Zia didn't sleep at all that night. Arch had offered the King and his Guards to stay the night in the camp, and Zia's nerves were so taut she knew she would never find sleep. Seeing Jay brought back waves of unpleasant memories into Zia's mind, and she didn't know how she felt about him sleeping peacefully in the same camp as her, no idea of the horrible and painful memories that he brought with him.

After tossing and turning on her cot beneath the open sky for an hour or so, Zia finally couldn't take it any longer and silently crawled out of her cot, careful not to wake the others around her. As she quietly walked through the band of blankets and people, she wondered if they, like her, had ever not been able to find sleep because of a terrible past they were trying to escape. Then she began to wonder what trials and sorrows were hidden beneath the eyes of these men. What secrets did they hide behind their own eyes? These were people Zia saw and talked to every day of her life, yet she knew little more about them than their names.

She walked softly through the trees, disappearing like a ghost into the night. She walked around the camp with the aspens and evergreens there to guard her. She touched the trunks of every tree in her reach. She had always marveled at them. They had thousands of stories hidden away within their trunks and branches. They had probably seen wars, death, pain, suffering, light, darkness. Yet, here they still stood- strong, tall, and majestic.

She walked on for another five minutes or so when she came to a clearing in the trees. The figures of four men were sleeping around a small campfire. They were accompanied by a large tent that bore the Otarian crest. One man was sitting with his back to a tree a little ways away from the camp. He was obviously on watch. King Donathan was smarter than Zia thought. It appeared that the King trusted the Thieves no more than they trusted him. Then Zia realized that the idea of posting a lookout could have been Jay's. He was the King's head of security after all.

The sentry had not appeared to have noticed her, so Zia tentatively took a step back. But the small movement seemed to catch the eye of the Guard. He stood and the air was filled with a hissing shring! sound as the sentry unsheathed his sword at his hip.

"Who goes there?" The sentry's voice was deep and thick, and his voice sounded..... different. The way he spoke was unfamiliar to Zia. His words were sharp and they seemed to come from deep within his throat. Perhaps he is from another kingdom? Zia wondered.

Knowing she had been caught, she stepped fully into the clearing, showing her hands in a gesture of peace.

The Guard pointed his sword at her chest. "Wha' is a young lass like ye-self doing out alone in the woods a' this hour? And among such company?"

"The call of nature," Zia replied smoothly.

This rattled the Guard. He was obviously from the city where women would die of fright at the mention of such a thing, let alone say it like it was an everyday thing- even though it was. But Zia had grown up with men. Some things just came to one in such a situation.

"'Scuse me?" he asked, lowering his sword a bit.

"You heard me," Zia said.

A confused expression still played on his face, and he lowered his sword to the ground. He studied her carefully, and Zia in turn did the same. It was difficult to see in him the dark, but she could see his broad shoulders and hair the color of fire. He had a light beard on his face, but it was well kept. He was very young, twenty-nine at the most. But he looked just as strong and fit as any of the older men of the Royal Guard.

"You're the li'l lass tha' held your sword at the Captain. I recognize ye now." His voice was dark, and he lifted his sword back in front of him. "Wha' are ye doing here? Come to finish the job? Well, I won' let ye."

Zia raised her hands innocently. "What harm could I have done?" she asked with feigned hurt. "I'm just a young girl."

The Guard laughed harshly. "You don' fool me fer one secon'. You held tha' sword well enough. I jus' don' wanna find out how well ye can fight wit' it."

Zia smiled. She was beginning to like this man. "You're a smart one. Tell me, where do you come from? Where's home for you?"

He narrowed his eyes at her. "Why does tha' matter to ye, lass?"

Zia shrugged and leaned against a tree and crossed her legs. She folded her arms casually in front of her. "I just noticed you speak differently. How long have you lived in Otar?"

"Nine years ago, my family an' I moved to Otar to escape the war in my homeland." His voice was guarded, like she could pry all his secrets from that one sentence if he wasn't careful.

"Where is home?" Zia asked softly.

"The kingdom north o' here. Scullin."

"I hear that the weather there is cold and wet," Zia said.

"Aye," the sentry agreed. "But the sunset over the mountains is pure beau'y."

"Do you miss it? Do you wish you could go home?"

The guard rubbed his hand over his face. "Aye, sometimes. Bu' then I remember why we lef', and I realize we can ne'er go back."

Zia cocked her head. "Why must you forever abandon your homeland?"

"War has been busy in Sculin as well as yer own land, lass."

All was silent for a while. Finally, Zia said, "What's your name?"

"Archibald, Archibald Buchanan."

"All Scullish names have meaning." Zia remembered Arch teaching her that when she was training in geography and foreign relations. "What does yours mean?"

"It means 'bold',"  Archibald said. "Me mum always said I'd be a fighter. What might yer name be, lass?"

Zia smiled. She was genuinely starting to like Archibald. "I'm Zia."

"Tha' is an odd name," Archibald said, though not unkindly.

Zia smiled. "I didn't exactly pick it out for myself. Thank goodness, too, because otherwise I'd be called something like Eggingtrude."

Archibald smiled, showing off a row of white teeth. "Tell me, how did a lass like ye get to such a place, among such people?"

"I grew up here." It wasn't the full story of course, but no one aside from herself, Ike, Heath, and Arch knew the full story, and it wasn't exactly one that she went about proclaiming to the skies.

"Arch? The leader here?" he asked. 

Zia nodded. 

"He is not yer father, is he?"

"No." Zia's voice was steely and cold. "But he's the closest thing I have ever had to one."

They sat in an uncomfortable silence for a while, until Archibald said, "I think it be best if ye were off. Percival will be switching off with me any time now."

Zia nodded and leaned back onto her own two feet. "It was nice meeting you, Archibald."

"Aye, ye as well, lass."

Word of the reasons for the King's unexpected visit had spread faster than a wildfire. No one knew who had been the one to start the fire, but Zia was willing to bet good money that it was some eavesdropping scumbag.

All souls in the Thieves' camp rose before the sun did. Arch had sent out a proclamation saying that he would select the ones going on the expedition after breakfast that morning, but scarcely anyone ate. There was not the usual laughing and merriment from the fires as they ate; each man appeared to be lost in his own thoughts.

Zia ate her porridge quietly at her usual campfire. Heath and Ike were not present, and it made the campfire seem much colder. The solemness of the men was reflected in the sky. Gray clouds loomed over the camp, blocking out any rays of sunlight that were trying to reach the ground below. The ground was wet and muddy, and the porridge was bitter and had a slop-like texture.

"Hullo," a cheerful voice behind her said. Ivy, the third and final female Thief, sat down on a log across the fire from Zia. She held her bowl of porridge in her hands gently and she began to eat. Everything about Ivy was gentle. She had fair skin that was soft as a newborn's. Her eyes were soft blue and her shoulder-length brown hair was smooth and silky.

"How are you this morning, Ivy?" Zia asked.

Ivy smiled. "Wonderful! My garden's almost ready for harvesting. It will be a good haul this year." A smile that was so bright it made up for the lack of sunlight spread on her lips. Ivy could make even the dreariest of days as sweet as spring.

"How are the carrots faring this year?" Zia wondered. "Last harvest season they were all stolen by the rabbits."

Ivy smiled slyly. "Oh, don't worry. I took care of it."

Before Zia could ask her exactly what she did, a rustle went through the camp as Arch and the King exited the main tent. Arch carried a rolled up piece of parchment in his fist. It was obviously the list of the Thieves going to war. Zia stared at it, wishing and hoping that her name was inked onto that page. This could be her chance to have an adventure!

Arch reached the center of camp and called for everyone to gather around him. There were a few grunts and groans as the men formed a half circle around Arch, but other then that it was silent. Everyone was staring intently at the parchment in Arch's hand, some with eagerness, some with fear. The King stood outside the circle, his Guard closely gathered around him with their hands on their swords.

"Now," Arch called into the chilled air, "the ones selected for the quest for the King are as follows. They will be accompanied by some of the King's Guards for a very important task that will decide the fate of the war. If those who are called do not wish to go, then you may choose another to take your place. Those people are: Daniel Hayes..."

Daniel's eyes got big and wide. They were full of terror and he appeared to have stopped breathing.

"...Howard Pendro..."

Pendro was a large man with few teeth and thick arms. When his name was called, he pumped out his chest and tilted his chin up.

"...Heath Rockhower, Ike Reems, Kaleb Green..." On and on the list went until ten men were called. As Arch called the last person, Zia was seething. She hadn't been chosen. What made matters even worse was that the brothers Hamish and Ryker were among the chosen. Zia thought they didn't need anything to swell up their egos, but Arch apparently did not feel that way.

Hang on, part of her said. Look at Daniel. He will back out for sure.

Zia saw she was right. Daniel Hayes was pale and his eyes were bloodshot. He was the epitome of fear. Obviously the mystery surrounding the details of this mission for the King did not intrigue him as it Zia, but instead filled him with despair. 

As Arch rolled up his list, he called out, "Are there any who have been called who do not wish to go?"

Zia's eyes found Daniel, and she observed as he eagerly raised his hand into the air. "Me!" he called out.

All eyes latched onto his face, but he didn't seem to notice. "Please, Arch, I have a wife and kids back home. They would all die if I left and never returned." His voice was desperate and he was pleading fiercely.

"All right, Daniel," Arch said. "Who would you pick to go in your place?"

As Daniel's eyes searched the crowd, Zia made sure he would see her and tried to catch his eye, but he didn't seem to find her face.

"Er... um..." He looked around at all the faces surrounding him. He must have known the weight of the choice he held, but he did not appear to know how to handle it. "Uh, I'm not sure-"

"Oh, for goodness' sake, I'll go!" Zia hadn't realized she had spoken until she noticed everyone's eyes on her.

"Oh," Daniel said. He seemed relieved that he wouldn't have to choose anyone. "Well, I choose Miss Zia, I suppose..." It sounded more like a question than a statement, but it sent a jolt of pleasure through Zia all the same. She was going! But Arch quickly dashed that hope.

"No. You may choose anyone but her," he said.

Both Daniel and Zia stared at him.

"You said he could pick," Zia told him. "And he did. I'm going."

"No," Arch said sharply. "Absolutely not."

Zia stared daggers at him. "Yes. I'll go whether I am on the list or not!" she shouted, and she knew it was true. She would have followed the party out as soon as they had left. She couldn't stand the thought of staying behind when there was something important to be done. She looked at Arch with so much fire she was surprised he didn't burst into flames.

Arch stared back at her and a stare battle had begun, neither one willing to let the other win, because letting the other win was submitting to their will.

"Zia." Arch's voice was a low growl. Zia had never seen him so mad, but she wasn't going to back down. "My tent. Now."

After glaring one last time at him, Zia spun on her heel and stalked off to Arch's tent.

"You will not be going, Zia, and that's final!" Arch stood behind his desk, hands on his hips and his icy eyes staring her down.

She stared back with just as much ferocity. "Yes, I am! I'm not a little girl anymore, Arch! I don't need you to protect me!"

"That wasn't what you were saying when you were living under Daxtor's tyranny," he pointed out.

"But I'm not anymore-"

"And who made that happen?" Arch demanded. "Believe it or not, Zia, you're still in danger of him. Daxtor is still out there, and he's just waiting for you to expose yourself so he ca-"

"But I can take him now! He can't lay a finger on me! With one flick of my sword I could-"

"See?" Arch exclaimed. "That's what I'm talking about right there! You think you can do things that you're not capable of! You think you're indestructible. You don't realize how weak you are-"

"I'M NOT WEAK!" The words roared out of Zia's lips like a lion, and she was sure they could be heard throughout the camp. They burst out of her like water under high pressure, and once she started she couldn't stop. "I'm anything but weak. I've been abused by Daxtor for my whole life- physically for six years, and now mentally with the fear that he'll come back and finish the job for the past twelve! I've learned to fight to keep myself safe and how to live in the wilderness without the comforts of a warm house. I've never had a mother, and I've been raised by men my whole life, which is not as pleasant as it sounds! All my life I've been told that I can't, that I'm too fragile, and women don't do what I do. There was no one who understood me- there's still no one who understands me." She mumbled the last part, but Arch heard it still the same.

Arch was shocked at her outburst. He had no idea that's how she felt. She appeared to be fine, happy even, with her new life. Arch knew he couldn't do everything for her, but he could protect her. Yet here she was, saying she didn't need his protection. That was all Arch had ever done; protecting her was all he knew. If he couldn't do that, what could he do?

Zia's whole frame shook, whether from shock or fury, she couldn't tell. She couldn't believe herself! She should never had said that! True, that's how she felt, but Zia was supposed to be a master of keeping her thoughts and feelings locked away.

"Well, why don't you tell me how you really feel, Zia?" Arch joked. Joked? She had yelled and screamed awful things at him, and he joked?

"I- I am sorry, Arch. I didn't mean-"

"No, it's quite all right," Arch said. He took a deep sigh. "You really want to go on this expedition?"

Zia nodded her head, but on the inside she was saying, No, you think?

Despite not having said them out loud, Arch guessed her thoughts and smiled. "Fine. I will allow you to go- but," he said before she could get too excited, "I'll ask Ike and Heath will keep a close eye on you... not that they don't already."

Zia cocked her head to the side. "What do you mean?"

Arch smiled and shook his head in that way he used to use on her and Ike as children. "You'll understand one day. Now go before I change my mind."