Isabella paced the streets of the capitol of Valor. She was still mad at Steven, and she was trying to clear her head. She decided to take a walk in the forest. Travelers warned people that the forest was dangerous: there were monsters and bandits, yada yada yada. Isabella didn't care. She had Sacrifice, and that was enough to protect her.

  What Isabella didn't know was that another girl her age was walking in the same forest, and they both weren't looking where get we're going. They collided head on, both walking at abnormally fast paces for leisurely strolls.

  "Ugh! Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to get in your way."

  Isabella waved the person off as she held her head, stumbling. Something was familiar about that voice.

  She stepped back and looked up. A girl in a dark emerald cloak stood in front of her, regaining her balance. Her hands were empty and extended in front of her. Isabella steadied herself and examined the girl she had run into.

  "Who are you?" she asked.

  "Who wants to know?" the girl replied. Isabella furrowed her eyebrows. Something was definitely familiar about that voice.

  "Me."

  "How do I know I can trust you?"

  "You just...seem familiar."

  "Really?"

  "Yeah. Wait, do you know Taurtis?"

  "Who now?"

  Isabella sighed. "Never mind. Well, I'm Isabella." She extended her hand.

  "So, you're trusting me with your name?"

  "Yeah. You seem like a trustworthy person. And I'm not wanted in any country...I think. At least not yet."

  The girl laughed, then shook Isabella's hand.

  "So," Isabella said, "are you gonna tell me your name?"

  The girl stood there in silence for a long time. "I'm not sure. You see, I may or may not be currently hunted by a powerful group of people, and you don't seem like a trustworthy person." She studied Isabella for a few moments. The latter stood there awkwardly, never breaking eye contact with the girl. Finally, she exhaled, simply saying, "Emma."

  That's when it clicked. Isabella snapped her fingers. "Uh, wild guess here, but Emma as in Grian's sister?"

  Emma looked uncomfortable. She opened her mouth but didn't say anything.

  "Oh. My. Gord. Really?"

  "...No-?"

  "Come on. You can't hide it now!"

  "Just, don't tell anybody. No matter what they offer you."

  "Okay, Miss Paranoia."

  The cloaked girl gave Isabella a look. "How do you even know who Grian is?"

  "I know one of his best friends, Taurtis. Or at least, I used to know him, before he ran away. Stupid, naive, good-for-nothing boy."

  Emma laughed.

  Isabella shot her a look. "What are you laughing about?"

  "I say the same thing about my brother."

  Then they both laughed.

  "So," Isabella said. "Where are you going?"

  "I have to go...see the king."

  "Really? Can I come with?"

  "I don't know—"

  "Come on. I can be your sidekick!"

  Emma giggled. "Okay, fine. Just don't cause any trouble. I'm a wizard."

  "Okey dokey."

  So the two girls started toward the city, heading straight for the castle.