"Flynn... Flynn." I opened my eyes to find Theo was shaking me awake. "Hey, for someone so worried about trouble last night, you sure slept like a log." Last night... something happened last night, but what? Sitting up, I raked through my brain. Something... something... something... Nothing came up no matter how much I chanted for it in my head.

"Flynn," Skyler's voice pulled me out of thought, "You okay? You look troubled."

"I'm fine," I gave her a fake smile, then stood up and stretched. "I'm just ready to get back on the road again."

That morning, nothing seemed wrong, nothing about me felt off, everything felt normal, but I knew it wasn't. I don't know what happened last night, but I knew I wanted nothing more than to get out of this house.

Finally, our time for departure came, but before we left, Korren gave us the weapons he showed us last night. Each one had an attachment to hold each weapon. Theo had a belt that held the coiled up rod, while Skyler had something strapped to her back which held her weapon by the handle. I, on the other hand, had both; a belt to sheath the two main knives at my hips, and something on my back to sheath the other four. Rolling my shoulders, I tested their mobility, but the straps were comfortable, and not restricting. I was tempted to refuse the knives when Korren handed them to me, but my curiosity beat my caution, as it so often did. As I was examining one of the hilts at my side, I felt a small tingle at my temple. I stepped back as Korren was with drawing his hand from me.

"What did you do?" My hand went to my temple, felling a small circle fitted there.

"Relax, it's just part of the weapon. I assume you want to be able to control those blades on your back?"

I turned my eyes away, and rested my hands on the hilts at my sides. It felt good to be armed again.

"Good luck on your mission with the princess, I hope you succeed."

Theo gave a nod, "And thank you for the hospitality you've shown us, it was appreciated."

Korren nodded in return, and I began tapping my foot impatiently by the door. My tapping was ceased for a moment when Rae appeared behind Korren. As Skyler and Theo walked out the door, she gave me a soft wave, and I waved back. Then I walked away into the harsh sun of the white city.

***

"Alexainya!" I could hear Meredith calling my name.

"I'm in here!"

Meredith's head appeared in the door way, wide silver eyes softened as they saw me. "Finally, I found you." Breathing a sigh, Meredith stepped into the room. She had a white and gray dress on, with her lavender hair falling into shoulder length curls.

I found myself examining a strand of my own maroon hair. Sometimes I wished I had curls like Meredith, but my hair was straight as a board, and even when I did curl it, they never last long. This is strange considering the fact that Mother has a head full of natural ringlets.

The lady in waiting walked into the room lecturing me with a soft yet stern voice. "You know the queen doesn't like you wandering around alone."

"It's not like I've left the palace or anything, I'm not going to get lost." I turned away from her pulling open the door to a cooling storage, then walked into the brisk air.

"You getting lost isn't what she's worried about." Meredith followed behind me without any noise in her step. With her light feet, petite figure, and soft voice, the girl often reminded me of a mouse.

I understood what she was hinting at. "What? You think it's likely someone could get to me without a single guard spotting and stopping them in this soldier infested palace?"

"Well, you did it just now to get down here." She has a point.

I looked over my shoulder at her. "You have to remember though, that not everyone is me."

"I know, but that is besides the point, it has happened before. There is a reason Her Majesty has as many guards posted as there are."

"Yes, yes..." I plucked an apple from a crate.

"I'm just saying, someone could always be hiding around the bend to steal you away."

I sighed, "No, I think that's being far too optimistic."

Meredith gasped, "Princess, you don't mean that!"

I paused, staring down into the shine of my apple, then looked at her. "You're right, it was a joke." Meredith didn't look convinced. "It was a joke, I swear!"

The girl gave a tired sigh, "Was the apple all you came for?" I nodded. "Good, because you have a training session you need to get ready for. Now, lets go back." With my own tired sigh, I followed her out.

I walked into the training room, Meredith beside me, and was a little surprised at who I found there. "Mother, what are you doing here?"

She looked over at me, her vibrant blue eyes meeting mine. There was a natural arch in her red eyebrow, that gave her a chilly stare. She was known for that stare, and it was one of the few things we had in common. "You sound shocked to see me. Is it strange for a mother to want to see her daughter's progress?"

"No," I spoke softly, "It was unexpected is all." Looking around, I noticed something else different. "Where is Rein?" I'd never seen Rein late for anything since he started training me, and I'd never seen him miss a session either.

"He won't be here today, I have him doing business for me."

"I thought he was retired."

"This is an exception."

I drew my eyebrows together. Rein had always taken his retirement from the military seriously, saying that training me was the only exception he'd allow for. "What is he doing for you?"

"That doesn't concern you."

I've only worked with the man for ten years, yes, of course I have no right to wonder where he's disappeared off to. I kept my lips shut tight.

"Now, enough with questions, and begin. I'm busy today, and you are going to be with me."

I gave a sigh small enough that she wouldn't hear. Days with her were often long, and it wasn't what we did. It was actually enjoyable at times to get some experience running the kingdom with her, dealing with the people, and being included in meetings. What was exhausting though was always walking on a fine line, not knowing where to step. No matter what I did, Mother seems to always have something to say. Even when I take the safe route and do nothing, she still gets mad at me.

When I was getting ready to transform, Mother held up a hand, stopping me. "I would like to see how you do in your human form."

"As you wish." I said while bending into my fighting stance, with nothing but my fist against the four armed guards.

***

I walked behind Theo and Flynn as we approached the large, white, arched, palace gate. Theo handing off his note to one of the guards posted there, the man allowed us entry. It was odd walking through the palace grounds, almost intimidating. Which was strange considering Velberis had matched it in grandeur. Maybe that was the impression a living city could leave. Everything was active, shiny, and new, unlike the ruins in Yaris. Not only that, but the thought of royalty made me feel a little stiff. Someone in that building ruling an entire nation, and our plan was to steal away her daughter. It was all a bit unsettling, and the high populace of guards didn't help in easing those nerves. Speeding up a little in my walk, I pulled myself closer to Theo.

Apparently, the note Theo had was a scheduled audience with the queen Mariah had made. Inside the waiting, our weapons were taken from us, while a guard informed us of all we needed to know. After that, silence. It was a very awkward silence, though, I think, only for me. Theo was quiet, yet seemed content, Flynn looked irritated by everything around him, especially now that his knives were taken from him, and I was left unsure of how to start conversation with the guard posted at the doorway. So I sat in the quiet room, my nerves eating me up.

After a time that felt too long, yet not long enough, the creaking of the door startled me for how still things had been. A girl was there, addressing us in a mater-of-a-factual tone. "Her Majesty will see you now. Please follow me."

Through large dark wooden doors was the wide, white, throne room. Banners of white, gold, and blue hung beside the large windows, whose crystalized light cast soft rainbows on the marble floor. The same dark lined the walls, pulling up into buttresses within the hollow roof. As if carved into the back of the room was a step that staged the thrones; perfectly chiseled, symmetric and smooth. Those seats were built on such a way, ones eyes couldn't help but be drawn to them.

Upon those thrones sat two women. They shared similar features that varied on two different ends of the spectrum. The one on the right, no doubt the queen, had hair of curly flames done up in a wild yet precise and natural fashion. Her eyes were the pale blue of a snow storm, that were sharp and hard with every glance. Age had not marred her beauty, while allowing for wisdom to crease her tan skin. While the girl on the left had straight long hair the color of a dark wine, sapphire eyes, and a sharp young beauty in her features. Though the greatest resemblance they shared was the arch in their eyebrows, that gave them each a cool and intimidating stare. This was the girl we were to still away. The princess.

As we walked in, the princess glanced between each of us, an unreadable expression on her face, then her eyes narrowed upon reaching mine. A chill shot down my back as I glanced awkwardly to the side of the room.

"You acquired an audience with me, now state your business." A voice accustomed to demanding attention spoke out, bringing my eyes back to the thrones. It was the queen's words.

"Of course, Your Majesty," Theo gave a slight bow, and signaled for Flynn and I to do the same. Flynn was cooperative, but by no means attempted to hide the distain on his face. "We've been sent here by Mariah Montez," The queens eyes narrowed upon the name. "Requesting you're daughter's assistance." Interest sparked in the princesses eyes as Theo mentioned her.

The queen gave a light scoff. "I knew you three looked familiar, now it's starting to all make sense. Seems Mariah never gave up on her attempt to restore the Order." There was a far off look in the queens eyes, as if a memory played in her mind. Those sharp features softened for just a moment, then she glanced from the memory and to her daughter, as if just then realizing the girl was there. "Meredith, please escort Alexainya to her bedroom."

"Yes, Your Majesty." A girl moved from the side of the room, who seemed almost invisible moments before for she was so still.

Alexainya's eyes went wide as she stared at her mother, still sitting unmoved in her seat. "Mother," she said almost in disbelief. "I would like to stay and listen--"

"Go." The word was impenetrable to persuasion.

Alexainya made no movement for a while, then stood silently walking stiffly with clamped fists, her hilled boots echoing on the stone.

To my surprise, it was Flynn who broke the silence. "With all due respect, Your Majesty, wouldn't it be best to allow the princess to stay, considering the fact that it is her whom this subject concerns?" The clicking of Alexainya's boots ceased.

A dangerous light lit up in the queens eyes as she raised an eyebrow at Flynn, who seemed completely unfazed by her glare. She glanced Flynn up and down slowly, leaning forward a little. "Speak you're name."

"Flynn Arc, Your Highness."

"Hmph," her mouth pulled into a tight lipped smile. "Well, Flynn Arc, I don't need some boy off the street giving me their input on where my daughter should be."

Flynn mimicked her smile, ignoring the warning gaze Theo passed him. "Then perhaps you could consider your daughter's input. Hopefully that could be some use to you instead."

"You have daring tongue for a peasant."

"Bold of you to assume my social statues." With each word out of Flynn's mouth, I could feel the tension raising, and wished more and more that he would stop talking.

The queen scoffed. "I don't need to know. I knew your father, and may I say, peasant was too kind a word to describe him. My guess is you're no different." I watched as a light flipped on in Flynn's eyes. In his posture and expression, he looked completely cool and composed, but the fire in his eyes would convince anyone otherwise. He was absolutely seething.

As he took a step forward, Theo said his name, but once again, Flynn ignored the warning. "So you knew my father? Well it's a shame to disappoint, but on the contrary, I'm glad to say I'm nothing like that man."

"Oh? Are you sure? Just within this conversation I can spot countless relations. I'm sure the apple doesn't fall far from the the tree in other aspects as well." The queens lips curled into a contempt smile.

When Flynn attempted to walk forward, a guard intervened, griping a black rod with both hands. "Sir, step back."

With a raised eyebrow and a smirk, Flynn examined the man. "Or what? You're going to hit me with you're stick? How frightening." Flynn pushed past the guard with a finger pointed at the queen, Theo groaned in disappointment, and someone chuckled soft enough it was hard to hear. Was it the princess? I let my attention fly momentarily to her. Lip's barely hinting at a smile, her eyes were on Flynn. An electric shock sounded off in the large throne room, then a thud. Flynn was on the ground, body shaking violently. Light sparks danced at the end of the black rod, then vanished. It was only seconds after that guards surrounded Theo and I.

"I apologize on his his behalf, Your Highness." Theo said, raising his hands in surrender. Though the princess seemed amused at Flynn's outburst, the queen was the opposite.

"Well, your apology isn't enough. I'll deal with you three later." She gave a nod to the guards to take us away, two of them hauling the unconscious Flynn behind us.

I sat leaned against the wall in the cell, watching Theo pace back and forth in the artificial light, frustration apparent on his face while he thought. Flynn was laid out on the small bed still fast asleep, unaware of the predicament he'd landed us in. Four dull gray walls enclosed us in the small room, the only window on the door, which Theo moved back and forth in front of. My eyes fled from Theo and to the ceiling, examining the dim light in thought.

Considering the walk down to the jail, many of the guards had seen us, and identified us as captives. moving through the palace would be much more difficult after that, also, who knows what's going to happen when we get out of here. I understood why Theo was pacing so much.

The footsteps went quite, and the next thing I heard was a sigh as Theo slid down beside me. My eyes fell from the ceiling and onto his hunched figure; arms propped lazily on his knees, head slightly bowed. "All that walking get you a plan?"

"No." The word was bland. "You?" His head never moved, but his eyes turned to mine.

"None"

"Hmm..." Theo's gaze moved back to the floor, while I searched for my next words. It felt like my duty to rake up some kind of 'bright side'.

"Flynn will probably have some idea's though."

With a scoff, Theo passed the sleeping man a look of scorn. "Maybe, or he'll just screw up the situation more than he already has."

I nudged him in the shoulder. "Hey, have some faith. Flynn's not an idiot."

"Ha! I did give him faith, I thought him sensible enough to come here, and not make a mess of things, but he proved incapable of doing that." It seemed Theo had more to say about Flynn, but my glare kept him quiet. "Anyways, the situation is too unpredictable to come up with a solid plan. I suppose it's best to just play by ear from now on, or postpone the plan, and wait until we have some control."

"Hmm... at least we have step one down." Theo raised an intrigued eyebrow, encouraging my words. "I mean, we got into the palace."

His expression broke into a smile. "I suppose we did, just on the wrong side of the palace, and locked in a cell."

"Well, I never said it was a perfect beginning, but it's a start."

His arm moved around my shoulders, pulling me into his warm side. "Yes, it is." Naturally, I leaned my head against him, muscles I hadn't even realized were tense relaxing. My eyes closed for just a moment, but opened back up at the sound of the bed squeaking. Flynn had shot strait up on the mattress. Flynn's eyes flashed around the room in confusion, then hit Theo and I, allowing some ease to settle in them.

"Finally decided to join us?" Theo said stiffly. He still hasn't had an opportunity to get after Flynn for what happened in the throne room.

"What happened? Why are we here?" Flynn's voice sounded relatively calm, yet his fingers gripped the covers stiffly.

"You were an idiot, that's what happened. We got throne in a cell because of your little outburst with the queen."

Flipping his legs over the side of the bed, Flynn moved his eyes around more firmly now, analyzing each detail in the small room, which granted, wasn't a lot. "And have you managed to figure out a plan on how to get us out of said cell?" He stood now striding to the door, fiddling with the locked handle.

"No," Theo said stiffly. "Care to contribute you're expertise?"

"I'm attempting to. What have you tried so far?"

"Not much, the door is a solid make, and sealed shut. There isn't a lot to do."

"Hmm..." Flynn stepped back with a hand pinching his chin, giving the door an honest look. "Can the guards hear us? Have you tried talking to them?"

"What?" Theo leaned forward a little, his voice heavy with sarcasm. "You want to just ask them nicely to let you go. Yes, I'm sure that'll work great!"

With a casual shrug, Flynn spoke soft in thought. "You'd be surprised by how big of idiot's some people are. Sometimes, you just have to give them the right words."

"The floor's all yours then, if you really want to try." Theo waved a hand in front of him, before letting it flop back down on his knee. Just as his arm fell, the door opened.