Julian woke up early the next morning, his head only slightly clearer than before. His dreams had been filled with memories of his family, and every so often his happy thoughts were interrupted by glimpses to the map. The truth was, that after so many looks at the map, he knew exactly where the coin was placed. The destination was far to the East, somewhere in the Dwarven mountain ranges. But, he did not want to tell the others. As soon as he did, they'd be going after it, and putting themselves in danger. It would be safer, he decided, if the others were left clueless.

Alice was the second one awake, and she was quick to start the fire.

'You alright?' She whispered across the camp, trying not to wake the other two.

'I'm fine...' Julian sat down by the fire, keeping his word count to the minimum. He was a terrible liar, and aware of it, so the less he spoke the better.

'Did you see anything last night? Get any clues?'

'No...'

'Are you sure? Because we really need to-'

'I know!' He shouted, getting to his feet despite having only just sat down. 'I know you all think I'm the key... But what if we've done the wrong thing?!'

Oliver was now just wake, sitting up and staring a Julian.

'Maybe the people after me are deliberately trying to get us to lead them to what they want! So, if I knew where to go, which I totally don't, they'd follow us. Then, they'd ambush us and take it, and then we'll have failed.'

'Julian...' Oliver's voice was quiet, still barely awake. But, he didn't like it when Julian got worried. When he gets worried, Oliver starts doubting his decisions and it makes it harder for them to make any concrete decisions, and even though he knew that, it still happened every time

'Don't 'Julian' me Oliver! I'm not your responsibility! Stop acting like I'm just a child for you to take care of!' Julian was going slightly off topic, but all the stress of leaving home and being on the run was leaving him, and now that it had started, he couldn't stop. 'There's just some things I have to take care of on my own.'

'Stop acting all heroic Julian,-'

'This is not me being heroic, this is me trying to prove that I'm capable. I swear to god, if it were my brother instead of me, he wouldn't need a bodyguard. He'd be out there solving the problem on his own! And, I bet if it were Bryce, my dad wouldn't have wiped his head of his obviously dangerous secret!'

'Wait, you think your Dad is the one who wiped your memories?' Alice asked.

'Yeah, it makes the most sense.' His voice calmed slightly. 'He told me something then regretted it, so he got someone to take my memories. Who else could it have it been?... But, that's not the point. The point is that if I had been stronger, or smarter, this wouldn't be happening. But it is, and I can't do anything. So I should just run and hide, and hope for the best. And I should do it without you all.'

Oliver frowned. 'You want to go alone?'

Julian nodded through the tense silence.

'Good morning guys!' Jos said happily as they dropped from the tree they were sleeping in, and walked happily over to them. 'How are you all?'

'Not now Jos.' Julian sighed, sparing a glance towards Oliver before stalking off into the woods.

'Okay what just happened? Julian is definitely acting moody. Oliver, did you infect him with you grouchiness?'

Oliver glared at them, but made no snide remark in retaliation.

'Now I'm confused...' They turned towards Alice for an explanation, but she just shrugged lightly.

'Julian wants to leave.' She looked towards where Julian had headed. 'He wants to hide from the people trying to kill him, and he wants to do it alone.'

'Well that's stupid.'

'It's not really what he wants... He just wants to prove himself.' Oliver spoke, for once without sarcasm laced in his voice.

'What has he even got to prove?'

'His father is strict, always comparing him to his older brother.'

'Well, that sounds horrible, his dad must be an absolute dickhead.'

Oliver and Alice shared a knowing look.

'You should probably go after him.' Oliver suggested, making Jos confused.

'Why me? You guys are like, best friends right?' At last, Jos sat down by the fire, trying to make it clear that they weren't going to move.

'Alice and I are both too close. This is too personal... He won't listen to us, but he values your opinion...'

Jos sat in thought for a moment. 'Yeah, okay. That's absolute bullshit, you know that right?'

Oliver looked up confused, he thought that Jos would jump at the chance to be the hero.

'It's some good ole family drama, he needs a friend to talk him through it, not a stranger who tags along for the kicks. Get a grip Oliver, yeesh.'

Jos sneered slightly as they looked at Oliver, soon after stuffing their face with some of their rations. Oliver didn't move.

'Are you going or not?!'

At Jos' surprisingly loud and harsh voice, Oliver got to his feet and went to follow Julian.