The most purulent smell woke me up and had me gagging over the side of the bed. It smelled like a mixture of decaying carcass, rotten eggs, and cooked cabbage.

"Sienna! You're awake!" Before I could recover, I was enveloped in Rose's embrace. I looked past her shoulder to see Saffron holding her nose and carefully placing the stopper back on the offending vial.

"I'll go tell the others she is awake!" I heard Cerise say before her footsteps ran from the room.

"What was that?" I asked gulping in fresh air as the odor completely dissipated.

"You've never been subjected to Liar's Breath before? Color me surprised," Saffron said while she picked up a basin of dirty water.

I was surprised to see Saffron here in the medicinal room. And she seemed to be doing stuff. Am I dead or someplace else? I don't know where I'd be... just some other reality where Saffron was considerate and self-sacrificing. Just now she threw the contents of the basin out the window, a distant exclaim rose up from the unsuspecting victim down below.

Scratch that.

She caught me looking at her and misinterpreted. "Don't give me that look. You were not waking up! I wish I did it earlier, so you could've cleaned yourself up. You're welcome!"

I glanced down and saw I was in a fresh gown. The dirt and grime of the forest had been washed away. All that remained was some light-yellow bruising that would disappear within a day or two, which Rose seemed intent on inspecting. I was half-expecting to see my dress from last night still muddied and ripped at the hem. Memories of the dragon attack, the scattered fire and strange pieces, and the boy with the removable bulky eyes, came to mind with abrupt clarity.

"... down and I shouldn't have taken it out on you. I feel so bad. If I hadn't brushed you off, you-"

"The boy? Where is he? What happened? Oops. I'm sorry, Rose, were you saying something?"

"It's fine," she smiled. "Are you okay?"

"Of course. I'm fine." I stood up to back up my claim and I shooed her hands away that were trying to get me to sit back down. "The boy that was in the ... dragon..."

Even as I said it, I knew it was not right. But I could not think of any other word to describe the thing.

"It wasn't a dragon. Not a real dragon. That is all we know for now," Rose said.

"If it wasn't a dragon... then what was it? And what about the boy?" I asked impatiently.

Rose and Saffron exchanged a look I couldn't read. Saffron seemed to be against telling me, I think.

"He's in the dungeon. They are questioning him," Rose finally answered.

"About the dragon? But he was injured."

Before I could say more, the rest of my sisters flooded through the door and I was bombarded by hugs, kisses, questions, and tears.

Someone cleared their throat and they parted so I could see Ruby standing poised in the doorway. "You will have time for your questions later. The entourage from Eldair have been spotted entering the city gates. We must all go prepare to be presented." We all obediently began to file out the door. I tried to follow behind Rose when Ruby stopped me. "Not you, Sienna. Father said you can keep resting."

"But I'm fine," I argued.

"Just stay here. You've been through enough."

"But. I'm. Fine." I repeated under my breath, but I sat back down on the bed, ready to commence my pouting. I felt her hand rest on my head. I looked up. She seemed as if she were about to say something but shook her head.

"Take it easy."

I bit my lip as she took her leave.

When I could no longer hear her receding footsteps, I got up from the bed and marched through the door defiantly. Only when I was almost to our bedchamber did I stop when a thought came to my mind.

What am I doing? I never liked being presented to foreign dukes and lords and ambassadors like some docile puppet on a string. Maybe I was just arguing with Ruby for the sake of arguing. Well, I would have plenty of future opportunities for that.

I turned on my heel in the opposite direction.

The boy was in the dungeon.

But I couldn't risk getting caught.

I mapped out the route in my head. There is a side entrance that leads straight down into the dungeons on the east side of the castle.

I made my way to the kitchens using some out-of-the-way passages. This was the hard part. To get outside I can use the service doors that they usually only use for regularly scheduled vegetable and fruit deliveries. But to get there I had no choice but to sneak my way around the open kitchen where servants bustled about. As I made my way through, stopping at intervals to allow servants to turn their backs, I imagined myself as one of those brave adventurers in Cerise's stories.

Once I made it through the doors I dived into the hedge of bushes and crawled along the perimeter of the castle. I took a break to examine my surroundings. Peeking out I could see the blue Eldairian banners making their way through the castle's outer gate.

If only I had my, I mean Nazam's spyglass (technicality), then I could see them better. But the spyglass was upstairs in my chest at the end of my bed... or under my pillow or on the window-seat or wherever I left it last.

I made it to the side doors and slipped in probably not as stealthily as in my head. The stones that paved the stairs descending into the dark bowels of the castle were steep and unsteady, so I took my time and kept my hands on the walls.

A railing here would do wonders for the weak knees. I should mention it to somebody... rail maker?

Once I was down there, there was enough dim torchlight for me to see. I quickly made my way through the maze of corridors. I prided myself on knowing nearly, if not all the secret passages and tunnels within my castle. The dungeon, on the other hand, well, I didn't have much occasion to go exploring. We did not have many prisoners at a given time. Mostly, peasants who drank too much and made a nuisance of themselves or those who could not pay their taxes were regular fliers. They did not stay long.

I managed to avoid a couple of patrolling guards, but I was quickly losing hope of finding him.

I'm positive I have looked in every cell by now!

Becoming frustrated, I was sure I was going to get caught any moment no--

"Princess Enna! What on earth are you doing down here?"

Busted.

I twirled on my toe to Sir Arthur, my best innocent smile on full display. Then it dropped into a grimace when I saw who was walking with him. Our royal sorcerer, Nazam the Great, mirrored my grimace.

He stood there in his usual pretentious way. With his pretentious bronze skin and bald head. He had slightly pointy pretentious ears, black twisty beard, and pretentious narrowed charcoal-lined eyes. He wore his trademark sneer and was wrapped in pretentious purple robes. Everything he does is pretentious. The way he casts spells, the way he lectures, the way he eats, the way he breathes. Pretentious breathing... okay... so I did not know exactly what pretentious meant. But Rose said it once about Nazam with distaste and Jade, Carmine, and Cerise all agreed so I did too.

"Nothing good, I imagine. Run along now, Princess," Nazam said in his drawn out way that made it sound like he was perpetually bored.

I placed my hands on my hips and retorted, "I'm not doing anything wrong."

"Yet," Nazam challenged. "Let's not give you the time to correct such fortuitious oversight."

I rolled my eyes and turned my attention to Sir Arthur. "Good Sir Knight. I wish to inquire about the boy I found out in the forest last night."

"I'm sorry, Enna," Sir Arthur replied, "but we are in the middle of an open investigation."

"You're not done questioning him?"

"He's not talking," Nazam interjected. "So, there's nothing you can-"

"Is he still unconscious? He talked fine last night. I just want to check on him."

"No, he's not unconscious." Nazam gritted his teeth with strained patience. "That hardly matters. A little princess like you need not bother yourself. In fact, perhaps the King or Queen would like to hear about your escape from the medicinal room."

Stupid pretentious sorcerer.

"Now now, Nazam. The princess is just being tender hearted. We can't fault her for that," Sir Arthur said. He had settled back with his hand stroking his beard thoughtfully. Now he lifted a hand to quiet Nazam's objections and extended it to me. I took it and he winked. "This is hardly worthy news to bother His or Her Majesty within the midst of visiting royalty. Of course, I can't let a princess walk around unaccompanied. I would be happy to escort you back upstairs, Princess. Unless you would rather do the honors, Nazam?"

"Oh. No. That pleasure will have to be all yours, Arthur. I am going to do something of import with my time. Perhaps there is a way I can confirm the pieces of the faux dragon are Maruvian." He muttered this last part to himself, but I heard it.

Maruvian?

"Ah! Always the charmer, my friend," Arthur laughed heartily. Nazam merely grunted and gave me a curt bow as Arthur guided me away. As we started down the dark passageway, I turned my head over my shoulder to stick my tongue out at Nazam. His grimace deepened.

I breathed a sigh of disappointment.

So much for a big adventure.

Suddenly Arthur stopped and made a sharp turn.

Or ...

"You're not taking me above ground, are you?"

"Ah, yes. Enna. Perceptive as always. No. I see no harm in you visiting the prisoner. Perhaps you can brighten his day. He's had a rough one."

Excitement made my steps hop. We came to a giant door that I did not recognize. That's weird.

"Was this door always here?"

"Quick as a whip. No. This unit is reserved for prisoners being held for treasons or POWs in times of war. It is summoned by Nazam's magic. That's why there's no regular guard patrols through here."

"I don't think he meant to hurt anyone."

"Well, that may be. But his silence is not helping his case."

"I wouldn't talk to Nazam if I had a choice either," I pointed out.

He chuckled. "I won't argue that point. But time is running out. Go on in. I'll watch the door."

"Thank you, Sir Arthur."

He gave a small sad smile.

"Of course, little Enna."

He was still in the same torn clothes he had on last night. And though there had been some attempt to clean him, it was done inefficiently. His wounds, to my surprise, looked worse. The bruises blossomed on his skin with deep shades of blue and purple. I couldn't see the wound on his leg clearly. He was laying down on the stone floor behind bars, back half turned to me. The musky dungeon was as welcoming as you would expect a dungeon to be. I noticed a background noise... a drip of water that was constant. I looked around but did not find the source.

If he heard my approach, he gave no indication. He was utterly motionless.

"Hey," I whispered, feeling shy for some reason.

His head turned to me with a jerk. I saw his impressive gray eyes slowly light up with recognition.

"You." His voice was even more hoarse than last night, and his lips chapped. I looked around for some water to give him, wondering again at the dripping sound. "The barrel," the nearly grown boy coughed.

"Oh!" The barrel full of water sat on the other side of the room. It wasn't where the sound was coming from but no matter. I took the ladle that rested on the side and dipped it into the water. I brought it carefully over to him slipping it through the bars. As he drank, I knelt down on the ground to be level with him.

"Are you... okay?" Stupid question but my brain could not come up with something to fill the silence.

He gulped down the water and cleared his throat roughly before talking.

"Yeah. What are you doing here?"

"To see you, silly. I had to sneak down here so I don't know how long I can stay."

He looked at me like I was a puzzle he couldn't quite find all the pieces to.

"Why?"

"Why not? You're hurt." My eyes scanned down the rest of his body I didn't see upon entering. Someone had replaced my dress scarp with real binding, though it was soiled, and blood was soaking through it.

I could change that. Maybe. It should not be too difficult, I imagine.

My eyes continued down until I saw some rune stones tied together on his ankle.

"Why did they only give you some simple healing stones? That's going to take forever to actually touch your injuries..."

Oh. A realization hit me. It's not about healing him. It's about making sure he doesn't get worse. He didn't say anything. He wasn't even looking at me. I used my fingers to trace where his line of vision was directed. The barrel.

I brought him another ladle full of water. He took it and his eyes searched mine once more, his lips twitching.

"Thanks," he finally said, coughing after gulping down the liquid.

"How did you end up inside that dragon?" While I knew it wasn't a dragon, I didn't know what else to call it.

Suddenly he felt very far away though he hadn't moved a muscle. And I knew he was closing up. I panicked. "You didn't mean to hurt anyone, did you?"

"Did I?" he exclaimed; his voice was high with panic as he leaned forward placing a hand on the bars.

I smiled. He didn't mean to. I knew it.

I covered his fingers with mine and squeezed them, hoping to give him comfort, even of the smallest measure.

"It's okay. You're innocent. I believe you. It must have been fun flying on a dragon."

He blinked. He pulled out his hand from under mine and scooted to his right so he could lean up against the stone wall. I saw he moved carefully as to not move his injured leg too much.

He scoffed, "More like terrifying."

My eyes widened. He seemed to read my mind and quickly finished, "it wasn't a dragon.... it was an airship..."

"Right. Airship. Of course... a ship that sails on air... and stuff."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, I don't know what that is!" I admitted.

He laughed soundlessly before shifting with a wince, his eyes glistened. Something told me not to ask him if he was about to cry. Broken ribs? He was obviously in pain.

"It's okay. You've got the right idea. A ship that sails on air... and stuff." The corners of his mouth lifted slightly though his voice was strained. It could have been a smile, though I would not classify such a pained expression for one of joy. Suddenly I had a vague impression he was trying to cheer me up. Did my face show my concern just now?

"You can call me Sienna. What is your name?" I asked softly, tucking my hair behind my ear.

"Tallis. Tallis Grey."

Gray. Like his eyes. How fitting.

Nazam's words came to me.

"Are you Maruvian?"

He froze, then demanded, "Who told you that?"

The door opened before I could answer. Sir Author strode in with two guards. I instinctively rose to my feet.

"Tallis Grey, Maruvian. I'd like to hear more about this airship you were on. Let us have a chat." He turned to me and kissed my hand. It burned. "Thank you for your assistance, Enna. Men, if you will escort Princess Sienna back to her room for me."

"Wait! I didn't.. this wasn't..." I turned back to the cell but Tallis was not listening. He was far away, closed off.

~~♡~~

Days have passed since the strange attack and the Maruvian's appearance. He would not talk to me. Of course, I wasn't supposed to be going down there at all but I'm Princess Sienna, so I manage.

When I saw his healing treatments were not getting any better, I decided I needed to take action. I was still not in the mood to even look at Sir Arthur.

How dare he use me like that? Who does that?
I could go directly to Father.

As soon as the thought came, I leapt up from my thinking perch on the window seat. How to get a quick audience with my father? It was easy to sneak into his study if he was there. I can listen in on meetings in the war council room, but I did not want to reveal myself there or I would lose my hiding place. Rose told me to not use the secret passage to his bed chambers ever again, especially at night. But that is the only place and time I know he would be for certain. And it would afford us privacy... if Amelia had not been summoned there. I was so lost in my thoughts that I collided right into someone. I fell back.

"Sienna!" Ruby gasped.

Oh great.

Ruby stood there with Cerise and Carmine. Sir Wilhelm stepped forward to help me off the ground. "You end up on the ground a lot, don't you, Princess?"

"Thank you, Sir Wilhelm." I had not seen the raven-haired knight since the attack. "Oh! I am not sure if I thanked you properly for helping me the other night. I have been so busy. You must think me ungrateful. I meant to seek you out, but I wasn't sure where you would be. I suppose I could've just followed Carmine around since you have been assigned to---"

"Sienna, you're rambling. Princesses do not ramble," Ruby chastised.

"Well, I am a princess, so I guess I wasn't rambling then, was I?"

Cerise giggled and Ruby's red lips thinned.

"Where were you headed?" Carmine asked.

"Are you already finished with the report Professor Dumonte assigned to you?" Ruby asked before I could answer Carmine's question.

"She extended the due date."

"To when?"

I shrugged. "Indefinitely? I told her I was still suffering from the shock of the attack."

"She fell for that?" Carmine asked skeptically.

"Sure." Truthfully, I don't think she did but she was looking burnt out. She probably needed the break more than I did.

"Where are you headed?" Ruby asked rubbing her temples.

"To see Father."

"You were summoned?" Cerise questioned.

"Well, uh no, not exactly... but I need to tell him about something." I was feeling very put on the spot by my three eldest sisters. Why does everyone have to know what I am doing or where I'm going all the time?

"You know better," Ruby said. "He is busy with the Eldairans."

I rolled my eyes. Typical Ruby response. "Yes, he is a king. He is always busy, but this is important. I need him to---"

"And do you think you will have the outcome you desire if you sneak into the council room and interrupt his meetings? He will not be happy. Can it not wait?"

"He's in the council room? Well, that's not ideal." I began rethinking strategy but they're still talking to me.

She sighed. "Did you not hear anything else I just said? Carmine, Cerise, do you mind continuing ahead? I'd like to speak to Sienna privately."

They nodded and continued.

A lecture from Ruby ... just what this day was missing.

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