"Memorise this path, Feriyah. You may be travelling without me, soon."
She nodded. The reality hit her in full swing again. The comfort of her supporters was becoming temporary now.
They speeded through the forest although Alson made sure to keep the jolts to a minimum. He maneuvered his way around potholes and made sure the journey was smooth. Although Elizabeth was free from pain now,  her injuries were still healing and their quick recovery was of utmost importance.

They soon caught up with the remaining riders. The race was still going on between Ida and Samantha. They could see the familiar cave ahead.

"Darkness creates the shadow.",  Alson said after knocking on the wall of the cave.
They were welcomed inside.

"Feriyah.",  the cry arose as they all entered the cave.
Everyone left whatever he was doing to stand in reverence of their queen,  their saviour,  their symbol of hope.

Elizabeth nodded in gratitude not sure of what else to do.
" Here.", Alson said pointing towards another corridor and they all followed him in.

A huge mahogany table stood in the middle. It was a round table which signified that everyone was equal at the table. Each person mattered and so did his opinion.

"Please sit down.", an old man whom Elizabeth recognised from her first visit here said.

Ida, Samantha, Alson, Louis and Elizabeth took their place at the table.

"Lets begin.", Alson said.

"How are you recovering, Feriyah?", a lady in her mid-twenties asked her. She had jet black hair and a fierce scar running down the length of her face.

"I am well , recovering speedily thanks to the excellent medical care of the doctors.", she said nodding gratefully towards Samantha.

"Although Princess Jane is out of imminent danger, this will not be the last attack on her. We have increased the protection of all the members of the royalty especially the Princess and Prince Harry. They will be under the vigil of night soldiers every second.", Santaf said.

"The royal guard has also been increased. We are actively looking out for any information about the attacker.", Louis stated.

"I believe it's time the royalty is informed of the imminent danger. The threat has entered the castle, there is no reason to keep them ignorant of this threat anymore.", Elizabeth said.

"It is because the threat has entered the castle that we cannot put our trust in the castle anymore.", Ida said.

"What do you mean?", Louis asked.

"The royalty has been compromised. The castle can no longer be trusted.", Alson replied.

"He is right, Prince. Someone from the castle is helping the Sigmas and unless we know who , we do not know who to trust.", Ida said.

"This cannot be true. None in the castle would betray Orenia.", Louis warned with a hint of anger in his voice.

"It is not possible for a single spy to launch an attack on a royalty not without inside help. It is not possible to paint a warning with blood on the castle walls without any inside help. Think about it Prince. Often the betrayal is less the fault of the sinner and more of the innocent who willingly overlooks all facts to fit his noble version of all things and humans.", Alson said.

"The night soldiers have easily been able to invade the castle perimeter single-handedly,", Louis said looking at Alson, "disguise themselves effectively and perfectly mingle with us for ages. How difficult can it be for the Sigmas to do the same and attack the Princess?", Louis asked exasperated.

"I'll tell you exactly how difficult Prince - it is impossible for a Sigma to do that."", Alson said.

"Why?", Elizabeth asked.

"Because the Sigmas cannot enter the royal castle. They are forbidden to enter the royal grounds - an oath their leader swore when the Sigmas were forced to submission and their lives spared.", Ida replied.

"And the very fact that incidents have still happened inside the castle point to one common truth - the Sigmas are recruiting. They are expanding their numbers and reach. No place remains untouchable to them now. The danger is no longer imminent, Prince, it is staring at us in the face now.", Samantha said.

"What do we do?", Elizabeth asked.

"Prepare - prepare ourselves for the battle. Because it sure as hell is coming.", Alson warned.

"What about the king? He knows of the night soldiers. Surely he would help us.", Elizabeth said.

"The king is aware of our situation and is helping us with resources, accessibility everything. He is even aware of Feriyah and you being complicit to our cause and approves of it. However the one thing that he cannot grant us is the army.", Santaf replied.

"Why?", Elizabeth asked.

"Because each man of the army swears to protect the king and kingdom from any foreign threat and to till their very last breath defend the honour of the kingdom. The army cannot lift weapon against its own people. Not against the night soldiers or the sigmas or the civilians. That is the law of the ancient lands and that is the law that must be abided even today.", Louis stated, sighing with defeat.

"This is ridiculous.", Elizabeth screamed. "The sigmas are preparing their army to march against us and we cannot use ours."

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that. And there is one solution of bringing peace without any war. And it's you, Feriyah.", Santaf said.

"What can I do?", Elizabeth asked.

"Remember the prophecy, Feriyah?", Samantha asked.

"Yes, the spirit of Tennysria and Orenia uniting, something about taking a voyage."

"If you fulfill the prophecy that will automatically result in the defeat of the evil. We were hoping it would be our last resort, our backup plan but considering the danger that we are facing now this seems less fatal.", Santaf continued.

"The decision is of course yours, Feriyah.", Samantha said.

"No, that is like sending her on a suicide mission. No one could ever do that before.", Alson argued.

"She is the Feriyah, Alson and it isn't like we have much choice.",  Ida said.

"No. I will not allow this. Feriyah, do not agree to this. It is a one way ticket to death.", Alson warned.

"Feriyah?", Ida asked.

"I'll do it.", the Feriyah stated.