Blood, cold bodies of fallen soldiers and the faint smell of cinnamon. I was too focused on where the cinnamon scent was coming from to hear someone walk up behind me until bang, a hand hit the tree in front of me, locking me in place. I slowly turned around to see a man with long red hair, a long red beard, and piercing brown eyes, eyes that glimmered with hatred. The man pointed his sword at me.

My eyes opened and I was in my bedroom once more. This was the third time in four days that I had such a vivid dream. I moved the curtain and looked out the window, the sun hasn't risen yet. I felt tears as they went down my face.

I don't know how long I stood there crying, but one of my maids, Inabo came in to see what was the matter. She put her hand on my shoulder and I turned towards her.

"Your Majesty, what are you doing at such a late hour?" Inabo asked.

"Another nightmare?" another maid of mine, Harriet, asked from the doorway. I nodded and wiped away my tears with a hankie that I always carry in my nightgown.

"You know, Miss Jessa," Harriet said, "The war is going to be scary and any war is. You don't have to be afraid if you know that there are others on your side." Inabo gasped as she turned to look at Harriet.

"Harriet, what have I told you about calling the Queen by her first name?" Inabo asked as if she was the one who was supposed to be offended.

"Inabo, it's fine." I said, "I told her that she can call me by my first name, and I've told you the same many times."

"A queen should not have her servants call her by her first name, it isn't proper." Inabo said.