do came to her mind. “Poor Henrique must have been so scared… And Gabriel? How will he react? My mother is probably worried to death, by now the news must have reached her… After all, we weren't too far away from…”. Rose rubbed her face, trying to stay in the present moment. “No, Calandiel must have a plan. If they don't find my body, my family will probably start searching. The best course of action would be to somehow reassure them that I'm fine. When they find out I'm not dead, they should be relieved."

She looked at the two, who were still laughing at their private joke. A twinge of jealousy made her want to step in, but she had to remember her place in that story.

- Hobin, since you agreed that I would travel with you, do you have any idea how to lose my family?

Calandiel grimaced.

- You put us in a very complicated situation - complained the elf. - Lucky for you that we are not cruel as the rumors say, it would have been simpler to take your life.

- Thanks for that. - Rose snapped with a sardonic smile.

Calandiel clicked her tongue on her teeth and stared her up and down. Valorie looked anxiously from one to the other.

- We sent messages to mislead the searches. This will slow down your guards and any mercenaries that may have been hired by the part of your family that wants you dead. You know it's riskier to be with us than in your castle, don't you?

- If you mean the risks of accidental death, yes, but as for murder, I find it easier to be poisoned by a cook or stabbed on a hunt in my castle than here.

- We will not stay in forests all the time. In cities there are mercenaries and bounty hunters. If anyone spreads word on the black market that your head is at stake, it will not just be Sunstone's army we will have to worry about.

- How lucky for me to have the Minstrel by my side, then.

- Not for long.- Hobin frowned. - As I told you before, I do not owe you anything. Once I've ensured that you're far enough away from your realm that you're not actually coming back, you're on your own.

- So I'll do my best with the time we have.

- What is that supposed to mean?

- Nothing. - the queen smiled. - I'll just think about how to outwit these mercenaries until they forget I exist.

- Wouldn't it have been better for you to execute the members who want your head? Valorie questioned.

- If I knew exactly who was involved... There are many remnants of my father's family, some even married to people from other countries. I don't know the size of this plot.

- For those and other reasons I hate the nobility - declared Calandiel.

- I understand there are bad rulers out there, but without the nobility things would be a mess.

- Things are already a mess! I thought you of all people would have noticed that.

- Noticed what? My kingdom is well organized.

- You just said they want your head!

- That… Yes, unfortunately there is that, but my people are satisfied.

- Surely from the top of your towers everything must look perfect.

- The numbers show it!

- Even if that's true, there's not just your fairytale kingdom! Nobility prevents things from changing, always putting the same family in power!

- This prevents unnecessary wars!

- Where? I see wars everywhere! I thought you learned more while traveling!

- Can you both stop please? - Asked Norori from his corner with a hoarse voice. - I was falling asleep.

- Sorry, Nori - Cali replied. - We're done here.

- Are you? This tension between you two dates back to the capture in the carriage.

Calandiel looked at Norori as if she wanted to rip the dwarf's head off. Rosa started to laugh.

- That reminds me of the arguments we used to have when...

Calandiel rose irritably and spoke in the Minstrel's voice.

- I'm tired of your audacity. You are not on vacation. If you want to travel with this group, leave me alone and stay quiet. And never mention that period of my life. Was I clear?

Rosa was startled by Calandiel's change in attitude, but she thought it best not to comment. That fiery new personality needed time to get known.

- Yes, Minstrel.