In the twenty one years of Sara's life, she had only ever made three significant decisions that was a big transition to other chapters of her life.

The first was when she started training to become a member of the brotherhood and the future leader, she remembered that day as if it was yesterday, her ten-year old self was filled with excitement joined together with anxiety. Her mind had raced to a thousand miles that day just thinking of how pleasantly wonderful it would to be a part of a secret guild whose main function was solely to protect the people of Silva and their interests. She thought of how wonderful it would be to learn sword fighting and to finally be able to wear the heirloom, there was nothing else that could have given her more joy.

Joy that abruptly ended the day her mother died, mysteriously of course. Walking in to her mother's room and finding her dead body covered in blood that wasn't hers, was the greatest pain she had ever felt, even greater than not knowing her father. The betrayal of the brotherhood when they refused to investigate her mother's death stung in ways she could never imagine, wasn't her mother their leader? Wasn't she to be the next leader? Why weren't they listening to her? All those questions ran through her mind, but she never found answers. Instead what she found was her making the second significant decision in her life; leaving Silva along with every thought of being the guild's leader and the royal family, her family.

But it seemed fate was cruel in a rather funny and cryptic way. Sara found herself walking to the gates leading to Silva, the ' woodland kingdom' as it was always referred to because of the surrounding forests. Wasn't it a week ago, she adamantly told Alexander that she wouldn't go back to Silva? So why were her legs taking her through the gate? Why was she allowing the guards at the gate ask what her business was in Silva?

I must be going crazy, but I just couldn't help it, I need to know how my mother is involved in Silva's serial murder.

Sara realized this was the third significant decision she had made in her life, a transition to another chapter of her life, she had to know what her mother's connection was to the killings, why there were notes with her writing and replicas of the heirloom whose knowledge of crafting should have been six feet under with her mother. And maybe, just maybe she might find out what killed her mother, at least she hoped she had the courage to, that she didn't have five years ago.

Tugging the hood of her cape to further conceal her bright red hair, she mumbled something about going for a business trip to the watch guards, she didn't know what she was saying and it seemed the guards thought that too because they refused to let her go through.

"Who are you and what is your purpose in Silva?" One of the guards asked her for what seemed like the third or was it the fifth time, in his scratchy voice.

"I have a business, with um... a certain person in Silva, if you would just let me pass, I'll be on my way." She replied clearly this time hoping for her own sake they believed her. Else, how would she explain to them that she was actually the daughter of the king's cousin who has been dead for the past five years and she was here to help the well known but secret brotherhood find the serial killer in Silva.

Her skin had become more tanned from living under the heat of the forest, her build had become slimmer and more defined, her red hair which was waist length was now a little inch past her shoulders, she was taller and the freckles that dotted her face were less pronounced now. It would be a wonder if she was recognized, even though she had been well known and liked in Silva.

"Business? What business? Women's only business is in their home with their father or husband, they have no business traveling around and that too alone." The second guard replied instead looking at her with barely concealed disgust. Right, living alone in the forest made her forget what was thought to be women's place. A woman should never travel alone, without the company of a man.

Sara couldn't believe these misconceptions were still in place, if it wasn't for her stubbornness and doubting things, she would have left with Alexander and would not be dealing with guards who were biased towards women. She looked down at her purple dress; the only dress she actually owned, she should have worn her pants and pretended to be a man, but for some reason she didn't want to enter Silva with shabby clothes. She was regretting that decision seriously.

"Look, can you just let me go through, I have a very important business to take care of, it is a matter of-, you could say life and death." She hoped they wouldn't see through her lie. Well it is a matter of life and death but it doesn't matter if they don't let me pass through.

"No can't do miss-"

"Sara." She held her breath wondering if he would recognize the name.

"Miss Sara, we have strict orders directly from the king, we are not to let anyone with unknown business pass through. It is for the safety of Silva and you seem suspicious traveling alone like that." I guess he didn't. The first guard said like a true soldier upholding the words of his king. If only they knew just how close she was to the king, but she couldn't mention that, they would execute her for treason even before she is done mentioning the king's name.

"We suggest you turn back to wherever you came from miss." With that said, the guard turned to join his fellow guards in accessing the travellers trying to enter into Silva. Many of which were merchants on their fine horses with what she figured were goods loaded on them. They all passed through with ease, and most of the women were also allowed to pass simply because they were accompanied by a man.

Sara was beyond frustrated, was this a sign for her to turn back? Ugh when did I become so superstitious? If only there was a way for her to enter, but how? At this point, turning back was not an option for her, her cottage was a long way back. So what could she do?

Sara turned to another path leading to the thick forest that surrounded Silva, on getting there, she dropped her bag that had been weighing heavily on her shoulders. Unfastening her cape, she spread it under the shade of a tree and sat down leaning on the bark for support. She felt hot all over, the sun was high, probably even higher than it usually was. She brought out her waterskin and took a huge gulp of water, emptying it at once.

She sighed deeply, things were not going as she expected. Under the heat haze, she noticed it wasn't only merchants and simple travellers that passed through now. Some fancy carriages all lined up passing through the gate one after the other. Each of the carriages beared the flag of the different neighbouring countries around Silva. She recognized the flag of Cyrus, and other kingdoms from the north, even the flag of Adrianus Isle was proudly displayed on one of the carriages, theirs was actually the most fancy carriage.

Sara wondered what was happening, from what she could see it seemed the occupants of the carriages were either the royal family of these kingdoms or some important dignitary, else their flags would not be displayed so openly. Was there some sort of ball? Wasn't there a killer on the loose? Why can't I easily pass through like them?

You would have passed through easily if you had ignored your pride and followed Alexander back when he came to get you.

A nagging voice at the back of her head told her, well if she were to be honest with herself, following Alexander back would have been better, she wouldn't have been sitting under the scorching sun with only a tree for shade. He probably wasn't even expecting her to come, it was a week since he had come to get her, she wondered what position he held as a royal guard. Of course Alexander.

Sara quickly stood on her feet grabbing her bag and cape, she had gotten an idea, she only hoped it worked.

"Hey sir," She called drawing the attention of the guards at the gate. She rushed towards the gate quickly till she stood in front of the first guard.

"Miss I already told you-."

"My business is with Alexander Reuben, you should know him since he is a member of the royal guard." She interrupted the guard with a hand on her waist, she just hoped he believed her enough to let her pass through.

The guards exchanged a look she couldn't understand between themselves. She could tell they recognized the name, what she couldn't understand was the look they had on their faces, almost like they were shocked that she had mentioned his name.

"If you could just take me to him, you'll see he knows me and we'll all go our separate ways, how's that sound, hmm." She continued deciding to ignore the looks they exchanged.

"Look miss? Sara is it," I see he remembers my name. "I'm very sure the captain doesn't know you. Be on your way now, while I'm still nice." The guard made a gesture for her to leave and turned back to his work.

Sara was shocked, captain? Alexander? A captain? She wasn't sure they were talking about the same Alexander, but if they were, why didn't he tell her when he came to her cottage? She sighed again, it seemed her supposed knowing of Alexander wasn't going to help her. I should just turn back or something.

Just then, she noticed an awfully familiar figure approaching the gate from the inside, the figure drew closer and Sara found she couldn't stop her mouth from opening in surprise. She never thought she would see him again, that too wearing the uniform of Silva's royal guard.

"Hollis, Grant, I'm sure your shif-" The awfully familiar person turned and fixed his eyes on her. She couldn't believe her eyes, it was really him, she unknowingly held her breath, convinced he wouldn't recognize her.

"As I live and breathe, Sara is that you?" I guess not.

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Hmm *strokes chin* I wonder who recognized our heroine.

Hahaha, I'm sorry about the cliffhanger or not.

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